Reds 4, Astros 2: Owings Wins
By
Zeldink
Posted at 12:34 pm
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reds (6-5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Astros (4-8) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Edinson Volquez was shaky at first for the Reds, but he kept the game very close, allowing only 1 run over 6 innings. He also struck out 7.
Starting in place of recently injured Brian Moehler for the Astros was Felipe Paulino, a wild, fire-balling rookie. Of course, that combination meant the Reds were doomed, at least as long as Paulino was in the game. Paulino matched Volquez for innings, but did him one better by allowing no runs.
The Astros were leading until Micah Owings stepped into the batter’s box to pinch hit. Owings wasted no time in doubling off the wall, knocking in two and giving the Reds their first lead.
With the Reds seriously bad offense, they should find a way to fit Owings into the lineup more. I have a feeling I know who’ll be DHing during the interleague games.
Don’t look now, but a win tonight puts the Reds in…
Well, I don’t want to jinx ’em. Check the standings and keep your fingers crossed that Harden has another game like his last outing for the Cubs, when he lasted just three innings and tacked four full runs onto his ERA.
Anyway, the Reds are half a game out with six regulars hitting .200 or below. With B-Yo at 3-0 and everybody else at 4-5.
I’m not going to let myself get excited unless and until it gets to be July and they’re still in the race, but I think it’s been more than ten years since the last time a Reds starter won each of his first three starts. Though having Hanigan and Janish in the lineup instead of Hernandez and Gonzalez probably didn’t hurt any, considering how well the latter pair hasn’t been doing at the dish.
Nice to see the Reds take 3 of 4 from the Astros, though – especially after they went 3-12 against ’em last year!
HMZ