Reds-Marlins: Cincinnati Bullpen Blows Ninth, Paul Janish Wins It in the Tenth

The Cincinnati Reds had everything going their way against the Florida Marlins heading into the top of the ninth inning. Their offense had produced six runs, right-hander Bronson Arroyo had pitched seven shutout innings, and their defense got some crucial outs in critical moments of the game.

But everything went south in the top of the ninth. Reds reliever Mike Lincoln—who had pitched a perfect eighth inning—came in to close out the game, and he did everything but that.

Lincoln gave up an infield single to the lead-off hitter Jorge Cantu. Dan Uggla followed that with a single and Luis Gonzales doubled to right field scoring Cantu making it 6-1. Lincoln then hit Wes Helms with a pitch before being replaced by Reds closer Francisco Cordero, who probably needed the night off after closing the last saves.

Cordero got the count to no balls and two strikes to Marlins catcher Matt Treanor until he hit a two run single to cut the deficit to 6-3. He then struck out pinch hitter Mike Jacobs before facing former Red and pinch hitter Cody Ross with runners on first and third. Ross hit a three-run homer to left center to tie the game before Cordero retired the next two batters to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Reds got a lead-off walk by Jerry Hairston Jr. before Ken Griffey Jr. hit into a fielders choice and Brandon Phillips grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Reds reliever Jared Burton retired the side in order in the top of the 10th to give his team a chance to win it in the bottom of the inning.

In last night's game, Reds shortstop Jeff Keepinger fractured his left kneecap off of a foul ball and is expected to be out for four to six weeks. Immediately after the injury, the Reds called up shortstop Paul Janish in the middle of a game for AAA Louisville and brought him up to Cincinnati.

Janish was a fifth-round pick in 2004 and the scouting report listed his primary strength as his defense, though he had made strides hitting the ball. Janish wasn't the only one headed to Cincinnati. His parents were originally headed to Louisville before re-routing their trip to Cincinnati to be in attendance at tonight's game.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Joey Votto and Edwin Encarnacion both led off the inning by striking out. Reds catcher David Ross followed, pinch hitting for Burton, and got a walk. Bako followed with another walk to bring up the rookie Janish.

Janish flied out in his first major league at bat in the bottom of the eighth, but his at bat in the tenth inning would prove to be more memorable. After getting into a no balls and two strikes hole, Janish singled to right off Marlins reliever Renyel Pinto to score pinch runner and pitcher Johnny Cueto, winning the game 7-6.

Burton got the win, improving his record to 2-1. Pinto took the loss, dropping his record to 1-2.

The Reds will go for the four-game sweep tomorrow night, when they send right-hander Matt Belisle (1-3) against Marlins left-hander Andrew Miller (3-2) at 7:10 PM EST, at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.