Joe Morgan threw out the first pitch for the franchise that allowed him to play in his first postseason game.
"It was here against the Pittsburgh Pirates," Morgan said before Game 3 of the NLDS.
The Reds dropped Game 2 by making four errors, allowing six runs in a 7-4 loss on Friday. With the Reds youthful roster and this being the first playoff experience for all but a handful of Reds, nerves were blamed by many fans and observers.
"You always have jitters," Morgan said. "I had jitters for every game I played. A lot of people said those errors the other night were caused by jitters. But it was the two best players on the infield that made those mistakes, two gold glovers. I don't think that was the case. I'm not trying to say there's not jitters with anybody that takes the field in the postseason. I don't think it had that much effect. You might have a little more jitters in the playoffs because the stakes are higher. I still think that once the ball is put in play, everything settles down."
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Paul Janish Will Start
Paul Janish will start for the Reds in Game 3 of the NLDS.
The status of Orlando Cabrera was still unknown three hours before game time.
"He hasn't seen the doctor yet," Dusty Baker said.
Janish has taken the reigns before when Cabrera went down but this is the playoffs.
"Honestly, it's really not that much different. Obviously, the circumstances are more significant, but as far as the actual playing, what's going on on the field, it's not a whole lot different. He's banged up and can't go, so I'm ready to go," Janish said.
The mood in the clubhouse hasn't changed much from normal.
The status of Orlando Cabrera was still unknown three hours before game time.
"He hasn't seen the doctor yet," Dusty Baker said.
Janish has taken the reigns before when Cabrera went down but this is the playoffs.
"Honestly, it's really not that much different. Obviously, the circumstances are more significant, but as far as the actual playing, what's going on on the field, it's not a whole lot different. He's banged up and can't go, so I'm ready to go," Janish said.
The mood in the clubhouse hasn't changed much from normal.
"The mood seems to be pretty light in the clubhouse. Obviously we're on the wrong end of a 2 0 deficit against a pretty good team in Philly. But everybody is going about their business as usual and staying it in stride. We know we have to show up tonight and battle and hard tonight," Janish said.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Charlie Manuel Speaks
The Philadelphia Phillies manager is one of my favorite visiting managers. His manner of speaking is colorful with the country twang of early Andy Griffith Show.
A reporter asked Manuel about the Reds task of trying to win three straight games, having to beat, Cole Hamels, Roy Haladay and Roy Oswalt in succession.
A reporter asked Manuel about the Reds task of trying to win three straight games, having to beat, Cole Hamels, Roy Haladay and Roy Oswalt in succession.
"I think sometimes when you play, and when you look and say, "There is no way that can happen," the more I think about it and the longer I've been in the game and how we talk about the day to day thing and how we're going to play on that day, it can happen. It ain't goin' to happen, but it can happen (laughter)," Manuel said.
And how about this exchange about Carlos Ruiz, who is nursing a sore knee.
"He's doing good. I just talked to our trainer a minute ago, and he's doing very good. He's not as sore as we thought he was. Actually, he's pretty good."
It is not grammatically correct but it is entertaining.
In spite of his tongue in cheek comment about Roy Haladay's no-hitter in game one, "I think it was good managin," Manuel is a good manager, who players love to play for.
In April 2007, Manuel and the Phillies came into Cincinnati with a high payroll and a 4-10 record. Their closer, Tom Gordon, came into a 1-0 game in the ninth inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Gordon gave up a game tying home run to Scott Hatteburg. Cincinnati beat Gordon in the 10th to put sink the Phillies to a 4-11 record.
The fans that commented on the Philadelphia Inquirer website wanted Manuel fired.
He held a meeting on Saturday morning. The Phillies won five games in a row and eventually won the first of their four straight and counting Eastern Division titles.
For the record the Colorado Rockies swept them in the 2007 NLDS.
Manuel doesn't sympathize with the Reds but sees the development happening the way it did with his team.
"I look at their team, and not only are they a good team, but they're going it get better. And I have a lot of respect for them and believe me, we don't take 'em lightly at all."
Cueto Holds Reds Fate
Johnny Cueto is 24 years old. The fate of the 141-year old Cincinnati franchise is riding on his powerful right arm.
"Well, Johnny Cueto has been excellent at home here. And if not, it's kinda "Johnny Whole Staff" tomorrow and the next day," Dusty Baker said. "We can't afford to get behind. We need to get ahead. I have confidence in Johnny Cueto. If not, he would not be starting. He's a young man that's hungry. He's a young man that's been through a lot in his short lifetime, so we got a lot of confidence in Johnny Cueto."
Cueto through interpreter Thomas Vera said, "I am going to through my game."
"Pitching in the playoffs is the same just more noise and more people in the stands. It's the same game. My arm feels strong. I just have to concentrate and keep the ball down."
Cueto last pitched the day after the Reds clinched the division on September 29, 10 days ago.
This season against Philadelphia, he is 1-0 with a win on June 28. He pitched eight innings and allowed one run on six hits. He also pitched six innings in Philadelphia allowing one earned run in seven innings on four hits.
Reds Have No Choice and A Slim Chance
Dusty Baker took a fatalistic approach to his team's 0-2 predicament in the National League Division Series.
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"Like I said yesterday, the hardest thing is to win one. And you win one, and you got yourself some action. And we've got our backs up against the wall, but this club performs well with our backs up against the wall. That's the kind of club we have. I wish we didn't always have our backs against the wall, but, you know, we've been there before, not necessarily in elimination, but we're just trying to get one."
Cabrera's Status In Question
Orlando Cabrera called the trainer this morning according to Dusty Baker.
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Aroldis Chapman Gets to Face His Childhood Hero
Aroldis Chapman has never met Jose Contreras, the 39-year old reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Monday, October 4, 2010
Travis Wood Comes A Long Way
The Philadelphia Inquirer hired a freelance writer to do a story on Aroldis Chapman. His signing sent a buzz throughout the baseball world.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
Dusty Baker Signs a Two-Year Contract Extension
Two years ago in Sarasota, Dusty Baker took a look at the raggedy clubhouse staffers such as Elder grad, Rick Stowe and decided they needed a wardrobe makeover.
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
Jay Bruce is Named NL Player of the Week
Jay Bruce was named National League player of the week. He hit .444 for the week with four home runs and five RBI, including the ninth inning blast on Tuesday that clinched the National League Central Division for the Reds.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Harang's Sad Farewell
No crying in baseball eh. Don't tell Aaron Harang. The big hulking 6'8" gentle giant most likely has pitched his last game as a Red.
