The Reds returned to their light-hitting ways in a 3-0 loss to Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs Tuesday night.
Thanks to the great Cox Cable I missed from the third to the eighth innings, but it didn't look like I missed much. Aaron Harang was okayish, but shakier than usual, and disappointingly gave up a two-out single to Ronny Cedeno to score the Cubs' second and third runs.
The way Zambrano was dealing, that hit pretty much finished the Reds. They did put two on in the sixth on a hit and error, as well as a man in the ninth (Votto's genius bunt single) but it didn't amount to anything but another bad, boring loss for the Reds.
Sometimes aces are just 'on', and maybe tonight was that night for the Reds.
Cincinnati and Chicago end the series, and the homestand tomorrow afternoon at GABP. The Reds throw Edinson Volquez, while Jon Lieber gets the ball for the Cubs. Game time is 12:35 Eastern, 9:35 in Padreland. Peace.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Game 33: Reds 5, Cubs 3
Francisco Cordero made it more interesting than it should have been, but the Reds (13-20) held on to end their five-game losing streak Monday, downing the Cubs (18-14), 5-3.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20080505&content_id=2645804&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home
Adam Dunn had a colossal homer to put Cincinnati up 5-1, and Johnny Cueto and the bullpen were able to hold on. Cordero, though, allowed four runners to reach and had to face Derrek Lee with two out before finally getting him to ground out unassisted to first baseman Joey Votto on a play that ended up way closer than it looked like it would be.
Cueto looked good for the first time in a while, enduring a shaky fifth where he gave up two runs and the Cubs were just scorching the ball. He probably could have stood to be lifted after that frame, but Dusty sent him out for the sixth. It was perhaps a necessary move considering how many innings the bullpen had thrown in the last two games in Atlanta.
Mike Lincoln threw a sparkling seventh, and then came another decision I didn't particularly agree with: throwing David Weathers in the setup role in his first game off the disabled list. Again, this may have been a need-based move rather than what he would have preferred to do; the bullpen threw a ton in Atlanta. Weathers proved me wrong, though, getting a huge strikeout
on Mark DeRosa to end the eighth.
With two hits yesterday and a titanic blast today, maybe Donkey is heating up... will be worth watching the next two games of the series.
PLAYER MOVE
David Weathers back off the DL, Bill Bray back to the Bats. Not a move I'm crazy about, but the Reds have to have a long man and Weathers has been too good the last two years to not earn another shot in the bigs. People calling for him getting released are doing so way prematurely. This guy was pretty much the team MVP last season.
CONDOLENCES
To Ken Griffey Jr., who had his best friend pass from cancer at the age of thirty-eight. He nearly had a dinger tonight, too, but Felix Pie robbed him over the fence in a true webgem.
COMING UP
How refreshing it was to jump out to an early lead (3-0 after one, 5-1 after three) and hold on and actually win a game. Now let's show it wasn't a fluke tomorrow night. Should be a good old good one, as it's a battle of the aces: Aaron Harang for the Reds, and Carlos Zambrano for Chicago. Game time is 7:10, 4:10 here in Padreland. Peace.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20080505&content_id=2645804&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home
Adam Dunn had a colossal homer to put Cincinnati up 5-1, and Johnny Cueto and the bullpen were able to hold on. Cordero, though, allowed four runners to reach and had to face Derrek Lee with two out before finally getting him to ground out unassisted to first baseman Joey Votto on a play that ended up way closer than it looked like it would be.
Cueto looked good for the first time in a while, enduring a shaky fifth where he gave up two runs and the Cubs were just scorching the ball. He probably could have stood to be lifted after that frame, but Dusty sent him out for the sixth. It was perhaps a necessary move considering how many innings the bullpen had thrown in the last two games in Atlanta.
Mike Lincoln threw a sparkling seventh, and then came another decision I didn't particularly agree with: throwing David Weathers in the setup role in his first game off the disabled list. Again, this may have been a need-based move rather than what he would have preferred to do; the bullpen threw a ton in Atlanta. Weathers proved me wrong, though, getting a huge strikeout
on Mark DeRosa to end the eighth.
With two hits yesterday and a titanic blast today, maybe Donkey is heating up... will be worth watching the next two games of the series.
PLAYER MOVE
David Weathers back off the DL, Bill Bray back to the Bats. Not a move I'm crazy about, but the Reds have to have a long man and Weathers has been too good the last two years to not earn another shot in the bigs. People calling for him getting released are doing so way prematurely. This guy was pretty much the team MVP last season.
CONDOLENCES
To Ken Griffey Jr., who had his best friend pass from cancer at the age of thirty-eight. He nearly had a dinger tonight, too, but Felix Pie robbed him over the fence in a true webgem.
