Reds Blow Out Cardinals 8-2 in a Game That Seemed to Last Forever
Jack Flaherty started this afternoons game with a strikeout of Scott Schebler on a beautiful slider. Peraza, kept being a pest, hitting a single to CF to bring in Votto. Flaherty would get Votto to bounce into an inning ending 4-6-3 double-play.
Matt Carpenter, leadoff guy, got the Cardinals on the board early, taking the third pitch of the game from Luis Castillo over the wall in RF for a solo shot to go up 1-0.
Rain Delay #1: 52 minutes
After the 52 minute delay, Flaherty and Castillo both would fire back-and-forth, working quick, efficient, innings. Flaherty would set down the Reds in order in the 2nd and 3rd, adding three strikeouts to his line, all coming via the slider we all adore. The best one coming on Suárez, who got caught looking at a front door slider. Castillo would need 17 pitches to work through the same innings, throwing a 5 pitch, 2nd inning, ending with a tumbling grab from Billy Hamilton. Flaherty would rip a single with one out in the 3rd, getting doubled off first base on a Carp ball that looked like it may drop between Gennett and Schebler. Gennett made a circus catch, doubling off Flaherty at first.
Flaherty would work some magic in the top of the 4th, working his way around a bases loaded threat with only one out. Peraza (single), Votto (walk), Gennett (walk) all reached base consecutively after Schebler grounded out to Carp. Flaherty would pick up his 5th strikeout on Perza, getting him on an excellent slider for the second time. Winker then flew out to Pham, stranding the bases loaded.
Kolten Wong would provide some electricity in the bottom of the 4th, ripping a leadoff double into RF. Yadi would move him over to third base on a ground out to 2B. Swags would come up next, tapping a soft hit ground ball in front of the plate, forcing Casali to field it and throw out Swags at first base. Wong would score on the play, giving Ozuna a 5-foot RBI to make it 2-0 Cardinals.
A golden opportunity went to waste in the bottom of the 5th, after Dex and Pauly D both got hits to open the inning. Dex would bloop his over the outstretched Gennett, and Pauly D would rip a double into LF, putting two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Tommy Pham then grounded into the most unlikely double-plays of all time, hitting the ball right to Suárez who had an easy tag play on Fowler. Flaherty would line out to Peraza at SS, wasting a chance to add insurance runs on the board.
Rain Delay #2: 1 hour 51 minutes
So, when the tarp was taken off to resume play for the second time, the game took a complete 180°, and the Reds ended up winning this one on a final of 8-2. It pains me to even think about, let alone talk about it.
Mayers, Hicks, Holland, and Norris all gave up runs tonight, as the Reds clubbed out 14 hits, scoring 8 runs to win by a score of 8-2.
This can’t go on any longer, a major shakeup is in order during the All-Star break, so everyone be alert at all times.
The Lizard King (10-3, 2.65) looks to salvage a game for the Cardinals before heading into the All-Star break, as he will be countered by Anthony DeSclafani (4-1, 4.43). First pitch 1:15 c/t.
*Breaking News as I finished this recap*
Mike Matheny, John Mabry, and Bill Mueller have all been canned!! This is not a drill! Mike made his final double-switch tonight, which means we all will sleep better knowing our 3 or 4 hitter won’t get double-switched in the 7th inning of a one-run game. Mike Shildt is the interim manager. The Cardinals plan on holding a press conference tomorrow morning at 11am c/t.
Thanks for reading, cheers!
Game 93 is in the books
by Stew/@StewStilez
