Tag: reds

Preview of the series between the Reds and A’s

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Photo credit: @NBCSAthletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s returned home after finishing their nine-game road trip with a dismal 1-8 record. They are off on Monday and resume play against the NL Central Cincinnati Reds. The Reds, as the A’s, are in last place in the respective divisions. The Reds are 15-20, and the A’s are 15-21.

David Bell is in his first year as manager of the Reds. He is hoping to rebuild the team and bring them back to being contenders. The Reds are celebrating their 150th anniversary as baseball’s oldest franchise. They were started in 1869. They have won nine National League pennants and five World Series. They won the World Series in 1919 when they beat the heavily favored Chicago “Black” Sox. The Reds were known as the Big Red Machine in the ’70s when they won four pennants and two World Series. That team features Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose. The A’s beat them to win the 1972 World Series. The Reds, under manager Lou Piniella, swept the A’s in the 1990 World Series. Neither the A’s nor the Reds have made it back to the World Series since then.

The Reds hosted the San Francisco Giants for four games over the weekend. The teams split the series. The schedule makers have the Reds traveling to the Bay Area on Monday, and they play the A’s for three and then play the Giants again three times this weekend.

The Pitching probables for the three-game series will see the A’s send Mike Fiers to the hill for Game One. Fiers is 2-3 with a 6.81 ERA. Fiers pitches well at the Coliseum. In his last two outings, Fiers has given up five runs in 12 innings. He will be opposed by the Reds’ Tyler Mahle. Mahle is 0-4 for the season and lost a tough one when he fell 1-0 to the Mets. Mets’ pitcher Noah “Thor” Syndergaard homered for the Mets only run. On Wednesday, lefty Brett Anderson (4-2, 3.89 ERA) will try to beat the Reds.

Anderson won the only game of the A’s on the last nine-game road trip. The Reds’ Sonny Gray will try to beat his old mates. Sonny pitched for the A’s from 2013-17. The A’ traded Sonny to the Yankees in 2017 and Sonny had a tough time pitching in New York. He did well on the road, but was terrible at home. The Yankees sent him to the Reds after the 2018 season. Sonny is being united with his pitching coach from Vanderbilt. Sonny is 25-20 lifetime at the Oakland Coliseum. Thursday’s game will feature Chris Bassitt (1-0, 2.12 ERA) going for Oakland and Tanner Roark, the former Washington National, going for Cincinnati. Bassitt went five innings in his last start against Pittsburgh. He had trouble with his command and gave up two home runs to Josh Bell. He did not get a decision as he left the game with the game tied at three.

The Reds’ key players are the former NL MVP Joey Votto, outfielders Yasiel Puig, and Jesse Winker, and rookie Nick Senzel. Senzel hit two home runs against the Giants on Monday. Reds star second baseman Scooter Gennett is on the 60-day IL. Derek Dietrich, the former Miami Marlin, will play second for the Reds. Former Red Sox and Detroit Tiger, Jose Iglesias, will be at shortstop. Eugenio Suarez will probably be at third. Curt Casali and Kyle Farmer will handle the catching.

The Reds’ pitchers that will see action in relief are lefties Zach Duke and Wandy Peralta. The righties are Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, and Jared Hughes.

The Reds have players with a lot of pop in their bats. The Oakland Coliseum is a pitcher’s park, and it will be interesting to see if the A’s pitchers can stop the offense of the Reds.

The A’s, on the other hand, will be hoping to get their offense back on track. The hitters did not do well on the road trip, and they hope that the return to Oakland will get them going. The A’s will be getting back slugging first baseman Matt Olson. Olson broke the hamate bone in his left hand and has finished his rehab. The pitching rotation should get a boost when Edwin Jackson is called up from Las Vegas.

Crawford comes up in a pinch in Giants’ 6-5 win over Reds

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

It seems that the San Francisco Giants just love to comeback from huge deficits, and once again they did it to the Cincinnati Reds.

