The Reds had it all designed in the offseason. Shin-Soo Choo was acquired in a trade to get on base and create chances for the rest of their lineup.
The part where Choo needed to reach base worked great. It’s the getting him home — the most important of the two parts — that lacked in a big way during the Reds’ 3-1 loss to the Angels in 13 innings on Monday’s Opening Day. Choo reached base three times and had two of Cincinnati’s three hits. But he only scored once — on a wild pitch play that still had negative consequences.
Scoring was tough to come by for both teams. The Reds were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men. The Angels left 12 men on base.
“We lose and we can’t point at anybody,” said Choo, who came over from Cleveland in December. “It’s bad for everybody. We won and everybody did a good job. Not [only] one guy is doing a good job or not. That’s my opinion.”
A 4-hour, 45-minute duel that made Opening Day stretch into Opening Night, was ultimately decided by Chris Iannetta, who drove in all three runs for the Angels. It was the first time the Reds played extras in the opener since 1990, and first time in a home opener since 1988.
Reds reliever J.J. Hoover, who earned his way on to the roster with a fantastic spring, masterfully escaped after having a runner on third base during a scoreless 12th, but he could not add another zero in the 13th.
Hoover walked Josh Hamilton with one out and intentionally walked Howie Kendrick with two outs. On a 1-2 pitch, he hit Hank Conger — the Angels’ final available bench player — to load the bases.
That brought up Iannetta, who scorched a full-count pitch past third baseman Todd Frazier for a two-run single to left field.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
