Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Houston 5
Cincinnati 3
W: H. Ambriz (1-0)
L: A. Chapman (5-5)
S: W. Lopez (3)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Nice start by Homer Bailey: 6.2 innings, two runs allowed on five hits. Homer struck out nine and walked just one. Good stuff.
–Chris Heisey has really started to pour it on lately. Tonight, he was 3-5 with a triple, two singles, and two runs scored.
–Brandon Phillips returned to the leadoff spot and had a couple of hits.
NEGATIVES
–Aroldis Chapman blew this game. Can you believe it? With the Reds holding a 3-2 lead in the ninth, Chapman surrendered two bloop hits, then gave up a three-run homer that provided Houston’s winning margin.
What’s up with that?
–Wilson Valdez was 0-3. He’s now “hitting” .192/.217/.212. Why is this guy still in the big leagues?
–Miguel Cairo actually got a hit tonight, but he’s “hitting” .178/.206/.274. Two worst bench players in the majors? You make the call.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–That was a gut punch of a loss. Fortunately, it only counts as one loss in the standings. They’ll play another one tomorrow, I’m told.
–Y’know, Heisey is now hitting .294/.330/.441. That ain’t bad. Should the Reds give him a shot at the center field spot?
–Chapman had converted a club-record 27 consecutive saves before tonight’s disaster.
Chapman gives up 3-run HR…entering game had allowed 2 ERto entire NL in 61.2 innings #Reds
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) September 8, 2012
–Good grief. If you are freaking out over this loss, please just go away. You are irrational.
—Go read this. Some guy said that Joey Votto’s return sucked the fun out of the clubhouse, so the Reds aren’t playing loose.
I really need to just delete my twitter account. Too many nutjobs.
–If you were wondering, the Reds are still my favorite team.