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
Cordero Saves 40th Nails Down Season Finale 3-2
The man that many nervous Reds fans have dubbed Coo Coo Cordero, pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the team's 91st victory of the 2010 season.
It gives the righthander his third 40-save season of his career and he has now logged 290 in his career.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home in the fourth inning and Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes had first inning RBI hits to provide the offense.
It gives the righthander his third 40-save season of his career and he has now logged 290 in his career.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home in the fourth inning and Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes had first inning RBI hits to provide the offense.
Bruce and Stubbs Finish at their Highest Points
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and singled in his tune up at bats before Dusty Baker emptied the bench in the season finale against Milwaukee.
Bruce finished with 70 RBI and a batting average of .281. It is very close to the highest its been all season. Bruce was hitting .287 on June 26th. Four days later he slipped to .281. Bruce dipped to .253 on August 7. In his last 37 games, he hit .377 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI.
Stubbs had two hits in two at bats on Opening Day. He went 3-for-18 in through April 11th to slip to .250. He was under .200 on May 21. He fought back to .251 on July 20, then slipped to .228 on August 2 before starting the climb back to his current .255 with a 1-for-2 performance in game 162.
Stubbs is a .310 hitter with nine home runs and 28 RBI since his low point.
Bruce finished with 70 RBI and a batting average of .281. It is very close to the highest its been all season. Bruce was hitting .287 on June 26th. Four days later he slipped to .281. Bruce dipped to .253 on August 7. In his last 37 games, he hit .377 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI.
Stubbs had two hits in two at bats on Opening Day. He went 3-for-18 in through April 11th to slip to .250. He was under .200 on May 21. He fought back to .251 on July 20, then slipped to .228 on August 2 before starting the climb back to his current .255 with a 1-for-2 performance in game 162.
Stubbs is a .310 hitter with nine home runs and 28 RBI since his low point.
Reds Rally on Fountain Square Tomorrow
The Reds will have a rally on Fountain Square tomorrow from 2-6 p.m.
Marty Brennaman will host it. CEO Bob Castellini and General Manager Walt Jocketty will speak.
Joe Morgan, Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips along with Dusty Baker will attend.
The entire team will attend between 2 and 4 p.m. based on their travel schedule which will be determined later this evening.
Marty Brennaman will host it. CEO Bob Castellini and General Manager Walt Jocketty will speak.
Joe Morgan, Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips along with Dusty Baker will attend.
The entire team will attend between 2 and 4 p.m. based on their travel schedule which will be determined later this evening.
Reds Set Up Pitching for the Playoffs
The Reds do not yet know who its opponent will be in the National League Division Series but the starting pitching rotation has been set.
Edinson Volquez will throw a light bullpen today to save his arm for the first game against an opponent yet to be determined. (San Diego, San Francisco or Philadelphia)
Bronson Arroyo will start the middle game.
"He is soft thrower," Dusty Baker said. "We want him to follow the hard thrower."
Johnny Cueto will pitch the home game.
"He's pitched very well at home," Baker said.
The Reds will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Homer Bailey and Travis Wood will also be on the staff.
"Wood gives us potentially four lefthanders. He and Homer are the least experienced. They may be used in the fourth or fifth game if needed," Baker said.
The Reds don't have to submit the roster until 10 A.M. the day of the first game.
The only tough decisions are between Laynce Nix and Jim Edmonds both of who are recovering from injuries. Nix is further along than Edmonds.
Edinson Volquez will throw a light bullpen today to save his arm for the first game against an opponent yet to be determined. (San Diego, San Francisco or Philadelphia)
Bronson Arroyo will start the middle game.
"He is soft thrower," Dusty Baker said. "We want him to follow the hard thrower."
Johnny Cueto will pitch the home game.
"He's pitched very well at home," Baker said.
The Reds will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Homer Bailey and Travis Wood will also be on the staff.
"Wood gives us potentially four lefthanders. He and Homer are the least experienced. They may be used in the fourth or fifth game if needed," Baker said.
The Reds don't have to submit the roster until 10 A.M. the day of the first game.
The only tough decisions are between Laynce Nix and Jim Edmonds both of who are recovering from injuries. Nix is further along than Edmonds.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Harang Starts and Finishes
Aaron Harang was the starting pitcher on Opening Day on April 5th. He gets the honor of closing the season nearly six months later.
Edinson Volquez was listed as Sunday's starter on the Reds notes this morning.
They announced that Harang will get the start instead.
Harang was once the ace of the staff. He won 16 games in 2006 and 2007 but has struggled since.
His 109 2/3 innings is the lowest total since he joined the Reds in 2003. He is 6-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 19 starts (21 appearances).
Edinson Volquez was listed as Sunday's starter on the Reds notes this morning.
They announced that Harang will get the start instead.
Harang was once the ace of the staff. He won 16 games in 2006 and 2007 but has struggled since.
His 109 2/3 innings is the lowest total since he joined the Reds in 2003. He is 6-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 19 starts (21 appearances).
Reds Reserves Rally to 7-4 Win
Dusty Baker is treating the last two games of the season as if it is spring training. He wants to keep players sharp yet give them rest.
The starters including Homer Bailey the pitcher, worked five innings then took a seat.
The Reds starters built a 4-1 lead with two home runs by Jay Bruce. After he struck out four times in last night's game, Ken Macha of the Brewers ordered him walked as the winning run in the ninth inning last night.
He should have followed the same strategy today as Bruce hit two home runs, a two-run job in third and a disputed solo home run in the fifth. It was Bruce's fifth two-home run game of the season. A fan appeared to interfere with Lorenzo Cain's attempt to catch the drive but a replay examination upheld umpire Sam Holbrook's initial call.
Jordan Smith, who is trying to earn a postseason roster spot coughed up the lead in the seventh after working a scoreless sixth.
He hit Ryan Braun and walked Prince Fielder. Casey McGehee launched a game-tying upper deck home run to cost Bailey his fifth victory.
Bailey was decent in his five innings, six hits and one run but took 120 pitches to navigate his five frames.
The Reds took the lead back for good in the eighth.
Supersub, Miguel Cairo singled off former Red, Todd Coffey. Yonder Alonso doubled, his second hit of the game off the gate to the Reds bullpen to score Cairo. Corky Miller blasted a long home run to centerfield.
Logan Ondrusek got the win with 2/3 of an inning to go 5-0 on the year. Francisco Cordero gave up one hit but faced just three batters for his 39th save.
The Reds reached the 90 win mark with the victory a number that Baker says is significant.
