Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Detroit 3
Cincinnati 2
W: B. Villarreal (2-1)
L: S. Marshall (1-3)
S: J. Valverde (11)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–What more can you ask from Bronson Arroyo? He stared down Justin Verlander, pitched seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out four and walked none. I’m reminded tonight why Arroyo is my favorite Red. I love watching that guy pitch.
–Chris Heisey went 2-4 with a double, but only one Red reached base three times. Can you guess who it was? Obviously, it was Joey Votto, who went 1-2 with a double, a run scored, and two walks.
–Logan Ondrusek pitched a scoreless inning and a third.
NEGATIVES
–I should be accustomed to this by now, but it blows my mind that the Reds — in 2012 — are hitting two guys with sub-.300 OBPs in the top two spots in the order. Oh Dusty…
–Sean Marshall took the loss by giving up the winning run on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. He’s still a great pitcher, for what that’s worth.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–The Redlegs could have won this one, but with Verlander on the mound for Detroit, I doubt many of us were expecting a win.
–I’m so happy with the way Bronson Arroyo has pitched this year. You already know he’s my favorite Red; well, nothing has changed. A tweet posted during the game:
Bronson Arroyo matching Justin Verlander pitch for pitch. #Reds #didijusttypethat
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) June 9, 2012
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–Have you noticed that Joey Votto is good?
–Let’s do this tomorrow, Redlegs:
Tigers beat the #Reds, 3-2. Series tied, 1-1, finale tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, 8:06et, Bailey vs Smyly. #VoteReds
— Reds (@Reds) June 9, 2012
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Source: FanGraphs