Rus Livingood
April 30, 2013 – Reds @ Cardinals – 8:15pm – Fox Sports Cincinnati
Reds Record (15 – 12)
Away Record (3 – 8)
Cardinals Record (14 – 11)
Home Record (5 – 5)
Starters: Arroyo (2 – 2) vs. Garcia (2 – 1)
The Setting: At home, relaxing on the couch (and later on my bed).
The Game and Analysis:
•This was another low-scoring game like yesterday, but the Reds came up short in this one. Both starting pitchers turned in good performances, but Jaime Garcia walked away with the victory. Arroyo threw 78 pitches in seven innings, and his only major mistake was hammered by Matt Holliday for a two run homer, the only runs the Cards would score. Garcia was equally effective, throwing 93 pitches through eight innings before turning it over to his closer. The Cardinals swung and missed on only two of Arroyo’s pitches, so he was pitching to contact all game long.
•Arroyo was lifted for pinch hitter Cesar Izturis in the eighth inning. Though Arroyo had plenty left in the tank and was pitching well, you have to try and get some runs on the board at that point, and you have a more than capable bullpen behind you. Izturis grounded out so the strategy didn’t pay off, but nothing was lost by hitting for Arroyo.
•Neither team was interested in letting the game lag on, and it finished in about two hours and 15 minutes. The Reds pitchers (Arroyo and Sam LeCure) threw a total of 88 pitches in their eight innings of work.
•I anticipated not being able to stay up for the game as it was a very long day at work. I was dead tired and went upstairs to possibly watch the game as I went to sleep, but it was over before I knew it. After a long day at work and then several errands after work, I am glad I didn’t have to think about staying up late to watch the ending of the game.
•Shin-Soo Choo doubled in the Reds’ only run in the fifth inning. When it left the bat, I was thinking Choo had hit a homer, but it ended up hitting the wall. Choo had been in a bit of a slump (as had everyone on the Reds during the Nationals series), and he had a great swing on that ball. Good to see. Have I talked about what a great pickup he has been?
•Speaking of slumps, Todd Frazier went 0 – 4 and his average is all the way down to .240. Frazier is 5 – 37 in his last 12 games, dropping his average down from .305.
•Edward Mujica struck out the side for the Cards in the ninth inning for his fifth save in as many chances. The Cards have had some problems with the closer’s role this year with Jason Motte being injured and Mitchell Boggs being ineffective.
•Officially, the pickoff of Phillips was scored 1-3-6-3-6-1-4. And unofficially, Phillips was safe at second. Daniel Descalso missed the tag when he swiped at Phillips. Phillips argued, but calls don’t get overturned. Great attempt at beating the rundown by Phillips, but bad to get picked off like that in the first place.
What Worked: The pitching effort was there for the Reds, and kept this ballgame tight. Other than that. . .
What Didn’t Work: The offense was stymied yet again. With the number of quality starts this team has had, and the lineup they can put together, you would expect bigger and better things. Phillips was also picked off and caught stealing. Garcia has a decent move, but I hate seeing guys get picked off like that.
Where They Stand: The Reds are 15 – 13 and trail the Cardinals by one game and the Pirates by ½ game in the NL Central.
Overall Thoughts: It has been a great series so far with solid pitching from both sides. The Reds haven’t won a series in St. Louis in what seems like decades, so hopefully they can pull out the victory tomorrow and leave with a series win.
Up Next: The Reds finish up the series with the Cardinals with a day game tomorrow.