COMING UP
How refreshing it was to jump out to an early lead (3-0 after one, 5-1 after three) and hold on and actually win a game. Now let's show it wasn't a fluke tomorrow night. Should be a good old good one, as it's a battle of the aces: Aaron Harang for the Reds, and Carlos Zambrano for Chicago. Game time is 7:10, 4:10 here in Padreland. Peace.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Game 32: Braves 14, Reds 7
The Reds lost their fifth in a row as the Braves completed the sweep Sunday afternoon at Turner Field. With the loss the Reds are now 12-20, headed back home for a brief three-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs. After that it's on to New York to meet the Mets. Right now these games feel almost like late August, like the season's already lost. This team was 6-4 at one point and now they've lost 16 of 21, and that's with a three-game winning streak in the middle of that stretch. Now even the previously-somewhat-acceptable bullpen looks to be falling back to earth. I'm afraid what intrigue will exist for this team as the rest of the 2008 season unfolds will be more a result of off-field decisions than it will on-field play.
Reds management has to decide on what to do with Dunn and Griffey, first and foremost. The way both are going right now they wouldn't be good trade bait anyway. Griffey, as a 10-5 player, has the right to refuse any trade. Dunn has a no-trade clause in his contract that would have to be waived if he is to be traded before June 15, and then can name ten teams he doesn't want to be traded to. If they trade both guys, obviously the haul they get will go a long way in determining the future of the team. It just comes down to how close management thinks this team is to competing. Castellini seems to think it's ready now, but the results on the field would suggest otherwise.
There are, however, 130 games left in the 2008 season, plenty of time to make up some ground. The Reds and Cubs kick off their three-game set tomorrow night at Great American. Johnny Cueto starts for the Reds and his performance will be even more interesting than usual, given that Reds brass brought mentor Mario Soto on the road trip to work with him. His last few starts have gotten off track, so we'll see how he does against the Cubbies. For Chicago Ryan Dempster gets the ball. He started the 4/15 game against the Reds in Chicago, earning the victory and going six innings and allowing four runs, five hits and five walks. That game was during the "Reds get runners on but can't drive them in" time period, rather than the "Reds never score any runs or get any baserunners" funk we're in now. The results against Glavine on Sunday were fairly encouraging, though, so you never know. Maybe they'll get hot and win a few.
Game time is 7:10 Eastern, 4:10 here in Padreland. Peace!
Reds management has to decide on what to do with Dunn and Griffey, first and foremost. The way both are going right now they wouldn't be good trade bait anyway. Griffey, as a 10-5 player, has the right to refuse any trade. Dunn has a no-trade clause in his contract that would have to be waived if he is to be traded before June 15, and then can name ten teams he doesn't want to be traded to. If they trade both guys, obviously the haul they get will go a long way in determining the future of the team. It just comes down to how close management thinks this team is to competing. Castellini seems to think it's ready now, but the results on the field would suggest otherwise.
There are, however, 130 games left in the 2008 season, plenty of time to make up some ground. The Reds and Cubs kick off their three-game set tomorrow night at Great American. Johnny Cueto starts for the Reds and his performance will be even more interesting than usual, given that Reds brass brought mentor Mario Soto on the road trip to work with him. His last few starts have gotten off track, so we'll see how he does against the Cubbies. For Chicago Ryan Dempster gets the ball. He started the 4/15 game against the Reds in Chicago, earning the victory and going six innings and allowing four runs, five hits and five walks. That game was during the "Reds get runners on but can't drive them in" time period, rather than the "Reds never score any runs or get any baserunners" funk we're in now. The results against Glavine on Sunday were fairly encouraging, though, so you never know. Maybe they'll get hot and win a few.
Game time is 7:10 Eastern, 4:10 here in Padreland. Peace!
LIVE BLOG???
1:22
Atlanta has two on with one out and I'm tired of the live blog thing, so if anyone is reading this I'm sorry. I'll have the usual postgame post after things are wrapped up in Atlanta.
1:08
Cincinnati puts two on in the bottom of the seventh against Braves reliever Will Ohman, but Ohman recovers to get Keppinger to ground out to end the inning. Mid-seventh, Braves 13, Reds 7.
1:00
Atlanta winds up with two on in the sixth but only gets one. After six, Braves 13, Reds 7.
12:53
Run scores on Kelly Johnson's drive over Ryan Freel's head. He doesn't seem to get good jumps and he just isn't tall enough, which is probably why he always gets hurt trying to make circus catches. Even with a 25-game suspension this team would be so much better with Mike Cameron in center, it's ridiculous.
12:53
Sloppy, slow game today. Leadoff grounder to third is thrown away by EdE to put a man on.
12:52
Kent Mercker on the hill for the Reds in the bottom of the sixth.
12:49
Griffey flies out to center. Mid-6th, Braves 12, Reds 7.
12:47
On the strength of a Keppinger single and Freel double the Reds get a run back in the sixth. 12-7 Braves lead with two out and man on second.
