Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 10
Chicago 8
W: H. Bailey (10-7)
L: J. Germano (1-2)
S: A. Chapman (26)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Todd Frazier reached base four times, going 3-4 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and 4 RBI. Ryan Ludwick was the other big offensive contributor, also reaching base four times: 3-5 with a walk, four runs scored, and 2 RBI on his 20th homer of the season.
–In the bottom of the eighth, the Cubs had cut the lead to 9-8, and no pitcher in the city of Chicago could keep the other team from scoring. The wind was swirling worse than I’ve ever seen, and every routine fly ball became an adventure. Well, maybe there was one pitcher in the city who was up to the task.
Dusty Baker brought Aroldis Chapman into the game with two outs in the eighth (after Broxton couldn’t retire the side). Aroldis proceeded to blow a 102 mph fastball past Rizzo to end the inning. In total, he struck out three of the four batters he faced to pick up the save.
–Brandon Phillips had two hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Xavier Paul reached base three times, with a hit and two walks.
NEGATIVES
–I have a hard time criticizing the pitching today (because of the ludicrous weather conditions). Clearly, no one except for Chapman was able to manage much success, and his success was due to the fact that he throws the ball by people at an amazing rate. That said, Homer Bailey wasn’t particularly effective, and neither were Sean Marshall or Jonathan Broxton.
–That was one of the worst ballgames I’ve ever seen. The Cubs booted the ball around (five errors), and yet they still almost won. The game was long, it was poorly played, and the wind was swirling like they were in Candlestick Park. Only one redeeming factor: the losing sreak is over!
–Xavier Paul misplayed a ball in right field worse than I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t necessarily his fault, as the wind was ridiculous, but still… The ball landed thirty feet to Paul’s left.
You have to watch the highlights if you get a chance. Paul’s play, along with about three others, were absurd. Routine pop ups to shortstop ended up going out of play behind the first base dugout. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. It would have been funny if I weren’t so concerned about the Reds finally getting another victory.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–One game winning streak!
–Aroldis Chapman may be the greatest pitcher in the history of the universe.
–Ryan Ludwick: .266/.335/.549, 20 HR, 60 RBI. I’ll take that.
–It wasn’t pretty, but:
For the first time in his career, Homer Bailey is a 10-game winner. Well deserved.
#Reds— Dylan Moody (@dmoody46) August 10, 2012
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–There’s probably a legitimate criticism to be made that Dusty didn’t bring in Chapman earlier in the eighth, when it became clear that only a strikeout pitcher was going to have any success in that weather. Broxton certainly wasn’t responding well to the wind. Still, Dusty does deserve some kudos:
We joke around, but I’m glad Dusty brought in Chapman for a four-out save (hopefully). Many managers wouldn’t bring closer in in 8th.
#reds— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) August 10, 2012
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After five days rest, I would have brought him in immediately when it became clear Broxton didn’t have it, but I’ll take what I can get.
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) August 10, 2012
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–No matter how ugly it was, the Reds finally won a game. Maybe the season isn’t over after all. Next up: another afternoon tilt tomorrow, with Bronson Arroyo facing former Red Travis Wood.
Source: FanGraphs