Reds Recap: Bats Explode in Win Over Twins

Only the Cincinnati Reds can make an 11 run effort look like a struggle, but to them a win is a win. The Minnesota twins put up a good effort, but their six run inning was not enough to take down what was the finest hour in the 2015 season for the Redlegs.

Game Summary.. and there is a lot of it:

It should be noted, than even though Billy Hamilton has not done a great job at leading off this season, when he does get on base, it is a whole new game. And that is just what he did in the first inning. After a leadoff walk to Hamilton, one could argue that the Reds or Hamilton had effectively gotten inside the head of the Twins’ starter for the day, Mike Pelfrey. While Hamilton did not steal a base in the first inning, he cause a lot of mayhem on the base paths. I think that it is clear to state that if the pitchers throws over to first base four times before Ivan De Jesus Jr. has three pitches thrown his way, that Hamilton is doing his job. Meanwhile, on that third pitch De Jesus Jr. would flare a little bloop shot in down the right field line for a hit, advancing Hamilton to third base. Joey Votto would then walk, and Todd Frazier would single in Hamilton with a soft line drive into left field, 1-0 Reds.

Jay Bruce would continue the inning with a sacrifice fly of his own to center field, 2-0 Reds. Then with two outs, Tucker Barnhart would single in a run of his own on a ground ball through the hole on the left side, 3-0. The bottom of the first would end with Pelfrey throwing his 30th pitch.

The Twins would get one back in the second on a Kurt Suzuki double play ball that would chase in a run; however, the Reds would negate that with a run of their own in the bottom of the second inning. With one out Hamilton would walk, then the fun came. Stolen base number 37 on the first pitch, and stolen base number 38 on the second pitch. It should be noted that on the steal of third base Hamilton was initially thrown out; however, the ball was knocked out of the glove of the third baseman during the tag. De Jesus Jr. would continue his solid night by driving in Hamilton from third, 4-1 Reds.

Jun 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) steals second base beating the tag from Minnesota Twins shortstop Danny Santana (39) in the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 11-7. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

After the Twins went quietly in the third, the floodgates opened for Cincinnati. The Reds would add five more runs to their total in an inning that included, three singles, two doubles, and another Hamilton stolen base, 9-1 Reds. At this point, it looks like most teams would be ready to chalk up the “W”, but the Twins were not ready to lie down.

Before Mike Leake would record an out in the inning, the Twins had already gotten on the board thanks to a leadoff double by Torii Hunter, and singles by Trevor Plouffe and Eddie Rosario, 9-2. But damage was not done there. Eduardo Escobar would double in a third run, and things looked to be calming down after Kennys Vargas hit a soft, line drive, pop up to third base. Danny Santana refused to let the inning end when he singled in another run, 9-4 Reds. At this point the people of Losantiville are starting to feel nervous, but they would feel worse after Brian Dozier destroyed an 0-2 pitch from Leake for a three-run bomb, 9-7 Reds. Thankfully, that would be the last run that the Twins chased home.

The Reds bullpen would go five, no-hit scoreless innings to shut the Twins down. It was a combined effort of Nate Adcock, Manny Parra and Aroldis Chapman. But let’s get back to the scoring.

In the sixth inning, Marlon Byrd would get a one out single, followed by a Barnhart double. Suarez would then single in Byrd to give the Reds their 10th run of the night. The seventh inning would give the Reds their last run. De Jesus Jr. would lead off with a walk, and after two quick outs from Votto and Frazier, Bruce would double off the bottom of the wall in left field and drive in De Jesus Jr., 11-7 Reds.

It should also be noted that the Reds were 8-19 with runners in scoring position.