Game 5: Reds 4, Phillies 3

For the second time in four days the Reds won in their last at-bat, overcoming a late deficit to down Philadelphia, 4-3.

Paul Bako's infield single off Chad Durbin with one out drove in Ryan Freel, giving the Reds (3-2) the victory. Cincinnati jumped on Adam Eaton early, taking a 2-0 lead after two. Marty and Brantley said Eaton was having issues with his front foot catching on the mound right before releasing the ball, giving him control issues. Whatever problems he had cleared up after the second; he would throw scoreless innings in frames three through seven. Again Cincinnati had early opportunites to add more runs than they did, having two on with none out in the 2nd but only getting a run out of it.

Philadelphia (2-3) got a run in the top of the third, with all the action coming with two outs. A Victorino triple followed by an Utley double made it 2-1. They tied the game in the sixth when Pat Burrell's double sent Utley home. That top of the Phillies' order is just deadly. Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell. You just feel like no matter who is on the mound, you're holding your breath with every hitter, and there are just no breaks. Harang pitched pretty well overall, despite the no-decision (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO).

The Phils took the lead in the top of the 8th when Ryan Howard hit a solo bomb off Kent Mercker. The lead was short-lived, however, as Corey Patterson responded in the bottom of the inning with a dinger. Philly went 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th against winning pitcher Francisco Cordero, and the ninth gave the Reds the win.

I only had radio for this one, so no greater impressions than that... I'm really glad they got this one, and that we'll be back on TV tomorrow as Edinson Volquez makes his Reds debut against Brett Myers.