12:38
Bray gets the third out as Prado grounds to third and Encarnacion takes it to the bag unassisted. Mercifully, that's the inning. After five, Braves 12, Reds 6.
12:37
Bray strikes out Francoeur, and gets Gregor Blanco to ground out, first to home. Two down, bases still loaded.
12:36
McCann crushes it to right-center, Griffey goes to the wall and can't get it. A run scores and it's 12-6, still bases loaded and still no one out. For the second straight game, the Reds bullpen has the Inning from Hell, and this one isn't over yet.
12:35
Bray walks Teixeira to load the bases. Don't like this one bit...
12:31
Jones singles to left and it's 11-6, two on, none out. Looks like a sweep from here.
12:27
Josh Fogg is done. Mark Kotsay walked, and the bases are loaded with none out. Sir William of House Bray is coming on to pitch.
12:25
Kelly Johnson doubled to right-center, scoring Prado. Atlanta leads 9-6. So much for the comeback, with two on and none out they may not be done.
12:23
After a Martin Prado infield single Brayan Pena singled to right, and the Braves have something cooking in the fifth. First and third, none out.
12:17
In what was possibly the most predictable development ever, Adam Dunn swings at the first pitch from Royce Ring and pops it to shallow left. Way to be patient there.
Mid-fifth, Braves 8, Reds 6.
12:14
EdE walks, and that will bring Bobby Cox out of the dugout. Bases loaded, two out for Dunn, and we have a pitching change. Glavine will not be eligible for the win.
12:12
Votto walks and the goahead run is at the plate in EdE.
12:10
Phillips grounds back to the mound for the second out. Griffey to second for Votto.
12:09
Griffey grounds to first, throw to second erases Freel but the relay throw is wild.. Fogg scores, Griffey on first with one out, and it's 8-6.
Disappointing to see Junior not get better contact there, he got ahead in the count 3-1 and fouled what likely was ball four at the plate to fill the count.
12:06
Freel walks, 2 on, none out, and the Reds are knocking on the door again.. Griffey is up.
12:04
Little baseknock to right from Fogg! He's grinning the whole way up the line. Nice to see someone that's struggled this year have a little fun.
12:01
Atlanta gets a one-out double from Brian McCann but Fogg pitches out of it; after four, Braves 8, Reds 5.
11:52
Bako GIDP and that's the inning, but the Reds get four runs. Last time the Reds scored that many was... a week ago in SF, I believe. Before that, I'm not sure. Will have to look. Nice to see the offense break out!
Just looked, they also had a four-run inning the Tuesday game against LA, Game 21.
Mid-fourth, Braves 8, Reds 5.
11:51
Keppinger rips a single to left and it's 8-5... comeback???
11:49
Dunn doubles to right center plating Votto and EdE.. and it's an eight to FOUR ballgame...
11:44
Votto rips a single to center scoring Phillips, who doubled to left. Reds down 8-2.
Phillips seems to be *maybe* heating up a bit.. I hate to say it, because I said it about Dunn a few weeks back and couldn't have been more wrong. I'll say it anyway.
11:41
Ken Griffey Jr. is maddening to watch hit every day when he's going like this, particularly against lefthanded pitchers. Never before have I seen a hitter completely incapable of hitting the exact same pitch, again and again and again. He is completely powerless against a fastball nipping the outside corner. Can't reach it, can't take it because it's a called strike.. it is the ultimate pitch for getting him out.
11:38
Larry Jones flies out to left; after three, Braves 8, Reds 1.
11:36
I've ragged on Josh Fogg quite a bit, but I have to give him some credit: he made a two-strike pitch to Kelly Johnson that tailed back in to get the inside corner that was just a thing of beauty.
Just as I'm typing that Mark Kotsay hits a little infield nubber that Keppinger can't corral at short. Run scores, 8-1.
11:33
Gregor Blanco reached on a bunt, and Fogg walked Martin Prado. Two on, none out for Glavine. This is going to get worse before it gets better, I'm afraid.
11:27
Mmm.... peppered salame sandwich.
Mid-3rd, Braves 7, Reds 1.
11:22
Being completely honest here: I was going to go to LA for the Monday game, then go to 3 of the four games here in San Diego from May 22-25. Earlier this week LA was out for a variety of reasons. Friday I started thinking maybe I would only go to 2 games here. At this point I'm not sure I want to see any of them; they're playing that bad. I was going to buy the most expensive seats, too, kind of treat myself.. but at this point, why?
Paul Bako just homered, it's 7-1.
11:20
Jeff Francoeur flies out to center and mercifully the inning is over.
After two, Braves 7, Reds 0.
11:18
Brian McCann grounds to Votto and he throws it about five feet over the covering Fogg's head at first for an error. I played on Little League teams that went 2-18 that played better than this.
11:17
Popout to left and there's two outs. One pitch, one out for the Foggman. You know, Dusty et. al were right.. Larry's homer killed that rally. He should have just gotten a base hit and there'd still be runners on.
