Time for a recap of today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 5
San Francisco 2
W: Harang (6-13)
L: Cain (12-4)
S: Cordero (24)
POSITIVES
— Harang. The big fellow appeared to right his ship. 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 W, 7K. It feels like forever since he’s been this good. Dusty Baker, as usual, left him in too long.
— But Nick Masset entered with bases loaded, no outs, and coaxed a double-play and flyout, giving up the one meaningless run.
— Wladimir Balentien continued his hot start to his Reds career, going 2 for 3 with a walk.
— Brandon Phillips hit a 1st inning HR, and saw 20 pitches in his 5 plate appearances. I haven’t checked the numbers, but BP has definitely improved in the patience department this year.
— Adam Rose Alice had his first good game in what seems like 4 months, going 3 for 4 with a HR. (I looked – it was his second multi-hit game since May 25.)
NEGATIVES
— Alex Gonzalez was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after his second K of the game. Alex, it ain’t the umps.
— Taveras and Gonzalez, the #1-2 hitters, combined to go 1 for 8 with 4 K and a walk. Tablesetters, indeed.
— I’m starting to get concerned about Joey Votto is really slumping (3 for 28 in August), but I’m not concerned long-term.
— Scott Rolen was flown back to Cincinnati to have his head examined, if you will. Rolen is suffering from concussion-like symptoms. The absence of veteran leadership was palpable in today’s game.
ETC.
—DAVID WEATHERS was traded to the Brewers for a PTBNL. I’ve been as frustrated with Weathers as anyone not named Chad Dotson, but he deserves a salute on his way out. Weathers was a standup guy, and definitely got better results than his stuff merited. He also took a demotion from closer to setup man like a – well man.
— Feel free to post a link to a Rosales sombrero pic.