Rus Livingood
May 24, 2013 – Cubs @ Reds – 7:10pm – Fox Sports Cincinnati
Reds Record (29 – 18)
Home Record (16 – 6)
Cubs Record (18 – 28)
Away Record (8 – 14)
Starters: Feldman (4 – 3) vs. Arroyo (4 – 4)
The Setting: I am watching at home to kick off a terrific three day weekend. Though I still have to do daily inventory runs for my restaurant, I don’t actually have to work anywhere. I plan on doing a little more yard work, cleaning out my garage, and finally cooking out at my own house this year. That might not sound like an ideal weekend to you, but it is like a vacation to me.
The Game and Analysis:
•The Reds had to play comeback as they were down early. They had a big inning and rode three home runs in the game to walk away with a 7 – 4 victory.
•Bronson Arroyo struggled a little early, as he threw 44 pitches in the first two innings. With one out in the second, Arroyo gave up a double, a single, a sacrifice fly to make the score 1 – 0, and then a home run to pitcher Scott Feldman to make it 3 – 0. Arroyo would settle down after that inning, giving up only a couple of singles and two walks over the next four innings. The two walks came back to back with two outs in the sixth, as Arroyo began to run out of gas. He would be able to get his final batter out, and left the game with 6.0 innings pitched, 6 hits, 2 walks, 3 runs, and 99 pitches. Despite the home run to the pitcher, Arroyo didn’t make a lot of mistakes and threw a respectable game. It was his third straight win since catcher Ryan Hanigan returned from the disabled list.
•Joey Votto opened up the scoring for the Reds with a solo home run in the third inning. Votto had looked fooled a bit at the plate in the first inning and struck out swinging. In his next at bat, he drove the first pitch he saw over the wall in centerfield. He would also single and score in the eighth inning. After going 2 – 4, Votto’s average now sits at .361 on the year, best in the National League. His hitting streak is at 12 games, and he has been red hot.
•The fourth inning saw the Reds score five runs. Votto hit the home run to make it 3 – 1. Brandon Phillips singled and then Todd Frazier walked after Jay Bruce struck out. Xavier Paul singled in Phillips to make it 3 – 2, and then Hanigan lined a three run homer into the left field bleachers to give the Reds a 5 – 3 lead.
•Phillips would hit a two run home run in the eighth inning for the final Reds runs, making the score 7 – 4. Phillips went 2 – 4 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. His 40 RBI lead the NL.
•Zack Cozart also had two hits for the Reds and his average has climbed to .230. He has hovered around the Mendoza line for the majority of the year, but is hitting .247 in May and is hitting .360 (9 – 25) during a five game hitting streak. Production from the second slot in the lineup is sorely needed, and it is nice to see Cozart making some strides at the plate.
•Shin-Soo Choo went 0 – 4 and is in a really prolonged slump. He has busted out for some huge games during the slump, but is 20 for his last 96 (.208). Choo’s overall numbers are still terrific, and I’m not sure anyone expected him to keep the .392 average he had prior to this slump. His struggles have coincided for the most part with Votto’s amazing run. Could you imagine if both of those guys were on fire at the same time? They both have had high on base percentages all year, but one was always hitting the ball better than the other.
•Aroldis Chapman gave up a walk and a hit in the ninth inning, but struck out three while picking up his 11th save.
What Worked: Arroyo pitched well enough to get a quality start, the Reds were able to put up a huge inning to take the lead and never look back, and the middle of the order got several big hits. The Reds didn’t have many opportunities with runners in scoring position, but maximized those opportunities by going 2 – 3.
What Didn’t Work: Choo is in a funk, and went hitless in the game. Arroyo had a rough start, but it ended up being a non-factor.
Where They Stand: The Reds are 30 – 18 and trail the Cardinals by 1.5 games and are back to leading the Pirates by one game in the NL Central.
Overall Thoughts: The Reds kicked off their short home stand with a win, which is always nice. I have a handful of friends at the games this weekend, which I am envious of. The offense has been going strong, and the pitching has been good too. It’s no wonder the Reds are playing so well and have one of the best records in MLB. Now if the Cardinals would lose very once in a while. . .
Up Next: The Reds welcome the Cubs back for game two of the series tomorrow.
