Game 6, 2011: Houston Astros 3, Cincinnati Reds 2

By TheNaturalMevs on April 8, 2011

Observations:

I listened to the audio of this whole game on 700 WLW while at work. It was good to listen to Marty’s call, but we shared the same emotion for most of the day as the Reds had a long day at the plate. It was predictable for the way they’ve been scoring runs lately. Brett Myers somehow has solid outing after solid outing and it’s bled into this year. You figured the Reds would regress to the mean at some point soon and only get a couple, and today was that day.

Even with Sam Lecure going and the Reds having a long day at the plate, they still had a chance to win and keep the Astros win-less. That’s why this one hurt.

Lecure always gives the Reds a solid outing, and he continued that here today. He went 5 innings, allowing only two runs and struck out six while walking only one. No yard balls. The guy is more than an adequate fill-in and can definitely pitch at the big league level.

Edgar Renteria went 3 for 3 with an RBI, while Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto each had multi-hit games. The Reds had a chance at the end of the game with runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs against Brandon Lyon who is usually shaky but Ramon Hernandez grounded into a fielders choice at shortstop.

Jay Bruce continued his lukewarm start. No more counting stats other than an infield single that resulted in a 1 for 4 day at the plate. Nick Masset picked up the loss. It sounded like Masset had really good stuff going, but he walked a guy and got into some trouble in the top of the 9th that allowed the Astros to escape with the win.

I would have liked to see the Reds go to Aroldis Chapman in the top of the 9th to give them a chance to win it rather than a second inning of Masset, but whatever.

Top Plays:

Rolen’s solo pinch hit homer ties it

Renteria’s RBI double

Downs beats the Reds

Potpourri:

Reds go out to the west coast after starting the season 5-1 at home. I’ll probably be doing a liveblog tonight so stay tuned if you’re interested.

Also want to give a shout out in this section to members of the BBA Keeper League, which is a 12-team fantasy baseball league I’m heading up as the commish. Here they are without further ado:

The Tigers Den/Ballhogger

Incarcerated Bob (Roto Info)

500 Level Fan

Brandon Warne – Baseball Prospectus

Kramerica Sports

Advanced Fantasy Baseball

Clearly, if my guys don’t pick it up I’m going to get worked. It’s amazing how much you can really know about a sport, yet you can go up some of the best competition that fantasy baseball has to offer and you’re no better than an 8th place team in a 12-team league.