Time for a recap of tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 4
Houston 3
WP: Arroyo (3-0)
LP: Geary (0-2)
S: Cordero (5)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–The Reds were on the smilin’ side of the scoreboard once again. At 5-2 since going on the road, all the Reds need to do is avoid the sweep in Chicago in order to take a winning record from this roadtrip.
–Bronson Arroyo goes to 3-0, and until the end, it was definitely his most impressive performance of the season. I don’t know if he got tired (81 pitches in 7 innings is efficient), but he let up on the accelerator and allowed the ‘Stros to grab the lead at one point. Still, nice effort.
–Joey Votto, 2-5, and a huge double off the wall with the bases loaded to give the Reds a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. That ball was crushed. Votto is the only guy the Reds can count on right now, but he’s certainly getting it done.
–Willy Taveras reached base twice again from the leadoff spot.
–Edwin Encarnacion had two hits, including a clutch 2-run single. Maybe he’s coming around.
–Paul Janish was 2-3, and looked great in turning two double plays. Yes, those two hits tonight are the same total as Alex Gonzalez has in three times as many ABs. Yes, on the season, he has twice as many hits as Gonzo (although I’m no big fan of Janish’s bat, and I’m pessimistic that he can put up any numbers at all in a full-time situation; the guy can certainly pick it in the field, though).
–Chris Dickerson pinch hit in the 8th, and he had a simply outstanding plate appearance. Really worked the count and looked like an old pro in the process.
–Ryan Hanigan threw out another baserunner. You do not run on Ryan Hanigan.
NEGATIVES
–Arthur Rhodes pulled a Stormy Weathers on us, but turned into Houdini somehow and escaped (with the help of a terrible 3rd strike/3rd out call by the home plate ump). Rhodes looked very shaky, though.
–Brandon Phillips looks like he needs a day off. Terrible.
ETC.
–Fun game tonight. Not extremely well-played, but lots of fun.
–Unfortunately, Janish was hit by a pitch on the elbow, and he may be out for a while. We’ll hear something tomorrow, I hope.
–Did you see Dusty jumping around in the dugout when Votto got the big hit? Looked like a kid in there.
–Double figures in hits for the first time all season. That’s a good thing, even if the Reds still struggled to get runs across the plate once again.
–Need a recommendation on a book to read, or a television show to watch, or a tasty dessert from the future? Or do you wanna know something about one of our editors that you didn’t know before? Check out the game thread (don’t miss all the fun everyone had at George Grande’s expense). But really, Chuck? Really?