Cincinnati Reds Win A Wet One, 3-2 Over Cubs

Apr 29, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) is congratulated by third baseman Todd Frazier (21) after scoring during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Three rain delays for 1 hour and 45 minutes, a game that lasted nearly five hours finally came to an end. The Cincinnati Reds (12-14)emerged victorious 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs (8-17).

In a game dominated by rain Cincinnati Reds starter Alfredo Simon (4-1) put together another great start to compliment his already stellar start to the season. Simon, interrupted by the rain went 6 innings Tuesday, allowing 5 hits, giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 5 in the process.

Simon’s impressive April will finish with a 1.60 ERA for the month. Second best on the staff and sixth best in the National League, not bad for a guy who pitched out of the bullpen for the Reds last season.

While Simon impressed Reds youngster Billy Hamilton had a banner night Tuesday. Hamilton went 3-4, scoring 2 runs, hitting his first career home run, stealing a base in the process and make a web gem catch in center. Not bad for the young center field.

The game was marred by rain and poor umpiring by veteran ump Joe West and his crew. West at second is a very egotistical umpire, it appears to have carried over onto his crew as well. Home plate umpire Alan Porter had a very questionable strike zone. Cubs manager Rick Renteria was thrown out in the sixth inning shortly after the game resumed for arguing balls and strikes.

Once the game resumed after that Logan Ondrusek was on the mound. His 7th inning was shaky at first, and included a questionable ball call by Porter at home. Once Ondrusek settled down he got through the inning, and lowered his ERA from 9.00 to 7.50.

Sam LeCure covered the 8th inning easily for the Reds, while Jonathan Broxton collected the save giving the Reds their first win since being swept this past weekend by the Atlanta Braves.

Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija (0-3) took the mound looking for his first win of the season. The ex-Notre Dame player would not get his win, going 5.2IP, allowing 8 hits and 3 earned runs. Samardzija is viewed as the ace of the staff on a dwindling Cubs team, Tuesday was not his night.

The Cincinnati offense managed to manufacture runs Tuesday although their failure to score runners in scoring position remains a problem. Joey Votto continued to walk Tuesday with 3 on the night. Catcher Brayan Pena was great again with 2 hits as well as Zach Cozart with 2 hits, one being a triple. The offense is there, executing is all the Reds need to work on.

These two teams are back at it Wednesday night at 7:10pm, Tony Cingrani (2-2) is on the mound while the Cubs send out Edwin Jackson (1-2).