Cincinnati Reds Lose Another Marathon Game to San Diego Padres in 16 Innings

It was deja vu all over again as the Cincinnati Reds lost a marathon game to the San Diego Padres last night.

On May 25, 2008, the Reds suffered an 18-inning loss to the Padres at PETCO Park.  In that game, Edinson Volquez was on the mound when Adrian Gonzalez won it with a homerun.

Last night, Volquez started for the Reds.  He gave up two runs in the first then settled down before having to leave in the sixth inning with back spasms.  He was not the only player who had to leave the game for Cincinnati.

Joey Votto left last Wednesday's game with dizziness. He experienced similar symptoms last night and was forced to come out of the lineup. Votto will see an internal medicine specialist when the team returns to Cincinnati.

The Reds took a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning last night. Jay Bruce and Laynce Nix each hit two-run homers. However, the bullpen was unable to hold the lead and blew their first save opportunity of the season.

Micah Owings pitched the final 5 2/3 innings for the Reds. He simply ran out of gas when he surrendered a walk-off homerun to Nick Hundley.

The game assured the Reds of their first road series loss this season. They will try to avoid the sweep today with Bronson Arroyo on the mound. He will be opposed by Padres right-hander Jake Peavy.