Reds Reprise: Lumber Awakes From Slumber?

The winner of today’s tilt would start their season with a series win and a 2-1 record. We know Dusty’s mantra: win series. And win this series the Reds did.

Had to guess more runs would be scored during today’s game as the weather was a little warmer than on Opening Day and last evening…especially last evening. Right. The final score was the same, 5-4 with the Reds coming out the winners, but the ball looked like it had a little more life in this afternoon game.

At least the extra base hits flowed a little more for the Good Guys. Those of the long ball variety, that is. Shin-Soo Choo took Joe Blanton‘s first offering and deposited it in the left field seat, staking the Reds and Bronson Arroyo to a 1-0 lead.. Estimated at 382 feet by GABP.

Todd Frazier would smack a solo shot off Blanton in the following inning to up it to a 2-0 lead.

Former Red Josh Hamilton would tie the game at 2’s in the top of the 3rd with a single. Shouldn’t have been a second run to score there. A perfect throw from Choo, but Albert Pujols was riled safe after Ryan Hanigan missed the tag. Replay clearly showed this to be the case.

Hanigan atoned for that in the Reds half of the 4th with a sacrifice fly, plating Frazier who had doubled off the top of the left field wall and advanced to third on an error by Mike Trout.

As has been the case, the Angels struck back immediately to tie the game at 3-3. In the top of the 5th, Pujols delivered a sacrifice fly which scored Trout. In the bottom of the inning, Chris Heisey broke the tie with a two-run shot off Blanton.

The Angels plated a single run in the 7th off Alfredo Simon.

Aroldis Chapman would be presented with his first save opportunity of the season. The results:

Mike Trout – lead-off single
Erick Aybar – sacrifice bunt out at first (after Chappy bobble), Trout to second
Albert Pujols – Lineout to Bruce in right
Josh Hamilton – WHIFF!

For your eyes, here’s how CB Bunknor viewed the game from behind the plate…

Green represents pitches called balls, red is for strikes. Thoughts here?

I realize it’s early in the season, but this series has to be one series Jay Bruce would love to forget. 1-for-13 with 6 strikeouts and 0 RBI. Joey Votto didn’t fare much better despite driving in the winning run last night. 1-for-10, but Votto did draw 5 walks. The Reds won this series and Bruce and Votto had two hits…total.

Not the best of returns for Josh Hamilton either. Sure, he drove in that pair in the top of the 3rd, but aside from that, you heard nothing from his bat in this series.

Other Notes:
– Sean Marshall has not be available due to shoulder fatigue. Tomorrow perhaps…
– Reds pitchers whiffed Angels hitter a total of 36 times. Most strikeouts from Reds pitchers in a series to open the season.
– Three games and zero starts for Devon Mesoraco. We should have figured he wouldn’t start today as Arroyo was on the hill.
– What was the deal with Josh Hamilton wearing the ear flaps? Was it that cold at GABP today? I can see wearing them last night…
– Note to Thom. The Reds played the Angels…not the ’27 Yankees. They’re a good offensive team, but sheesh…

Box Score:

WP: Arroyo (1-0) LP: Blanton (0-1) SV: Chapman (1)

a-Flied out for Blanton in the 6th. b-Struck out for Lowe, M in the 8th.