Reds lose 2-1 to Cubs in Series Opener

I thought last night’s game in Cincinnati was one of the most entertaining all season. It didn’t end in the result I wanted, but it was a very good game. Two pitchers went zip, zip, zip through the lineups. There was sparkling defense all night long. Chris Dickerson made two of the best plays in centerfield that a player can make. The dude has Gold Glove outfield play.

In the end it came down to the Reds just falling one big hit short. Ryan Hanigan had a great at bat in the 9th inning off Kevin Gregg (who was dealing absolute ched for once) and singled up the middle. The more I watch Hanigan play, the more I realize he’s absolutely just nails scrappy and he honestly is going to carve out a nice career for himself if he can stay healthy. I enjoy his simple approach at the plate, geared for hitting line drives.

People are going to speculate about the Reds offense, but you know what? They’re just running into some really good arms right now. Can that happen all season long and de-rail a season? Sure it can. But it’s how the game goes. It’s like a poker game, you just play the hand you are dealt. Last night the Reds were dealt a losing full house.

Carlos Zambrano was supposed to pitch on thursday night. That game was rained out pushing his start back to last night in Cincinnati. They would have and should have missed the big right-hander. Instead he went out and threw 7 scoreless innings and his home run was the difference in what became the 100th win of his career.

Things looked bleak, but they never quit. They managed to scratch across a run off one of the best relievers in the game, Carlos Marmol. The guy is absolutely filthy. Brandon Phillips hit an RBI triple and was standing on 3rd base with 1 out. Laynce Nix then popped out on the infield and right then I knew that the game was probably over. You can’t really be too mad at Laynce Nix with the way he’s been playing lately.

Also to note, Jay Bruce had four really nice plate appearances in this game. It won’t really show up or speak volumes through the box score but I’m telling you, he’s got a nice approach at the plate. The way he’s going up there and battling is exactly what you wanna see from a young player who has faced some adversity. He’s going to do some really good things soon that will show up in the box score.