RESILIENT
REDS REVERSE CARDINALS' SWEEP WITH ONE OF THEIR OWN; LEAD NL CENTRAL AGAIN
8.15.10 BY:MEH BACK IN FIRST AFTER FISH
SWEEP RESILIENT REDS
REVERSE CARDINALS' SWEEP WITH ONE OF THEIR OWN; LEAD NL CENTRAL AGAIN
After enduring a three game by
the St. Louis Cardinals last week and falling a game behind them in the NL
Central standings, the Reds faced the Florida Marlins over the weekend
desperately needing a surge. Outscoring them 14-6, Cincinnati swept the
Marlins during a three game set and reclaimed sole possession of first-place
in the NL Central. The St. Louis Cardinals hosted the Chicago Cubs over the
weekend and lost the final two games of the series after defeating the Cubs
on Friday. Despite the concerns of many fans, the Reds' 2010 season is far
from over.
On Friday, Edinson Volquez made his sixth start of the season and received
his third win (3-1, 4.25). Volquez pitched six innings and allowed just one
run on eight hits while striking out five. After walking at least four
batters a game during his last four starts, Volquez walked just two Marlins
on Friday.
"I think every time I pitch," Volquez said. "I get into a better
rhythm...more comfortable."
Scoring just eight runs against the Cardinals in three games, the Reds
offense recuperated quickly scoring seven times against the Marlins on
Friday. Scott Rolen notched three hits (2 RBI) as Brandon Phillips, Laynce
Nix, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce all collected two. Along with his first long
ball since June 30, Jay Bruce drove in three runs for the first time since
the Reds' 12-2 victory over the Astros on May 29 and has already matched his
RBI total for July (5). Florida starter
Josh Johnson (10-5, 2.27) was lit up in 3.2 innings of work allowing a
season-high in hits (10) and runs (6). Marlins' rookie Mike Stanton was
responsible for both of Florida's runs with two solo homeruns. The Reds beat
the Marlins
7-2.
Facing the Florida Marlins for the fist time in his career and coming off a
terrible last outing against the Cardinals (3.2IP, 9H, 7ER), Mike "Godzilla"
Leake (8-4, 3.78) got it done on Saturday. Leake hurled six innings and
allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out six Marlins. Scott
Rolen, Drew Stubbs, Ramon Hernandez, Paul Janish, and Mike Leake drove in a
run each displaying the Reds' scattered offensive depth during the Reds
5-4 victory. With the win and a Cardinals loss, the Reds slid back into
a tie for first place in the NL Central.
"I give the Reds credit," Marlins' outfielder Cody Ross said.
"They're not running slop out there. They pitch well, play great defense.
Brandon Phillips is everywhere. I hit to the right, he's there. I hit the
ball up the middle he's there. They must have the perfect scouting report on
us."
With Johnny Cueto currently serving a 7-game suspension for his part in the
Reds/Cards brawl last Tuesday, Homer Bailey (2-2, 4.92) made his first start
for the Reds since May 23 on Sunday. Juan Francisco was optioned to
Louisville to make room for Bailey on the Reds' roster. After a successful
rehab stint in Louisville (19IP, 5ER, 15K), Bailey hurled six innings of
scoreless ball allowing just three hits while striking out four Marlins.
Giving Scott Rolen the day off, Miguel Cairo supplied the Reds with two runs
with his fourth homerun of the season during the sixth inning. Anibal
Sanchez pitched well for the Marlins (6IP, 5H, 2ER, 7K), but received the
loss as the Reds completed a three-game sweep with a
2-0 victory over Florida.
"That's a reverse sweep," Dusty Baker said. "That's what we
talked about before this series started. That's a quality team over there.
They've got some dynamite hitters, some good pitching and they're going to
be good for a long time. We held their offense down today pretty much, which
is a hard thing to do."
Reds' closer Francisco Cordero (3-4, 4.05) notched his 31st and 32nd save of
the season during the series. Walking three batters while allowing one
earned run on two hits in his two innings of work, Cordero remains
problematic as Dusty Baker's terminator.
"I have to stop walking people," Cordero said. "I've got to
do that or it's going to be like that every time. I see how upset the fans
are with me. I understand that. Every time I walk someone, that guy comes in
to score. It's not like I'm giving up a lot of base hits. It's walks. I
really don't know what to say about that. It's not my style. It's not me.
I've never been like that my whole career. I have to keep working and try to
be better every time out."
Aside from Cordero, Reds' relievers continued to pitch honorably during the
Marlins series. Allowing seven hits during seven innings of work, the Reds'
bullpen combined for just one earned run while striking out six.
The Reds and Cardinals are both off Monday. The Cardinals will begin a two
game series against the Brewers on Tuesday, followed by another off day
Thursday, before facing the Giants at home over the weekend. The Reds will
begin a nine game West Coast road trip on Tuesday against the last place
Arizona Diamondbacks (47-72). Stay tuned for a rundown before the series.
