Time for a recap of tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Houston 0
Cincinnati 3
WP: Volquez (3-2)
LP: Paulino (0-2)
S: Cordero (7)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–By far the best start of the year for Edinson Volquez. Eight innings, no runs, 1 hit, 6 Ks, and just one BB. Volquez threw just 106 pitches, and it couldn’t have been a more stark contrast to his last start. Great work, Edinson (yeah, it was against one of the few offenses worse than our own, but I’m not complaining).
–Adam Rosales is very close to becoming a legend in Cincinnati. In his first start of the 2009 campaign, Rosales drove in two of the three Cincinnati runs, hit the ball hard a couple of times, drew a walk, had a ton of fun, and just ran around the field like he was running through hell in a gasoline suit. Then, of course, he made a fine play to end the game. He’s cut out of the Chris Sabo/Ryan Freel mode, and you know how Cincinnati fans love guys like that. (Plus, he looks like Cris Collinsworth.)
–Laynce Nix was 2-3 with a triple, a walk, a run, and an RBI. He and Rosales may make it difficult for Chris Dickerson and Edwin Encarnacion to get back into the lineup on a regular basis.
–Willy Taveras was on base three out of four times at the plate.
NEGATIVES
–TOS (This Offense Stinks.)
ETC.
–A winning month! I will take it.
–Nice pie in the face for Rosales on the post-game show.
–I’m really surprised that Brandon Phillips didn’t start, after it looked yesterday like he might be emerging from his slump.
–Via Mike in the game thread, the last 1-hit shutout for the Reds was Bronson Arroyo, Kent Mercker, and David Weathers versus the Nationals on April 26, 2006. The last time the Reds only allowed two baserunners (or less) was John Smiley versus the Cardinals on September 22, 1996. Smiley pitched 9, allowing 1 hit and striking out 8.
–Day off tomorrow, then on the road again for 3 in Pittsburgh and 2(?) in Florida.