April 11, 2006

Game 7: Reds 9, Cubs 2

The Reds ended the Cubs' winning streak with the power of six home runs today at Wrigley Field.

Bronson Arroyo started us off with seven innings and 106 pitches of scoreless, 6-hit work. Chris Hammond came in to mop up in the eighth but got through only two outs while allowing a run (earned) on two hits. Rick White took over the last out of the eighth as well as the ninth to also allow a run (earned) on two hits.

Every one of the Reds' runs scored on a home run. Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a solo-shot in the first, Adam Dunn in the second, Bronson Arroyo in the third, and Dunn again in the fourth.

The Reds were finally held home-run-less in the fifth, but commemorated the event by scoring five in the sixth. After Griffey and Rich Aurilia singled and Dunn walked, little Edwin Encarnación came up with the grand slam. Austin Kearns topped off the scoring with a solo shot of his own.

For the Cubs, Derrek Lee doubled in Todd Walker in the eighth. Michael Barrett got in on the home run fun with a lead-off number in the ninth.

At least two of my ten reasons the Cubs would lose turned out to be right on, but there are also a few other things:

  • Ryan Freel failed to have much of an impact in a game in which he played for the first time this season. Even the out he gave up when he was caught stealing in the third inning was drowned out.
  • Arroyo has hit two home runs. Wily Mo Peña has hit zero (negative one if you count today's shenanigans). To be fair, though, Peña has had one fewer at bat.
  • Oh yeah, Arroyo also pitched a bundle. I was a little sick to my stomach when Hammond gave up that run in the eighth. Shades of Danny Graves.

The win brings the Reds' record to 5-2. Tomorrow Brandon Claussen takes on Greg Maddux at 2:20 p.m. in Chicago. Be on the look-out for 10 more reasons why the Cubs are going to lose.

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