Cardinals at Reds recap: Cardinals let Alfredo Simon do everything, lose 4-2

Well that was an interesting game.

The Cardinals got on board early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning when Matt Holliday walked with two outs, Matt Adams doubled to right field, and then Oscar Taveras singled in Adams.  That would be all the scoring that the Cardinals would do on the night, however.

In the bottom of the first, John Lackey walked Chris Heisey and then allowed consecutive singles to Brayan Pena and Todd Frazier to cut the lead to one, and then in the second, allowed a Ryan Ludwick homerun to tie the game.

In the third inning, on a 3-1 count to the leadoff batter, Lackey was ejected by home plate umpire Tom Hallion for... something.  He was clearly unhappy with the strike zone and was probably too demonstrative in showing that, but VERY rarely do you see a starting pitcher ejected in the third inning for that.  Lackey wasn't particularly sharp prior to the ejection, but nevertheless, his day was done.

Tyler Lyons replaced him, and got out of the third inning fine, but allowed a run in the bottom of the fourth with opposing pitcher Alfredo Simon doubled to right, scoring Jay Bruce.  Another run would be charged to Lyons in the fifth when reliever Seth Maness came in and allowed a single to Brandon Phillips.

Not a whole lot happened the rest of the game and the Cardinals lost 4-2

Three Stars of the Game (by WPA)

1. Oscar Taveras (.059) - 1 for 3 with an RBI in the first inning
2. Jon Jay (.038) - 1 for 3
3. Carlos Martinez (.030) - 2.0 IP with 3 SO

Three ...not Stars of the Game (by WPA)

1. John Lackey (-.172) - 2 IP, 4H, 2BB, 2 ER before being ejected
2. Tyler Lyons (as a batter) (-.107). 0 for 1, bunting into a double play
3. Kolten Wong (-.100), 0 for 3 with a SO

Source: FanGraphs