Reds 8 Braves 7

Major League Baseball
Home Team: Cincinnati Reds (B. Livingston)
Visiting Team: Atlanta Braves (J. Reyes)
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Game Time: 7:05 p.m.
Fellow Attendees: Brandi, Amy, Doug, Miranda

Game Story | Official Box Score | My Photos

Going to this game was an unexpected surprise. My friend Amy won the tickets, and she and her husband Doug invited Brandi and I to go along. They also brought their nine-month old daughter Miranda to her first big-league ballgame. I normally don't really like babies, but she was really good the whole time, so that was cool.

The seats we had were really good, pretty much right behind third base, 25 or so rows up. The game went back and forth--Atlanta jumped out early, then the Reds came back and went ahead, then the Braves did the same, then the Reds tied and finally went ahead for good. It was a great game, and pretty much everybody in the Reds lineup did something, which was awesome.

At this point, I have an announcement to make. I've been passively seeking a new favorite player since Barry Larkin retired, and I believe I've finally found him. Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (whom I frequently refer to as "Beef") is an absolute joy to watch. On this night, he went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI, including the game winner. Every game, it seems, he does something that's worth seeing. I don't know his contract details or anything, but I really hope the Reds lock him up for the long haul.