Rus Livingood
May 14, 2013 – Reds @ Marlins – 7:10pm – Fox Sports Cincinnati
Reds Record (22 – 16)
Away Record (6 – 10)
Marlins Record (11 – 27)
Home Record (5 – 11)
Starters: Bailey (1 – 3) vs. Nolasco (2 – 4)
The Setting: Enjoying a leisurely evening at home with the family. This recliner and jumbo TV is a great way to take in a game.
The Game and Analysis:
•Absolutely terrific game by the Reds and Homer Bailey. The Reds scored early and then put the game out of reach shortly after as they cruised to a 6 – 2 victory.
•Bailey threw his fourth career complete game, and his first against an opponent other than the Pirates. He also tied his career high with 10 strikeouts, something he has done a handful of times now. After giving up a run in the first inning to tie the game, bailey settled in and cruised through the game. His final line was 9.0 innings pitched, 6 hits, 0 walks, 2 earned runs, and the aforementioned 10 strikeouts. Bailey threw 125 pitches in the game, but was still hitting 97 – 98 on the radar gun at the end.
•The Reds got started in the first inning when Zack Cozart doubled with one out and Joey Votto followed with a single. Cozart had to hold up on the play to see if it would be caught, so he was only able to make it to third. Brandon Phillips singled him home to make the game 1 – 0.
•The Marlins tied it up in the bottom of the first on a leadoff double by Juan Pierre; a groundout to move him to third, and then a single by Derek Dietrich.
•In the second, the Reds blew the game wide open, scoring five runs. The Reds had the bases loaded with two outs, and then the Marlins let the doors fly off. Ricky Nolasco gave up back to back walks to Votto and Phillips to make the score 3 – 1 Reds. Xavier Paul then hit a double over the left fielder’s head down the line to clear the bases and make it 6 – 1 Reds.
•Votto went 3 – 4 with the walk and RBI. He is back to hitting .322 on the year after this game. His OBP is at .454.
•Phillips’ two RBI gave him 33 on the season, as he leads the National League in that category.
•Ryan Hanigan picked up another two hits, and has hit much better since returning from the disabled list. He is 4 – 9 with two walks in the three games he has played after coming back.
•Shin-Soo Choo went 0 – 2, but walked twice and was hit by a pitch. His OBP is .456, just two points above Votto. Choo and Votto have consistently been first and second in that category in the majors this year. Choo was hit by a pitch for the twelfth time this year.
•Big Donald Lutz started in right field to give Jay Bruce a rest. He went 0 – 4 at the plate, but made solid contact on a couple of balls. His hit streak ended at six games. In the field, he looked comfortable playing in right, and made a heck of a throw to the plate on a sacrifice fly that scored the Marlins’ second run of the game in the seventh inning. The throw was low and fast on a straight line, but was just enough to the right side of the plate to allow the runner to slide in safely. Lutz looks more than adequate in right field if he should be needed there in the future. I have been impressed with what he brings to the table.
What Worked: Bailey had a tremendous game and the Reds did well with runners in scoring position (4 – 9). The Marlins have the worst offense in the league, and one big inning can win a game against them. That showed here.
What Didn’t Work: Nothing to complain about here.
Where They Stand: The Reds are 23 – 16, and are currently 2.5 games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Overall Thoughts: That is five in a row for the Reds, and a heck of a good game for Homer Bailey. The Reds offense struck when the opportunities were there, and they easily defeated the Marlins. I don’t know what to do with myself. The Reds are on a winning streak and I’m getting to watch every game. Hey, I must be their good luck charm!
Up Next: The Reds play game two of the series in Miami tomorrow night.
