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Hamilton's throw from outfield sets Cincinnati up for 1-0 win over Indians
Gonzalez gets game-winning single in bottom of 12th; Reds gain first extra-innings shutout victory at home in 35 years.
Monday, June 11, 2007
CINCINNATI — Despite the exquisite starting pitching, the bases-loaded strikeout and the well-executed small-ball, the lasting memory from Sunday's dazzling professional baseball game will probably be a throw from the outfield.
It was Josh Hamilton, playing in center field, who snuck up on a Franklin Gutierrez fly ball in the top of the 12th inning and one-bounced a highly anticipated throw to the plate for a double play that set up the Cincinnati Reds' 1-0 victory against Cleveland at Great American Ball Park.
Extras
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez got the game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th that scored Chad Moeller with two outs, but Hamilton's throw was the jaw-dropper that helped the Reds win the inter-Ohio series 2-1 and gain their first extra-innings shutout victory at home in 35 years.
"I wasn't worried," said Marcus McBeth, the Reds rookie reliever who watched Jason Michaels, the Indians pinch runner, charge after tagging from third base and slide into a close out on Hamilton's throw to catcher David Ross to keep the game scoreless. "I knew it was the right man in the right spot."
Aaron Harang and C.C. Sabathia, the two starters, were equally brilliant. Harang left after seven innings, during which he allowed three hits and threw 116 pitches. Sabathia, who entered with a 9-1 record, threw 112 pitches
in nine innings while giving up just three hits.
Responsibility then shifted to the bullpens. Mike Stanton pitched the eighth for the Reds and loaded the bases before striking out Indians first baseman Ryan Garko. David Weathers, Gary Majewski, Jon Coutlangus and McBeth (who earned his first career victory) combined for four innings of one-hit relief to set up Gonzalez's game-winning hit.
"Everybody talks about our bullpen," Reds manager Jerry Narron said of the much-maligned group, "but they gave us a chance."
With Hamilton's help.
"I was kind of cheating a little bit," said Hamilton, who mimicked the accepted method for catching and throwing (facing the ball) before demonstrating his method (coming at the ball sideways to gain momentum for the throw). "That was a win we needed."
