Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
St. Louis 3
Cincinnati 7
W: J. Cueto (2-0)
L: K. McClellan (5-1)
BOXSCORE
POSITIVES
–That was, quite possibly, the best game Johnny Cueto has pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. Seven and two-thirds, three hits, no earned runs. If it weren’t for two errors that extended the eighth inning, it is not unreasonable to assume that Cueto would have had a chance for a complete game. His pitches were moving, and he had good command all day.
–Ramon Hernandez was the hitting star, going 3-3 with two homers, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI.
–Brandon Phillips caused the Cardinals to whine a bit more when he went 2-3 with a homer, 3 RBI, and a run scored. Drew Stubbs went 3-4 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored.
–Great work in the ninth by Francisco Cordero to finish the game.
NEGATIVES
–You know how we keep saying that strange things happen to the Reds when they play St. Louis. We saw another example of that today, when two of the best defensive players in the league — Scott Rolen and Paul Janish — made errors that permitted the Cards to cut the deficit from 5-0 to 5-3.
–Poor Jonny Gomes went 0-4, dropping his rate stats to .186 /.329/.389 on the season. When Corey Patterson and Willy Taveras hit like this, I was irritated. For whatever reason, I just feel sad about watching Gomes struggle.
Of course, we all knew before the season that Gomes was a terrible option as a full-time left fielder. We didn’t think he’d be this bad, but he has no business playing right now.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–With the win, the Reds moved back into first place in the National League Central division! The team is playing well now. I don’t know about you, but I’m having a lot of fun.
–Great crowd today: 41,307. Think the players enjoy playing in front of sellout crowds?
–When Cueto is throwing like he threw today, there are very few pitchers who are more fun to watch.
–Don’t look now, but Ramon Hernandez is hitting .342/.388/.595, after hitting very well last year. He’s been great.
–Drew Stubbs is hitting .276/.364/.467 and providing great defense in center field. You cannot ask for any more from your leadoff hitter.
–There is no rational argument against a Chris Heisey/Fred Lewis platoon in left field. NONE.
–Reds go for the sweep tomorrow!