The Reds began the second game of Wednesday’s split doubleheader with concerns about Johnny Cueto’s stiff neck, but before the first inning was over, Yankees’ starter Brian Gordon was the one suffering the effects of whiplash.
Fresh off his debut against the Texas Rangers, Gordon was hoping to write another chapter in his feel good story. However, after surrendering three home runs, there wasn’t much chance for a happy ending. In fact, the beginning was anything to write home about either.
After Chris Heisey’s lead off home run, it soon became apparent that Gordon was merely the foil in someone else’s fairytale. Heisey followed up his opening salvo with a second homer off Gordon in the fifth that extended the Reds lead to 4-1. Then, with the game no longer in doubt, the Reds’ center fielder punctuated his historic night with a third home run off Hector Noesi.
Three Homer Games Against the Yankees, Since 1919
| Player | Date | Tm | PA | H | HR |
| Chris Heisey | 6/22/2011 | CIN | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Kevin Millar | 7/23/2004 | BOS | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Mo Vaughn | 5/30/1997 | BOS | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Ken Griffey | 5/24/1996 | SEA | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Geronimo Berroa | 5/22/1996 | OAK | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Bo Jackson | 7/17/1990 | KCR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Randy Milligan | 6/9/1990 | BAL | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Juan Beniquez | 6/12/1986 | BAL | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Lee Lacy | 6/8/1986 | BAL | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Larry Parrish | 4/29/1985 | TEX | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Cecil Cooper | 7/27/1979 | MIL | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Tony Horton | 5/24/1970 | CLE | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Charlie Maxwell | 5/3/1959 | DET | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Jim Lemon | 8/31/1956 | WSH | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Pat Mullin | 6/26/1949 | DET | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Pat Seerey | 7/13/1945 | CLE | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Jimmie Foxx | 6/8/1933 | PHA | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Goose Goslin | 6/23/1932 | SLB | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Carl Reynolds | 7/2/1930 | CHW | 6 | 5 | 3 |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
Although Heisey’s power surge was historic, the real star of the game was Cueto. The ace right hander was supposed to start the first game of the series, but a sore neck forced the Reds to push him back. If only they had decided to hold him out one extra day.
The only real blemish on Cueto’s record was a second inning home run by Nick Swisher that tied the score at 1-1. After the homer, Cueto set down 15 of the next 16 batters, a stretch that was interrupted by Alex Rodriguez’ seventh inning single. In that frame, the Yankees loading the bases, but Cueto turned the rally aside by retiring Ramiro Pena and Jorge Posada, who was making a bid to play hero in both games of the doubleheader.
When the Yankees failed to capitalize on their threat in the seventh, the game was basically over, but that didn’t stop the Reds from tacking on six more runs against Noesi en route to a 10-2 victory. The double-digit outburst was unique for two reasons. First, it exceeded Cincinnati’s combined run total over the previous five games. Secondly, it was only the third time all season that the Yankees lost by more than five runs. I guess they were due.
By dropping the night cap, the Yankees not only forfeited a chance to take over first place, but also failed to even their regular season record against the Reds. As a result, Cincinnati remains the one team against which the Yankees do not have at least a .500 record. Considering how infrequently the two team meet, the Yankees will likely have to wait at least another few years before getting another crack at the Reds. I wonder if the team will be able to sleep on the plane ride home?
Good stuff, William. I put this turkey to bed after Heisey's second home run which made it 4-1 Reds. It wasn't because I felt the onslaught coming. It looked to me like Cueto was going to have the Yankees off-balance, and readjusting their jocks all night.
He was the only reason to stay awake, and I opted against it, as did the Yankees.
Okay, this is coming from a place of pure honor-less spite after last night's drubbing. But it's also true:
We get on batters for pimping home runs. "Act like you've been there before," we tell them.
If we hold batters to that standard, how about teams?
I'm talking to you, Cincinnati "fireworks-in-the-middle-of-an-inning" Reds.
I live in a minor league city. Turns out Reds fans do too.