Get Your Brooms

Update on Dusty Baker: 
The Reds manager spent the night in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. They were able to rule out pneumonia, but Baker still has an irregular heartbeat that is of concern to the doctors. As a precaution they held him overnight. Baker will miss Thursday nights game in Chicago, but is set to return for the teams home game against the LA Dodgers on Friday night.

Get your brooms Reds fans, there seems to be a little sweeping to be done in Chicago tonight! After taking it to 11 innings last night, the Cincinnati Reds pulled out another win in the Windy City 6-5. Chicago really lived up to it's Windy City nickname last night too. The wind was almost like an extra man in the outfield. The ball carried all over the place all night and actually aided in the Reds overtime win. Brandon Phillips hit a pop up to shallow right field. However, when David DeJesus tried to field, what seemed to be an easy out that would retire the side, the ball blew right, then left, then right over his head. His glove tipped it, but before he could catch up with the ball and get it to the infield, Phillips had reached second base. Drew Stubbs then hit an RBI single to score Phillips in the top of the 11th. Broxton's 11th inning pitching was no match for the Cubbies, as they were unable to come back in the bottom of the inning giving Cincinnati two games in the three game series.

It was nice to see Drew Stubbs getting back into the action. He has struggled behind the plate lately for the Reds, but had his first breakout game last night. Stubbs was 3-5, with three runs scored. He walked once and stole a base. He also hit the game winning RBI. "I knew it would come sooner or later. It feels good to have a multi-hit game and contribute to a win," Stubbs said.

Joey Votto was a big contributor last night, as well. He scored the first three runs early with his RBI double. Mike Leake pitched well, but ended up giving up a two run homer and 4 hits before being taken out of the game. Ludwick also came out of the game with groin tightness.

The St. Louis Cardinals also had a big win last night, leaving the Reds magic number at 3 before tonight's game. If the Cards lose tonight and the Reds win, the team will have the ability to clinch on Friday night at home against the Dodgers. If St. Louis wins combined with a Cincinnati win, the big night will be Saturday. The Reds have been playing the Cubs really tight, though, and if they aren't phenomenal tonight to get the win, they will be clinching in front of a packed Sunday night home crowd at GABP. It doesn't look like there is any reason the Cardinals will lose at all during their series with the Astros to help the RedLegs out. The Cardinals are already playing post season ball and Houston's play has been very dismal. So it is all on the Reds to take their destiny to the post season. How soon will it be? Who knows, but destiny is knocking and this is our year!


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