After falling behind 4-0 in the bottom of the first inning, the lead was not safe for the Reds and when Brandon Crawford launched a two-run home run into the right field seats, the Giants came all the way from that 4-0 deficit to defeat the Reds 6-5 at Great American Ballpark.

The Reds jumped on Jeff Samardzija in the bottom of the first inning, as Samardzija gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs and then Samardzija was literally perfect for the rest of his outing.

Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker and Derek Dietrich hit home runs on three straight pitches to give the Reds a 4-0 lead at the end of the first inning.

It was the second time this season that the Reds went back-to-back-to-back, as they did it on April 9, as the recently released Matt Kemp, Suarez and Scott Schelber. All hit home runs off of Wei-Yin Chen of the Miami Marlins also at the Great American Ballpark.

The Giants began to chip at the lead in the top of the sixth inning, as Joe Panik hit an opposite-field single to score Steven Duggar, who singled to center to break up Luis Castillos no-hit bid after Kevin Pillar struck out to lead off the inning.

With the base hit by Duggar, brought on Stephen Vogt off the bench, who walked just prior to the Panik single to left field.

After Mike Gerber struck out for the second out for the second out of the inning, Buster Posey tied up the game, as he hit a three-run home run off of reigning National League Pitcher of the Month Castillo, who came into the game with a 3-1 record with a 1.45 earned run average.

Castillo ended up with a no-decision, as he went seven innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out nine.

Samardzija, who was in trouble after the first inning, when he gave those four runs, ended up not allowing a base hit after the first inning and retired the final 13 batters he faced after allowing a base hit to Jose Peraza.

In all, Samardzija went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, not walking a batter and striking out four.

Once again, the Giants bullpen was dynamic, the quartet of Trevor Gott, Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and Will Smith allowed just one run on one hit, walking two and striking out five.

Moronta got into a jam in his only inning of work, as he walked the bases loaded, but was able to strikeout Suarez with the bases loaded to end the inning and the Reds threat.

Watson pitched the eighth inning to pick up his first win of the season, while Will Smith picked up his ninth save of the season.

Reds closer Raisel Iglesias came on in the top of the ninth inning, as he gave up a double to Posey, and then Crawford, who came off the bench to get his first home run of the season to give the Giants their only lead of the game.

Smith came on in the bottom of the ninth inning and after getting the first two outs, and then two strikes on Kyle Farmer, who then hit a solo home run to get the Reds within one. Tucker Barnhart ended the game, as he grounded out to Crawford to end the game.

NOTES: With the Reds and Major League Baseball celebrating 150 years this season, the Reds are wearing throwback uniforms from different eras of Reds history.

One night after wearing jerseys that represented the 1902 team, the Reds wore uniforms from the 1911 season on Sunday afternoon.

Derek Holland is expected to be activated from the injured list prior to his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Holland is currently on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise on his left index finger.

UP NEXT: Drew Pomeranz closes out the series on Monday afternoon, as he will face the Reds for the first time since the 2016 season.

Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound for the Reds in the finale.

Reds rout Giants 11-4 to break out brooms at home

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Photo credit: @Reds

By Jeremy Kahn

After losing the first two of the series, the San Francisco Giants were looking to the salvage the finale against the Cincinnati Reds with rookie Andrew Suarez on the mound.

Unfortunately, the rookie could not get of the third inning, as the Reds scored seven runs in the inning on their way to a 11-4 win over the Giants at Great American Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run home run helping the Reds to their second consecutive sweep over the Giants in the City of Cincinnati.

Jose Peraza added a two-run run home run for the Reds, who took the season series 4-2 over the Giants, who have lost four in a row.

The seven runs allowed by the Giants were the most they gave up in an inning this season. During the 2017 season, the Giants gave up seven or more runs in an inning on five different occasions.

Over the final two games of the series, the Reds outscored the Giants 18-5 after the Reds defeated the Giants 2-1 in 10 innings in the opener on Friday night.

Suarez ended up going a season-low 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned), and seven hits.

