Cincinnati Reds errors leave Philadelphia Phillies victorious in Game 2
Thursday’s game was not a good one for the Cincinnati Reds.
After losing a ball because of the bright lights and allowing two necessary runs to be scored, there was nothing the Reds could do from the Philadelphia Phillies winning the best-of-five division series game, 7-4.
After pitcher Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in the history of postseason games, the Reds were determined to show the Phillies that Halladay is a pitcher just like any other.
Unfortunately, they didn’t do such a good job.
Although, the Reds managed to get an early lead of 4-0, they made crucial errors when it was the Phillies turn to bat.
Jay Bruce, right fielder for the Reds, missed a line drive in the seventh innings, claiming to have lost the ball in the bright lights. Aside from this, the Reds sloppy fielding cost them two extra runs.
The Reds had started the game well, with Brandon Phillips hitting a homer, off pitcher Roy Oswalt’s fourth pitch of the game, and eventually built up a four point lead.
"I feel like I let my team down”, Bruce said about his missed catch. “It was in the lights the whole time. I tried to stick with it. It was a pretty helpless feeling".
Fast-baller, Aroldis Chapman, rookie pitcher for the Reds, kept the Phillies together throughout the game with his pitches over 100 mph, after they were unsure and off-balance from the pitches of starting pitcher, Bronson Arroyo, who’s pitches were quite
soft.
If the Phillies win the next game against the Reds, they can close this best-of-five series with three straight wins. The two-time defending National League champions will play Game 3 of the series of Sunday night, in Cincinnati.
In the seventh inning, the Reds were still leading, 4-3, and were relying on Chapman to keep their lead. The Cuban pitcher threw a 101 mph fastball that hit batter Chase Utley, allowing a walk. It wasn’t certain that the ball grazed Utley’s forearm although
Chapman says that “No, I don't think at any time the ball hit him".
The next batter, Ryan Howard, struck out and Jayson Werth, who followed, hit a bouncer towards Scott Rolen, third baseman for the Reds. Utley was nearly tagged out on his run for second, and after a brief argument from Reds Manager, Dusty Baker, was still
standing at second.
Jimmy Rollins then delivered a hit to Bruce, which he turned into a two base mistake, claiming that the lights were the reason. Bruce claims that "It's embarrassing. I take great pride in my defense, but there was nothing I can do about it".
The ball rolled right past Bruce, which allowed Utley to score the tying run, followed by a relay error that allowed Werth to also score, giving the Phillies the lead, 5-4.
Raul Ibanez followed with a single hit, as well as Carlos Ruiz hitting an RBI grounder to extend the Phillies’ lead, 6-4.
Werth hit a single in the eighth to cap the lead.
"That was an uncommon night for us", said Baker. "I don't think its pressure as much as it is inexperience."
The six collective errors set a National League division series record, while the Reds’ four errors tied for a team record.
Jay Bruce had tied for the league record in defensive runs saved among right fielders, with 17, tying with Mike Stanton.
Bard Lidge, RP for the Phillies, made his 11th consecutive postseason save, the longest in postseason history, after Mariano Riviera with 23.
Game 3 between the Phillies and Reds will be on Sunday, October 10, set to start at 7:00 PM ET. If the Phillies win this next game, they will win this best-of-five NL division series against the Reds.
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