Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Houston 6
Cincinnati 4
W: W. Rodriguez (2-2)
L: M. Leake (0-3)
S: B. Myers (4)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Jay Bruce (.280/.309/.533) looked completely and utterly lost against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez…but then you look at the final box score and he’s gone 2-4 with a homer and two runs scored. Bruce and Devin Mesoraco hit back to back homers in the ninth that drew the Reds within a couple of runs (just after Scott Rolen ripped one that looked like a homer off the bat, but was snared on the left-center field warning track).
–Outstanding relief work by Sam LeCure, Jose Arredondo, JJ Hoover, and Alfredo Simon held the Astros in check, though the Reds offense was unable to capitalize on it.
NEGATIVES
–Mike Leake is just awful right now. Leake was only able to get two outs in the fourth inning before he was relieved, after surrendering six runs (three earned) on seven hits. He’s now 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA.
–Rolen: .182/.239/.333. Ryan Ludwick: .204/.283/.426. Chris Heisey: .189/.268/.297.
–Willie Harris (.100/.129/.167) is a completely worthless ball player. He’s probably a great guy, and I wish him no ill will, but he has no business being on a major league roster.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–That wasn’t fun.
–Another start like this one, and the natives will get even more restless, clamoring for Aroldis Chapman in the starting rotation.
–Jay Bruce hit 7th in the lineup tonight. Really.
–Dusty Baker blamed the cold weather. Really:
“I’ve got a warm-weather team, but (opponents) play in the same weather we do. You’ve got to overcome the elements.”
–Okay, it’s never fun to lose to the Astros, but there is a silver lining. First, the Reds often lose to Wandy Rodriguez. Now, however, Cincinnati has Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos pitching the next two days. There remains an excellent chance for the Redlegs to win this series. Right?
Source: FanGraphs