The Reds came back from a 3-0 deficit n the 7th, to win 4-3 in 9 innings, on the strength of an Ed Class Walk off HR. The Giants cruised to a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the 7th, as Pete Geanellis kept the Reds off balance for 6 innings of shutout pitching. The Giants struck first, scoring 2 in the 3rd, on a single by Mark Dabney, consecutive perfect bunts by Kane and Labanowski and a groundout by Nardacci. They added another in the 5th after Wayne Phillips led off with a single and was squeezed home on another great bunt by Lebanowski. The Giantsw took the 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th, where Pul Miles and Joe Burns led off with singles. After a fielders choice left runnerson 1st and 2nd with 1 out, Bobby Davis singles in Burns with the first run for the Reds. After a hard single by Joe Careccia loaded the bases, Jonny Martin grounded one to second, for an RBI fielders choice leaving runners on 1st and 3rd. Dave VanWormer, pinch running for Martin at 1st, stole 2nd and Brian Mueller worked a walk to load the bases for Wil Ferguson, who also walked to push home the tying run for the Reds. A strikeout ended the inning for the Reds, so it went to extra innings tied at 3. Skip to the bottom of the 9th, when Ed Class stepped to the plate to lead off for the Reds against Giants reliever Jim K. On the first pitch (i think), Class blasted a no doubter (giggleing) over the left field fence for the win. The story of the game for both teams was pitching, as both starters, Geanellis for the Giants and Jonny Martin for the Reds, were masterful. Martin went 7.2 innings giving up the 1 earned run and only 4 hits, while Geanellis went 7 strong giving up only 5 hits, 4 coming in the 7th. Chris Dunn picked up the win for the Reds, going 1.1 innings in relief, while Jimmy K. took the loss for the Giants. I also would like to mention the job done by Reds SS Alex Marin, who, playing with a bum wheel, made all the plays and was all over the infield. The Reds moved to 12-3 with the win and secured a much needed bye in the first round of the playoffs, while the Giants dropped to 13-2 and can still take the 1 seed with a win ove the Yankees next week.
Yes, it was the first pitch of the 9th and Eddie clobbered it. The "giggle'' comes from the fact the ball barely missed Doug's glove in left (great effort), hit the top of the fence and bounced over. But it was hit square. It was definitely earned. Surely wasn't expecting that after a 1-2-3- 8th and having shut out the Reds last year! Game was at New Scotty.
