MOST DRAMATIC
1) 2011 - Beat the Brewers, 7-6. They were down 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 9th after a lackluster start from Edinson Volquez. At that point, the Reds had only a 4% chance of winning the game. Then:
- Phillips singled (8%)
- Votto walked (17%)
- Rolen reached on a fielder's choice, everyone safe (31%)
- Bruce K'd (19%)
- Gomes SF, Phillips scored (9%)
And finally, Ramon Hernandez hit a game-winning homer off of closer John Axford with 2 on and 2 out. It's pretty hard to top a play that adds 91% to your win expectancy.
2) 2005 - Beat the Mets, 7-6. Cincinnati trailed 6-4 entering the bottom of the 9th. Pedro Martinez and Paul Wilson both gave up 3 runs in 6 innings, and then Weathers and Mercker gave up 3 more to put the Reds in a hole. When the Reds came to bat for the final time, they had a 9% chance of victory. Then:
- Kearns singled (18%)
- Dunn homered to tie it (64%)
And finally, Joe Randa hit a game-winning solo homer off of closer Braden Looper.
3) 1975 - beat the Dodgers, 2-1. Cincinnati was tied with Los Angeles until the 14th inning. Both Don Gullett (9.2 IP) and Don Sutton (7) had allowed only 1 run. As a home team in the 9th and later, win probability is 63%. Here's what happened in the 14th against reliever Charlie Hough:
- Concepcion single (71%)
- Passed ball (81%)
- Geronimo walk
- Griffey sac bunt (84%)
- Chaney FC, Concepcion out at home (63%)
And finally, George Foster hit a 2-out single to score Geronimo.
Honorable mention:
1988 won 5-4 in 12 innings over St. Louis on Kal Daniels walkoff single with 2 outs (38% wWPA).
1943 won 1-0 in 11 innings over St. Louis. Johnny Vander Meer pitched the complete game shutout, Max Marshall knocked in Lonny Frey for the winning run. (31% wWPA)
2002 walkoff sac fly by Aaron Boone to beat Cubs 5-4
1945 won 7-6 in 11 innings over Pittsburgh on Dain Clay walkoff single
1990 won 8-4 in 11 innings at Houston to begin a championship season
1923 won 3-2 in 11 innings over St. Louis, Pete Donohue pitched a complete game
MOST DOMINATING
1914 - Beat the Cubs, 10-1. Rube Benton pitched a complete-game 2-hitter.
1961 - Beat the Cubs, 7-1. Complete game for Jim O'Toole, and the Reds pounded Glen Hobbie. Frank Robinson and Wally Post homered.
1980 - Beat the Braves, 9-0. Complete game, 3-hit shutout for Frank Pastore. George Foster was 3 for 5 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. The Reds chased Phil Niekro after 2 innings.
1984 - Beat the Mets, 8-1. Complete game for Mario Soto, 3 RBI for Eddie Milner. They knocked Mike Torrez out after 1.1 innings.
2012 - Beat the Marlins, 4-0. 7 shutout innings from Johnny Cueto, and the Reds did just enough against Mark Buehrle (2 runs) and Edward Mujica (2 more).
Thanks to baseball-reference.com, which I used as my primary resource, as usual.
