Welcome aboard, Joe
Newcomer Randa delivers Reds victory on Opening Day
By Marc Lancaster
Post staff reporter
The cheers for Austin Kearns' excuse-me, opposite-field single never had a chance to fade as the fans rose to their feet to cheer with Adam Dunn striding to the plate.
The big Texan had already done it once Monday, providing the only gasp of life the Reds could muster against Pedro Martinez with a three-run blast in the first inning. Surely, he could do it again against Mets closer Braden Looper, down two in the ninth. When he did it again, tying the score with another shot to right, Great American Ball Park exploded.
There was a chance now. The Reds could actually win on Opening Day for only the second time in eight years. But what would this new guy, Joe Randa, do?
He would take his time. A called strike, then a swinging strike, then a foul ball. Then three balls to run the count full and another foul. A professional at-bat, as they say. Finally, on the eighth pitch he saw from Looper, Randa reached out and pulled one just over the wall in left-center for the first walk-off home run in Reds' Opening Day history.
Reds win, 7-6. Cincinnati, meet your new third baseman.
Welcome aboard, Joe
Newcomer Randa delivers Reds victory on Opening Day
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs....504050317/1027