Thursday’s game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds was the type of game that I expected in that it was pretty much a pitchers’ duel for all 9 innings. Both Bronson Arroyo and Cardinals starter Brad Penny had stellar outings, but it took the swing of the bat of Jonny Gomes to determine the final outcome.

Gomes, on a 2-2 count, powered a Jason Motte fastball into the left-field bleachers which gave Cincinnati their first win of the season, a 2-1 cliffhanger over St. Louis at Great American Ball Park.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning, when Arroyo lined a shot into center field whcih scored Ryan Hanigan, giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Trever Miller retired Jay Bruce before Cards manager Tony LaRussa called on Motte for the matchup between him and Gomes. Six pitches later, Gomes went yard and gave the Reds their first victory.

As well as Arroyo pitched, he definitely deserved the win as he went 8 innings, allowing a run on just 4 hits, walking 3, striking out 6 and giving up a home run to Matt Holliday in the 7th inning. Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth for his first win of the season.