There was one way for the Reds to avoid the stress induced by losing big games and questions about self-inflicted mistakes or poor decisions: Play better.
It was seemingly that simple Wednesday night. The Reds opened up a huge early lead, supported by Jay Bruce’s five RBIs, and Homer Bailey protected it well on their way to a 10-0 win against the Cardinals. The victory avoided a three-game series sweep for Cincinnati, which inched to 3 1/2 games behind National League Central-leading St. Louis.
“I don’t think we thought about how many games back we were, but we knew that we needed to win this game,” Bailey said. “We can’t come in here and get swept. Then you’re really far back.”
This was a game in which all facets seemed to hit the right note for Cincinnati. Until Cesar Izturis, a late replacement at third base, made a two-out error in the ninth inning, it was a mistake-free game following back-to-back losses filled with gaffes and unforced errors.
“I can guarantee you that we didn’t prepare any differently,” Bruce said. “We’re professionals, and we prepare the same every day. Games like this are definitely welcomed.”
Reds manager Dusty Baker tinkered with his lineup by moving Brandon Phillips to the second spot and Bruce to the fourth spot. It paid off, as Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright lasted only two innings, facing 16 batters in that span.
Wainwright, who had allowed four runs in only one of his previous seven starts, was down by that total six batters into this game. He faced five batters before notching the game’s first out, and even that drove in a run.
“It always helps to jump them early,” Baker said. “It’s a strange game. You don’t hit one of the rookies [Joe Kelly on Tuesday]. Then today we hit one of the best pitchers in the game out there. There is no explanation for it. Our guys came out ready to hit. The main difference is we got some hits with runners in scoring position. We didn’t leave any out there.”
Shin-Soo Choo and Phillips started it with singles before Joey Votto’s walk loaded the bases. Bruce lined a two-run single to center field, before Ryan Ludwick sent an RBI double to left field. Bruce scored on Todd Frazier’s groundout to second base, and St. Louis had its own miscue when no one covered the bag on a Zack Cozart ground ball to first baseman Allen Craig. Cozart earned a single on the play, and Ludwick came home on a wild pitch to Ryan Hanigan. Bailey’s RBI single to center field made it a 6-0 game.
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