"Now we join all the division leaders and playoff teams that have 90-plus. That was big. In spring training, usually that's my goal every year but especially this year. Most of the time if you can get to 90, you'll be somewhere in the playoff hunt. You've usually got a pretty good chance for something between 90-95. Usually 90 is that magic number. Then you start thinking back on things and you're saying, 'Hey, man, this team has the potential next year of achieving that magic 100 even, 10 more games.' You're happy where you are, but as a manager you always want more."
The starters including Homer Bailey the pitcher, worked five innings then took a seat.
The Reds starters built a 4-1 lead with two home runs by Jay Bruce. After he struck out four times in last night's game, Ken Macha of the Brewers ordered him walked as the winning run in the ninth inning last night.
He should have followed the same strategy today as Bruce hit two home runs, a two-run job in third and a disputed solo home run in the fifth. It was Bruce's fifth two-home run game of the season. A fan appeared to interfere with Lorenzo Cain's attempt to catch the drive but a replay examination upheld umpire Sam Holbrook's initial call.
Jordan Smith, who is trying to earn a postseason roster spot coughed up the lead in the seventh after working a scoreless sixth.
He hit Ryan Braun and walked Prince Fielder. Casey McGehee launched a game-tying upper deck home run to cost Bailey his fifth victory.
Bailey was decent in his five innings, six hits and one run but took 120 pitches to navigate his five frames.
The Reds took the lead back for good in the eighth.
Supersub, Miguel Cairo singled off former Red, Todd Coffey. Yonder Alonso doubled, his second hit of the game off the gate to the Reds bullpen to score Cairo. Corky Miller blasted a long home run to centerfield.
Logan Ondrusek got the win with 2/3 of an inning to go 5-0 on the year. Francisco Cordero gave up one hit but faced just three batters for his 39th save.
The Reds reached the 90 win mark with the victory a number that Baker says is significant.
"Now we join all the division leaders and playoff teams that have 90-plus. That was big. In spring training, usually that's my goal every year but especially this year. Most of the time if you can get to 90, you'll be somewhere in the playoff hunt. You've usually got a pretty good chance for something between 90-95. Usually 90 is that magic number. Then you start thinking back on things and you're saying, 'Hey, man, this team has the potential next year of achieving that magic 100 even, 10 more games.' You're happy where you are, but as a manager you always want more."
Reds Choosing Post Season Roster With 3 Future No. 1 Pitchers.
The Reds are playing out the schedule, not yet sure who the opponent will be. The most likely candidate will be Philadelphia but as former manager Jerry Narron used to say, "It ain't written in ceement."
At stake are positions on the 25-man roster. Dusty Baker said that the Reds have it pretty much figured out but won't publicly reveal it because he wants to tell his players first. He won't even tell how many pitchers he'll use because, "those guys can all count."
"We want to keep everybody but you can't," Baker said. "That's why its a tough decision picking three out of five."
"I think our pitching has been better than it's ERA," Baker said.
If it is indeed the Phillies, they have three number ones in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, longtime noted Reds killer.
"Roy Hallady wasn't always a number one," Baker reminded. "We have some guys who will be number ones."
Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood and Mike Leake all have number one starter potential. All but Volquez came up through the Reds system, although Leake bypassed it. He is a rare case learning at the Major League level, though he has been shut down after reaching an organization imposed innings limit.
"This system is producing players," Baker said. "That's the only way to sustain excellence."
At stake are positions on the 25-man roster. Dusty Baker said that the Reds have it pretty much figured out but won't publicly reveal it because he wants to tell his players first. He won't even tell how many pitchers he'll use because, "those guys can all count."
"We want to keep everybody but you can't," Baker said. "That's why its a tough decision picking three out of five."
"I think our pitching has been better than it's ERA," Baker said.
If it is indeed the Phillies, they have three number ones in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, longtime noted Reds killer.
"Roy Hallady wasn't always a number one," Baker reminded. "We have some guys who will be number ones."
Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood and Mike Leake all have number one starter potential. All but Volquez came up through the Reds system, although Leake bypassed it. He is a rare case learning at the Major League level, though he has been shut down after reaching an organization imposed innings limit.
"This system is producing players," Baker said. "That's the only way to sustain excellence."
Friday, October 1, 2010
To Philadelphia For the Playoffs With 4-3 Loss
The Reds are going to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the opening round of the playoffs unless San Diego or San Francisco beats out Atlanta for the wild card.
Atlanta lost tonight so their lead over San Diego is a game and a half over San Diego. San Diego must sweep and the Braves must get swept by the Phillies for that to happen.
The Reds had a chance to edge San Francisco for the second best record in the National League but needed to sweep Milwaukee while San Diego sweeps the Giants. San Diego leads 5-0 in the fourth inning as of this writing (11:35 pm).
Travis Wood did not allow a hit for five innings but Rickie Weeks led off th sixth with his 29th home run. With one out in the seventh Casey McGhee doubled and Lorenzo Cain singled him to third. Wood was replaced by Logan Ondrusek, who allowed a pinch hit single to Craig Counsell and a sacrifice fly to Jonathan Lucroy to tie the game.
The Reds had few opportunities with rookie Mark Rogers. Rogers was taken by Milwaukee one pick ahead of Homer Bailey. The Brewers narrowed their choices to those two in the 2004 draft, deciding on Rogers.
Rogers had a good season in Double AA. This was his second start and fourth appearance in September. He started his career with nine hitless innings including tonight.
The Reds scored a run without a hit in the first inning on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly. Drew Stubbs walked, stole second and advanced to third after Brandon Phillips grounded out. The Reds scored one in the fifth on a suicide squeeze play by Paul Janish and in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Phillips.
The game went into the 11th. Sam LeCure gave up a single to Corey Hart and walked Ryan Braun. He was relieved by Jordan Smith, who allowed a single to McGhee. It was a potential double play but Phillips couldn't come up with it. It was ruled an error but changed to a hit because Phillips was screened by the umpire on the play.
Atlanta lost tonight so their lead over San Diego is a game and a half over San Diego. San Diego must sweep and the Braves must get swept by the Phillies for that to happen.
The Reds had a chance to edge San Francisco for the second best record in the National League but needed to sweep Milwaukee while San Diego sweeps the Giants. San Diego leads 5-0 in the fourth inning as of this writing (11:35 pm).
Travis Wood did not allow a hit for five innings but Rickie Weeks led off th sixth with his 29th home run. With one out in the seventh Casey McGhee doubled and Lorenzo Cain singled him to third. Wood was replaced by Logan Ondrusek, who allowed a pinch hit single to Craig Counsell and a sacrifice fly to Jonathan Lucroy to tie the game.
