Reds: Offensive Explosion

It started in the first, when Brandon Phillips, who was switch back to leadoff tonight, lined a ball down the first base line and into the corner. Though he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple, by a fantastic rely by the Brewers defense, it set the tone for the entire night.

The next batter, Orlando Cabrera, sent one into the left field gap and settled with a double, Joey Votto picked up the RBI with the single. After a Scott Rolen single and a Johnny Gomes sac fly, Votto found himself sitting at third and soon scoring on a wild pitch.

The next inning, the Reds continued, as Drew Stubbs fought for a walk and scored on a hit and run by teammate Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez advanced to third on a sac bunt by Volquez, who was making his third appearance of the year on the mound, and scored on Brandon Phillips second base hit of the night. 3-1 was the score when Cabrera picked up his second hit of the game as well. Votto just missed a homerun, sending one deep to the centerfield track; it allowed Phillips to advance to third. Rolen who was 1-1, became 2-2 with an RBI after singling in the Reds second baseman.

Things continued for Cincinnati in the third, when Hernandez scored off another BP single. The Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo was soon pulled after that and only completed 2 and 2/3 rd after giving up 6 runs.

Unfortunately for the Reds… The Brewers had their own offensive production.

Edison Volquez participated for the third time this season. This time against the Brewers in Milwaukee, his first away game in over a year. After showing off vs. Colorado, Volquez had trouble against the Washington Nationals. After the Nationals game, Volquez said that him and pitching coach Bryan Price went over and found the flaw that affected his control and allowed 4 walks. Despite that, This game was not much better.

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The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but was only able to push one across as Ryan Braun grounded to short to push across Ricky Weeks. They had more success in the second when catcher Jonathan Lucroy reached on an infield single and right after him the pitcher, Gallardo, took a 1-2 pitch out and away over the right field fence.

The third was dicey but clean, but the forth saw Weeks score his second run when he homered, the second in the series. And that closed the books on Volquez as he was only able to complete 3 and 2/3 himself.

Despite the starting pitching set back, the bullpen was stellar for the Reds, as Logan Ondrusek (who picked up the win), Bill Bray, Jordan Smith, and Carlos Fisher combined for 5 1/3 of no run baseball, though they were certainly set at ease by an explosive offense that the reds found after disappointing examples the previous two nights.

Every position starter got on base, only Johnny Gomes was without a hit and they combined for 12 runs throughout the night (I’ll spear you the details).

A few thoughts, Edison Volquez did not impress again, and now fear has to be in the Reds front office as they wonder that maybe Harang will be needed sooner before longer. Harang should be ready to go, but is being kept on the DL because the initial thoughts where that the Reds rotation was set. If Volquez continues to be unable to get past 5 innings, they have to pull the trigger and send him back on a rehab assignment.

Drew Stubbs once again struck out….twice; I believe that brings his total to 105 for the season….boy is that frustrating.

Finally, the Reds offense is VERY STREAKY. Hot cold and needs some stability. Brandon Phillips went 4 for 6, which is good news and hopefully he will be able to get out of his recent funk. Rolen is another guy to highlight, as he went 4 for 4 before getting pulled.

The rubber match will pit rookie Travis Wood (0-1) for the Reds against Milwaukee’s Chris Narveson (8-6). Start time 2:10 ET 1:10 CT.

By Parker Perry
ProBaseball-fans.com Cincinnati Reds Correspondent

As always, you can email me at Parker.Perry17@gmail.com for comments or concerns…..Always a Reds Fan

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