Cincinnati Reds
The Reds were two walk-offs shy of a perfect week.
Cincinnati started off with a two-game series at Milwaukee. In the first game, a Jonny Gomes three-run home run sparked a five-run seventh inning to break open a tie game as the Reds won 6-3.
In the second game, the Reds were down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Scott Rolen’s two-run shot and Joey Votto’s walk-off single won the game for the Reds, completing the sweep over the Brewers.
The Reds then played a two-game series at Atlanta, with some different results.
The Reds tied the first game at 4-4 in the top of the ninth, only to see Jason Heyward hit the game-winning single for the Braves with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, as the Reds lost 5-4.
The second game might go down as one of the more embarrassing losses in recent memory, as the Reds couldn’t hold on to a seven-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, losing the game 10-9.
But the Reds didn’t let the big loss bother them, as they finished the week with a series win over the Indians.
In the first game, Laynce Nix had three hits, including a go-ahead double in the sixth inning that put the Reds up 5-4. The Reds won the game 7-4.
The second game against the Tribe was Nix’s third straight game with a home run. Jay Bruce also went 4-for-4 in the game as the Reds beat the Indians 6-4.
In Sunday’s game, Scott Rolen hit two home runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Reds lost to the Indians 4-3.
Studs: Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix. Trying to decide which of the Reds’ hot-hitting left-fielders to start is a good problem to have. This week, the two combined for 13 hits and 13 RBIs.
Duds: Cincinnati’s bullpen in the second game against the Braves. They had a 9-3 lead, and all they had to do was get three outs before the Braves scored six runs, which they proved is harder than it looks.
Next Week: The Reds will stay at home for another full week of baseball, as they will play four games against the Pirates followed by three games against the Astros.
Cleveland Indians
After going 4-2 the previous week, the Indians struggled this week, going 1-6.
Cleveland lost outfielder Grady Sizemore and infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to the disabled list and was swept at Tampa Bay and at home against Kansas City.
The toughest loss of the week came Wednesday night when the Indians had a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning against Kansas City, but lost 8-4 after closer Kerry Wood gave up five runs in the inning.
But the Indians were able to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 Sunday to end their six-game losing streak.
Stud: Trevor Crowe. After being called up from minor league affiliate Columbus, Crowe hit safely in six of his seven starts and had five RBIs. In the win over Cincinnati, Crowe went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and stole his third base of the week.
Dud: Kerry Wood. In Wednesday’s game against the Royals, Wood gave up five runs in the top of the ninth to give the Royals an 8-4 win. For the season, Wood is 0-2 with one save and one blown save, both coming in the last five games.
Up Next: The Indians open with a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field before traveling to Yankee Stadium Friday for a four-game series with the New York Yankees.
