Reds Salvage Last Game of Series v. Cards

Wouldn’t you know it. Earlier today I cited I was not a proponent of Brandon Phillips batting clean-up. What’s he do? A home run and 2 RBI. He wasn’t the only Red to find his power stroke either.

Ryan Ludwick cracked a two-run homer and Drew Stubbs added a solo shot as the Reds rode yet another good performance from Bronson Arroyo as the Reds won the final game of the three game set in St. Louis, 6-3.

Maybe the bats are starting to come alive and we are witnessing a return of the 2010 Arroyo. The juggling of the lineup spurred most of those that were moved.

For the second consecutive game, Stubbs was batting second. He was 3-for-5 and brought his average above the Mendoza line to .229. Not stellar, but batting second should bring about seeing more fastballs with Joey Votto slotted behind him.

BP was 2-for-5 and added an RBI single in addition to his first home run of the season, a solo shot that commenced the scoring for the Good Guys.

And how about Bronson Arroyo? He made one bad pitch, surrendering a three-run homer to Matt Holliday in the Cards sixth. After that, he twirled two more innings and the Cards could mount zero offense against him as Arroyo would retire the last eight batters he faced.

Arroyo’s win marked the first time since Opening Day that a Reds starter would receive credit for the win.

Bring on Sean Marshall to record his second save. A sigh of relief across southwestern Ohio would follow. The Reds travel to Chicago for three against the Cubs. The matchups (according to MLB.com)…

Game 1: Homer Bailey (0-2, 5.40 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) v. Chris Volstad (0-1, 4.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) First pitch – 2:20 PM EDT

Game 2: Mike Leake (0-1, 5.84 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) v. Paul Maholm (0-2, 13.50 ERA, 1.88 WHIP) First pitch – 1:05 PM EDT

Game 3: Johnny Cueto (1-0, 1.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) v. Ryan Dempster (0-1, 1.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) First pitch – 2:20 PM EDT

Prior to Saturday’s game, Ohio’s own Dan Patrick will be throwing out the game’s first pitch. He and the Dan-ettes will be singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch. Subject to change, of course. You never know…

Another puzzling move?

It was talked about during the telecast.

During the 8th inning Aroldis Chapman was seen warming up in the bullpen. The assumption was made (by me at least) that he would pitch the 8th and Marshall would then come in for the 9th. Chapman never got into the game, a move I’m sure sent the Twitterverse into a tailspin. Arroyo would throw the 8th before giving way to Marshall for the 9th.

Thom brought up why not go ahead and bring Chapman into the game since he was warmed up regardless of the inning. Makes sense. That way you most likely do not have to worry about getting Marshall ready at all plus you save the little extra work on Marshall’s arm.

But this way, you have both Chapman and Marshall ready for tomorrow. Dusty doesn’t like to use Chapman in back-to-back games.

Reminder

Please take a minute a peer over to the right and vote in our poll. We want to know what you think about Brandon Phillips and his shiny new contract.

One last thing…

If the Reds were to pull off a sweep at Wrigley, they would be heading back to Cincinnati with a record of 8-8 and a record on the 10-game road trip of 5-5.

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