Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Chicago 2
Cincinnati 8
W: E. Volquez (4-2)
L: D. Davis (0-5)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Welcome back, Edinson Volquez. In his first start since a brief stint in the minor leagues, Volquez sported a shaved head and a somewhat-improved command of the strike zone. He went 7 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, walking two and striking out five.
We are accustomed to seeing Volquez get better as the night wears on, but tonight was exceptional in that regard. After the second inning, Volquez didn’t allow a runner to second. Of his last 21 pitches, 17 were strikes.
Oh…and Volquez got a hit (that started a rally), scored a run, and laid down two sacrifice bunts.
–Miguel Cairo was 2-4, and he had the big blast of the evening, a grand slam off the facing of the upper deck in the seventh that put the game away.
–Drew Stubbs was 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI.
Where are the dreadlocks, Edinson? (The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II)
–None.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Funny what happens when the Reds get good starting pitching, isn’t it?
–Edinson Volquez with a shaved head: one of the most jarring things I’ve seen.
–Sure, part of Volquez’s success tonight was the fact that he was facing the stupid Cubs and their pathetic lineup, but EV’s performance tonight was an improvement, no matter how you slice it.
–While everyone has been complaining about Stubbs and his strikeouts, no one seems to have noticed that he has reached base in 12 of his last 26 plate appearances. That’s pretty good for a leadoff hitter, isn’t it?
–I’m really starting to like the Cubs. They really stink. Cincinnati has won 6 of 7 against the stupid Cubbies this season.
–Afternoon game tomorrow, and the Reds have a chance to sweep the series.