The Reds had few opportunities with rookie Mark Rogers. Rogers was taken by Milwaukee one pick ahead of Homer Bailey. The Brewers narrowed their choices to those two in the 2004 draft, deciding on Rogers.
Rogers had a good season in Double AA. This was his second start and fourth appearance in September. He started his career with nine hitless innings including tonight.
The Reds scored a run without a hit in the first inning on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly. Drew Stubbs walked, stole second and advanced to third after Brandon Phillips grounded out. The Reds scored one in the fifth on a suicide squeeze play by Paul Janish and in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Phillips.
The game went into the 11th. Sam LeCure gave up a single to Corey Hart and walked Ryan Braun. He was relieved by Jordan Smith, who allowed a single to McGhee. It was a potential double play but Phillips couldn't come up with it. It was ruled an error but changed to a hit because Phillips was screened by the umpire on the play.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Reds Starter Back Arroyo Wins 17th Game 9-1
The starters were back two days after the celebration ended for taking the first step to a possible World Championship.
The team pounded Brett Myers and knocked him out after 5 2/3 innings the first time all season that he failed to last at least six innings.
Drew Stubbs drove in four runs and homered. Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes hit home runs.
Last night the Reds failed to score but much can be traced to the celebration Tuesday.
Tonight the preparation for the playoffs began.
"We're looking forward to it man," Phillips said.
Phillips suffered a set back in August when he was hit on his hand by a pitch in San Francisco.
"I'm starting to get feeling back in it," Phillips said. "I feel good. You get extra energy from making the playoffs. It's like I've got my third wind. I got my second after the All-Star break."
The over emphasis on the playoffs can take its toll.
"I read a book by John Wooden," Dusty Baker said. "He said that early in his career he may have over prepared his teams and they didn't have much success. Sometimes you have to just play."
Bronson Arroyo, who set a new career high and has been through the playoffs with Boston is on the same page with his manager.
"I told reporters in Boston when they asked me that, that I was more nervous in little league when I was eight or nine in Key West. If I burn a lot of energy spewing adrenaline, I won't last very long. No one here has asked my advice but if they did I'd tell them its like our fight with St. Louis last month. The emotion of the game can take your head out of it."
The team realizes that it may be facing two-time National League Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Sure we talk about who we're going to play," Arroyo said. "It's going to be different for this team going into Philadelphia, one of the top three hostile crowds. If you ask anybody, they say they'd rather play anybody but Philly. But that's the way it is. You've got to strap it on and try to play good baseball."
The team pounded Brett Myers and knocked him out after 5 2/3 innings the first time all season that he failed to last at least six innings.
Drew Stubbs drove in four runs and homered. Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes hit home runs.
Last night the Reds failed to score but much can be traced to the celebration Tuesday.
Tonight the preparation for the playoffs began.
"We're looking forward to it man," Phillips said.
Phillips suffered a set back in August when he was hit on his hand by a pitch in San Francisco.
"I'm starting to get feeling back in it," Phillips said. "I feel good. You get extra energy from making the playoffs. It's like I've got my third wind. I got my second after the All-Star break."
The over emphasis on the playoffs can take its toll.
"I read a book by John Wooden," Dusty Baker said. "He said that early in his career he may have over prepared his teams and they didn't have much success. Sometimes you have to just play."
Bronson Arroyo, who set a new career high and has been through the playoffs with Boston is on the same page with his manager.
"I told reporters in Boston when they asked me that, that I was more nervous in little league when I was eight or nine in Key West. If I burn a lot of energy spewing adrenaline, I won't last very long. No one here has asked my advice but if they did I'd tell them its like our fight with St. Louis last month. The emotion of the game can take your head out of it."
The team realizes that it may be facing two-time National League Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Sure we talk about who we're going to play," Arroyo said. "It's going to be different for this team going into Philadelphia, one of the top three hostile crowds. If you ask anybody, they say they'd rather play anybody but Philly. But that's the way it is. You've got to strap it on and try to play good baseball."
Dusty Will Be Back Long Term
I have been working with Dusty Baker off and on for a long time. Even when he didn't know me very well, he always answered my questions as a visiting manager first with San Francisco, then with the Chicago Cubs.
Baker is a man that always speaks his mind. While he recognizes that he can't always be totally open, he will not lie to you. He treats everyone with respect.
I believe that is why this group of players responded so well to him. As someone who has had his share of bad bosses in his work life, I can tell you how much easier it is to work when a manager will stick with you when you struggle. When fans wanted the slumper of the day, be it Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, Nick Masset or Francisco Cordero, sent to baseball Siberia, Baker showed his faith in them.
People criticized the Reds for trading for often injured, Scott Rolen, it was Baker than planned rest for him so that he could make a huge contribution this season. He fought for Mike Leake to make the team over Travis Wood. It would have been easier for the team to keep Travis Wood because he already had a roster spot but Baker knew Leake would contribute.
When the organization decided to shut Leake down, Leake was able to accept it because Baker was open with him. He stressed to the pitcher that his contributions were important and that he is going to travel with them to be a part of their postseason.
There are times when he doesn't go by the manager's "book" of strategy. He always has a reason for it and will explain it if he can.
This organization is doing the right things. Walt Jocketty is doing a good job filling holes but let's not forget that previous GM's Dan O'Brian and Wayne Krivsky contributed to building the Reds minor league system.
Baker is a man that always speaks his mind. While he recognizes that he can't always be totally open, he will not lie to you. He treats everyone with respect.
I believe that is why this group of players responded so well to him. As someone who has had his share of bad bosses in his work life, I can tell you how much easier it is to work when a manager will stick with you when you struggle. When fans wanted the slumper of the day, be it Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, Nick Masset or Francisco Cordero, sent to baseball Siberia, Baker showed his faith in them.
People criticized the Reds for trading for often injured, Scott Rolen, it was Baker than planned rest for him so that he could make a huge contribution this season. He fought for Mike Leake to make the team over Travis Wood. It would have been easier for the team to keep Travis Wood because he already had a roster spot but Baker knew Leake would contribute.
When the organization decided to shut Leake down, Leake was able to accept it because Baker was open with him. He stressed to the pitcher that his contributions were important and that he is going to travel with them to be a part of their postseason.
There are times when he doesn't go by the manager's "book" of strategy. He always has a reason for it and will explain it if he can.
This organization is doing the right things. Walt Jocketty is doing a good job filling holes but let's not forget that previous GM's Dan O'Brian and Wayne Krivsky contributed to building the Reds minor league system.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Reverse Spring Houston Wins 2-0
Johnny Cueto started the game after (clinching) with 31 starts. The rest of the players in the starting lineup had about that many.
