Home Run Derby

No, you’re not drunk and seeing things in triplicate …  

The Reds broke out of their hitting woes today against the Cubs.  Dusty Baker’s heretofore Big Dead Machine popped out seven Home Runs (including four against Jon Lieber in the 2nd inning) in a 9-0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs in the Great American Bandbox in Cincinnati.

But that wasn’t close to being the story of the game.  Because Reds rookie 1B Joey Votto slugged three of those dingers … and that means he gets a 3 Homer Night post at HRD.  Votto tagged three different Cubs pitchers for longballs during his feat and even stole a base during the game. 

He had a chance in the eighth inning to hit his fourth Home Run … but grounded out.

Votto becomes only the third Canadian to have a Three Homer Night in Major League Baseball.  I think I’ll crack open a Moosehead tonight, if I can find one.

The others were Larry Walker (with the Rockies in 1997) and Justin Morneau (with the Twins in 2007).

Votto also joins Fred Lynn and Mark McGwire among a number of players who have hit three Home Runs in a game during their rookie season.  He’s the first rookie since Jonny Gomes did it back in 2005.

In case you’re wondering, only one team - Oaktags - has Joey Votto in our Home Run Derby contest.  Oaktags just hopped up into a tie for third place.

David Dellucci, take a bow. 

Pinch-hitting is hard enough.  Sit on your duff for 7+ innings, get the notice that you are probably going to get at bat if the situation is right, go take a couple swings in the cage behind the dugout, swing the donut a bit, and go out there down by 1 run and 2 runners on and 2 out.

Oh, and you get to face Hank Steinbrenner’s favorite Yankee (but not Erin Andrews), Joba Chamberlain.  A single ties the game, but why not over-deliver?  Second pitch he sees … ding dong, the pitch is dead.  

And while Joba had a bad night last night, “his” team in the HRD, The Joba Rules, is building a nice cushion in our contest.  Through May 5th,  The Joba Rules had a seven Home Run cushion in the contest and was on the doorstep of breaking 100 Home Runs to date.

I think we might have found a new HRD whipping boy.