Behind The Box Score

Alright, I have to celebrate. The Reds just beat the Cubs 4-0, behind Justin Lehr’s 4-hit shutout, a complete game. This was the first complete game since July 10th, when Bronson went the distance right before the All-Star break against the Mets. Since then, Reds pitchers have averaged giving up around 6 runs a game, and 1.5 home runs per game. None of that was the case tonight, as the Cubs got runners to third base, but could never get them in.

This was the first win for Lehr since May 18th, 2006 against the Phillies. Some other positives to come out of tonight included: Scott Rolen hit his first long ball as a Red, and the Reds finally played some small ball. “Nice to just touch first base as a Red, I finally got to meet Billy Hatcher [First Base Coach],” Rolen said about his first two trips to first base, one on the homer, the next on the walk. “I just said to him ‘Hi there, I’m Scott Rolen, nice to meet you.’ He probably thought I was still suffering from my head trauma.” The small ball of the night started when Willy Taveras got on base from an infield single, and then on the next pitch, stole off of pitcher Jeff Samardzija. Willy then nearly got caught in a rundown, but lucked out as Hill threw the ball to second, allowing him to easily advance to third. Alex Gonzalez then brought him home on a sacrifice fly, Taveras got home and avoided the tag at the plate.