Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL — 10 innings
Philadelphia 9
Cincinnati 6
WP: Lidge (1-0)
LP: Rhodes (2-2)
S: Romero (3)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Joey Votto is just a great player. Votto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6. An awesome moment.
–Brandon Phillips went 2-4 with a triple, a walk, and two runs scored. BP has been a revelation in the leadoff spot.
–Bill Bray and Nick Masset pitched well in relief.
NEGATIVES
–Not a good start by Mike Leake, as he went six innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. His ERA is up to 3.30.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–I just couldn’t put this in the “negative” column, because he’s been so good this season, but Arthur Rhodes finally had a bad outing. Rhodes gave up three hits, a walk, and three runs without recording a single out in the 10th inning. Of course, when you can do that and your ERA is still 1.13, you’ve been having a great season. Can’t get irritated with Rhodes. He’s entitled to one bad outing every 34 appearances.
–Jordan Smith gave up a hit and a walk, but escaped the jam and his ERA is now down to 1.17.
–Reds play tomorrow afternoon, and now they need to win in order to win this series. Unfortunately, Doc Halladay is pitching for Philadelphia, so it’s going to be tough. Don’t doubt this team, though.