Behind The Box Score

Everybody knows that one guy in life that just has a bad break day after day, and it never seems to change. Well for this guy, this group of guys, they finally got their luck to change tonight. They trailed 2-0, 4-2, and 5-3 as late as the eighth inning. The Reds (47-61), fought back all night against the Giants, and against who some consider the best pitcher in the NL in Tim Lincecum, who only got a no-decision.

Early on, the Reds had to start off down 2-0 after Homer Bailey surrendered his 8th home run of the season, dishing up the long ball to Bengie Molina. However, they fought back, scraping a run off of the 2-0 with an RBI single by Wladmir Balentin, scoring Alex Gonzalez. The fifth was no different for the run-depleted Reds, Alex Gonzalez pulled off the next RBI single, tying the game at 2, not for long however, as the Giants would answer in the bottom of the inning. Eugenio Velez would give the Giants the lead with another 2-run blast, giving San Fran the 4-2 lead.

The beginning of the 8th sparked the Reds offense, from then on they would score 7 runs. The top of the 8th opened up with a Joey Votto walk, and then a Brandon Phillips double, giving Cincinnati 2nd and 3rd with no out, down 5-3. Laynce Nix would hit a bloop single over Sandoval to bring in the 2 runs that would tie the game, and Cincy wouldn’t trail again.

A shocking development would break out in the top of the following inning, with Drew Sutton throwing down a surprise bunt, getting on first, and giving the Reds some momentum again. The bases would soon be loaded for Phillips, who drew the go-ahead walk to give the Reds the lead for good. The defense of the Giants (60-49) was horrendous in the ninth inning, having two errors in succession that gave the Reds an 8-5 lead. A wild pitch would score Phillips, opening up a 4-run gap. The bottom of the ninth was no picnic for Coco Cordero, loading the bases before getting the last two guys out, ending the game with a groundball to Phillips.

Some food for thought:

• The Reds last scored ten runs on May the 13th, against Arizona.
• Since that day, the Reds have averaged 3.6 runs/game, and an awesome batting average of .230.
• Also, 4 times the Reds have given up 10+ runs, with 22 against the Phillies being the most, and crushing.