Scooter Gennett continued his hot hitting, as he hit a two-run triple in that fateful third inning that also saw Suarez hit his career-high 27thhome run of the season.

Curt Casali also picked up two hits and drove in two runs in that third inning.

Luis Castillo went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs and six hits, while striking out nine, as he won for the seventh time on the season.

Brandon Belt hit leadoff for the Giants, as it was the first time that a first baseman hit leadoff since David Bell did so on July 6, 2002 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at then Bank One Ballpark.

The last left-handed first baseman to hit leadoff was Mike Aldrete against the Atlanta Braves on May 4, 1987 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Will Clark leads all Giants first baseman with 28 starts from the leadoff position.

Chase d’Arnaud pitched the bottom of the eighth inning for the Giants, becoming the second Giants position player to pitch this season. Pablo Sandoval pitched the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on April 28.

d’Arnaud is just the fifth Giants position player to pitch since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. He joins Sandoval, Greg Litton, Dave Kingman and Matty Alou.

Despite allowing a hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, d’Arnaud is the third to not allow any runs, joining Alou and Sandoval.

UP NEXT: The Giants take on the New York Mets for a four-game series starting Monday at 4:10 pm PDT.

Derek Holland looks to get the Giants back into the win column on Monday, as he makes just his second ever start against the Mets, who will send Zach Wheeler to the mound.

Bumgarner, Giants shelled in embarrassing 7-1 loss to Reds

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Photo credit: @SanDiegoGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

When this key road trip began, thing were looking good for the San Francisco Giants; however, by the end of the week, it is a totally different story with the Cincinnati Reds.

Matt Harvey took a no-hitter into the top of the sixth inning, while Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera each hit home runs and the Reds defeated the Giants 7-1 at Great American Ballpark on Saturday.

One night after picking up three hits in the opener of the three-game series, Scooter Gennett did it again and scored three runs, sending the Giants to their third straight loss after winning three straight.

Madison Bumgarner did not pitch well at all, as he gave up a season-high six runs and eight hits in six innings.

Things were going good until the bottom of the fourth inning, and that is when the Reds scored the only runs that they would need off of Bumgarner.

Peraza led off the inning with a home run into the left field seats, and then Brandon Dixon completed the scoring in the inning, as he hit a two-run double.

It got even worse in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Friday’s hero Phillip Ervin hit a sacrifice fly that scored Peraza from third base and then Eugenio Suarez scored on a throwing error by Steven Duggar to extend the lead.

Herrera launched a 419-foot home run into the center field seats that gave the Reds a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Suarez rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, as his single to center field scored Gennett.

The Giants scored their only run of the evening in the top of the eighth inning, as Evan Longoria grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Andrew McCutchen from third base.

Harvey did not give up a hit until there were two outs in the top of the sixth inning, as Joe Panik beat out an infield roller that was snared by Peraza and Panik just beat out the throw from Peraza.

NOTES: Hunter Strickland made his return to the active after being out since June 10 when the team leader in saves with 13 was placed on the disabled list with a fractured right hand. To make room for Strickland on the 40-man roster, Pablo Sandoval was transferred to the 60-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring and is out for the rest of the season.

Strickland pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits after replacing Bumgarner in the bottom of the seventh inning.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Reds will wrap up their series on Sunday at 10:10 am PDT.

Andrew Suarez looks to get the Giants back into the win column on Sunday, as he takes the mound at Great American Ballpark for the first time in his major-league career. Suarez faced the Reds on May 16 at AT&T Park, and lost to the Reds 6-3.

The Reds will send Luis Castillo to the mound, as they look for the sweep.

Ervin’s first career walk-off helps Reds to 2-1 win over Giants in 11 innings

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Photo credit: @Reds

By Jeremy Kahn

Phillip Ervin ended the pitchers’ duel between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds with one swing of the bat.

Ervin hit the first pitch he saw from Ray Black over the center field wall, helping the Reds to a 2-1 over the Giants at the Great American Ballpark on Friday.

It was the first walk-off home run for Ervin since he hit one in his sophomore year of college for Samford against Auburn.

