| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs (63-54) |
1 | 7 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Reds (56-59) |
10 | 18 | 5 |
| W: Gray (7-6) L: Hendricks (8-9) S: Romano (2) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
I’ve just got two words for this section: THE PUNISHER.
The Offense
This is Aristides Aquino’s world and we’re all just living in it. He had already been setting Reds records since being called up this year. What’s a few more? The Cincinnati Reds starting right fielder hit not one, not two, but THREE home runs in the game. And they came in back-to-back-to-back innings. In the 2nd inning he homered against Kyle Hendricks, just getting the ball over the wall at 344 feet. It was only 88 MPH off of the bat. The next inning he went a little bit deeper, hitting another home run off of Kyle Hendricks. This one went 385 feet. And then in the 4th inning he got to face a new pitcher. The Cubs brought in Dillon Maples. He tried to get a 97 MPH fastball by Aquino. It didn’t work and he deposited it 452 feet away in center field just over the bullpen.
It wasn’t just Aristides Aquino playing long ball for the Reds, though. Nick Senzel homered for the 9th time of the year. Eugenio Suarez homered for the 32nd time of the year. And Kyle Farmer got in on the action with his 7th home run of the year in the 6th inning, giving the Reds a 10-0 lead.
Josh VanMeter went 2-5 with two doubles and I’m going to just beat this drum until my hands bleed: Play Josh VanMeter every day. Play him against lefties. And play him against righties. Every. Single. Day.
Jose Peraza added three hits in four at-bats. Sonny Gray even got in on the action, going 1-2 with two runs batted in.
And not to be lost in the blowout win, rookie Brian O’Grady picked up his first Major League hit. Shout Out Brian O’Grady!
The Pitching
Lost in a night of “Aristides Aquino did WHAT?!”, Sonny Gray was rather dominant on the mound. He tossed 6.0 shutout innings and allowed just two hits. The right-hander was a tad wild, as he walked four batters in the game. He was effectively wild, too, though, racking up seven strikeouts in the game. He left holding a 10-0 lead and handed the ball over to Sal Romano. In only his second appearance of the year for Cincinnati, Romano picked up his second save as he pitched the final three innings of the game. He allowed a solo home run in the 9th inning, but that was it.
Notes Worth Noting
Where do we even start with the Aristides Aquino stats worth noting from this game?
From Elias, Aquino is the first player in Reds history to homer in three straight innings of a single game. He’s also the first rookie in Major League Baseball history to accomplish that feat according to Stats by STATS. Aquino is only the 2nd player in history to have a 3-homer game within his first 10 career games, joining the legendary Bobby Estalella who did it in 1997. His 7 home runs in his first 10 games with the club is the franchise record. Those 7 home runs in the first 10 games ties Trevor Story for the Major League record.
Aristides Aquino’s line through 10 games: .464/.500/1.250 – that’s a 1.750 OPS. SEVENTEEN FIFTY.
Sonny Gray lowered his ERA to 3.10 on the season. How fun is it to know that every single day the Reds starting pitcher gives you a legitimate chance to win?
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds
Sunday August 11th, 1:10pm ET
Jon Lester (9-8, 4.39 ERA) vs Luis Castillo (11-4, 2.63 ERA)
Dang! Aquino – AquiYES! I know AA will be scouted and figured out (not too badly I hope), but it is fun at the moment to see what may lay ahead in the club’s future with his bat (and arm) in the lineup. If he’s the real deal, then the club will just need to sign a top-tier bat (high avg, + power) to complement the pitching staff to contend next season. The nice thing about Senzel’s aptitude at CF is that FA bat does not have to be for one position – could be CF (move Senzel to 2B), could be 2B (keep Senz in CF), etc. Looking for a series win tomorrow and see a glimpse of WC dreams.
That was fun. Every Reds starter had a hit, including Sonny Gray. And after all that talk about what a roll Hendricks has been on, it was nice to see him leave early. Nice job by Gray and Romano to set up the bullpen for tomorrow. And this Aquino kid did okay too. A win tomorrow would be huge. Can’t wait – Go Reds!
Doug, you say “Romano picked up his second save…” Can you be awarded a save if you enter the game with a 10-run lead? I don’t know. And who really cares. This is one heckuva night for a Reds fan.
He came in with an inherited lead and pitched 3 innings to end the game, that counts as a save.
And I’m almost certain that was the same way he got his 1st save this year too.
Thanks @Vegastypo. Learn something new every day! (Okay, most days).
One think I still don’t get is the LF platoon between Winker and Ervin. Winker has a .443 OPS against LH but in just 43 AB. On the other hand, Ervin carries a .701 OPS in 59 AB against RH (more than the 44 AB against LH). Unless they’re given a long look against both RH & LH you’ll never the real potential, and Ervin has better running & defensive skills.
Numbers say Bell has it right then. Winker has a .876 ops vs RHP and Ervin’s is a Million vs LHP. They could give Ervin a little time in CF to keep Senzel fresh. I don’t get Winker in CF? I’m as fast as he is:)
The platoon I don’t get is JVM at 2B. He’s got extra base power. He draws walks. He can run. He smashed LHP at AAA. They didn’t sit Scooter vs lefties? Turn him loose already! Peraza has hit .300 for the last month plus atleast. Embarrassment of riches with AA, but the runs dry up fast on the road at times.
Great team win. Gray started game right with dominant 1st inning to set the tone.
JVM got key 2 out out in 1st for lead then Aquino and the rest of the team showed what should be done with 88 mph fastballs and 75 mph curve balls.
Time for Luis to continue sting pitching and win series.
Did you watch his 4th at bat where he walked. He let all those low and away pitches go. He is learning and still killing the ball.
That is awesome.
On this fine morning I’m watching the replay of the game on MLB.TV with the WGN (Cubs) broadcasting crew. I highly suggest it to everyone.
1) No Thom screaming random gibberish in search for a catchphrase to brand himself with.
2) You get a fresh, independent perspective on Reds’ players.
3) You get to hear the utter, complete shock in the Cubs voices when the Aquino hits his second (and then third) HR.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what in the WORLD Thom was doing by making a sound like he was bubbling his finger between his lips while pronouncing “Aristides”? I believe it was on the first homer, maybe the 2nd. I heard it in a highlight package. But I mean it, seriously, what was that man doing?
I just hope Thom does not succeed his father as the Voice of the Reds.
Makes you wonder why it took so long to let the younger guys play.Guess we had to wait until the trade deadline but I am good with it.Would be nice if we could start the year with these starters,stay with our young position players,tweek the pen.add a bat and see what we could do.Wait we can actually do that next year barring injury.Good to know each game we do have a chance to win isn’t it and we are doing it with younger players.Reds need to jump out early today and make it 3 out of 4.Lets see what happens.
I not really sold on our Outfield of Kemp, Schebler and Puig. Oh wait? Never mind.
Thanks to Gray and Romano, the Reds have a loaded bullpen and their best pitcher going today. I like it. Just take advantage of the opportunities Lester gives… he has an uncanny ability to get out of trouble.