Reds' Maloney gets 1st big-league win

Starter gives up two runs, seven hits in five innings; Cincy wins eighth straight home game.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 6:15 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

CINCINNATI — With an announced crowd of 9,685 in Great American Ball Park Thursday night, the Florida Marlins should have felt as if they were playing in the comfort of their own North Miami home, where there are more alligators within a mile radius than baseball fans.

With cell phone conversations discernible two sections apart all night, the Cincinnati Reds put a crimp in Florida’s wild card aspirations with a 3-2 victory, the Reds’ eighth straight home victory, most of them played in relative silence and with enough empty red chairs to seat the Ohio homeless.

The Reds lit into Florida starter Anibal Sanchez for three first-inning runs on Darnell McDonald’s leadoff home run and a two-out two-run soft flare single to left field by Jay Bruce.

Matt Maloney wobbled inning after inning with that 3-0 lead, but never toppled, pitching four scoreless innings before the Marlins scored their two runs in the fifth.

Maloney didn’t care how many or how few were in the park. With his mother, father and fiancÈ in the house, he was happy to get the start in place of Johnny Cueto (flu-like symptoms) and happy to be back on the mound after he was skipped a turn with a blister.

It all resulted in his first career major-league victory.

He gave up two runs and seven hits in five innings, then watched the bullpen of Ramon Ramirez, Arthur Rhodes, Nick Masset and Coco Cordero combine for no runs and one hit over the final four.

“That was awesome,” said Maloney. “Got the beer shower and the game scorecard. My finger was sore, but I was able to get through it and keep the ball down.”

Maloney survived because he ignored the cutter, the pitch that caused the blister. He stuck with an effective sinker, then went into the clubhouse to sweat out his one-run lead.

“I was in here talking to Homer Bailey and trying not to think about it too much,” said Maloney. “I was anxious, but the bullpen guys just nailed it down.”

McDonald, who homered to lead the bottom of the first, was playing in place of a resting Drew Stubbs.

“Stubbs has played every day since he has been here,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Time to give him a day off. I have another good center fielder in Darnell, too. Drew will be strong and better down the stretch if you give him a day off now and then, a mental day off. He’ll be back in there (tonight).”

It was a night for stand-ins — McDonald and Maloney — and of Maloney Baker said, “He ran out of gas in the fifth, but we tried to stick with him, which we did.”

McDonald gave up three hits for two runs in the fifth and had two outs with the tying run on second. Instead of lifting him, Baker stuck with Maloney so he could get the final out to qualify for the win.

Maloney retired Cody Ross on a pop up to first.

“Then our bullpen came on to do a great job because rarely do you score three in three in the first, then don’t score any more and end up winning,” Baker added. “Matt battled through the fifth inning and we were all pulling for him so he could get that first win.

“It’s fun for me to give a guy like Maloney the lineup card when he gets his first win,” said Baker. “Back in the day, I wish I would have had mine. Memorabilia stuff wasn’t as important as it is now.”

Maloney said he planned to give the lineup card to his dad, Joe, “And let him take care of it.”

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The Reds couldn't even draw 10,000 fans to a game - how sad and pathetic is that?? It's almost as sad and pathetic as when Micah Owings pitches!!
Oh yeah, once again, Owings doesn't pitch and the Reds win! Go figure...

J.Mark
3:54 PM, 9/18/2009

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Drew will be strong and better down the stretch if you give him a day off now and then, a mental day off. He'll be back in there (tonight)."

Will someone please tell Dusty that "down the stretch" is NOW and means absolutely nothing once again please?

Randy
5:59 AM, 9/18/2009

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