Solid As Wood Debut, Reds Win In Extras.

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were kicking off an 11 game road trip before the All-Star Break, their first stop was in the North side of Chicago as they were taking on the Cubs.  The lefty, Travis Wood was making his MLB debut, and he is great and will be a great pitcher this season -knock on Wood-.  Travis Wood looked stellar, but so did Carlos Silva.  However, the Reds got the better of the Cubs bullpen in the 10th inning as the Reds take game 1 of the 4 game series.  Here is all of the scoring plays.

The Reds got on the board in the 1st inning, after Joey Votto got a single, Scott Rolen hit an RBI triple, Byrd could not make the catch as it went into the ivy, Votto would score and Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead.  Then in the top of the 8th inning, Jonny Gomes hit an RBI single to left field, that would bring in Orlando Cabrera from third, and it was 2-0, but not for long.

In the bottom of the 8th, Travis Wood was working on a 2 hit shutout, but after walking the first two batters, Nick Masset came in to replace him.  At the plate was Tyler Colvin, and he would hit a double, that would bring in the two walked batters, and the Baby Bears tied the game up at 2. 

The Reds had a threat when the bases were loaded with 1 out, batting was Orlando Cabrera, and on a 3-2 pitch, he swung at a pitch that was way outside, that would have been ball 4, and a run, but instead it was a strike out.  Then, they were loaded with 2 outs for Joey Votto, on the 3-2 pitch, he struk out swinging at ball 4 in the dirt, the Reds could have got 2+ runs, but no.  It would not matter though.

In the top of the 10th, Drew Stubbs grounded into a force out at second, Jay Bruce was the man out, the Cubs were unable to turn the double play, and that would score Miguel Cairo, the Reds took a 3-2 lead and that is how she finished.

Travis Wood did great, he goes 7.0 innings, gave up 2 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, and had 4 strikeouts.  However, he gets a ND and the winner is Jordan Smith.

Game two of the series is a pitching match up between Bronson Arryo and Ryan Dempster.  Game time is set for 2:20 PM ET...again.  The game will be televised on FS Ohio.