The loss by the Giants was the second straight loss after starting the road trip with two straight come-from-behind victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday and Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Casey Kelly made the start in place of the now disabled Dereck Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list (retroactive to Monday) after straining his hamstring during the bench clearing brawl between Nick Hundley and Yaisel Puig.

Kelly, who was making his 10th Major League start of his career and first since May 22, 2016 for the Atlanta Braves had a long-time fan in the Reds’ dugout, his father Pat, who is the bench coach for the Reds.

Prior to the game, Kelly looked into the Reds dugout, and the two saluted each and then it was the Giants and the Reds.

Kelly, who pitched 1.1 innings on Wednesday night in the series finale against the Dodgers went 4.1 innings, allowing just one run on nine hits, walking one and striking out two.

Not only was Kelly’s father in the Reds dugout, but Kelly also faced former high school teammate, Scooter Gennett, who ended the night with three hits.

Five Giants relievers 5.2 innings, allowing just that one run on two hits, walking one and striking out nine.

It was the second loss of the season for Black, who went one inning and one batter, allowing the eventual game-winning home run to Ervin, on one hit and struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th inning.

David Hernandez pitched a shutdown 11th inning, as he struck out two of the three batters he faced in the inning to up his record to 5-0 on the season and the Reds ended a four-game losing streak.

Curt Casali gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, as singled in Tucker Barnhart, who doubled.

That was not the score for long, as the Giants tied the game in the top of the third, as Steven Duggar hit a leadoff double, then Kelly sacrificed to third and then Duggar scored the tying run on an Andrew McCutchen single off of Reds starter Andrew DeSclafani, who went 7.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking one and five strikeouts.

McCutchen picked up three hits on the evening for the Giants.

NOTES: With Rodriguez on the disabled list, Hunter Strickland will be activated from the 60-day disabled list after missing two months with a broken right hand.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Reds will face each other again Saturday at 4:10 pm PDT.

Madison Bumgarner takes the hill on Saturday for the Giants, as they look to even up the series, while Matt Harvey takes the mound for the Reds.

Giants rookie Dereck Rodriguez to miss Friday’s start against the Reds

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Photo credit: @McCoveyChron

By Jeremy Harness

The little brouhaha between Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Giants catcher Nick Hundley claimed a casualty. And the Giants will feel that starting Friday night.

That’s because starter Dereck Rodriguez expected to take the mound in Friday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park, but he was hurt in Tuesday’s skirmish, as he strained his right hamstring. As a result, he will miss at least this start, and he was also placed on the 10-day disabled list.

In the meantime, righty Casey Kelly (0-1, 1.42 ERA) will start in Rodriguez’s spot, as he will go opposite Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (6-3, 4.46 ERA). DeSclafani has been on a roll lately, winning his past two starts and going seven innings each time.

He shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 3-0 win last Friday, as he gave up only three hits as he struck out nine guys and did not walk a single batter. Six days before that, he surrendered only a run on six hits in a 7-1 win over Washington.

The Giants will bring out Madison Bumgarner (4-4, 2.71 ERA) on Saturday against the Reds’ Matt Harvey (5-7).

Bumgarner has started to hit his stride these days, as he has given up a total of three runs over his last three starts. However, he has only one win out of those three to show for it, as he was stuck with a pair of no-decision in each of his past two starts.

Harvey (5-7, 5.19 ERA), on the other hand, has gone the other way, going 0-2 in his last four decisions, although he did go seven strong last Saturday and gave up only two runs in a win over Arizona. He, however, was stuck with a no-decision.

Belt goes swimming, Crawford goes 4-for-4 in Giants’ 5-3 win over Reds

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO–After allowing three runs in the first four innings, you knew that it would be long night for Ty Blach.

Luckily, Blach’s teammates helped him out, as they came back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 before a crowd of 37,809 at AT&T Park Tuesday night.

Brandon Belt got the rally started with one swing of the bat, as he took a Tyler Mahle offering and it landed in McCovey Cove for Belt’s eighth home run of the season.

