(AP photo/Al Behrman)
In preparation for tonight’s 8 p.m. ESPN matchup with the Braves at GABP on Sunday Night Baseball, Cincinnati finally broke out the firepower on Saturday, whipping Atlanta 11-2. The scoring outburst marked the Reds’ best single-game run production since beating Pittsburgh 11-2 at GABP way back on April 16. It was just the eighth time all year that Dusty Baker’s club has scored double digits in a game, the last time being a 10-5 win at Baltimore back on June 25. The Reds are 8-0 in those double-digit games, by the way.
It was the second time the Reds have scored double-digits for a Homer Bailey start. The first time was a 10-4 win over visiting Houston May 5. Bailey needed a season-high 109 pitches to get through six innings. Bailey threw 53 pitches in the first two. But he gave up just two earned runs on the day. Since a dreadful six-inning, five-run start at Milwaukee on July 7, Bailey has allowed but three runs over 13.1 innings in his last two starts. His ERA sits at 3.67, which is second among Cincinnati starters behind Jonny Cueto’s 1.98. (Mike Leake is at 4.11; Bronson Arroyo is at 5.56; Dontrelle Willis at 3.37 but has made just two starts.)
Brandon Phillips broke out of his slump, stroking three hits on Saturday. Phillips’ average jumped from .278 to .282.
Maybe Edgar Renteria’s bat is heating up with the weather. The old-timer has five hits in 13 at-bats over his last four games. He drove in a season-high three runs on Saturday, his highest total since last year’s World Series when he played for the Giants.
Hope Zack Cozart’s hyper-extended elbow is nothing more serious. The rookie had 12 hits in 37 at-bats before he was injured Saturday trying to make a tag.
Joey Votto broke out of his mini-slump with two hits. Votto entered Saturday without a hit in 10 at-bats over his last three games. He had struck out five times in those games. But Votto’s batting average is now up to .314. And he didn’t fan on Saturday, first time since the previous Saturday at St. Louis.
You have to wonder what’s up with Jay Bruce, who has missed several games this year with “flu-like symptoms” or in Saturday’s case “dizzy spells.” Bruce did have a pinch-hit double on Saturday.
Todd Frazier followed up his first major-league hit on Friday by driving in his first major-league runs (3) on Saturday. With Scott Rolen back on the DL, Frazier hopefully will see some significant playing time. That is, of course, knowing that Baker will go with the veteran Miguel Cairo most of the time.
As if you haven’t read this before this season: Jonny Gomes has just one hit in 11 at-bats over his last five games. He went 0-for-1 on Saturday, which happened to be Gomes’ bobblehead day.
Ryan Hanigan’s average is back up to .262, its highest since June 29.
Drew Stubbs did not strike out on Saturday, and he had three at-bats. It was the first time since July 10 the center fielder has had at least three at-bats in a game and not fanned at least once.
Willis gets the start tonight against the Braves. It will be his third since being called up on July 10. Last start, Willis suffered through rain delays in Pittsburgh, giving up two runs over 4.2 innings in a loss. Best news was he walked just one batter after waking four in his Reds’ debut at Milwaukee.
Brandon Beachey starts for Atlanta. He got knocked around pretty good last Tuesday at Colorado, allowing six runs in just 4.2 innings. The 24-year-old is 3-2 on the year with a 3.75 ERA.
Paul Daugherty thinks the price of acquiring a late-season boost will be too high, and I agree.