Cueto's last start was a good one. He pitched seven innings. He allowed one earned run and eight hits including a bloop double by Carlos Lee that scored the only run the Astros needed.
An error by Yonder Alonso and indecision by rookie Chris Valaika allowed the second run to score.
The only concern was a ball hit by Lee that caught Cueto on the left leg. He finished the inning.
Cueto was unconcerned about his supporting cast.
"It didn't bother me. I just have to go out and do my job. Today, I was calm and my level of concentration was better (than his last start in Milwaukee)," Cueto said.
Baker pulled the reverse of a typical spring training game to let his regulars catch their breath after an emotional and physical grind toward clinching the division. The team has four more games before the playoffs.
He started reserve players and September call ups at every position. Later in the game the regulars got one at bat. Baker is walking a fine line between getting players rest and keeping them sharp.
"Very few guys can turn it on and turn it off. The only players that I have seen do that was Barry Bonds and Ricky Henderson. That's rare and hard to do," Baker said.
"I haven't seen too many teams win the day after they clinched," Baker said. "Most of the team will be out there (Thursday)."
Cueto hasn't had a win in the month and it really wasn't a top of mind issue for the skipper.
""What's it been a month? We've been trying to get him off those 12 wins. (Cueto finished 12-7) He's due for a real long streak."
Cueto's last start was a good one. He pitched seven innings. He allowed one earned run and eight hits including a bloop double by Carlos Lee that scored the only run the Astros needed.
An error by Yonder Alonso and indecision by rookie Chris Valaika allowed the second run to score.
The only concern was a ball hit by Lee that caught Cueto on the left leg. He finished the inning.
Cueto was unconcerned about his supporting cast.
"It didn't bother me. I just have to go out and do my job. Today, I was calm and my level of concentration was better (than his last start in Milwaukee)," Cueto said.
Baker pulled the reverse of a typical spring training game to let his regulars catch their breath after an emotional and physical grind toward clinching the division. The team has four more games before the playoffs.
He started reserve players and September call ups at every position. Later in the game the regulars got one at bat. Baker is walking a fine line between getting players rest and keeping them sharp.
"Very few guys can turn it on and turn it off. The only players that I have seen do that was Barry Bonds and Ricky Henderson. That's rare and hard to do," Baker said.
"I haven't seen too many teams win the day after they clinched," Baker said. "Most of the team will be out there (Thursday)."
Cueto hasn't had a win in the month and it really wasn't a top of mind issue for the skipper.
""What's it been a month? We've been trying to get him off those 12 wins. (Cueto finished 12-7) He's due for a real long streak."
Leake Is Shutdown for 2010
Dusty Baker told the media that Mike Leake will not pitch again this season.
He will travel with the team for the playoffs but will not be activated on the post season roster. There wouldn't be enough time to build his arm strength back.
The Reds were concerned that the Major League schedule would be too much for the rookie who showed enough talent to skip the minor leagues completely.
"He hasn't been on the mound and the other guys are sharper. He was a bit disappointed but he was happy when he found out he would be traveling with us. I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are. He was a big part of this thing," Baker said.
He will travel with the team for the playoffs but will not be activated on the post season roster. There wouldn't be enough time to build his arm strength back.
The Reds were concerned that the Major League schedule would be too much for the rookie who showed enough talent to skip the minor leagues completely.
"He hasn't been on the mound and the other guys are sharper. He was a bit disappointed but he was happy when he found out he would be traveling with us. I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are. He was a big part of this thing," Baker said.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Division Title...This One Belongs To The Reds
Jonny Gomes said it best.
"This was a storybook season with a storybook ending."
Jay Bruce, who many fans thought should be sent to the minor leagues in mid-season, paid off Dusty Baker for the faith that he had in him.
"I wasn't thinking about a home run. I wanted to hit the ball hard," a champaign soaked Bruce said.
He hit the ball hard in the sixth off tough lefthander Wandy Rodriguez with the bases loaded but former Red Jeff Keppinger turned it into a double play. Leaving the game tied 2-2.
Faith was rewarded again on the first pitch from another lefthander, Tim Byrdak.
"No team has dealt with adversity like this team does," said Gomes, who also popped out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.
The script had been written as Gomes said. Bruce hit it high and far into the September night. The ball landed well over 400 feet on the green terrace in front of the batter's eye in centerfield. The blast set off fireworks and a very wet celebration.
As Bruce rounded thirdbase, he saw a crowd at home plate jumping for joy as he cast aside his batting helmet ."I saw the guys that I worked so hard with all year long. I wouldn't be here without them."
The winning pitcher was Aroldis Chapman. Chapman got most of the attention in spring training as most people assumed that St. Louis would capture the Central Division again.
No one really expected the Reds $30 investment to pay off so soon.
Chapman preserved the tie with some 100 mile an hour pitches, two strikeouts and a ground out.
Bruce, however, has been a star on the rise for a long time. He came alive when the team needed him most, down the stretch, with his game winning heroics, Bruce has hit .358 with nine home runs and 16 RBI in his last 17 games.
The much criticized manager, who has now taken three different teams to the playoffs was drenched, jumping up and down, and enjoying the celebration.
"This is a special group, special guys and a special feeling. I love this team big time," Baker said.
His boss was drenched but equally pleased.
The man who brought Baker in Bob Castellini, who said at the time he bought the team, "We're just not going to lose anymore," calmly talked to reporters.
"We knew we had the combination and the depth. We have a lot of work to do but it doesn't get any better than this in life."
"This was a storybook season with a storybook ending."
Jay Bruce, who many fans thought should be sent to the minor leagues in mid-season, paid off Dusty Baker for the faith that he had in him.
"I wasn't thinking about a home run. I wanted to hit the ball hard," a champaign soaked Bruce said.
He hit the ball hard in the sixth off tough lefthander Wandy Rodriguez with the bases loaded but former Red Jeff Keppinger turned it into a double play. Leaving the game tied 2-2.
Faith was rewarded again on the first pitch from another lefthander, Tim Byrdak.
"No team has dealt with adversity like this team does," said Gomes, who also popped out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.
The script had been written as Gomes said. Bruce hit it high and far into the September night. The ball landed well over 400 feet on the green terrace in front of the batter's eye in centerfield. The blast set off fireworks and a very wet celebration.
As Bruce rounded thirdbase, he saw a crowd at home plate jumping for joy as he cast aside his batting helmet ."I saw the guys that I worked so hard with all year long. I wouldn't be here without them."