11:16
MEET ME IN DA MALL.. IT'S GOIN DOWN
11:14
Larry Jones just crushed a hanger into the right field seats, and it is 7 to nothing.
It's sunny in most of metro Atlanta, but over Turner Field there's rumors of Fogg rolling in...
11:12
Base hit to left and it's 4-0, first and third.
Westside walk it out! Southside walk it out! Eastside walk it out! Northside walk it out!
11:11
There is ACTION IN THE REDS BULLPEN. C YOU THERE!!!!!
We are officially watching rap videos on teh Youtubes while this game is on.
11:09
This isn't really meant to be an entry updating everything that happens in the game, but Kelly Johnson's double to right puts men on second and third. So much for Bronson's swimming turning him into Cy Young.
11:08
Sac fly makes it 2-0 AND HOLY CRAP GLAVINE SINGLES TO MAKE IT 3-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no words.
11:03 AM
So Atlanta gets two on with none out in bottom 2nd, Gregor Blanco hits a sinking liner to center, Freel tries to DIVE FACE FIRST to nab it, which might work one time out of 100, and it smokes him in the forearm he throws up to protect his face, rolls away, a run scores, Blanco ends up on second. Second and third, still none out, a run in. If he just plays it like a normal human it bounces once, maybe a run scores and maybe it doesn't, and worst-case you have first and third instead of second and third. Awful.
After mid 2nd
Number of runs scored in 20 innings in Atlanta so far: 1
Number of runners thrown out on the bases in the first two innings so far Sunday: 2
Terrible. Just terrible.
Atlanta has two on with one out and I'm tired of the live blog thing, so if anyone is reading this I'm sorry. I'll have the usual postgame post after things are wrapped up in Atlanta.
1:08
Cincinnati puts two on in the bottom of the seventh against Braves reliever Will Ohman, but Ohman recovers to get Keppinger to ground out to end the inning. Mid-seventh, Braves 13, Reds 7.
1:00
Atlanta winds up with two on in the sixth but only gets one. After six, Braves 13, Reds 7.
12:53
Run scores on Kelly Johnson's drive over Ryan Freel's head. He doesn't seem to get good jumps and he just isn't tall enough, which is probably why he always gets hurt trying to make circus catches. Even with a 25-game suspension this team would be so much better with Mike Cameron in center, it's ridiculous.
12:53
Sloppy, slow game today. Leadoff grounder to third is thrown away by EdE to put a man on.
12:52
Kent Mercker on the hill for the Reds in the bottom of the sixth.
12:49
Griffey flies out to center. Mid-6th, Braves 12, Reds 7.
12:47
On the strength of a Keppinger single and Freel double the Reds get a run back in the sixth. 12-7 Braves lead with two out and man on second.
12:38
Bray gets the third out as Prado grounds to third and Encarnacion takes it to the bag unassisted. Mercifully, that's the inning. After five, Braves 12, Reds 6.
12:37
Bray strikes out Francoeur, and gets Gregor Blanco to ground out, first to home. Two down, bases still loaded.
12:36
McCann crushes it to right-center, Griffey goes to the wall and can't get it. A run scores and it's 12-6, still bases loaded and still no one out. For the second straight game, the Reds bullpen has the Inning from Hell, and this one isn't over yet.
12:35
Bray walks Teixeira to load the bases. Don't like this one bit...
12:31
Jones singles to left and it's 11-6, two on, none out. Looks like a sweep from here.
12:27
Josh Fogg is done. Mark Kotsay walked, and the bases are loaded with none out. Sir William of House Bray is coming on to pitch.
12:25
Kelly Johnson doubled to right-center, scoring Prado. Atlanta leads 9-6. So much for the comeback, with two on and none out they may not be done.
12:23
After a Martin Prado infield single Brayan Pena singled to right, and the Braves have something cooking in the fifth. First and third, none out.
12:17
In what was possibly the most predictable development ever, Adam Dunn swings at the first pitch from Royce Ring and pops it to shallow left. Way to be patient there.
Mid-fifth, Braves 8, Reds 6.
12:14
EdE walks, and that will bring Bobby Cox out of the dugout. Bases loaded, two out for Dunn, and we have a pitching change. Glavine will not be eligible for the win.
12:12
Votto walks and the goahead run is at the plate in EdE.
12:10
Phillips grounds back to the mound for the second out. Griffey to second for Votto.
12:09
Griffey grounds to first, throw to second erases Freel but the relay throw is wild.. Fogg scores, Griffey on first with one out, and it's 8-6.
Disappointing to see Junior not get better contact there, he got ahead in the count 3-1 and fouled what likely was ball four at the plate to fill the count.
12:06
Freel walks, 2 on, none out, and the Reds are knocking on the door again.. Griffey is up.
12:04
Little baseknock to right from Fogg! He's grinning the whole way up the line. Nice to see someone that's struggled this year have a little fun.