Following the Belt Splash Hit, the Giants got three straight singles from Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford and Austin Jackson. After a strikeout by Kelby Tomlinson, pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval lashed a Mahle pitching inside third and down the line to tie up the game.

“I was surprised at the situation,” said Sandoval.

Gregor Blanco then singled to reload the bases, Andrew McCutchen narrowly beat Scooter Gennett’s throw from second for a Fiedlers’ Choice to score Jackson with the go-ahead run.

“Cutch looking good hustling down the line,” said Bruce Bochy.

Blach went four innings, allowing three runs (one of them earned) on five hits, walking one and striking out one.

Eugenio Suarez got the Reds on the board, as he hit a two-run home run off of Blach in the top of the third inning. The Suarez home run came just after Tomlinson committed a fielding error at second base that allowed Jesse Winkler to reach base.

The Reds added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning, as Billy Hamilton drove in Tony Cruz, who singled with one out, then went to second on a Mahle sacrifice bunt.

It was another nice night for Crawford at the plate, as he continues to hit the ball well, as he went 4-for-4 on the evening and is 9-for-12 over his last three games.

Mahle, who pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, while walking one and striking out two, saw his record fall to 3-5 on the season.

The perfect pitched fifth inning by Pierce Johnson gave the right-hander his second win of the season, as he struck out one.

All in all, the five bullpen pitchers that included Johnson, Will Smith, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and Hunter Strickland went five innings, allowing no runs on four hits, not walking a batter and struck out eight to preserve the Giants third win in a row and clinching the series.

“Had guys that were fresh,” said Bochy.

NOTES: Andrew Suarez looks for his second major league win, as he takes the mound on Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants look for their first three-game sweep over the Reds since May 3-5, 2002. Matt Harvey will make his second start for the Reds since being acquired from the New York Mets for catcher Devin Mesoraco on May 8.

Austin Slater was optioned to Sacramento after Monday’s 10-7 victory over the Reds, while Miguel Gomez was recalled from Double-A Richmond.

The Belt Splash Hit in the bottom of the fourth inning was the 78thhit into McCovey Cove since the ballpark opened on April 11, 2000. It was the eighth Splash Hit for Belt, tying him with Sandoval, who hit his eighth earlier this season on April 4 off of Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.

Belt and Sandoval are tied for second place behind Barry Bonds, who hit 35 in his eight years playing at AT&T Park.

UP NEXT: Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm PST.

Big innings push the Giants past the Reds, and into first place in the NL West

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Crawford greeted

By Morris Phillips

Given the early season statistical numbers, it wasn’t a surprise that Brandon Crawford’s home run off Cincinnati’s JC Ramirez stood as the game-winner on Monday night.

So far in 2016, the Reds’ inexperienced bullpen has sprung leaks in multiple spots, allowing 22 home runs in 26 games, the most allowed by any big league team’s relievers by a large margin. Meanwhile, the Giants have proven to be a more than capable power hitting team, hitting 28 jacks in 27 games. Throw in the historically, homer-friendly nature of Great American Ballpark, and the decisive scenario of Crawford batting against Ramirez in the seventh inning with two runners aboard, and the Giants trailing 6-5 was set.

To that point, Monday’s game already stood as an offensive showcase with the Giants scoring three runs in the second, only to see the Reds respond with six runs in the third, ruining what would have been a nice return to Cincinnati for the Giants’ $100-million-dollar man, Johnny Cueto.

With two runs already in, Crawford stepped up and deposited Ramirez’ 2-1 pitch three rows beyond the right center field wall, giving the Giants lead again on their way to a 9-6 win.

The Giants’ won for the second straight day, after dropping the first two games of a six-game road trip, and moved into first place in the NL West, despite their very modest 14-13 won-loss record.

Crawford had been scuffling prior to his big at-bat, hitting around .200 over his previous 18 games, and struggling when given opportunities to knock in a run or two. But Ramirez’ breaking ball hung, and Crawford pounced.

