Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Arizona 0
Cincinnati 4
W: J. Cueto (11-5)
L: T. Bauer (1-2)
S: A. Chapman (14)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Another good start by Johnny Cueto: six shutout innings, four hits allowed. Cueto did surrender four walks, but I’ll forgive him, I think.
–Ryan Ludwick’s big three-run homer in the third inning was the offensive highlight, giving the Redlegs a lead they would never surrender.
–Scott Rolen had a hit and two walks, and his OPS is almost over 600!
NEGATIVES
–Todd Frazier batted four times and Todd Frazier struck out four times. The Golden Sombrero! (Pssst…Todd. You don’t have to be Joey Votto. Just be yourself. We liked you before you were pressed into 1B duty.)
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–The Reds can survive (short-term) without Votto? Who knew?
–Scott Rolen made an error? Prepare for the apocalypse! (Actually, he redeemed himself later with a gorgeous bare-handed throw to end the seventh inning.)
–Yes, this was strange:
@redlegnation first hit of the game makes if 4-0??? Odd stat line
— Brett Redwine (@RedwineSigEp) July 18, 2012
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Ludwick’s homer was actually the first hit of the game for the Reds.
–BTW, don’t look now, but Ludwick’s OPS is over 800. He started the season poorly, but Ludwick is not hurting the Reds at this point.
–Dusty Baker brought Aroldis Chapman into the game with two outs in the ninth inning for one reason, and one reason only: to get him a save. Sheesh.
You stat guys are ruining baseball. “@jluckhaupt: Aroldis Chapman is warming up. Because save stat.â€Â
— Chris Garber (@cgarber8) July 18, 2012
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–On second thought, there is perhaps one more reason: Dusty doesn’t trust Sean Marshall. It’s becoming increasingly obvious, and it’s frustrating.
–Reds win! Reds win! I hope everyone sleeps a little better tonight than you did last night.
Source: FanGraphs