Game Summary
Today was Spencer Steer day. He had 5 RBI’s today to help the Reds take the game from the Cardinals 6-2 and take the series to keep themselves alive in the playoff race.
This game was a microcosm of the second half for this Cardinal team. Too many mistakes on the mound (walks, wild pitches, non-competitive pitches) leads to a crooked number inning for the visitors and an early reach into the bullpen. Combined with that, the offense produced an all-to-typical moribund effort, confirming their place
as the second worst offense in all of baseball since the ASB with an 85 wRC+, worse than everyone but Colorado. The offense was not without their mistakes (ill-advised steal attempts, failed bunt attempts). They don’t do either very well, yet they keep trying. A+ for effort, but isn’t that the definition of insanity?
Line-up (and roster) machinations
- Noot, Scott, Walker in the outfield.
- Arenado, Saggese, Gorman and Burleson on infield.
- Crooks and Pallante is the battery today.
- Contreras to IL. His season is over. Fermin recalled. He must be dizzy from all the back and forth.
- Singer goes for the Reds.
The Game Details
T1 – Single. Backwards K. Wild Pitch. 3u. L4 (a soft liner).
B1 – Nootbaar F7. Herrera 4-3. Burleson with a 2-strike HR! Arenado K’s.
T2 – 6-3. K. F-9.
B2 – Gorman F8. Saggese F7. Crooks 4-3.
T3 – Single. K. L8. Single. 4-3.
B3 – Walker backwards K. Scott walks (after failed bunt attempt). SB. Nootbaar K’s. Herrera out 4-3. Cardinals still lead 1-0
T4 – 5-3. Good to see defensive stability at the hot corner with Arenado back. Pallante then invites trouble. Walk. Walk. Mostly uncompetitive pitches to both batters. Then 3-run HR by Steer on a 95-mph FB middle-middle. F8. P3. Reds now up 3-1.
B4 – Burleson starts with a lead-off double. Arenado F8. Burleson out trying to steal third. Certainly an area of improvement for 2026 will be in the base running arena. Better decisions and better runners will help. Gorman K’s.
T5 – Single. Single. P5. F7. Another walk. Another wild pitch adds a run. 4-3 ends the inning and ends the afternoon for Pallante. 102 pitches, 5 IP, 4 R, 3 K, 3 BB, 2 WP. Reds now up 4-1.
B5 – Saggese backwards K. Crooks singles. Walker F8. Scott 4-3.
T6 – Alcala in for Pallante. Single. P3. Backwards K. Single. P2 ends the mini-threat.
B6 – Ashcraft in. Nootbaar walks. A fielder’s choice/throwing error combo by De La Cruz on a double-play ball scores Nootbaar and puts Herrera on 2nd. Burleson K’s. Arenado L9.
T7 – Svanson in for Alcala. L7. Single. Double. Backwards K. Bloop single by Steer scores 2. Backwards K. Reds now lead 6-2.
B7 – Burns in. Saggese singles. Crooks GIDP. Walker K.
T8 -Fernandez in for Svanson. K. Backwards K. 6-3.
B8 – Burns still in. Scott F7. Nootbaar single. Herrera F7. Burleson walks. Arenado F8.
T9 – Graceffo in for Fernandez. K. 6-3. L5.
B9 – Pagan in, not a save opportunity. Gorman K’s. Saggese walks. Crooks K’s. Walker K’s. Reds win 6-2.
Post-Game Notes
- There had to be 10,000 people in attendance, right? Ticket sales were 23,462.
- Walker has K’ed in 22 out of last 44 ABs. That is rough.
- Milwaukee comes in for 3 this weekend. With inflation, fan appreciation day has become fan appreciation weekend. Be there or be square.