12:01
Atlanta gets a one-out double from Brian McCann but Fogg pitches out of it; after four, Braves 8, Reds 5.
11:52
Bako GIDP and that's the inning, but the Reds get four runs. Last time the Reds scored that many was... a week ago in SF, I believe. Before that, I'm not sure. Will have to look. Nice to see the offense break out!
Just looked, they also had a four-run inning the Tuesday game against LA, Game 21.
Mid-fourth, Braves 8, Reds 5.
11:51
Keppinger rips a single to left and it's 8-5... comeback???
11:49
Dunn doubles to right center plating Votto and EdE.. and it's an eight to FOUR ballgame...
11:44
Votto rips a single to center scoring Phillips, who doubled to left. Reds down 8-2.
Phillips seems to be *maybe* heating up a bit.. I hate to say it, because I said it about Dunn a few weeks back and couldn't have been more wrong. I'll say it anyway.
11:41
Ken Griffey Jr. is maddening to watch hit every day when he's going like this, particularly against lefthanded pitchers. Never before have I seen a hitter completely incapable of hitting the exact same pitch, again and again and again. He is completely powerless against a fastball nipping the outside corner. Can't reach it, can't take it because it's a called strike.. it is the ultimate pitch for getting him out.
11:38
Larry Jones flies out to left; after three, Braves 8, Reds 1.
11:36
I've ragged on Josh Fogg quite a bit, but I have to give him some credit: he made a two-strike pitch to Kelly Johnson that tailed back in to get the inside corner that was just a thing of beauty.
Just as I'm typing that Mark Kotsay hits a little infield nubber that Keppinger can't corral at short. Run scores, 8-1.
11:33
Gregor Blanco reached on a bunt, and Fogg walked Martin Prado. Two on, none out for Glavine. This is going to get worse before it gets better, I'm afraid.
11:27
Mmm.... peppered salame sandwich.
Mid-3rd, Braves 7, Reds 1.
11:22
Being completely honest here: I was going to go to LA for the Monday game, then go to 3 of the four games here in San Diego from May 22-25. Earlier this week LA was out for a variety of reasons. Friday I started thinking maybe I would only go to 2 games here. At this point I'm not sure I want to see any of them; they're playing that bad. I was going to buy the most expensive seats, too, kind of treat myself.. but at this point, why?
Paul Bako just homered, it's 7-1.
11:20
Jeff Francoeur flies out to center and mercifully the inning is over.
After two, Braves 7, Reds 0.
11:18
Brian McCann grounds to Votto and he throws it about five feet over the covering Fogg's head at first for an error. I played on Little League teams that went 2-18 that played better than this.
11:17
Popout to left and there's two outs. One pitch, one out for the Foggman. You know, Dusty et. al were right.. Larry's homer killed that rally. He should have just gotten a base hit and there'd still be runners on.
11:16
MEET ME IN DA MALL.. IT'S GOIN DOWN
11:14
Larry Jones just crushed a hanger into the right field seats, and it is 7 to nothing.
It's sunny in most of metro Atlanta, but over Turner Field there's rumors of Fogg rolling in...
11:12
Base hit to left and it's 4-0, first and third.
Westside walk it out! Southside walk it out! Eastside walk it out! Northside walk it out!
11:11
There is ACTION IN THE REDS BULLPEN. C YOU THERE!!!!!
We are officially watching rap videos on teh Youtubes while this game is on.
11:09
This isn't really meant to be an entry updating everything that happens in the game, but Kelly Johnson's double to right puts men on second and third. So much for Bronson's swimming turning him into Cy Young.
11:08
Sac fly makes it 2-0 AND HOLY CRAP GLAVINE SINGLES TO MAKE IT 3-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no words.
11:03 AM
So Atlanta gets two on with none out in bottom 2nd, Gregor Blanco hits a sinking liner to center, Freel tries to DIVE FACE FIRST to nab it, which might work one time out of 100, and it smokes him in the forearm he throws up to protect his face, rolls away, a run scores, Blanco ends up on second. Second and third, still none out, a run in. If he just plays it like a normal human it bounces once, maybe a run scores and maybe it doesn't, and worst-case you have first and third instead of second and third. Awful.
After mid 2nd
Number of runs scored in 20 innings in Atlanta so far: 1
Number of runners thrown out on the bases in the first two innings so far Sunday: 2
Terrible. Just terrible.
Game 31: Braves 9, Reds 1
The "lefthander with a pulse" rule reared its ugly head once again as the Reds were spellbound by Jo-Jo Reyes and the Atlanta bullpen Saturday night.
The Reds managed just four hits against Reyes, who struggled in his big league debut last year to the tune of a 6.22 ERA in ten starts, and went hitless against five Braves relievers, losing 9-1.
