Game 41: Reds 7, Floridians 6

Cincinnati started the day with a callup, ruined it with a blown lead, and redeemed itself with one swing of the bat from the kid in his big-league debut.

Shortstop Paul Janish made his big-league debut one to remember, getting the game-winning hit in the tenth inning to lift the Reds to their third straight win over the Floridians, 7-6 Wednesday night.

After the Reds built a 6-0 lead protected wonderfully by Bronson Arroyo's seven-inning stint on short rest, it only took one inning for Mike Lincoln and Francisco Cordero to make the lead disappear. Cincinnati only had gotten one out when Florida's Cody Ross crushed a homer to left-center, knotting the score at six. Lincoln had pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning before failing to gain an out and loading the bases in the ninth. Lincoln was then lifted for Cordero, who pitched over an inning in Monday's win and gained a save in Tuesday's win as well. Perhaps he was tired or just didn't have it, but either way it led to his first blown save of the season.

However in the tenth the Reds made up for it. Pinch hitter Dave Ross and Paul Bako walked. Johnny Cueto pinch-ran for Ross at second, and Janish lined a base hit over first to end things. Great to see the kid get mobbed in his first big-league game. I kind of got a Joker Joe Randa vibe out of him with a little grin on his face the whole time, but maybe that was just the thrill of his major league debut.

DUSTY'S LUCKY...
... that the game didn't end up being a marathon, because other than Scott Hatteberg and Javier Valentin (backup catcher) he had no players left on his bench after Ross pinch-hit. Freel pinch-ran for Griffey in the ninth, Jerry Hairston moved to left erasing Dunn and getting Janish into the game, and Ross had the pinch-hitting appearance. Dusty wouldn't have wanted to use Valentin in case something happened to Bako at catcher, which only leaves Hatteberg on the bench. That's why Cueto wound up pinch-running in the tenth.

I also didn't particularly agree with his leaving Arroyo in the game into the seventh. He did look really good again tonight, and based on how the bullpen did when they were introduced into this game I can't blame Dusty entirely... but still. I hate when managers leave pitchers in an inning longer than they should, making a high pitch count a really inflated pitch count, just because the pitcher's spot in the order isn't coming up. That's why double switches exist. Arroyo has now thrown 226 pitches in the last five days, and there's no extra days off between now and his next scheduled start in the first game at Los Angeles this Monday.

SCOTT HAIRSTON
Had a really nice game at the plate, just a home run away from the cycle. He's played pretty well since his callup despite his playing time being a little sporadic. I've been surprised he hasn't gotten more of a chance since his callup but now would appear to be the time, with Keppinger out and the only other shortstop option on the team being a guy who's never really hit in the minors, his performance with the Bats this year being an obvious exception.

DUNN
Absolutely killed the ball on his homer. Just thought I would throw it in there. Griffey, on the other hand, continues to look done. We're a quarter through the season and it's like if he doesn't get his perfect pitch, he can't do anything with it. Teams just keep going away, away, away and he either can't reach it at all, watches it go by or can't get around on it. Reds fans thinking a trade is imminent are kidding themselves, because you'd have to be crazy to give anything for him right now.

WITH THE WIN...
The Reds have won three straight over the Floridians as their star has faded somewhat in the 'Nasti. The series finale is tomorrow at 7:10, 4:10 here in Chargerland. The Redlegs are going for the sweep and send Matt Belisle to the mound against former Tiger farmhand Andrew Miller. Per one Marlins blog (Fish Stripes, maybe? Who knows) he's pretty much had to just figure out which pitch he can actually get over every night, and just rely on that one pitch. Let's hope tomorrow that pitch is one the Reds can handle. Seeing most of Florida's rotation in this series all I can say is they must have been killing the ball to get a good record considering the numbers their starters carried into this series. Luckily the Reds have been able to keep them in the park on the strength of three really good starting performances. Go Go Belisle! Her life is in your hands, dude.

HERO OF THE GAME
It would be Non-Mirror Universe Bronson, for pitching seven sparkling innings (five hits, no runs) on short rest against a tough Florida lineup... but in honor of the kid, we'll give it to Paul Janish, who made his big-league debut as a defensive replacement and unexpectedly was thrust into a clutch situation. I'm concerned about his hitting in the big leagues long-term, but he made his first hit count and made it the game-winner. Paul Janish, This Bud's for you.