The winning pitcher was Aroldis Chapman. Chapman got most of the attention in spring training as most people assumed that St. Louis would capture the Central Division again.
No one really expected the Reds $30 investment to pay off so soon.
Chapman preserved the tie with some 100 mile an hour pitches, two strikeouts and a ground out.
Bruce, however, has been a star on the rise for a long time. He came alive when the team needed him most, down the stretch, with his game winning heroics, Bruce has hit .358 with nine home runs and 16 RBI in his last 17 games.
The much criticized manager, who has now taken three different teams to the playoffs was drenched, jumping up and down, and enjoying the celebration.
"This is a special group, special guys and a special feeling. I love this team big time," Baker said.
His boss was drenched but equally pleased.
The man who brought Baker in Bob Castellini, who said at the time he bought the team, "We're just not going to lose anymore," calmly talked to reporters.
"We knew we had the combination and the depth. We have a lot of work to do but it doesn't get any better than this in life."
Bruce Wins the Division.
Houston starts lefthander Tim Byrdak in the ninth.
Jay Bruce hit the first pitch to Centerfield to win the Division crown for Cincinnati.
Fireworks abound.
It was dead center and well over 400 feet. His 22nd of the season.
Jay Bruce hit the first pitch to Centerfield to win the Division crown for Cincinnati.
Fireworks abound.
It was dead center and well over 400 feet. His 22nd of the season.
Pittsburgh Extends Lead to 4-2 in Top of the Sixth.
Garret Jones drove in his third run of the game with an infield single. Pittsburgh is still batting with runners on first and second in the 6th.
Going To the Ninth 2-2
The Reds stranded Scott Rolen at firstbase in the bottom of the eighth.
Fireballing Aroldis Chapman is coming in to face Chris Johnson, Bret Wallace and Angel Sanchez in the top of the ninth.
The Astros beat Chapman on September 17 in Houston.
Fireballing Aroldis Chapman is coming in to face Chris Johnson, Bret Wallace and Angel Sanchez in the top of the ninth.
The Astros beat Chapman on September 17 in Houston.
Reds Tie the game. Pittsburgh Holds a 3-2 Lead Into the 4th inning.
Orlando Cabrera and Joey Votto singled to start the sixth. Scott Rolen worked a walk to load the bases.
Jonny Gomes battled Rodriguez for 10 pitches before he popped foul to the firstbaseman.
Brandon Phillips tied the game with an infield single.
When the Reds went to Houston last week, Dusty Baker, sat Jay Bruce against Rodriguez because, "he gives Jay the blues."
Bruce hit the ball hard but Jeff Keppinger started a 4-6-3 double play to limit the Reds to one run.
Jonny Gomes battled Rodriguez for 10 pitches before he popped foul to the firstbaseman.
Brandon Phillips tied the game with an infield single.
When the Reds went to Houston last week, Dusty Baker, sat Jay Bruce against Rodriguez because, "he gives Jay the blues."
Bruce hit the ball hard but Jeff Keppinger started a 4-6-3 double play to limit the Reds to one run.
Reds Trail After Four but Pittsburgh Helps With 3-Run First
Garret Jones hit a two-run home run off St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan to give Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead over St. Louis.
A St. Louis loss works the same as a Reds win. It sends the Reds to the playoffs.
A St. Louis loss works the same as a Reds win. It sends the Reds to the playoffs.
Stubbs Saves Two Runs
Drew Stubbs went high above the Centerfield fence to catch a drive by Carlos Lee with former Red, Jeff Keppinger running from first base.
The drive was in straight away centerfield and about eight inches above the fence near 404' sign.
The drive was in straight away centerfield and about eight inches above the fence near 404' sign.
Houston Intends to Spoil the Party
Houston used three singles and a squeeze bunt by starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez to take a 2-1 lead into the third inning.
Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace singled but Edinson Volquez forced Johnson at third on a bunt attempt by Angel Sanchez. Jason Castro hit a 1-2 pitch for a single to score Wallace and send Sanchez to third. Rodriguez bunted as Sanchez raced home.
Brandon Phillips reached by being hit with a pitch to start the Reds second. He was caught stealing by Castro as Jay Bruce struck out. Ramon Hernandez struck out to end the second.
Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace singled but Edinson Volquez forced Johnson at third on a bunt attempt by Angel Sanchez. Jason Castro hit a 1-2 pitch for a single to score Wallace and send Sanchez to third. Rodriguez bunted as Sanchez raced home.
Brandon Phillips reached by being hit with a pitch to start the Reds second. He was caught stealing by Castro as Jay Bruce struck out. Ramon Hernandez struck out to end the second.
Reds Jump to A Lead
Scott Rolen's infield single scored Drew Stubbs to put the Reds eight innings away from a Division clinch.
Stubbs and Orlando Cabrera walked off Wandy Rodriguez to open the inning. Joey Votto hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Rolen hit a hard one hopper down the thirdbase line that Chris Johnson threw past Brett Wallace at firstbase.
Edinson Volquez allowed and infield hit to Hunter Pence but looked sharp.
Stubbs and Orlando Cabrera walked off Wandy Rodriguez to open the inning. Joey Votto hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Rolen hit a hard one hopper down the thirdbase line that Chris Johnson threw past Brett Wallace at firstbase.
Edinson Volquez allowed and infield hit to Hunter Pence but looked sharp.
It Is NOT Your Normal Game
The Reds played the entire year taking one game at a time. Even during big series against St. Louis, Dusty Baker stressed treating them like any other game. The strategy got them to this point. Now the Reds can no longer maintain the facade.
"You try to pretend its like any other day," Baker said. "But its not. There is a lot of pretending in this game. You strive to get to this point all year long. Then you run the race and you're one step from the finish line."
A win tonight against Houston and the Reds clinch the National League Central Division and its playoff berth.
The Reds could have clinched on its day off yesterday had Houston lost.
"This may sound crazy because of what I said earlier but I was rooting for St. Louis to win last night," Brandon Phillips said.
The Reds want to celebrate in front of its home fans.
"You want to do it at home," Baker said.
Not that they wouldn't have liked to clinch on the road but it would be sweeter to celebrate at home with its fans.
"I think of my dad," Baker said. His father Johnny B. Baker Sr. died this winter.
"He was my coach. He was Bobby Bonds coach. This was the time he'd come to see every game."
Baker was asked if he gave advice.
"He was subtle," Baker said.
Then he told about his discipline.
