Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 9
Milwaukee 1
W: H. Bailey (8-10)
L: W. Peralta (8-13)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–Homer Bailey was very good, allowing just one run on three hits over eight innings. Bailey struck out eight and walked just one. Good stuff.
–Shin-Soo Choo reached base five times, going 2-2 with three walks. That, my friends, is what a leadoff hitter looks like.
–Ryan Hanigan drove in three runs and scored two in a 2-5 day. Chris Heisey was 2-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Brandon Phillips drove in two. Joey Votto and Jack Hannahan each singled and walked twice.
–The Reds batted around in the second inning, scoring five runs. Then, in the fifth inning, the Reds sent ten men to the plate, scoring four more.
NEGATIVES
–There is not a single, legitimate, defensible reason for Dusty Baker writing in the name “Cesar Izturis” in the second spot on the lineup card.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–After the ugliness we saw over the last couple of days, today’s win felt particularly important. It meant that Cincinnati would return home with a 5-2 record on this road trip, and I’ll take that every time.
–TOIA. This offense is awesome. Well, maybe not, given the fact that all ten Cincinnati hits were singles. Still…
–All eight of the Reds starters had at least one hit today, other than Izturis. Izzy did get an RBI on a bases-loaded walk, however.
–The Reds return home tomorrow to start a big four-game series with Arizona. Bronson Arroyo will make the start.