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I know that the game is already in the fourth inning, but I’ve finished my Webkinz obligation for the evening and my workaholic tendancies won’t let me put down the computer. All of the other teams played during the day (stupid day games), but the Pirates are to the rescue. Nate McLouth already had an awesome catch in center field.
By| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamondbacks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Reds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
The Reds (1-1) beat the Diamondbacks (1-1) in the game with the most thrilling ending last night (and the only one with a Red Hot Mama game thread). Edwin Encarnacion hit a walkoff home run in the 9th with the Reds down by 2 and 2 aboard.
The game gave Dusty Baker his first victory as a Reds manager. Unfortunately, I’m not too optimistic that there’ll be many more of those, especially since Baker had Edwin BUNTING with no outs.
The best part might have been Jeff Brantly on the telecast ranting against Encarnacion, saying he wasn’t clutch and since he couldn’t bunt, he should have been pinch-hit for. He was interrupted by Encarnacion’s STFU.
The deciding game of the series plays this afternoon, weather willing. Johnny Cueto goes for the Reds, with Doug Davis going for the Diamondbacks.
By| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -- | 8 | 11 | 1 |
Apparently, the Cardinals (1-1) prayed hard after God’s intervention for the first games of the season between them and the Rockies (1-1), and this time the Catholics triumphed.
Todd Wellemeyer was good in 5 innings, ensuring he gets another start, while Rick Ankiel was the star of the game. The rubbermatch of the series is today with Ubaldo Jimenez pitching against Brad Thompson.
By| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 0 |
| Padres | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 1 |
The Astros (1-2), like the Reds, won their game thanks to a 9th-inning home run. Berkman provided the fireworks and the lead, with a 3-run blast with 2 outs to give the team back the lead and the loss to the Padres (2-1).
The two teams finish their 4-game series with Astro Shawn Chacon attempting to split the series, while Randy Wolf seeks the series win for San Diego.
By| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Braves | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | -- | 10 | 13 | 0 |
The Pirates (1-1) lost to the Braves (1-2) in a game that was close until the Pirates bullpen collapsed magnificently in the 8th, allowing 7 runs. Shades of last year’s Reds bullpen.
The two finish their series today as Zach Duke starts against Mike Hampton.
