Reds Rally Late for 6-2 Win

The Arizona Diamondbacks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a Kelly Johnson two-run homer. That was all the D-backs would get. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo shut down Arizona over the next 7.1 innings and the offense finally awoke in the form of a 7th-inning solo shot by Paul Janish and a 9th-inning three spot. Janish’s blast gave the Reds a 3-2 lead and the Reds would expend the lead to 4 en route to a 6-2 victory.

For the moment, we’ll forget how the Reds squandered an opportunity to add to their lead in the 8th with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out and would later load the bases with two outs and pinch-hitter Jim Edmonds coming to the plate with a golden opportunity to blast the game wide open. We’ll forget how Jay Bruce found a way to ground into three double plays. Jonny Gomes has grounded into one all season. We’ll forget how Drew Stubbs missed 3rd base on his way to scoring a run after a hit by Janish. We’ll even forget how D-backs starter Daniel Hudson struck out a career high 10 batters against the most potent offense in the National League.

No, we’ll focus on how the Reds, once again, found a way to orchestrate another come from behind win. Kind of.

The D-backs helped the Reds for a three-run 9th with a throwing error, 2 HBP and a wild pitch. The first run in the three-run 9th was scored without even hitting the ball out of the infield. Gift wrapped by the host team. That extra breathing room provided Francisco Cordero a chance to close it out in 1-2-3 fashion even though it wasn’t a save situation.

The offense was backed by Janish (2-4, RBI) and Scott Rolen (3-4, 3 RBI). Rolen provided the last two runs with a 9th inning single that plated a couple for the final margin.

Now, for the a couple of things we forgot. Well, one of those things.

Jay Bruce. He had three opportunities to drive in runners. In the 6th, he came to bat with runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. Double play although a run scored. In the 8th, 1st and 2nd with one out. He flied out to center. In the 9th, 1st and 2nd with one out (again) with another double play, his 3rd of the night.

I love Jay Bruce, but as Chris Welsh pointed this out last night. If Bruce is to be that everyday player that can help a club, he needs to be successful in those situations in which he can drive in runs. Bruce wasn’t successful last evening. He had three chances and all passed without any RBI.

An interesting note I’m throwing in here. Keep this in mind. You hear all the time about pitchers hitting the wall as far as innings pitched, it can happen to position players, too. Such may be the case for Jonny Gomes. Gomes has already amassed more games played (91), games started (88) and innings played (735) than any year he’s played. His previous highs were all from last season (70, 66, 522.1, respectively).