The Cincinnati Reds had not made it to the All-Star break with a winning record in seven years. That changed on Friday night in Milwaukee. The Reds clinched their first winning record in the first half since 2014.
Tucker Barnhart got his first start of the year against a left-handed starting pitcher, and got the Reds on the board in the 4th inning.
The game remained close throughout. Wade Miley was sensational and would remain in the game into the 9th inning. The Reds defense helped him out late in the game. Jesse Winker drove in a big insurance run in the top of the 7th. He nabbed Jace Peterson trying to stretch a single into a double for a big first out in the bottom of the 7th.
Kyle Farmer topped Winker with a big play.
The Reds defense was not done. Eugenio Suarez made an incredible play that ended up being a double play on runner interference. For all the calls that went against the Reds yesterday, they all seemed to go their way on this night.
David Bell decided to let Wade Miley hit in the top of the 9th. Miley was at 103 pitches. It was clearly a move that Bell would not have made if he had more faith in his bullpen. Miley allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the 9th and was pulled. He left with a 8.0 shutout innings, but there was still an uneasy feeling. Heath Hembree came out and put those feelings to rest quickly. He struck out the side for a Reds win.
The Reds are now 23-14 in their last 37 games, and they are 6.0 back in the NL Central. The Reds are also now 31-14 vs the NL Central since September 13, 2020.
Biggest Play of the Game
Source: FanGraphs
According to Fangraphs WPA statistic (winning percentage added), the most important play of the game was Wade Miley’s leadoff double (reach third base on an error) in the 7th inning. That play increased the Reds probability of winning by 10.8% (from 69.7% to 16.8%).
Positives
Wade Miley is just incredible. His final line tonight: 8.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. Miley has now lowered his ERA to 2.80. Miley also doubled, reached third base on an error and scored a huge go-ahead run. It was the biggest win probability added play of the night, and the hardest hit ball of the night (104.8 EV). Miley should seriously get some consideration as an NL All-Star alternate. He now has the 12th best ERA in the league.
Heath Hembree was nails. He struck out the side in the 9th after Miley’s leadoff double. Yes, Hembree’s 4.97 ERA is nothing to be lauding. However, his xFIP is now down to 3.05. His expected ERA entering the night was 3.10. Heath certainly should not be the Reds closer, but he could be a really nice option when the Reds get Antone, Sims and Lorenzen back. He would be an even better options if they add a reliever or two on top of that.
Jesse Winker entered play hitting .069/.182/.069 in the month of July. Winker was able to work a walk in 1 of his 3 PA vs the tough matchup against Lauer, but in the 7th inning he drove in a a big run with a double.
Aristides Aquino reached base twice tonight (single, walk). Jonathan India reached base three times (2 hits, HBP). That dude is incredible. He now has the 7th highest OBP in all of baseball at .395.
The Reds defense flashed some serious leather tonight. Jesse Winker threw out a big runner trying to stretch a single into a double. Kyle Farmer kept doing his thing, as he made a really slick play going to his right and throwing in the air to nab the Brewers catcher. Eugenio Suarez made an incredible play in the 8th to get the Reds out of the inning.
Negatives
Haha. No. Nothing here. Go Reds.
Not so random thoughts……………….
David Bell decided to let Wade Miley hit in the top of the 9th. Miley was at 103 pitches and the Reds were up 2-0. It would be a no-brainer call to pull him if you have Antone, Sims or probably even Lorenzen. Bell decided to let Miley hit. It backfired, as Miley promptly allowed a double to lead off the inning. It’s really one of those lose-lose calls for Bell. Please get this man some better relievers.
I know that just about everyone on social media hated the YouTube broadcast. I didn’t think it was that bad overall. Ya, Dan Plesac mispronounced a couple guys names, but I thought that play-by-play guy Stephen Nelson did a nice job. It was mostly a fun listen. The only thing that stinks about streaming a game is being pretty far behind the action if you are following on MLB Gameday or Statcast.
Up Next:
Reds at Brewers
Saturday, 7:15 PM
TV: FOX
Vladimir Gutierrez (4.67 ERA) vs Freddy Peralta (2.23 ERA)