The game was close through six, with Atlanta holding just a 2-1 lead after six innings. The Reds blew an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the sixth as Adam Dunn struck out to end the frame with the go-ahead run on second. The tight game, however, fell apart in the seventh as the Reds bullpen imploded, allowing six runs and blowing the game open. Mike Lincoln allowed two to reach and Jeremy Affeldt let them score, getting no outs as he allowed a single, bases-loaded walk to Mark Teixeria (when he got ahead 0-2, no less) and a double before exiting. Jared Burton was similarly ineffective relieving Affeldt, allowing an RBI single, double and sacrifice fly before finally ending the inning.
Francisco Cordero allowed a run in the eighth to close out the scoring.
Offensively the Reds now have one run and seven hits in two games and 18 innings of play so far in Atlanta. The loss is the fourth in a row for the Reds, who conclude the series today at 1:35. Bronson Arroyo goes against Tom Glavine (LEFTHANDER ALERT, although lately it really hasn't mattered who the Reds have faced, they aren't scoring).
On the positive side for the Reds, Jeff Keppinger made a couple of nice defensive stops from short, and Matt Belisle pitched well. Paul Daugherty calls out Belisle in a column today in the Enquirer, saying he should be sent down in favor of Homer Bailey if things are still bad in 40 games, but Belisle pitched well enough to win tonight. If the offense can't score more than one or two runs per game it really doesn't matter who starts the game and gets the hard-luck loss every night. The Reds were already burned once by the "let Homer take his lumps in the majors since we're out of it" theory. Best not try it again.
By the way, there are so many things wrong with that Daugherty column it's ridiculous, but this passage stuck out to me...
"There is no way on earth the St. Louis Cardinals have better players than the Reds. Yet after Friday's games, the Redbirds led the division, and Cincinnati, by seven games. Tony La Russa is a tough-minded manager who has imposed his will on his team. Baker should do the same."
Imposed his will? What does that even mean? How are any of the problems with this team the result of Dusty not imposing his will? Look, the middle of the order isn't hitting at all. Hasn't all year. That is the problem. The pitching has been mostly fine. Edwin and Votto are doing what they're supposed to do. Keppinger has been Keppinger. They've gotten more offensively out of the catcher's spot than they probably ever thought they'd get. Dunn and Griffey have been zeroes in the lineup. CF has been a zero in the lineup. Brandon Phillips hasn't performed up to expectations. Add in the pitcher and the Reds have gotten nothing from five out of nine lineup spots. That is the problem.
I don't care who is managing this team, if you take any team in the league and eliminate the three biggest "sure things" in the lineup coming into the year, they're going to struggle. The Cardinals are 19-12 because Pujols has been killing it like always, much of their starting pitching (Piniero, Lohse, Wainwright, Looper) has been excellent, Rick Ankiel has been performing, Skip Schumaker has been making things happen... everyone on that team that they were depending on to carry them has performed at expected levels or better. A lot of that is luck... who thought Kyle Lohse would have a great year? He has so far. Who had even heard of Skip Schumaker coming into the season?
When it's LaRussa all success can be credited to the skipper. Give me a break. I know the Reds have been seeing the Cardinals just dominate them and the division this entire decade, but people need to start looking at the things that ail the Reds on their own, not look at the Cardinals as some kind of distorted reflection of what they could be if only they had the genius of LaRussa, or the best fans, or whatever. The Cardinals are better because they have more money, use the money they do have in more intelligent ways, and have better players. LaRussa doesn't "will" the team to hit. He may or may not be a better tactical manager than Dusty Baker, but players aren't trying harder for St. Louis because LaRussa isn't a "player's manager."
If Dunn, Phillips and Griffey were hitting, the point would be moot. As it is, they just can't score runs. Lineup adjustments need to be made, but the combined genius of Sparky Anderson, Earl Weaver, John McGraw and Casey Stengel couldn't win a pennant with a lineup with five-ninths of the order not performing.
Lost in the Cardinals love is the fact that in 2006 the Cards won just 83 games and barely won a poor division but got hot in the playoffs, and struggled all year last year and didn't even make it to the postseason. 2005 was the last time the Cardinals were dominant, and it remains to be seen whether they can keep the pace up in 2008. They're certainly better than the Reds in recent history, but save the Cardinals lovefest. It gets really tiresome. They have better players, period. They aren't winning because they "want it more" or "do things the right way."
The Reds managed just four hits against Reyes, who struggled in his big league debut last year to the tune of a 6.22 ERA in ten starts, and went hitless against five Braves relievers, losing 9-1.
The game was close through six, with Atlanta holding just a 2-1 lead after six innings. The Reds blew an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the sixth as Adam Dunn struck out to end the frame with the go-ahead run on second. The tight game, however, fell apart in the seventh as the Reds bullpen imploded, allowing six runs and blowing the game open. Mike Lincoln allowed two to reach and Jeremy Affeldt let them score, getting no outs as he allowed a single, bases-loaded walk to Mark Teixeria (when he got ahead 0-2, no less) and a double before exiting. Jared Burton was similarly ineffective relieving Affeldt, allowing an RBI single, double and sacrifice fly before finally ending the inning.
