Reds-Diamondbacks: Owings Tops Haren?

The Arizona front office was no doubt cringing as they watched their former third-round draft pick, Micah Owings, throw seven innings of four-hit, one-run baseball against their current ace, Danny Haren. 

Owings improves his record to 3-3 as Haren dropped to 3-4 on the year.

Arthur Rhodes, David Weathers, and Francisco Cordero held and saved the game for Owings through the eighth and ninth innings. Cordero picked up his 10th save of the season and has recorded 24 saves in as many opportunities.

It was agressive baserunning that put the Reds on top.

Jerry Hairston took second base twice from the battery of Haren and Montero. Brandon Phillips managed to score Hairston in the fourth after being moved to third by a Joey Votto sacrifice. 

Jay Bruce singled to left center and Phillips took advantage of a lazy moment by Chris Young and advanced to third, allowing him to score later.

There was a moment in the game that was quite scary for Reds fans. Joey Votto had to leave the game in the bottom of the fourth. Thankfully, it appears Votto was just sick and not injured.

Brandon Phillips would put the cap on Haren’s night with a monster shot that caromed off Haren’s name on a left field scoreboard. The broadcasters said the scoreboard was acting a little funny after that.

 

Tonight’s matchup

The Reds will try for the sweep tonight as Johnny Cueto (who is pitching like an ace) faces newbie Brian Augenstein.

Augenstein was 5-0, 0.78 in AA Mobile before being called up to the Bigs. Apparently, the kid has dominant stuff but it remains to be seen how that will translate into tonight’s matchup as this is his Major League debut.