Boxscore

The Reds hung in there in a tight game with the Phillies to finally win by one run. It was an exciting game (though, admittedly, much of the “excitement” was contributed by the Reds’ bullpen) and especially fun to watch since the Reds came out on top.

Homer Bailey started for the Reds. Apparently that Bryan Price was right about the mechanical glitch, because Bailey was back in good form after they corrected it. He went 6.1 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and an HBP. He struck out 6. Not bad, especially against the line-up that tagged the Reds for 12 runs yesterday.

Sean Marshall pitched the rest of the seventh. He came in with 2 on and promptly walked a guy. Then gave up a fat double to Jimmy Rollins to score 2 runs. They weren’t his runners, but Marshall got the blown save anyway. Fortunately, the Reds came back in the top of the next inning to retake the lead.

Jonathan Broxton pitched the eighth and gave up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk to again get the blown save. But again, fortunately the Reds came back in the top of the next inning to retake the lead.

Aroldis Chapman gave up a hit to start the bottom of the ninth and it looked like this could go on forever. He managed not to allow any runs, though, and got the save.

It was rookie night at the ball park, and Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier shared the “hero of the game” honors.

In the seventh, Scott Rolen led off with a double, followed up by a walk for Frazier. Ryan Hanigan singled in Rolen, and two batters later, Cozart hit a sac fly to bring in Frazier. Drew Stubbs singled in Hanigan to round out the scoring that inning.

But as you know, the Phillies had tied it up again in the eighth. That’s when a Frazier solo shot came in so handy to give the Reds back the lead. Same story in the ninth, only it was Cozart at the bat. And this time the Phillies had nothing to answer with and the Reds evened the series at 1 apiece.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 75-49. They continue the series tonight in Philly at 7:05 p.m. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 9-7, 3.96 ERA) faces off against Vance Worley (RHP, 6-8, 4.11 ERA).

Devin Mesoraco’s suspension for contact with umpire Chad Fairchild has been reduced from 3 games to 2 after his appeal. Mesoraco begins serving that sentence immediately.

The suspension forces the Cincinnati Reds to go with a 24-man roster. Since Ryan Hanigan was the only other catcher on the roster, the team decided to make sure that they still had 2 catchers. They activated Dioneer Navarro from AAA Louisville. To make room for Navarro, Logan Ondrusek was optioned to AAA.

Ondrusek has been struggling a little lately, but it’s not exactly worthy of a demotion. Regardless, the rules state he’ll have to remain in the minors for 10 days before being called back up. Unless there’s an injury to another pitcher. And why do I feel that Sam LeCure might be “injured” soon?

Boxscore

Well, there’s good news and there’s bad news about last night’s game. First, the good news:

• The Reds didn’t commit any errors.
• The Reds did score 5 runs, and it was Roy Halladay starting.
• No one in the game suffered a career-ending injury (if you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything).

And the bad news:

Mike Leake started for the Reds in the series opener against the Phillies. He lasted only 4.1 innings, giving up 7 runs (earned) on 10 hits and a walk. This is coming off that complete game he threw last time, you’ll recall.

But it wasn’t just him. The bullpen didn’t fare any better. Sam LeCure worked the next .2 innings, allowing 2 more runs (earned) on a hit and a walk. Jose Arredondo did the best of anyone, but still allowed an earned run on a hit in his 1.0 innings of work. Logan Ondrusek mopped up the last couple innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks, and a HBP.

If there’s a Reds’ hero to be had in this game, it’s Jay Bruce. He went 3-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI. Bruce is on fire! If only we can keep the Phils from putting it out. Chris Heisey went 3-for-4 with a run scored, and Brandon Phillips went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored.

Hopefully the guys have been resting up tonight because they’re going to need all the energy they can muster as this series rolls on. Homer Bailey (RHP, 10-8, 4.16 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds against Cliff Lee (LHP, 2-7, 3.83 ERA) of the Phillies. First pitch at 7:05 p.m.