Francisco Cordero allowed a run in the eighth to close out the scoring.
Offensively the Reds now have one run and seven hits in two games and 18 innings of play so far in Atlanta. The loss is the fourth in a row for the Reds, who conclude the series today at 1:35. Bronson Arroyo goes against Tom Glavine (LEFTHANDER ALERT, although lately it really hasn't mattered who the Reds have faced, they aren't scoring).
On the positive side for the Reds, Jeff Keppinger made a couple of nice defensive stops from short, and Matt Belisle pitched well. Paul Daugherty calls out Belisle in a column today in the Enquirer, saying he should be sent down in favor of Homer Bailey if things are still bad in 40 games, but Belisle pitched well enough to win tonight. If the offense can't score more than one or two runs per game it really doesn't matter who starts the game and gets the hard-luck loss every night. The Reds were already burned once by the "let Homer take his lumps in the majors since we're out of it" theory. Best not try it again.
By the way, there are so many things wrong with that Daugherty column it's ridiculous, but this passage stuck out to me...
"There is no way on earth the St. Louis Cardinals have better players than the Reds. Yet after Friday's games, the Redbirds led the division, and Cincinnati, by seven games. Tony La Russa is a tough-minded manager who has imposed his will on his team. Baker should do the same."
Imposed his will? What does that even mean? How are any of the problems with this team the result of Dusty not imposing his will? Look, the middle of the order isn't hitting at all. Hasn't all year. That is the problem. The pitching has been mostly fine. Edwin and Votto are doing what they're supposed to do. Keppinger has been Keppinger. They've gotten more offensively out of the catcher's spot than they probably ever thought they'd get. Dunn and Griffey have been zeroes in the lineup. CF has been a zero in the lineup. Brandon Phillips hasn't performed up to expectations. Add in the pitcher and the Reds have gotten nothing from five out of nine lineup spots. That is the problem.
I don't care who is managing this team, if you take any team in the league and eliminate the three biggest "sure things" in the lineup coming into the year, they're going to struggle. The Cardinals are 19-12 because Pujols has been killing it like always, much of their starting pitching (Piniero, Lohse, Wainwright, Looper) has been excellent, Rick Ankiel has been performing, Skip Schumaker has been making things happen... everyone on that team that they were depending on to carry them has performed at expected levels or better. A lot of that is luck... who thought Kyle Lohse would have a great year? He has so far. Who had even heard of Skip Schumaker coming into the season?
When it's LaRussa all success can be credited to the skipper. Give me a break. I know the Reds have been seeing the Cardinals just dominate them and the division this entire decade, but people need to start looking at the things that ail the Reds on their own, not look at the Cardinals as some kind of distorted reflection of what they could be if only they had the genius of LaRussa, or the best fans, or whatever. The Cardinals are better because they have more money, use the money they do have in more intelligent ways, and have better players. LaRussa doesn't "will" the team to hit. He may or may not be a better tactical manager than Dusty Baker, but players aren't trying harder for St. Louis because LaRussa isn't a "player's manager."
If Dunn, Phillips and Griffey were hitting, the point would be moot. As it is, they just can't score runs. Lineup adjustments need to be made, but the combined genius of Sparky Anderson, Earl Weaver, John McGraw and Casey Stengel couldn't win a pennant with a lineup with five-ninths of the order not performing.
Lost in the Cardinals love is the fact that in 2006 the Cards won just 83 games and barely won a poor division but got hot in the playoffs, and struggled all year last year and didn't even make it to the postseason. 2005 was the last time the Cardinals were dominant, and it remains to be seen whether they can keep the pace up in 2008. They're certainly better than the Reds in recent history, but save the Cardinals lovefest. It gets really tiresome. They have better players, period. They aren't winning because they "want it more" or "do things the right way."
Friday, May 2, 2008
Game 30: Braves 2, Reds 0
Atlanta's Tim Hudson threw a complete game three-hit shutout, giving Reds starter Edinson Volquez a hard-luck 2-0 loss.
The Reds (12-18) saw their offensive struggles continue against one of the National League's better starters. Not many balls were hit hard and there were no rallies to speak of. Edwin Encarnacion reached second on an eight inning infield single and error by Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, but Cincinnati couldn't drive him in and the Reds were shut out.
Such is life when you're a bad offensive club. On this team, Encarnacion is pretty much the only guy that seems to go to the plate with a plan to be patient. Joey Votto, a guy who walked a decent amount in the minors, never does. Adam Dunn does walk but that has been it as far as his production. He really should be hitting leadoff, as much flak as Bob Boone took for doing that. Brandon Phillips swings at pitches Vladimir Guerrero wouldn't even glance at, and Griffey's bat has looked slow all season. Nearly every Corey Patterson at-bat is a disaster.
