Rus Livingood
July 19, 2013 – Pirates @ Reds – 7:10pm – Fox Sports Cincinnati
Reds Record (53 – 42)
Home Record (30 – 16)
Pirates Record (56 – 37)
Away Record (24 – 19)
Starters: Liriano (9 – 3) vs. Leake (8 – 4)
The Setting: The Reds could make up some serious ground against the Pirates in this series, or they could drop way back. I am watching the game at home and prepping for my road trip to the stadium for my first game of the year.
The Game and Analysis:
•The Reds kicked off the second half of the season with a clutch win over the Pirates. After gaining a sizeable lead, the Reds were able to hold off a comeback attempt and hold on for a 5 – 3 victory.
•Chris Heisey put a run on the board for the Reds in the bottom of the first inning with a solo homer. It was a full count and looked to be a good pitch low in the zone. Heisey went down to get it and sent it into the leftfield stands. Joey Votto would follow with a single off Frnacisco Liriano, but the Reds would not be able to produce any more runs. It was 1 – 0 Reds after the first inning.
•Liriano and Mike Leake would have a bit of a pitcher’s duel going through the first few innings. Runners would get on base, but would be eliminated by double plays or otherwise not advance past second base. It was looking like runs would be at a premium for this game.
•In the bottom of the fifth, that changed. The Reds sent nine batters to the plate:
1. Devin Mesoraco doubled to leftfield.
2. Leake hit a ball to short, and Clint Barmes threw to third to get Mesoraco trying to advance. It was a boneheaded mistake by Mesoraco in my opinion. Leake was safe at first on the fielder’s choice.
3. Shin-Soo Choo singled up the middle. Leake went to third.
4. Heisey singled off of Pedro Alvarez. Leake scored (2 – 0) and Choo went to second.
5. Votto walked to load the bases. Liriano would be replaced by Justin Wilson.
6. Brandon Phillips cleared the bases with a three run double to the gap in left-center. It was now 5 – 0 Reds.
7. Jay Bruce grounded out.
8. Todd Frazier singled, sending Brandon Phillips to third.
9. Zack Cozart struck out swinging to end the inning.
•The Pirates would answer in the sixth inning in a big way. Leake had given up three hits at this point, and was shutting out the Pirates. Starling Marte led off the inning with a solo home run to right-center (5 – 1). After a Jose Tabata fly out, Andrew McCutcheon then homered to left-centerfield (5 – 2). Two batters later, Russell Martin connected for a solo homer to left to make it 5 – 3. Logan Ondrusek had been warming up to possibly come into the game but was not ready before Martin’s at bat. After Martin homered, Leake would be pulled for Ondrusek.
•In the bottom of the sixth, Mesoraco would continue his night of bad base running. After singling, Mesoraco was on first base with pinch-hitter Jack Hannahan at the plate. Hannahan skied a ball to the left-center gap, where McCutcheon and Marte converged. McCutcheon caught the ball without colliding with Marte and then fired the ball back into the infield. The relay easily doubled Mesoraco off first as he was around the second base bag when the ball was caught. It was baffling as to why he was where he was.
•The bullpens took over and held both clubs scoreless. The Pirates would threaten in the seventh inning against Alfredo Simon, but Manny Parra was brought in with two outs and struck out Pedro Alavarez to get out of the jam. Sam LeCure induced a key double play to end the inning in the eighth.
•Aroldis Chapman came on for the save attempt in the ninth. He struck Barmes out looking for the first out. Josh Harrison came on to pinch-hit and struck out swinging. The ball got away from mesoraco, but he threw to first to get the out. Marte was able to single after working up a full count. Chapman then got pinch-hitter Michael McKenry to hit a weak pop up to second for the final out and his 22nd save of the season.
What Worked: The Reds had the huge fifth inning that gave them plenty of leeway to work with. Phillips came up big again like he has done all year. The bullpen got the the job done.
What Didn’t Work: Mesoraco’s base running. It was unquestionably bad.
Where They Stand: The Reds are 54 – 42 and trail the Cardinals by 5.0 games and the Pirates by 3.0 games in the NL Central.
Overall Thoughts: This series could end up being a catalyst for the Reds to make a run on the Pirates and reclaim second place in the Central. Winning game one was a big step in that direction. The homers off of Leake did not bother me, as they ultimately weren’t enough for the Pirates. This was a great game to get me pumped up for the road trip to Cincinnati tomorrow.
Up Next: Game two is tomorrow afternoon, and I will be in attendance!
