Despite A Rough Start, Edison Volquez Earns His First Win of 2011
Wednesday night, 17,719 fans entered Great American Ball Park hoping to see the Cincinnati Reds defeat the Houston Astros and extend their undefeated start to five games. However, they soon filled the ball park with the sound of boos.
Reds starter, Edison Volquez (1-0 7.36), struggled through a very long 44 pitch first inning. He allowed four runs on four hits and three walks. After the first inning he settled down, walking two and allowing only a Michael Bourn double over the next four innings. He also struck eight in his five innings of work.
Volquez efforts were enough to earn him the victory in the Reds 12-4 win.
Edison Volquez/sports.espn.go.com
The Reds bullpen continued their fast start, allowing only two hits and no runs in the final four innings. Francisco Cordero closed the game out in one, two ,three fashion, pounding the outside corner with what seemed to be an expanded Tim Welke strike zone.
Brandon Phillips and Paul Janish led the Reds offense with three hits a piece, while Scott Rolen contributed with three RBI.
Houston starter, Nelson Figueroa (0-1 10.13), threw strikes all night. His only problem was a very good hitting Reds team pound him for 11 hits and 10 runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Chris Johnson led the Astro's offense, driving in two of the runs in the first, with a single to left.
The final game of the three game set is this afternoon. The Reds will send right-hander Sam LeCure (0-0 0.00) against the Astro's #1 starter, right-hander Brett Myers (0-0 1.29). First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. at The Great American Ball Park.
