Cincinnati vs. St. Louis. It's becoming a big rivalry in the National League Central. Two heavyweights going at it playing for the top spot in the division. Every game between the Reds and the Red Birds promises to be a good one, but this one was far from good. It was great. Bronson Arroyo started the game, and did not look to good. For most of the game, it looked like St. Louis had the game in control, but those Reds battled back and won the game in 10 innings, 6-5 thanks to a Joey Votto walk-off single. Here is how it all happened.
The game was scoreless until the 4th when Matt Holliday hit an RBI single, Rasmus scored, it was 1-0. Make it 2-0 after a Lance Berkman sac fly to plate Pujols. Then 3-0 after a Daniel Descalso RBI double. So a rough 4th inning for the high-kicking righty, Bronson Arroyo.
The Cards would add another run in the 6th when Descalso hit an RBI single to plate Molina, 4-0 the score.
The Reds would get on the board in the 6th when Jay Bruce hit an RBI single to plate Votto, 4-1. Still in the 6th, Scott Rolen hit an RBI double to allow Bruce to score, 4-2 the score. We'll talk more about Rolen later.
The game was close now, 4-2, but the Cardinals would be able to answer back in top of the 7th when Holliday hit an RBI single, the lead back to 3.
Cincy would answer back in their half of the 7th when Edgar Renteria hit a 2 RBI double, Heisey and Stubbs both scored, and just-like-that we had a 1 run game, 5-4.
That remained the score until the 9th. Brandon Phillips hit an RBI single into center, Renteria scored, and the game was tied at 5. The Reds later on had 2 outs, and 2 on, the batter was Jonny Gomes. He hit a walk-off homer last season against the Cards, could he do it again?! No, he was sent down on strikes.
So the game was heading to extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Francisco Cordero allowed only one base runner (Albert Pujols, who reached on a 4 pitch walk), and kept the game tied heading to the bottom of the 10th.
After a lead-off double by Hernandez, followed by a play in which Hernandez was tagged out during a run-down, and Hesiey was able to get to 2nd, and then a Drew Stubbs pop-up, and then an Edgar Renteria walk, up came the reigning NL MVP, Joey Votto. After being behind 1-2, Votto eventually was able to work his way into a 2-2 count. You could sense something coming. Could Joey Votto win it? Well, he hit one into right field, they waaaaved around Heisey, and the Reds are going to win it! Joey Votto delivers the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning to take game 1 of the series.
Joey Votto is no doubt the hero of the game, but Scott Rolen was an important part too. Scotty R. went 3-5 with an RBI. What is so special about that? Well, it was his 1st game since coming off the DL. Glad to have #27 back.
The winner is Cordero, the loser is Motte.
Tomorrow the Reds will try and seal the series win. Game time is set for 4:10 PM ET, and will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.
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