RC+ Recap: Reds obliterate Pirates 11-6

by — July 29, 2019 in Game Recap

The Reds tried the “score 10 runs in an inning” strategy for themselves and it worked. They destroyed Pirates emergency pitcher Alex McRae and Montana DuRapau in the 2nd. Every Reds player in the lineup, including pitcher Sonny Gray, scored a run in that inning. It was the first time that had happened since 1975. Pretty good team, that previous one was. Shortstop Jose Iglesias capped off the inning with his second grand slam of the season. Both have been against the Pirates.

The Reds executed a perfect relay play to cut down a Pirates runner at the plate. Kudos to Jesse Winker, Jose Iglesias and Tucker Barnhart, who all made important contributions.

Sonny Gray wasn’t his sharpest. He gave up a couple of home runs, then made the mistake of allowing two runners on base before Wandy Peralta came in to relieve him. Yep, Wandy Peralta hasn’t changed. He allowed those runs and two more to score on a grand slam to a left-handed batter.

I fixed Matt’s first sentence for him: Unlike many LHP, Wandy Peralta is not good against left-handed batters. 

Joey Votto was 3-for-4 plus a walk. Jesse Winker was 2-for-4. Scooter Gennett was 2-for-5 with a double. Jose Peraza made an out (pop-up) in his only plate appearance. Peraza’s streak of PA without a walk is now at 106.

The Reds have won 6 of 9 games and go for their third series win in a row tomorrow night. They are 6.5 games out of first place with two months to go.

Reds Most Valuable Players

  • Joey Votto .128 WPA (win probability added)
  • Josh VanMeter .096 WPA
  • Tucker Barnhart .087 WPA
  • Scooter Gennett .086 WPA

Reds Least Valuable Players

  • Wandy Peralta -.009 WPA

Plays of the Game

  • Scooter Gennett .106 WPA, double 2nd inning

Hardest-Hit Balls

  • Eugenio Suarez 105.4 mph, single 5th inning
  • Yasiel Puig 103.8 mph, groundout 1st inning
  • Jesse Winker 102.0 mph, single 5th inning

Luckiest Hit of the Day

  • Jose Iglesias 25% hit probability, 95 mph, 383 feet, home run 2nd inning

Unluckiest Out of the Day

  • Yasiel Puig 43% hit probability, 103.8 mph, groundout 1st inning

Highest Pitch Velocities by Pitcher

  • Robert Stephenson 97.0 mph
  • Wandy Peralta 96.4 mph
  • Sonny Gray 95 mph
  • Jared Hughes  91.7 mph

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Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.

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