May 22, 2006

Game 43: Reds 6, Tigers 7

The Reds came out on the losing side of a high-scoring affair on Saturday as they fell to the Tigers in the tenth inning by a score of 6-7.

Eric Milton started for the Reds for the first time since game 14 on April 19, unless you count that abbreviated appearance in the exhibition Hall of Fame affair. Milton allowed five runs (earned) on 10 hits and three walks through five innings pitched. Ouch.

Rick White took over for an inning and a third, holding the Tigers scoreless on one hit. Chris Hammond took over the next inning and two-thirds and held them hitless. David Weathers allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk in his inning and two-thirds of work to get the blown save.

Down by two, the Reds got on the board in the top of the third with a solo shot by Brandon Phillips. The Tigers would come back to pile on two more runs in the bottom of the inning and yet another in the bottom of the fourth. Score after three: 1-5.

Astoundingly, the Reds took the lead in the top of the seventh. Adam Dunn led off the inning with a solo shot. Phillips singled two batters later, and Javier Valentín singled a pitching change later. Ryan Freel struck out, but Lopez walked to load up the bases.

Before this game, Ken Griffey, Jr. had never hit a home run in Comerica Park, and it was one of only two current parks that he'd never homered in. So, of course, when he came up to bat with the bases loaded and needing a grand slam to get the lead, he deposited the ball over the wall in right field. Score: 6-5.

Alas, Weathers gave up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth forcing the extra inning. Bloody Weathers.

In the bottom of the tenth, Weathers struck out the first batter he faced, then hit Carlos Guillen. Guillen stole second, but didn't really need to since Weathers walked the batter. Dmitri Young grounded into a fielder's choice just in time to set up Craig Monroe to reach on a throwing error by Lopez and bring in Guillen.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 25-18. They would play the rubber game Sunday afternoon, sending Aaron Harang up against Nate Robertson.

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