"Your mom gives love and understanding. Your dad gives you discipline and direction. Some people called it discipline. I called it 'the belt' "
"You try to pretend its like any other day," Baker said. "But its not. There is a lot of pretending in this game. You strive to get to this point all year long. Then you run the race and you're one step from the finish line."
A win tonight against Houston and the Reds clinch the National League Central Division and its playoff berth.
The Reds could have clinched on its day off yesterday had Houston lost.
"This may sound crazy because of what I said earlier but I was rooting for St. Louis to win last night," Brandon Phillips said.
The Reds want to celebrate in front of its home fans.
"You want to do it at home," Baker said.
Not that they wouldn't have liked to clinch on the road but it would be sweeter to celebrate at home with its fans.
"I think of my dad," Baker said. His father Johnny B. Baker Sr. died this winter.
"He was my coach. He was Bobby Bonds coach. This was the time he'd come to see every game."
Baker was asked if he gave advice.
"He was subtle," Baker said.
Then he told about his discipline.
"Your mom gives love and understanding. Your dad gives you discipline and direction. Some people called it discipline. I called it 'the belt' "
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Arizona Takes the Finale 3-1 Reds Still in Command
The Reds hit the road, Houston, Milwaukee and San Diego with a magic number of 10 pending the Cardinals tilt with the Padres in St. Louis tonight.
Rodrigo Lopez handcuffed the Reds for seven innings, allowing one run on eight hits.
Edinson Volquez had a subpar fifth inning. He walked the first two batters of the inning and the Diamondbacks strung three hits together for a 3-1 lead.
"He just lost the strike zone for an inning," Baker said. "Sometimes that's all it takes."
The key hit was a double by Gerardo Parra that was a slow ground ball down the firstbase line that Joey Votto couldn't quite get to.
"Volquez was real good," Baker said. "That one change up dribbled down the line. He is real close to wear he was a couple years ago."
Volquez was an All-star with 17 wins in 2008 but missed most of last season with elbow problems that were corrected by surgery.
"I'm really close (to top form from 2008). My delivery is better. I'm throwing more fastballs for strikes. I lost my rhythm a little bit today but I just need to pitch. I get better each time out."
The Reds are very close to securing the National League Central Division crown.
"We haven't won anything yet," Baker said before the game. "People tell me congratulations but I said for what? We don't have anything to celebrate. We are playing teams with nothing to lose. Teams that want to prove themselves and guys trying to improve their numbers for a salary drive."
Jonny Gomes, who had two hits said, "We can't get ahead of ourselves. We're in a situation where we don't have to watch the scoreboard. We can concentrate on winning innings. We've done a good job of keeping our eyes on the prize."
Rodrigo Lopez handcuffed the Reds for seven innings, allowing one run on eight hits.
Edinson Volquez had a subpar fifth inning. He walked the first two batters of the inning and the Diamondbacks strung three hits together for a 3-1 lead.
"He just lost the strike zone for an inning," Baker said. "Sometimes that's all it takes."
The key hit was a double by Gerardo Parra that was a slow ground ball down the firstbase line that Joey Votto couldn't quite get to.
"Volquez was real good," Baker said. "That one change up dribbled down the line. He is real close to wear he was a couple years ago."
Volquez was an All-star with 17 wins in 2008 but missed most of last season with elbow problems that were corrected by surgery.
"I'm really close (to top form from 2008). My delivery is better. I'm throwing more fastballs for strikes. I lost my rhythm a little bit today but I just need to pitch. I get better each time out."
The Reds are very close to securing the National League Central Division crown.
"We haven't won anything yet," Baker said before the game. "People tell me congratulations but I said for what? We don't have anything to celebrate. We are playing teams with nothing to lose. Teams that want to prove themselves and guys trying to improve their numbers for a salary drive."
Jonny Gomes, who had two hits said, "We can't get ahead of ourselves. We're in a situation where we don't have to watch the scoreboard. We can concentrate on winning innings. We've done a good job of keeping our eyes on the prize."
Houston Gets Del Rosario From Reds
The Houston Astros obtained Enerio Del Rosario from the Reds for cash.
Del Rosario has promise but the Reds minor league system is loaded with relief pitchers. When the Reds were down to three healthy outfielders, they acquired Willie Bloomquist from Kansas City. That required that they open a spot on the 40-man roster so Del Rosario was designated for assignment. The Del Rosario had to clear waivers, be traded or released within 10 days.
Del Rosario has promise but the Reds minor league system is loaded with relief pitchers. When the Reds were down to three healthy outfielders, they acquired Willie Bloomquist from Kansas City. That required that they open a spot on the 40-man roster so Del Rosario was designated for assignment. The Del Rosario had to clear waivers, be traded or released within 10 days.
Closer.....Chapman no...Cordero si
Regardless of the trendy thoughts of armchair managers and sports columnist, Francisco Cordero WILL be the Reds closer.
As much drama as there is when the Dominican closer enters a game, Dusty Baker and Jay Bruce and the rest of the Reds trust him 100 percent. The popular notion that Aroldis Chapman should replace Cordero will not fly with Baker and his reasoning is very hard to argue with once you separate from the fear that saves look too hard.
They are. Major league hitters are not easy to pitch too, not for Chapman and not for Cordero or Heath Bell or Billy Wagner.
Check the stats Bill James breath...Cordero has 36 saves and blown 6
Cordero is right in line with:
Heath Bell 42 saves 6 blown
Billy Wagner 33 saves 7 blown
Mariano Rivera blew two saves in Texas last weekend. Prior to blown saves on Friday and Sunday, Cordero had saved 11 in a row and 18 out of 19.
The notion that Chapman should take over that role in September is ridiculous on many levels. First off he was just converted to a closer and September is the wrong time to experiment. Also, while people are so enamored with a plus 100 mph fastball, the Cuban Missile is not unhitable to major leaguers with a bat in their hands.
He hasn't given up a run charged to him so his ERA is zero but he has inherited six baserunners and five have scored. He has already pitched in three save situations and has two holds and a blown save.
The following is what Baker had to say when pressed by a columnist this morning.
"My thinking hasn't changed. Chapman just learned how to relieve. That eighth inning and seventh inning is a whole lot easier than that ninth inning. Is this the place to experiment with guys that haven't been there? And then in case he doesn't do it (save a game) do you go back to Coco (Cordero) and say, 'I was just kidding'. Then you lose both of them. So the key is to keep Chapman in the position where he is doing his thing. And the eighth is Arthur Rhodes job. He's been a little hobbled."
