Game: Florida Marlins @ Cincinnati Reds
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Start Time: 7:10 P.M. Eastern Time
Attendance: 12,756
Length of Game: 3:33
Starting Pitchers: Ricky Nolasco ( Marlins) vs Bronson Arroyo ( Reds)
Paul Janish's first day in the major leagues ended with a game-winning hit and a bloody nose.
He won't forget either one.
The Cincinnati Reds blew a six-run lead in the ninth Wednesday night, but Janish singled home the tiebreaking run in only his second big-league at-bat for a 7-6, 10-inning victory against the Florida Marlins.
His opposite-field hit to right on an 0-2 changeup from Renyel Pinto brought a wave of teammates onto the field for a joyous pummeling, one that left him with a bloody nose. He didn't mind.
The Reds matched their season high with their third consecutive victory, all against a Marlins team that came to town on its best run of the season.
The Marlins arrived with a seven-game winning streak and the best record in the major leagues. By dropping the first three games of the series, they equaled their longest losing streak of the season.
They almost pulled it out.
The Reds went into the ninth with a 6-0 lead and a distinction: The only team in the majors without a blown save. Seven batters later, the lead and the distinction were gone. Luis Gonzalez broke the shutout with an RBI double off Mike Lincoln, who left with the bases loaded and no outs. Closer Francisco Cordero, who had been a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances, came on and gave up a two-run single to Matt Treanor.
One out later, Cody Ross hit a three-run homer to left field, raising his fist as he rounded first base. It was the first home run allowed this season by Cordero, and the second in two games by Ross.
Pinto (1-2) walked two with two outs in the 10th to bring up Janish, who drove up from Triple-A Louisville earlier in the day. He got into the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth and made two slick plays, drawing cheers from the crowd of 12,756.
When he flied out to deep left field in his first at-bat in the eighth, the fans gave him a standing ovation. His second time up, he took two fastballs for strikes, then went the other way with a changeup.
And, he got another ovation.
Jared Burton (2-1) pitched a perfect 10th for the victory.
The bullpen's meltdown ruined another solid performance by Reds starter Bronson Arroyo, who threw seven shutout innings on short rest.
The Reds pulled ahead 6-0 behind Jerry Hairston Jr., who is Cincinnati's main shortstop with Jeff Keppinger sidelined by a broken kneecap. Hairston had a single, double and RBI triple.
Adam Dunn also homered, and Ken Griffey Jr. had a run-scoring double.
Center fielder Corey Patterson threw out runners at home and third base, helping Arroyo get in position for a win the old-fashioned way -- with only three days between starts. Arroyo gave up five hits in seven shutout innings, throwing 111 pitches. He left after striking out the side in the seventh.
Arroyo volunteered to work on short rest so the club could get its rotation back in order following a weekend doubleheader. In three previous starts on short rest, Arroyo was 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA, including a three-hit shutout against San Francisco in 2006.
Up Next: The Marlins will attempt to salvage at least one game in this 4-game series against the Reds as they send Andrew Miller to the mound to face Matt Belisle.
Miller, who is riding a 2-game winning streak of his own currently has an overall record of 3-2 with an ERA of 6.52-- The young lefty went a season-high 7 innings in his last start in a win over the Nationals on May 10th.
Belisle has a record of 1-3 and an ERA of 7.45. He lost in his last start against the Mets.
First pitch is set for 7:10 P.M. Eastern Time and will be televised locally on Sun Sports. Tonight's game can also be hear on 790 The Ticket AM Radio (English) or 1140 WQBA AM Radio (Spanish).