Game Date:        May 16, 2004
Leagues:          Rookie
Reds 15    Cardinals 10

Description:

What should have been a dramatic battle between two of the leading rookie teams turned anti-climactic when the Cardinals were forced to forfeit to the Reds on Sunday.  After rain postponed the game on Saturday, the re-scheduled time caused some problems for the Cardinals, who were only able to bring five players to the field, forcing the forfeit.  The two teams went ahead and played a two-inning game, anyway, with the Reds "loaning" four outfielders to the Cardinals when the Cards were in on defense.

Both teams deserve a lot of credit, as everyone played with a lot of spirit.  With both teams hitting and running well, the two squads plated 13 runs in the first inning, with the Reds staking out an 7-6 lead.  The difference in the game came in the second inning, as the Reds exploded for eight runs to push the margin to nine at 15-6.  Joey Rice's second double of the game wrapped up the Reds scoring, driving in two runs.

The Reds followed their offensive explosion with one of their best defensive innings of the year, forcing three outs and holding the Cardinals to just four runs in the bottom-half of the second inning.  T.C. Falkner was a monster at first base, forcing two unassisted outs, and Kyle Brady forced a runner at third for the Reds.

The win was a big boost for the Reds, but the loss wasn't catastrophic for the Cards.  The game left the teams with identical 3-2 marks, and both the Reds and the Cardinals are firmly in contention for the regular-season title as the Rookie division season moves into its second half.