Reds Rookies Clutch in Win Over Phillies

by Robb Hoff

August 21, 2012

As much as Dusty Baker, Brandon Phillips and Sean Marshall tried to hand a win to the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night, the rest of the Cincinnati Reds rallied to the rescue behind a strong outing by up-and-down starter Homer Bailey and a couple clutch blasts by rookies Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart.

For some reason, Baker opted to let Bailey hit for himself in the seventh inning with runners at second and third base and no outs. Bailey struck out and returned to the mound in the bottom of the frame only to run out of gas a bit, leaving runners at second and third before reliever Marshall entered the game and promptly squandered a two-run lead to even the score.

Frazier came through in the eighth, though, with a launch to left field to further stake his claim for the N.L.Rookie of the Year award with his 18th home run.

Unfortunately for Reds fans, normally Gold Glove second baseman Phillips botched his second grounder of the game, and even though the second one wasn't scored an error, it should've been. And it cost the Reds after a Phillies triple knotted the score once again.

With Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon on to pitch in the ninth of a tied game, Reds rookie shortstop Cozart jumped all over a Papelbon offering to crush his 14th home run of the year.

The Philies tried to mount another run at the Reds after a leadoff infield hit against closer Aroldis Chapman brought the top of the Phillies order into the line of the Cuban Missile fire.

But a poor bunt and a pounce by Chapman cut down the lead runner at second base and left Chapman to do what he does best -- lay waste to hitters, especially the 2-3-4 hitters of the Phillies lineup to seal another win for the Reds and preserve at least a 6-1/2-game lead in the N.L. Central division.

The Reds trot Wiffle Ball master Bronson Arroyo out to the mound tomorrow night against the Phillies for another crack at expanding their division lead.