TYPICAL COREY PATTERSON AT-BAT
Tapped foul, 0-1.
Bunt attempt foul or missed, 0-2.
Weak groundout.
I can't believe Jerry Hairston Jr. hasn't earned at least more of a look than he's gotten. Patterson even dropped what should have been a routine warning-track fly ball that led to Brian McCann's dinger being a 2-run homer instead of a solo shot. On the positive side, the McCann homer was one of the only mistakes the NL ERA leader Volquez made all night. He was just sparkling and he along with Harang deserve much better than this club playing behind them.
I'm not sure how much of this team's offensive (and rest assured, it is truly offensive) approach at the plate is a result of Dusty Baker's "be aggressive" mantra, but if their approach is his doing it has been truly destructive. Without knowing more it would be premature to assign blame, but the fact is this team had basically the same cast of characters as last year and while that team did struggle against lefties, if the Reds were getting a similar level of production against everyone else, the record would be much better than a 40% success rate.
The first thirty games make it look like Walt Jocketty needs to just blow it up and start over. He's got a great opportunity to change the face of the team after this season, when Ken Griffey Jr. has a $4 million option and they can let Dunn walk. If they were sold on Dunn he would be extended already, and he certainly isn't earning a long-term deal with his play this year.
That, however, is a question for another day. This team is in a major rut but they play tomorrow. Whether that's a threat or a promise I'm not positive, but they definitely will play Atlanta tomorrow night. Game time is 7ish, Matt Belisle goes for the Nasti while JoJo Reyes goes for the ATL. Let's do this.
The Reds (12-18) saw their offensive struggles continue against one of the National League's better starters. Not many balls were hit hard and there were no rallies to speak of. Edwin Encarnacion reached second on an eight inning infield single and error by Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, but Cincinnati couldn't drive him in and the Reds were shut out.
Such is life when you're a bad offensive club. On this team, Encarnacion is pretty much the only guy that seems to go to the plate with a plan to be patient. Joey Votto, a guy who walked a decent amount in the minors, never does. Adam Dunn does walk but that has been it as far as his production. He really should be hitting leadoff, as much flak as Bob Boone took for doing that. Brandon Phillips swings at pitches Vladimir Guerrero wouldn't even glance at, and Griffey's bat has looked slow all season. Nearly every Corey Patterson at-bat is a disaster.
TYPICAL COREY PATTERSON AT-BAT
Tapped foul, 0-1.
Bunt attempt foul or missed, 0-2.
Weak groundout.
I can't believe Jerry Hairston Jr. hasn't earned at least more of a look than he's gotten. Patterson even dropped what should have been a routine warning-track fly ball that led to Brian McCann's dinger being a 2-run homer instead of a solo shot. On the positive side, the McCann homer was one of the only mistakes the NL ERA leader Volquez made all night. He was just sparkling and he along with Harang deserve much better than this club playing behind them.
I'm not sure how much of this team's offensive (and rest assured, it is truly offensive) approach at the plate is a result of Dusty Baker's "be aggressive" mantra, but if their approach is his doing it has been truly destructive. Without knowing more it would be premature to assign blame, but the fact is this team had basically the same cast of characters as last year and while that team did struggle against lefties, if the Reds were getting a similar level of production against everyone else, the record would be much better than a 40% success rate.
The first thirty games make it look like Walt Jocketty needs to just blow it up and start over. He's got a great opportunity to change the face of the team after this season, when Ken Griffey Jr. has a $4 million option and they can let Dunn walk. If they were sold on Dunn he would be extended already, and he certainly isn't earning a long-term deal with his play this year.
That, however, is a question for another day. This team is in a major rut but they play tomorrow. Whether that's a threat or a promise I'm not positive, but they definitely will play Atlanta tomorrow night. Game time is 7ish, Matt Belisle goes for the Nasti while JoJo Reyes goes for the ATL. Let's do this.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Rotation Change
The plan to skip Matt Belisle to start Johnny Cueto on normal rest went awry with Cueto's disastrous outing Tuesday, and plans have again changed.
Edinson Volquez will start Friday, Belisle Saturday and Bronson Arroyo Sunday in Atlanta. Cueto will be held back until Tuesday's game against the Cubs to allow him to pitch on six days rest, and also allowing an extra bullpen session with mentor Mario Soto.
It'll be very interesting to see if the move pays off Tuesday. Obviously Cueto has gotten off track a bit in the last few starts.
Edinson Volquez will start Friday, Belisle Saturday and Bronson Arroyo Sunday in Atlanta. Cueto will be held back until Tuesday's game against the Cubs to allow him to pitch on six days rest, and also allowing an extra bullpen session with mentor Mario Soto.
It'll be very interesting to see if the move pays off Tuesday. Obviously Cueto has gotten off track a bit in the last few starts.
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