After allowing the first two runners to reach base on singles, Roy Oswalt retired Votto, Rolen, and Nix in order, mixing pitches well. The change-up that sat Rolen down is the best pitch all night. A few clean innings from Oswalt will do well to give the Phillies the momentum.
Carlos Ruiz led off the third with a beautiful at-bat that ended in a walk. From an 8-hole hitter, walks like that are gold — Chooch is King Midas. /mythology’d. Oswalt popped up a bunt, leaving Ruiz on first. Victorino took a low inside pitch and lined it to right but Jay Bruce tracked it down. Polanco hit a bullet to left field but it was right at Laynce Nix. Good at-bats and hard-hit balls are encouraging — they’ll cash in on them soon enough.
2-0 Reds.