Reds 5, Cardinals 3: Edinson Volquez Leaves Early, Cincinnati Bounces Back

The night could not have started worse for the Reds.  After being swept in Milwaukee, Cincinnati was in St. Louis to begin a big four-game series against the Cardinals.

Fresh off the disabled list for recurring back spasms, Edinson Volquez gave up a run in the first inning before having to leave the game.  Volquez was experiencing numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his right hand.

If the Reds were going to stop their three-game losing streak, the bullpen would have to come up big.

They did.

Mike Lincoln relieved Volquez and pitched three innings, giving up just one run. 

Daniel Ray Herrera pitched two-plus innings.  He was charged with an unearned run when Ryan Hanigan had trouble handling a Nick Masset breaking ball.  Masset had replaced Herrera after the lead-off batter reached base in the seventh.  Masset did not allow anyone else to cross the plate.

The passed ball charged to Hanigan was the first allowed by a Reds catcher this season.

Arthur Rhodes pitched a scoreless eighth.  Francisco Cordero did the same in the ninth to earn his 14th save in as many chances.

Alex Gonzalez made some outstanding plays at shortstop that should not go unmentioned.  Ramon Hernandez also showed some impressive flexibility stretching at first base on close plays.

Mike Lincoln (1-0) picked up his first win of the season.  Todd Wellemeyer (5-5) took the loss for the Cardinals.

With two outs, trailing 2-0 in the fourth, the Reds offense went to work.  Hernandez singled in Chris Dickerson.  Laynce Nix's two-run double then gave the Reds the lead.

In the fifth, a sacrifice fly by Adam Rosales that scored Hanigan provided some insurance.  Brandon Phillips had an RBI single in the seventh.

The resiliency of this team continues to be their strongest quality.  The entire starting infield has missed significant time.  Jerry Hairston was out last night with flu-like symptoms.  Willy Taveras has missed the last three games.

Volquez will fly to Cincinnati this morning to be examined by the team physician.

A bullpen that has worked 14 innings over the last three games could use a little rest.  Bronson Arroyo (7-3) will try to give them that tonight.  He will be opposed by Brad Thompson (0-1).