Boxscore

The Reds’ offense, after being absent for the first eight innings, finally made an appearance yesterday afternoon. They changed a 3-0 score to a 3-3 score and took the game into the tenth, where they finally won the split in the shortened 2-game series.

It was Homer Bailey on the mound, celebrating his 26th birthday, facing off against Ryan Dempster, who was celebrating his 35th. Bailey put in an Arroyo-like performance, giving up 3 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 1 walk through his 6 innings of service. He also served up three home run balls to various Cubs. The Cubs, as a team, had 9 home runs for the season before coming to Cincinnati this week. That wind blowing in must be a bitch.

Jose Arredondo, Aroldis Chapman, Sean Marshall, and Logan Ondrusek each put in a scoreless inning of relief. Marshall gave up a hit and Ondrusek walked a guy, but the pitching continues to not be the problem. Chapman, of course, struck out 2.

On the offensive side, Joey Votto was the only one doing anything for the first couple times through the order. All-in-all, he ended up going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

It was a drastically boring game through most of it. I even fell asleep for a while during the fourth inning. But then the ninth inning and Carlos Marmol happened. Willie Harris got thing started (!!) by taking a walk, and Votto followed suit. Brandon Phillips reached on an error that also scored Harris. Score 1-3.

Jay Bruce got the first proper hit of the inning with a single to right, which loaded the bases for Ryan Ludwick, who worked a walk. Score 2-3, thanks, and goodbye Marmol.

The Cubs brought in Rafael Dolis. Dolis got Mesoraco to ground into a double play, which normally would be a great thing, except the Reds had three outs left in the inning and so it turned into a sac double play that allowed Phillips to score. Score 3-3. Dolis also got Wilson Valdez to strike out swinging. Induce a GIDP and a K and get the loss: what a raw deal for Dolis.

In the top of the tenth, Scott Rolen replaced Willie Harris and Zack Cozart took over for Valdez at SS. Remember: both Harris and Valdez batted in the bottom of the ninth. I find Dusty Baker’s decisions so baffling so much of the time.

But the top of the tenth isn’t the point; it’s the bottom that matters. Cozart singled, Chris Heisey laid down the sac bunt, and then Rolen sent the sac fly to right field. Reds win 3-4, and all those folks who left in the 7th to go back to work missed the only interesting part.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 12-12: back to .500. Tonight they visit the Pirates–who have just finished being beaten up on my the Cardinals–at 7:05 p.m. Johnny Cueto takes on Kevin Correia.