Cincinnati Reds fans celebrate after the Reds defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 in a baseball game to clinch the NL Central, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
"The Reds started off strongly, with Drew Stubbs working a walk fromWandy Rodriguez. Stubbs then stole second, and Rodriguez walked Orlando Cabrera. Joey Votto then hit into a double play, but Stubbs moved to third. Then Scott Rolen hit a grounder to third and Brett Wallace couldn't handle the throw from Chris Johnson. Stubbs scored to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
Chris Johnson atoned for that throw with a single off of Edinson Volquez to begin the second inning. Brett Wallace then did his part by hitting a sharp grounder. It looked like it might have been a double play ball, but Orlando Cabrera was shading towards second and couldn't get to it. The Astros then turned to the bunt. Angel Sanchez laid one down, but Volquez fielded it and threw out Johnson at third. Jason Castro singled to score Wallace and Sanchez went to third. Wandy Rodriguez then laid down a successful suicide squeeze, and Sanchez scored. Astros take the lead, 2-1.
In the third inning, with a runner on first and one out, Carlos Lee smashed a ball to left field. Drew Stubbs raced back, put his hand against the wall, then leapt a foot above the fence and brought the ball back with him. Just an amazing catch.
Wandy Rodriguez was dominant, striking out eight Reds, including four in a row at one point. Through the first five innings, he only allowed one hit, and an infield one that was probably an error at that. But in the sixth inning, Cabrera and Votto both singled. Scott Rolen walked, and the bases were loaded with no outs. Jonny Gomes then engaged in an epic ten pitch at-bat that sadly resulted in a pop out. Brandon Phillips stepped up and grounded a ball deep to the shortstop. It was a perfectly placed grounder, and a sprinting Rolen beat the throw to second. Cabrera came home and the game was tied. Jay Bruce then lined one directly to Jeff Keppinger who turned the inning ending double play. Game tied, 2-2.
Drew Stubbs hit a two out drive in the seventh inning that banged less than a foot from the top of the wall.
The Reds bullpen trio of Arthur Rhodes, Nick Masset, and Aroldis Chapman were masterful, retiring all nine batters they faced.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jay Bruce swung at the first pitch he saw, and as the ball landed in the grass beyond the centerfield wall where not even Drew Stubbs could catch it, the dugout emptied to greet him at home plate - as NL Central Champions."
For the whole story, and more recaps head over to the great Reds blog, Red Reporter.
Playoffs baby!!!!
