| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
|  Cincinnati Reds  (33-35) | 13 | 19 | 0 |
|   Milwaukee Brewers  (41-29) | 4 | 10 | 1 |
|  W: Leake (4-6)   L: Estrada (5-4) | |||
|  Fangraphs Win Probability |   The Worldwide Leader’s Box Score  |   MLB Series Videos  | |||
Positives
The Reds wasted no time getting on the scoreboard: Billy Hamilton led off the game with a solo shot, Joey Votto reached base and Brandon Phillips knocked him in with a two run shot. All in all, the Reds forced Estrada to throw 35 pitches to get out of the first inning.
Mike Leake, innings 1-3. He worked out of the leadoff double by Gomez in the third by getting back to back looking strikeouts, courtesy of Khris Davis and Aramis Ramirez
In the bottom of the third, Leake created his own trouble by walking the opposing pitcher, Marco Estrada. A short infield roller later, and the Brew Crew had first and second with only one out with Ryan Braun at the plate. Again Leake buckled down and got Braun to pop out to right field and Lucroy ended the inning with a harmless (yet sky high) pop up right in front of the plate.
“Get it done Jay Bruce!” That was Thom’s call in the fourth inning when Aramis Ramirez hit a sure double into the gap…that quickly disappeared into the glove of Jay Bruce. He whipped around and threw a beautiful strike to first base, doubling up Carlos Gomez at first.
You say this offense can’t play add-on? TheToddFather wants to speak with you. Billy Hamilton singled in the fifth and Frazier let them both trot home after blasting a mammoth of a shot over the center field fence. Todd and his wife Jacquelyn have started calling his home runs “Blake Blasts”, named after their son. On this father’s day, Todd hit Blake Blast number 15.
The Bullpen. What a difference a day makes. It only took Sam LeCure and Manny Parra 14 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh. Tony Cingrani pitched two clean innings to close out the game.
Negatives
Mike Leake, innings 4 and 5. In the bottom of the fourth, Brian Price made a smart strategic move to load the bases with the pitcher coming to the plate, but Estrada ruined the strategy session by weakly hitting a single up the middle. Scooter Gannett tied the game with a double.
Overall, Leake’s line: 5 innings, four runs, nine hits and one walk (2.00 WHIP). The difference between a good and a bad outing today was Leake’s inability to retire the opposing pitcher.
Not so random thoughts
The Reds won a series against the division leader. That said, we are still seven games back and it’s halfway through June. Thom mentioned that the Brewers have already started making trade inquiries to fortify their team for the second half of the season, so here’s to hoping that our GM is working the phones just as diligently.
Every regular hitter had at least one hit today. Billy Hamilton had a great game, going three for six and bringing his OBP above .300. Ryan Ludwick notched four hits, and Joey Votto, on a 3-2- count, had the fortitude to take a walk with the bases loaded.
This was a the type of game I thought we would get when Bryan Price said he wanted a relentless team. Despite giving up an early three run lead, the Reds kept positioning themselves for a big inning for the entire game. That big inning didn’t come until the eighth, but the Reds put constant pressure on the Brewers pitching staff throughout the game.
Oh, and we found out that Alfredo Simon talks to his arm before every game he starts. That’s not crazy or anything. Anyways, Sam LeCure, channeling his inner Simon, decided to have a rather vocal confrontation with his right arm while walking off the field after the sixth inning.
Given their success, perhaps Sean Marshall should start having a chat with his arm every once in awhile? If his arm only speaks Cubs, then I’m sure we can find someone with a lifetime of failure to translate. Hey, Milton, what are you up to tonight?