The burden of the unknown was finally lifted when on Sunday the umpire said "play ball". For the past three weeks all the Reds could do, was practice and game plan. Rain had postponed their previous two games and it was looking like it might happen again. However, this time, the weather was on our side and perhaps started the Reds revival for the final stretch of the season.

Just like the Reds, who had lost their previous two games, Saverio Nardone was coming into the game cold. He hadn't started a game since May 31st and was facing off against the best team in the southern division, the NJ Bulldogs.

Nardone (1-1) allowed two runs and 6 hits while striking out two and walking five, but it was the way he was able to get himself out of trouble against the best offensive team that was impressive. Using his whole repritore of pitches he was able to get out of the first inning with only two unearned runs after an error in the outfield. Throughout the next four innings he recorded six pop ups, four ground outs, and two strikeouts.

It was Nardone's first win of the season and helped the Reds improve to 7-5 on the season and extend their lead over the Edison Cubs, Somerset Clippers, and Dunellen Pirates to two games.

Dylan Borden was first out of the bullpen and gave a good two innings of no run ball before falling into a little trouble in the 8th. After walking the first three batters the Bulldogs lead off hitter, Chris Fucci, came up to bat and singled home two runs. Manager, Chris Libertini quickly called upon Andrew Lewnes to get us out of jam. After a ground out to first, Dave Markow singled to center to give the Bulldogs the last run they would get.

Lewnes quickly got the next two outs to end the 8th as the Reds handed the ball to the league leader in saves, Chris Taggart for the ninth. Although the Bulldogs ended up getting the bases loaded, Taggart was able to close it down earning his 5th save of the season and preserving the 10-7 win.

HOW THE RUNS SCORED

Bulldogs first: Fucci singled to right. Amadeo singled to right, Perez to second baseman Lewnes, Fucci out. Markow popped out to center fielder Grishman. Brown reached on error by left fielder Libertini, Amadeo to third, Browns to second. Boles doubled to left, Amadeo and Brown score. Centanni grounded out, third baseman Taggart to first baseman Shain.

2 run, 2 hit, 2 errors, 1 left on.

Reds 0, Bulldogs 2.

Reds third: Perez lines out to first baseman. Grishman grounds out to first baseman. Libertini walks. Lewnes singled to center, Libertini to second. Taggart doubled to right/center gap, Libertini and Lewnes scores. Carlisi singled to right, Taggart to third. Carlisi advances to second on wild pitch. Shain reaches first on an error by the third baseman, Taggart and Carlisi score. Hernandez struck out.

4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on.

Reds 4, Bulldogs 2.

Reds fourth: Nardone walks. Francis sac bunt, out at first, Nardone to second. Perez reaches first on error by third baseman. Nardone to third, Perez to second on passed ball. Grishman struck out. Libertini singles to center, Nardone scores, Perez to third. Lewnes singles to center, Perez scores, Libertini to second. Taggart walks, Libertini to third, Lewnes to second. Carlisi singles to right, Libertini and Lewnes score, Taggart to third. Shain doubles, Taggart scores, Carlisi to third. Borden singles to right field, Carlisi scores, Shain to third. Nardone grounded out, pitcher to first baseman.

6 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 2 left on.

Reds 10, Bulldogs 2.

Bulldogs fourth: Rafanello walks. Rafanello steals second. Kronert grounded out, shorstop Lewnes to first baseman Shain. Simonye walks. Fucci singled to left, Rafanello scores, Simonye to second, out at second after Carlisi throws it to the shortstop Lewnes. Amadeo popped up to the shortstop Lewnes.

1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on.

Reds 10, Bulldogs 3.

Bulldogs fifth: Markow walks. Brown hit by pitch, Markow to second. Boles singled to left, Markow scores, Brown out trying to get home. Centanni popped up to first baseman Shain. Saunders grounded out, second Hester to first baseman Shain.

1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on.

Reds 10, Bulldogs 4.

Bulldogs eigth: Rafanello walks. Brian walks, Rafanello to second. Simonye walks, Rafanello to third, Brian to second. Fucci singles to center, Rafanello and Brian score, Fucci to second. Amadeo popped up to first baseman Shain. Markow singles to left, Simonye scores, Fucci to second. Brown popped up, center field Grishman, Fucci to third. Boles struck out.

3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on.

Reds 10, Bulldogs 7.