Reds Win Behind the Arm of Edinson Volquez, but Lose Jeff Keppinger to Injury

Cincinnati Red's pitcher Edinson Volquez continued his dominance of the National League as the Reds beat the Florida Marlins 5-2. Despite the win, the team lost their second shortstop this season, Jeff Keppinger, to a fractured knee cap.

Volquez, who was 5-1 going into the game without allowing more than one run in a start this season, pitched six innings, giving up six hits, one earned run, two walks, and five strikeouts.

As he has done all season, he got himself into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings only to get out of the inning each time with little or no damage.

The Reds hitters out hustled the Florida Marlins all night and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after three innings.

The Reds got two runs in the bottom of the second from an RBI infield single by Ryan Freel and a bases loaded walk given up by Marlins pitcher Mark Hendrickson.

In the second inning, Keppinger fouled a ball off of his knee causing him to fall to the ground; however, he finished the at bat and played shortstop in the third and fourth innings. He was replaced in a double switch by Jerry Hairston Jr.

In the third inning, the Reds scored off an RBI ground out by right fielder Adam Dunn.

Volquez gave up his only earned run in the fifth inning of a Hanley Ramirez sacrifice fly to center field.

In the seventh inning, the Reds bullpen took over and pitcher Jared Burton gave up a run on two hits to make the score 4-2. Left-hander Bill Bray got Dan Uggla to ground out to second to end the inning.

The Reds got a solo home run from first baseman Joey Votto in the bottom half of the inning to push the lead to 5-2.

In the eighth inning, Reds reliever David Weathers struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up a pinch hit home run to former Red, Cody Ross, to cut the lead to 5-3.

In the ninth inning, Reds closer Francisco Cordero walked Jeremy Hermida before retiring the next three batters in order to get his second save in two nights—making him 7 for 7 in save opportunities this season.

Tomorrow night, the Reds will send right-hander Bronson Arroyo (2-4) the the mound on three days rest against Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco (2-3). The game is at 7:10 PM EST from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.