“I’ve gotten a few RBIs through ground outs or sacrifice flies, but getting a hit in that situation is always a lot better,” Crawford said.

The Giants’ shortstop finished the night’s scoring in the ninth, knocking in an insurance run, giving him four RBI on the night. Brandon Belt had three of the team’s 14 hits, and scored twice.

Manager Bruce Bochy got contributions from most of the 25 guys available, as Mac Williamson replaced the injured Angel Pagan in left, and gave way to Gregor Blanco in the sixth in a double switch. Kelby Tomlinson started at second, giving Joe Panik a rare day off, and four relievers followed Cueto, allowing the Reds just one hit.

Cueto pitched eight seasons in Cincinnati, and was greeted warmly by the smallish crowd. That reception transitioned nicely into the pitcher’s infield single that knocked in a pair of runs in the Giants three-run third inning. But the reception turned rough in the third when Cueto was touched for a three-run homer from Joey Votto, followed by a run-scoring triple off the bat of Jay Bruce.

But throughout, the veteran remained composed, barely blinking when Votto’s shot cleared the wall. It must have been Cueto’s familiarity with the Great American Ballpark situation, where runs have traditionally been scored in bunches. Not surprisingly, Cueto followed the six-run third with a pair of scoreless frames to keep the Giants within reach.

Reds’ starter Brandon Finnegan put up four scoreless frames after the Giants took their early 3-0 lead, and seemed poised for a win. But Ramirez relieved Finnegan, and could record just one out before surrendering the home run to Crawford. It was the first home run this season allowed by Ramirez, but the Reds’ bullpen has allowed at least one run in 20 consecutive ballgames, an embarrassing feat achieved just once since 1913 at the major league level.

The Giants resume their series in Cincinnati on Tuesday as Jeff Samardzjia faces the Reds’ John Moscot. Moscot suffered shoulder discomfort in his previous start, so his participation isn’t assured. The team said that Moscot will be re-evaluated in pre-game warmups before being allowed to pitch.

Reds Steal One From San Francisco; Giants’ Woes Continue

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By: Joe Lami

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–The Cincinnati Reds stole a game from the San Francisco Giants on Saturday Night at AT&T, as they beat the Giants 7-2 in 11innings.  Cincinnati was trailing 1-0 going into the ninth inning, when Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homerun to put the Reds ahead.  A Giants rally capped off by a RBI double from Buster Posey in the ninth would force extra innings, but the Reds were too strong in the 11th for the Giants to come back.

The Giants continue to slump, as they are now 4-14 in the last 18 games.  The Giants have had one bright spot in that span, with Tim Lincecum’s No Hitter this past Wednesday against the Padres, but before then the Giants haven’t won a game at home since June 12, where they hammered the Nationals 7-1.

San Francisco was led by a strong pitching performance from Matt Cain, who hasn’t been himself this season going into Saturday.  Cain entered Saturday with a 1-6 record and a 4.82 ERA in 12 games.  Cain looked like the pitcher we have known though on Saturday, as he pitched seven scoreless innings, while giving up six hits, two walks and striking out four.  Saturday also marks the first time since September 26, 2012 in which Cain pitched at least seven scoreless innings.  However, the great performance goes for not, as Cain is given the no decision.

“It was a tough one, Cain pitched his heart out,” said Giants’ Skipper, Bruce Bochy after game.

Alfredo Simon was great on the other side as he surrendered one run on three hits.  Simon has been stellar for the Reds on the season boasting a 10-3 record with a 2.92 ERA, heading into Saturday night, and it continued to show, as he getsa no decision.

The Giants started the night with a bang, as Gregor Blanco led off with a base hit.  However, the Giants would have to wait until the fifth inning, until they got their next one.  The only Giant to get on base between the first and fifth inning was Pablo Sandoval in the fourth inning, when he hit a grounder and it was misplayed by Zack Cozart for an error.  Brandon Crawford recorded the second hit of the evening on his bobblehead night with a single.  Adam Duvall followed up by doubling into the left field corner sending Crawford to third.  With one out in the inning, it sent Joe Panik up to the plate.  Panik would knock in the only run for the Giants of the night, as he hammered one right up the middle but, it was knocked down by Simon and Brandon Phillips made the throw to first.  Matt Cain ended the fifth on a bunt for hit attempt to get the second run in, by he was thrown out at first.

