I'm no Marlins fan, to be sure, but before we get on to celebrating this excellent Opening Day victory, I want to thank their organization for three things:
1) Being such good sports for taking an embarrassing stadium-opening loss to Kyle Lohse, then heading straight up to Cincinnati for an afternoon game against a much better pitcher.
2) Changing their name to Miami, so "Back to the Future 2" can look even more prescient. The only problem was they had Miami facing the Cubs in the World Series, so one team has to move to the AL.
3) Changing their colors to a combination that thugs and wannabes apparently find even more appealing than that of our Redlegs. For years, I've never been sure whether I might say "go Reds" to someone in a Cincinnati hat and have them shoot me. The new Miami hat is everywhere, so honestly, a heartfelt thanks.
Now for the men behind today's win in front of a GABP record crowd...
1) Johnny Cueto. 2011's ace looks like 2012's ace, and I think we'd all be cool with that. No runs, 3 hits in 7 innings. Four strikeouts, 2 walks. Nobody reached third base. Beautiful work.
2) Jay Bruce. Hopefully 2012's Bruce can sustain effectiveness at the plate and in the field after a little dropoff (mostly defensively) in 2011. He was great today - 2 RBIs, including the first of the game (a sacrifice fly) in the 1st, and a solo homer in the 8th to put the Reds up 3-0.
3) Aroldis Chapman. It's really frustrating that we need him in the bullpen this year, but if he's stuck there, let him keep dominating like he did today. With only a 2-run lead in the top of the 8th inning, he held the Marlins in check (striking out two).
4) Zack Cozart. Great to see our shortstop go 2 for 4 in his first regular season game since the unfortunate injury last season. I really feel like this could be our first solid all-around SS since the Larkin days.
1-0. First place. 161 games to go.
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