After the Giants exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth inning, Matt Cain hit the first batter he faced. That’s never a good sign.
Reds get two back on Phillips double, down 6-2
Whether it was adrenaline, nerves, sitting on the bench for too long, or just one of those things, the Matt Cain that came out with a lead was different than the Matt Cain who was pitching in a tie game. After hitting Ryan Hanigan, Cain allowed a line-drive single to Drew Stubbs. Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey popped up to first for the first out.
Then Cain threw a high fastball to Brandon Phillips, who has been one of the hottest hitters for the Reds this series. Phillips didn’t miss it. He also didn’t miss his helmet:
The double scored two, making it 6-2, and it put the Reds in a position to score more. But Zack Cozart flew out to center, and Joey Votto hit a grounder up the middle, right to Brandon Crawford, who was positioned behind the bag before the pitch.
Threat over, but the Reds got within a grand slam of their own, which probably did wonders for their outlook for the rest of the game.
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