San Francisco led the game into the top of the ninth, when Sergio Romo came into the game.  Romo started the shaky inning with a walk to Joey Votto, bringing Phillips up to the plate.  Phillips entered the at bat 0 for 3 on the evening, but made the difference in the ninth when he shot a hanging a slider deep into left field to give the Reds the 2-1 lead.  Romo was forced to finish the inning, but had trouble doing it as both Devin Mesoraco and Ryan Ludwick would hit it to the warning track before being gloved down by Juan Perez.

The Reds entered the ninth inning with the lead and one of the most dangerous closers in the game coming in, Aroldis Chapman.  Chapman entered the game 16 for 16 in saves situations, and pitching his fourth day straight.  The Giants would be the first team to break Chapman on the season as they started the ninth inning with a Hunter Pence single to right.  The turning point was an amazing ten-pitch walk forced by Sandoval putting runners on first and second.  Buster Posey was the pinch hitter and drove a 101 MPH fastball to left to bring home the tying run on the no-out double.  Runners were at second and third with no outs, and the Giants looked like they had the win in the bag, however Chapman buckled down and forced two ground outs and then struck out Duvall to end the ninth.

The Reds would strike again in the 11th inning scoring two runs off of Cozart single, that brought in Votto; who doubled to start the inning, and Phillips who was intentionally walked to set up the double play ball.  Cincinnati would put the nail in the coffin when Chris Heisey knocked two more in with a triple to right to put the Reds up 6-2.  The bleeding would continue for the Giants when Billy Hamiliton doubled to right to bring in Heisey to make it 7-2.  The Giants would get one back in the bottom half to make it 7-3.

Jonathan Broxton earns the win for Cincinnati to up his record to 3-0.  Javy Lopez gets the loss, dropping his record to 1-1. The Reds take a 3-0 series advantage this weekend, as they will go for the sweep tomorrow with a pitching matchup of Homer Bailey vs. Tim Hudson.

Reds edge A’s, 6-5

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By George Devine, Sr.August 7, 2013
 
Corky Miller, Alberto CallaspoThe A’s will be glad to leave Cincinnati. They lost 6-5 to the Reds in a hard-fought game to end their series on the banks of the Ohio and now head to Toronto.

The scoring started in the first as Shin-Soo Choo singled to right, beginning a busy day in the position for Seth Smith, then advanced on Todd Frazier’s walk and reached third on Joey Votto’s base hit to right, scoring when Jay Bruce grounded into a 6-4 force.

Josh Donaldson put Oakland on the board in the second with a homer to right, his 17th of the year. In the bottom of the inning Zack Cosart singled to right and scored as Corky Miller hit a double in Smith’s direction.

In the home third, Votto singled to right, and scored on a homer hit over Smith’s head by Jay Bruce, his 24th of the season. Cozart walked and scored when Miller doubled to left.

In the fourth, Brandon Moss singled to short, then Alberto Callaspo doubled to right, so Moss reached third, scoring on Stephen Vogt’s single to right.

In the fifth, Xavier Paul hit a ground rule double to right and scored when Devin Mesoraco singled to third.

The Athletics’ last scoring drive was in the sixth, when Jed Lowrie doubled to center, reached third when Moss singled to right and scored as Donaldson grounded a base hit to left. Eric Sogard tripled to right, plating Moss and Donaldson.

The winner is Homer Bailey (7-10) and the loser Bartolo Colon (14-4). Araldis Chapman picked up his 27th save of the year.

After a travel day, the A’s first game in the Toronto series is at 4:07 p.m. PDT on Friday, August 9, with Jarrod Parker (7-6) facing Esmil Rogers (3-6).