Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 11
San Francisco 0
W: B. Arroyo (9-7)
L: T. Lincecum (5-10)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Bronson Arroyo pitched a gem of a game, a complete game shutout, allowing seven hits, striking out six and walking none. The performance was even more important, since the Reds have a doubleheader tomorrow and they’ll need all the bullpen arms available that they can get.
–Devin Mesoraco was 3-5 with two runs scored, and two RBI, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Mesoraco had a double and a second-inning homer, his fifth of the season.
–Derrick Robinson was 3-5, scored three runs, and made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the shutout for Arroyo. With two outs, Jeff Francoeur lifted a deep fly ball to center field. Robinson went up above the fence, got a glove on it, redirected it back into the field of play, then grabbed it before it hit the ground. Game over.
–Shin-Shoo Choo had a homer and a double in four ABs. Todd Frazier had two doubles and three RBI. Brandon Phillips had a double and another RBI. Jay Bruce hit his 20th homer.
–Excluding Arroyo, 11 of the 12 Reds who played tonight hit safely. Only Neftali Soto, who batted once, didn’t make it onto the hit ledger.
NEGATIVES
–None. Nope, none whatsoever.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–I know you’re sick of hearing this from me, but how can you not love Bronson Arroyo? We’re gonna miss him when he’s gone, I’m telling you.
–The mighty Redlegs scored in each of the first seven innings. They jumped on Tim Lincecum in the first inning to the tune of three runs, and never looked back.
–Mesoraco’s looking better lately, eh? All of a sudden, his OPS is over 700 (.250/.321/.386) and he’s looking more comfortable at the plate. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of many good things to come.
–Joey Votto only reached base once, but it was the 33rd consecutive game in which he’s reached safely. That’s the longest current streak in the National League.
–Doubleheader in San Francisco tomorrow, though the Reds will be the “home” team in one game (the nightcap), thanks to the fact that the teams will be making up a rainout game. Two wins would be nice, no?