Reds 5, Brewers 4

The Cincinnati Reds continue to win. This time they did it off future HOF closer Trevor Hoffman.  Scott Rolen hit a pinch-hit, 2-run homer in the 9th to tie it and Joey Votto singled off the wall it end it.  The Reds live to see another day in first place.  I really can’t tell if the Reds are for real this year.  Yes, they did just win 2 of 3 over the Cardinals this past weekend, but I just think the Cards are in a slump and will soon get back to playing good ball and take over the division.  However, this team is greatly improved and it’s nice to see their young guys playing well.

Pirates 2, Phillies 1

Roy Halladay threw his fourth complete game in 9 starts this season, but the Phillies offense could only manage 1 run.  Even though the Phillies ended up losing, I feel like the story in this one is the continued domination of Halladay.  He threw 132 pitches tonight which was the second highest of his career.  He has allowed 2 earned runs or less in 8 of his 9 starts this year, and 4 complete games in 9 starts in unheard of these days.  The Phillies just need to shake this one off.  It might be the only time this season when Halladay gets outpitched.  Chase Utley also missed his second straight game, so their offense was without their best player.

Marlins 8, DBacks 0

The Marlins didn’t seem to miss Hanley while he was benched for dogging a ball in last nights game.  Josh Johnson, who has the stuff to dominate any lineup in baseball did just that.  He improved to 4-1 on the year after pitching 7 scoreless innings of 2 hit ball.  He also struck out 9.  This is more than just another victory for the Marlins.  This is a message to Hanley Ramirez saying that they don’t need him in the lineup to win a ballgame (even though over a long haul they absolutely need him).  But for one game they were able to go out and dominate without their best player which should wake up Hanley.  Congrats Florida Marlins.

-Matt