Rus Livingood
August 18, 2013 – Reds @ Brewers – 2:10pm – Fox Sports Cincinnati
Reds Record (69 – 54)
Away Record (32 – 34)
Brewers Record (54 – 69)
Home Record (24 – 32)
Starters: Bailey (7 –10) vs. Peralta (8 – 12)
The Setting: I am sitting in my recliner, hoping to watch a Reds win live as it happens. We shall see!
The Game and Analysis:
•Homer Bailey turned in a terrific performance, giving up only three hits in eight innings of work. He had plenty of run support to back him up, as the Reds busted out with five runs in the second inning and four more in the fifth as they cruised to a 9 – 1 victory. All the wonderful details are below.
•The Reds looked to be in business early as Shin-Soo Choo led off the game with a single and was bunted over to second by Cesar Izturis. Joey Votto followed with a single to shortstop that put runners on the corners with one out. The Reds’ big RBI man for the year, Brandon Phillips, could not produce this time as he grounded into an inning-ending double play.
•The Reds would explode in the second inning, scoring five runs when they sent 10 batters to the plate:
1. Jay Bruce singled to left field.
2. Chris Heisey singled to left to send Bruce to second.
3. Jack Hannahan hit the third straight single to left to load the bases.
4. Ryan Hanigan continued to give left fielder Khris Davis a workout, hitting a two run single to left (2 – 0).
5. Bailey bunted out to the catcher in foul ground trying to sacrifice the runners over.
6. Choo drew a walk to load the bases again.
7. Izturis lined out to second for out number two.
8. While Votto was batting, a passed ball allowed Hannahan to score (3 – 0). Votto was then intentionally walked to load the bases again.
9. Phillips singled to left, scoring Hanigan and Choo (5 – 0). Davis didn’t pick the ball up cleanly allowing Votto to go to third and Phillips to second. Davis was probably winded from all the action he got this inning.
10. Bruce popped up to the third baseman in foul ground to end the inning.
•Bailey cruised through the first four innings, giving up only a double to Scooter Gennett. He threw 58 pitches in those first four innings and struck out five.
•He would get a lot more run support in the fifth, as the Reds had another huge inning with 10 batters coming to the plate:
1. Phillips walked and went to second on a wild pitch.
2. Bruce flied out to right field. Phillips tagged up and advanced to third.
3. Heisey singled in Phillips (6 – 0). That would be all for starter Wily Peralta.
4. Hannahan walked. Heisey went to second.
5. Hanigan singled in Heisey (7 – 0). Hannahan to second.
6. Bailey sacrificed both runners over with a bunt to the pitcher.
7. Choo walked to load the bases.
8. Izturis walked to force in Hannahan (8 – 0).
9. Votto walked to force in Hanigan (9 – 0).
10. Phillips flied out to end the inning.
•Davis opened up the bottom of the fifth with a home run off Bailey to make the score 9 – 1. It was the second hit off Bailey on the day, and he would quickly recover and retire the next eight batters before giving up a single and a walk. He would then retire the next four to finish up his day. That is all Bailey allowed in his eight innings of work; three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters. It was a great performance for Bailey. The final hit he gave up was an infield single. He just dominated the Brewers today.
•Choo reached base five times today, going 2 – 2 with three walks. Choo had been in a bit of a funk recently, but he went 5 – 12 in the series and picked up six walks as well.
What Worked: Bailey pitched a very nice game and was backed up by plenty of offense. Hanigan had a big day at the plate, and Choo got on base five times. Overall, the Reds were an astounding 6 – 12 with runners in scoring position.
What Didn’t Work: Davis hit the solo homer off Bailey for the only blemish in his pitching gem.
Where They Stand: The Reds are 70 – 54 and trail the Pirates by 2.5 games and the Cardinals by 1.5 games in the NL Central.
Overall Thoughts: Is it too much to ask to have the Reds dominate every game like this? Maybe. The offensive outburst was good to see, and Bailey has the ability to pitch like this every game. He is still improving, and hopefully games like these will increasingly become the norm for him. The biggest issue coming from tonight was the loss by the Pirates, allowing the Reds to move closer in the standings.
Up Next: The Reds return home for a four game set starting tomorrow.
