Reds and Giants Split Four After Giants Comeback to Win 4-2

Edinson Volquez is pitching much better but the Reds fell to a split to the pitching rich San Francisco Giants.

Volquez pitched six innings and allowed just two runs for Cincinnati's seventh straight quality start.  He walked three with the leadoff pass to Nate Schierholtz, leading off the sixth inning hurt Volquez the most in turning in his second straight quality start.  Schierholtz was running on a 3-2 pitch to Aubrey Huff.  When Huff singled to right center field, Schierholtz easily reached thirdbase, later scoring on a force play by Cody Ross.

The Giants tied the score and that cost Volquez a win and a chance to pitch the seventh inning.  Volquez was sent to Louisville to work out some kinks with a 6.35 ERA over his first 10 starts.  Volquez has a 2.07 ERA and pitched 13 innings, allowing just three earned runs.

The Reds scored two runs in the fourth inning.  San Francisco lefty, Jonathan Sanchez hit Joey Votto with a pitch, then walked Jay Bruce.  Scott Rolen doubled home a run.  Jonny Gomes walked to load the bases with no outs.  Sanchez was on the ropes.  A hit would have done him in but Edgar Renteria hit a sacrifice fly. Ramon Hernandez then hit into a double play to end the threat.

Volquez the base runner was not as good as Volquez the pitcher.  Volquez singled to center.  Drew Stubbs, who reached base four times, hit a ball down the thirdbase line.  Volquez stopped at second.  What could have, should have been a double was a single.  Sanchez struck out Brandon Phillips.  Joey Votto flied out to deep left.  What could have, should have been a sacrifice fly, providing a 3-1 lead turned into a double play as Ross caught Volquez straying too far from secondbase.

That was Cincinnati's last good scoring chance.

Jose Arredondo walked the leadoff hitter in his second straight outing to open the seventh.  Like the appearance Friday that walk to Chris Stewart, made Arredondo the losing pitcher.  After striking out Pat Burrell, Andres Torres double to right.  The Reds walked nemesis, Miguel Tejada.  Schierholtz broke the tie with a sacrifice fly off Bill Bray.  Huff singled in the insurance run.

Ramon Ramirez pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the win. 

Javier Lopez and the Giants bearded closer, Brian Wilson closed it out with little resistence.



By Jerry Dowling