Game 6: Edinson loses it, Edwin wins it

Reds 7, Brewers 6

Edinson Volquez: 5 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 4 K. And thanks to Edwin's grand salami, Edinson stole a win--wow. If Edinson looked rusty in his first outing, he was downright awful in this one. I've never seen him look more vulnerable. No location. Afraid to throw the fastball. Hitters sitting back on the changeup. I didn't think it could get uglier and then he cut off mid-delivery for no reason and was promptly charged with a balk. And then when I thought that was the worst it could get, he appeared to kill Rickie Weeks, who squared to bunt and took a 95-mph fastball where the neck attaches to the torso, and collapsed to the ground and lay motionless for a minute (Ricky was okay). The only positive for Edinson--with the bases loaded, he got out Hart, Braun and Fielder, no easy task.

Edwin Encarnacion: Played game-saver tonight. Absolutely smoked a meaty Gallardo fastball into the left field bleachers. The best swing I've ever seen him take. This bodes well considering the guy has walked 8 times in 6 games this year.

Brandon Phillips: Seriously Brandon, you are not Gary Sheffield. Stop waving the bat. Your swing is way too long. You never choke up. You never cut down your swing in a pitcher's count. You check swing at curveballs four feet outside in the dirt (top of the second tonight). You generate enough air in the box to cool down the front rows. He would be so much better if he swung for contact, even in the cleanup spot.

Quote of the Game: Brandon Phillips batting with a 3-0 count and runners on first and second.
Welsh--"Do you green light Phillips here?"
Thom B.--"No. Do you?"
Welsh--"Yes. He's your number four hitter."

Jay Bruce: Finally homered! Still looked lost at the plate.

Dusty Baker: Looks dumb in batting gloves. But at least you can tell that Dusty HATES to lose.

Joey Votto: What a great scoop on a crappy Phillips throw to complete a huge double play to preserve a one-run game. Aside from the bat (another RBI hit tonight) he's been Mr. Gold Glove at first.

Bullpen: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K. Kept things interesting with the walks, but somehow managed to hold off a good Milwaukee lineup. Cordero gassed it again in the ninth--a consistent 96-mph heater on the corners.

Todd Coffee: 1.2 innings of revenge-ball. Damn gingers!

Thom and Chris Welsh: I don't mind a little banter in between batters and pitches, but at least update me once in a while. You talked about ice skating and hockey for Taveras' entire third AB. It's not surprising you mess up a lot of names and switches.

I thought this game was over after 2 innings with the Brewers up 5-1. And then with two outs in the third inning, Taveras and Dickerson walked, Votto singled, Phillips walked, Bruce got plunked, and then Edwin salamied. My how things change quickly. We still only got six hits, but who cares! We won! We won!