Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 3
Los Angeles 1
WP: Bailey (3-2)
LP: Monasterios (3-4)
S: Cordero (33)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Excellent game for Homer Bailey: seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six. I’m not particularly happy about Dusty Baker permitting Bailey to throw 114 pitches, but you can’t argue with the results. Great game.
–Outstanding performance tonight by Brandon Phillips, as well. BP had three hits, and drove in all three Cincinnati runs.
–I just cannot believe that Arthur Rhodes continues to be so dominant.
–Ryan Hanigan went 2-4 and scored two runs.
–Good outing by Francisco Cordero. Yeah, he gave up a hit, but it was a bloop single. I won’t hold that against him. I’ll take an outing like this every single night.
NEGATIVES
–None. Absolutely none.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Wow. The Reds couldn’t have started this west coast road trip any better. That’s seven wins in a row (all since the St. Louis debacle), and the Reds have upped their August record to 13-4.
–The Reds snapped a 12-game losing streak at Chavez Ravine. Even better, the free-falling Cardinals lost again, so the Reds now hold a 4.5 game lead in the National League Central.
–Cincinnati had eight hits, all singles.
–In two outings for Homer since returning from the disabled list, he has allowed just one run in thirteen innings. Superb.
–I cannot believe what I am witnessing every night. I love this team.
–Believe.
