Leake Sensational In Reds Win

By:  Coop


The Cincinnati Reds were trying to go back to being over the .500 mark with a win tonight against the Chicago Cubs.  Mike Leake was on the hill for Cincy, while Matt Garza was pitching for the Cubs.  Mike Leake was nothing less than great.  He pitched 8 innings of 2 run baseball, helping the Reds get the 8-2 win, here is how.


The Cubs had the early lead when Pena hit a sac fly to plate Barney in the 1st, it was 1-0.


The Reds would answer back in the 2nd when Johnny Gomes hit an RBI single to bring Bruce home, the game was tied.  


Yesterday Drew Stubbs hit a home run, and today he did as well.  In the 3rd inning he hit a solo shot to right, his 9th big fly of the year, and the Redlegs had a 2-1 lead.


In the 4th inning, the Reds added 2 more runs.  The 1st run was scored when Mike Leake hit an RBI single to right, Cairo scored from 3rd, it was 3-1.  The 2nd run was plated when Stubbs grounded out, but Hanigan was able to score, and the score was 4-1.


The Cubbies would shorten the lead in the 5th when Starlin Castro hit a sac fly, it was a 2-run ball game.


But not for long.


In the Reds half of the 5th, with two on, Johnny Gomes hit a long ball to left field, a 3-run jack, and it was 7-2 Cincinnati.  Johnny defiantly needed this home run, hopefully his slump is over.


Cincinnati would add a run in the 7th when Paul Janish reached on a fielding error by Ramirez, Bruce would score from 3rd, 8-2 the score.


Mike Leake would pitch in the 8th, and Bray in the 9th to seal the deal.  


Leake gets the win, as he went 8 innings, gave up 2 runs on 10 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.  He is now 5-2.


The Cardinals did not play today, and the Brewers won, so the Reds only pick up a half game and are 5 games back.


Tomorrow Edinson Volquez will come up and pitch against Doug Davis.  The game will be at 7:10 PM ET and will be on Fox Sports Ohio. 

Reds Take Game 1 From Cubs

Jay Bruce (32), Drew Stubbs (6), and Chris Heisey (28) celebrate after beating
the Cubs, 5-4, Friday

By:  Coop


The Reds were coming off of a mediocre home stand, and were looking to look better on the road.  Today, they were opening up a 3 game series with the Chicago Cubs.  This was the first time this season the North Siders and the Reds met up.  The Reds absolutly dominated Chicago last year, and were looking to continue that domination.  Well, they did not really dominate them in this game, but they beat them, 5-4, here is how.


The Cubbies scored first when Matt Garza came across to score thanks to a passed ball by Ramon Hernandez, that was in the 3rd inning.


The Cubs' 1-0 lead was soon demolished.  In the 4th inning, Jay Bruce hit a long one to right field, it was a 3-run jack, 3-1 the score.  That was Bruce's 7th homer of the year, a team high, and his 75th home run of his career.


Chicago would answer back in their side of the 4th when Giovanni Soto grounded into a double play, a run scored, and we were back to a 1-run game.


Cincinnati would have a good 5th inning, as they scored 2 runs thanks to two RBI singles.  One by Joey Votto, and the other by Brandon Phillips.  Both players are having great seasons so far, and coming up big.  Joey Votto has now reached base in all of the Reds games this season, and is just 3 game shy of the club record.  Just sayin'.


So after the top of the 5th inning, the score was 5-2, but the Cubs answered back in their 5th inning when Ramirez hit an RBI single, Barney scored, 5-3.


Then in the 6th inning, Soto hit an RBI single to plate the former All-Star, Byrd, 5-4 the score, and that is how she finished. 


Edinson Volquez did not look to great in this game, but did do good enough to get the win.  He went 5 innings, gave up 4 earned runs, on 6 base hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts.  Usually not good when you have more walks than strikeouts.  Edinson is now 3-1.  


Francisco Cordero gets save #5 in as many chances, as he continues to look very good thus far, hopefully he can keep it up.


Tomorrow the Reds and Baby Bears go at it at 2:20 PM ET, another day game, since we are in Chicago.  The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.