Cincinnati Reds take Down Milwaukee Brewers in Opening Day Showdown
March 31, 2011 | Sports
Opening day in Cincinnati brings more than just a win for the Reds.
This Opening Day feels different from those of recent past. For years, the offseason felt impossibly long. When the previous season is effectively over by August, the winter months are that much colder. Opening Day has meant a new beginning, a fresh start, the chance to finally rinse the stale, festering taste of defeat from our mouths.
Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in an opening-day flashback to their NL Central title season.
The Brewers became the first team in 42 years to open the season with back-to-back homers when Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez connected off Edinson Volquez. Ryan Braun also had a solo shot, helping Milwaukee take a 6-3 lead to the ninth.
That’s when the Reds reverted to their winning ways of 2010. Their first six wins last season came in their final at-bat, tying the major league record. Hernandez connected off closer John Axford (0-1).
The Reds trailed 6-3 when Axford – who set a Milwaukee rookie record with 24 saves last season – let it get away. Cincinnati loaded the bases with none out, but Axford fanned Jay Bruce and got Jonny Gomes to hit a sacrifice fly to deep center.
Hernandez hit an opposite-field homer into the Brewers’ bullpen, setting off another hopping home-plate celebration like so many last season. The Reds tied for second-most wins in their final at-bat while taking the NL Central title.
The Brewers have designs on overtaking the NL Central champions after changing managers – Ron Roenicke took over for Ken Macha – and adding Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to their rotation. One game in, they’re one game behind.
The 41-degree first pitch made for the second-coldest opener in Great American Ball Park’s nine-year history, prompting the 42,398 fans to bundle in coats and blankets. Volquez warmed up wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.
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This article was written by: Steve Kramer
