Last week the Chicago Cubs made the Pittsburgh Pirates walk the plank with a four-game sweep in Pittsburgh. They night before the sweep they bested the St. Louis Cardinals. The win over the Reds today marks the Cubs seventh straight win, all over teams ahead of them in the Central Division.
The Reds left the bases loaded again in the first inning. The lack of a big hit in clutch situations is the reason the Reds have fallen behind in the race.
Carlos Zambrano, who can be as erratic as he is tough, lost control in the first after getting to first two Reds hitters out. He walked, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce to load the bases before recording a strikeout of super sub, Miguel Cairo.
Johnny Cueto has been outstanding and was leading the National League with a 1.72 ERA at the start of play.
Cueto was off himself, hitting a pair of Cub hitters in the first inning
The Reds finally got some clutch hit in the third inning. Cairo and Yonder Alonso singled home runs.
Zambrano, an excellent hitter, homered to extend his hitting streak to six games. The Cubs tied it later in the inning.
The Reds and Cueto unraveled completely in the fourth inning. Jay Bruce and Phillips ran into each other chasing a bloop hit by Reed Johnson. The play was ruled a double. Alfonso Soriano doubled. Geovanny Soto singled to left to send Soriano to third. Cueto struck out Zambrano. The Reds could have gotten out of the inning as Phillips fielded a ball hit by Starlin Castro. Phillips stepped on second but dropped the ball trying to complete the double play. Soriano scored.
Darwin Barney singled. Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena walked to force home a run and Cueto was through for the day.
Sam LeCure, aka "Houdini" escaped the bases loaded situation with no further scoring.
LeCure couldn't pitch around bad outfield defense in the fifth. Reed singled. Soriano hit a fly ball to left that Alonso misplayed. Fans were wondering why Alonso and his potent bat was still in Louisville but they are seeing why as Alonso gets playing time while Chris Heisey is out with a strained oblique.
Alonso misplayed a second fly later in the inning in which the Cubs broke the game open with five runs.
Alonso did provide a highlight later by touching Zambrano for his first major league home run in the sixth inning.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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