In A Night Of Firsts Ivan De Jesus Jr. Leads Reds Over Phills

http://donatelifeohio.org/

There is a first time for everything.

Cole Hamels made his first Major League start on May 12, 2006 on the Great American Ball Park mound. Since then,  Hamels made 13 more starts against Cincinnati during the regular season. The Phillies won all 14. Hamels was credited with 10 winning decisions. Hamels also shut out the Reds in the third game of the 2010 Division Series.

Ivan De Jesus Jr, who was called up by the Reds on Wednesday, hit his first Major League home run off Hamels. It broke a 3-3 tie and propelled the Reds to a 6-4 win.

http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/

It was De Jesus Jr.'s first start as a Red as the leftfielder, his first start in the outfield in his career.

"I was surprised when I came in a saw my name in the lineup for leftfield. I have never played it in my professional career," De Jesus Jr. said. "It was special to hit my first home run. It was my first of the year too but It's not about the home run. It's about the win."

De Jesus Jr. worked out with Devin Mesoraco in leftfield on Sunday.

"The way our bench is constructed, we have a four man bench. (Brennan) Boesch had some lower back issues.  The infielders are going to play if they're healthy. We can't let Ivan just sit around."

The Phillies scored first off winning pitcher Mike Leake, who faced Hamels and the Phillies last week in Philadelphia.

"It's not ideal to face the same team in back-to-back games.  The hitters have eight at bats to adjust. You almost have to forget what you did last time and remake stuff up," Leake said.

"Neither pitcher was as sharp as they were last time," Bryan Price said. "I am proud of Mike. Those two went at each other last time.".

Ben Revere doubled to open the game.  Leake got two outs without Revere moving. Ryan Howard doubled to score Revere.

The Reds tied it in their half.  Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single to right.  Joey Votto walked. Todd Frazier drove Phillips home with a single to left.

Billy Hamilton beat out an infield hit with two outs in the second.  With Phillips batting he stole second and thirdbase.  Phillps walked on a pitch in the dirt.  Catcher Carlos Ruiz thought Phillps failed to check his swing and when Ruiz threw to first, Hamilton raced home.

http://pro-ball.com/

Frazier singled and Zack Cozart doubled to put the Reds up 3-1.

The Phillies tied the game Maikel Franco doubled and advanced to third on a single by Cody Asche.  Freddie Galvis grounded to Votto, who threw home to get Franco.  A passed by charged to Tucker Barnhart put runners in scoring position and Ruiz singled them home.

The Phillies put runners at second and third with no outs in the sixth but Leake pitched out of the inning to preserve the tie.

Cozart led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. De Jesus Jr. hit his home run to give the Reds the lead.  Cozart added his eighth home run to complete a three-hit night off Justin De Fratus.

Order Amazon at right

Aroldis Chapman finished off the Phillies in the ninth for his 11th save, allowing a run on a walk and two wild pitches.

It was the 100th game at Great American Ball Park.  The Reds' record is 530-469-1 at GABP.