Game 2: Long Night Ends in a Walk-Off Victory

You can't win them all if you don't win the first two! 

Last night, I got off work just in time to have supper before the game. I had planned on a relaxing evening that consisted of sitting on the porch and listening to Marty Brennaman bringing the game to life via radio (the way baseball should be). However, Mother Nature had other plans. The game got off to a rough start due to a two and a half hour rain delay. Scheduled to start at 7:05, first pitch was held back until nearly 9:30 pm. 

As Gerrit Cole looked to add on to his superb finish to last season, he quickly discovered that Todd Frazier had other plans. Frazier hit his second home run of the season in the bottom half of the first inning. The no-doubter ended up in the left field upper deck fairly close to where he hit his first on Monday. Cole had a decent to average night pitching 5 innings while giving up three runs and striking out six. 

Cole's counterpart for the evening, Mike Leake, had a night he could easily forget. Leake gave up the lead three times over the course of 5 2/3 innings. Leake struggled with his control throwing 56 strikes out of 107 pitches while walking 6 batters. He did not factor in the decision 

Billy Hamilton showed last night why he is one of the more exciting players in the league. Hamilton reached base four times while stealing three bases once he was on. That ups his total to four on the year,, while not getting caught yet. 

As the night drew on, you began to wonder if the game was ever going to end. In the bottom of the 11th inning, the Pirates sent in their last pitcher, Radhames Liz. Liz got Brandon Phillips to fly out, hit Zach Cozart, strike out Chris Dominguez, and walked Brandon Phillips. With two outs and two on, insert Joey Votto. Votto came to the plate 1-for-5 on the night already. He sent a 1-1 pitch to shallow right field. Cozart came around from second, slide by the Francisco Cervelli tag attempt, and secured the Reds' victory. 

The Reds will try to finish off the sweep of the Pirates on Thursday as they send Anthony DeSclafani out to oppose A.J. Burnett. DeSclafani, who came over from the Marlins in the Matt Latos trade, will be making his sixth career start and Reds debut. Cincinnati looks to secure their first series sweep since taking four straight in San Francisco last June. 

-Dug

@chansm1th