"I thought we had Coco fixed. He had 18 out of 19. People forget that because of the last couple times out there. You look at the list of guys that have blown saves this year and he's not the biggest. He was walking people before, now he's throwing too many fat strikes. That's the start right there, throwing strikes. He's getting two strikes on people. Fix the situation where we are now and everybody will be doing what they're supposed to do. As soon as he comes in the game and gives up one ball, the booing starts. That makes it worse. That doesn't help."
"Let's enjoy what we have instead of thinking about what we don't have. How about that?
Columnist "Some people say you have a closer that's shaking at the moment and you have a guy throwing 103."
Baker "Hey man, there have been some that didn't like the stuff I was doing from the start of the season. They didn't like my lineup, they didn't like this, they didn't like that, the didn't like whatever the hell they didn't like. I can't worry about that. You know what I mean. Those people don't manage this ballclub. Those people don't understand the psychological dynamics of the ballclub. There are people that wanted Dickerson to play. Then the didn't want Dickerson. Then they wanted Nix to play. Then they wanted Bruce to go to the minor leagues and wanted Heisey to play everyday. Then the wanted Stubbs sent to the minor leagues, remember. There were people that wanted Masset out of here. They were booing the hell out of Masset. I don't go with what people say. People go by who's hot at the time. I got to look at the overall big picture of the dynamics and the psychology of my ballclub. Make sense?"
As much drama as there is when the Dominican closer enters a game, Dusty Baker and Jay Bruce and the rest of the Reds trust him 100 percent. The popular notion that Aroldis Chapman should replace Cordero will not fly with Baker and his reasoning is very hard to argue with once you separate from the fear that saves look too hard.
They are. Major league hitters are not easy to pitch too, not for Chapman and not for Cordero or Heath Bell or Billy Wagner.
Check the stats Bill James breath...Cordero has 36 saves and blown 6
Cordero is right in line with:
Heath Bell 42 saves 6 blown
Billy Wagner 33 saves 7 blown
Mariano Rivera blew two saves in Texas last weekend. Prior to blown saves on Friday and Sunday, Cordero had saved 11 in a row and 18 out of 19.
The notion that Chapman should take over that role in September is ridiculous on many levels. First off he was just converted to a closer and September is the wrong time to experiment. Also, while people are so enamored with a plus 100 mph fastball, the Cuban Missile is not unhitable to major leaguers with a bat in their hands.
He hasn't given up a run charged to him so his ERA is zero but he has inherited six baserunners and five have scored. He has already pitched in three save situations and has two holds and a blown save.
The following is what Baker had to say when pressed by a columnist this morning.
"My thinking hasn't changed. Chapman just learned how to relieve. That eighth inning and seventh inning is a whole lot easier than that ninth inning. Is this the place to experiment with guys that haven't been there? And then in case he doesn't do it (save a game) do you go back to Coco (Cordero) and say, 'I was just kidding'. Then you lose both of them. So the key is to keep Chapman in the position where he is doing his thing. And the eighth is Arthur Rhodes job. He's been a little hobbled."
"I thought we had Coco fixed. He had 18 out of 19. People forget that because of the last couple times out there. You look at the list of guys that have blown saves this year and he's not the biggest. He was walking people before, now he's throwing too many fat strikes. That's the start right there, throwing strikes. He's getting two strikes on people. Fix the situation where we are now and everybody will be doing what they're supposed to do. As soon as he comes in the game and gives up one ball, the booing starts. That makes it worse. That doesn't help."
"Let's enjoy what we have instead of thinking about what we don't have. How about that?
Columnist "Some people say you have a closer that's shaking at the moment and you have a guy throwing 103."
Baker "Hey man, there have been some that didn't like the stuff I was doing from the start of the season. They didn't like my lineup, they didn't like this, they didn't like that, the didn't like whatever the hell they didn't like. I can't worry about that. You know what I mean. Those people don't manage this ballclub. Those people don't understand the psychological dynamics of the ballclub. There are people that wanted Dickerson to play. Then the didn't want Dickerson. Then they wanted Nix to play. Then they wanted Bruce to go to the minor leagues and wanted Heisey to play everyday. Then the wanted Stubbs sent to the minor leagues, remember. There were people that wanted Masset out of here. They were booing the hell out of Masset. I don't go with what people say. People go by who's hot at the time. I got to look at the overall big picture of the dynamics and the psychology of my ballclub. Make sense?"
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Red Magic Number Drops to 10
The Reds 7-5 win over Arizona while the Chicago Cubs completed a three-game sweep in St. Louis.
That combination puts the Reds eight games ahead of the slumping Cardinals and reduces the Reds magic number to 10. Any combination of Reds wins and St. Louis losses that add up to 10 make the Reds the National League Central Champions.
The Reds are 83-63 with 16 games to play.
The Cardinals are 74-70 with 18 to play.
If the Reds just win half of the games remaining, St. Louis must go 17-1 or be eliminated.
"Regardless of the way the Cardinals are playing, if we play good baseball, they can't catch us," Jay Bruce said.
That combination puts the Reds eight games ahead of the slumping Cardinals and reduces the Reds magic number to 10. Any combination of Reds wins and St. Louis losses that add up to 10 make the Reds the National League Central Champions.
The Reds are 83-63 with 16 games to play.
The Cardinals are 74-70 with 18 to play.
If the Reds just win half of the games remaining, St. Louis must go 17-1 or be eliminated.
"Regardless of the way the Cardinals are playing, if we play good baseball, they can't catch us," Jay Bruce said.
Reds Score Early Fight off Snakes 7-5
Last night Justin Upton saved the Arizona Diamondbacks with a game saving catch to end the game.
Jay Bruce returned the favor tonight, snaring a high fly hit by Adam LaRoche in the very right field corner. The ball was hit very high and twisting and arching toward the foul pole. Bruce had to get his bearings and couldn't follow the ball all the way.
"I had to make sure I could get there," Bruce said. "If I couldn't get over there, I couldn't catch it at all. I was jumping kind of laterally. I had to run so far, I didn't know really where it was."
The catch took Francisco Cordero off the hook.
The Reds scored four in the first inning and one in the second to take an early 5-0 lead but only the first of Orlando Cabrera's three doubles and a two-run home run by Drew Stubbs (18) were hit well. An dropped line drive by centerfielder Chris Young contributed to the outburst off Arizona starter Joel Saunders, who pitched better than his line indicated.
The Reds scored again in the second. Cabrera doubled and Joey Votto drove in his 104th run of the season.
But Reds starter Homer Bailey was dizzy.
"I saw his face when he went out there in the first inning. I told (pitching coach) Bryan (Price) he doesn't look right. It looked like he was nervous or way out there. I could tell something was wrong he threw the first two balls in the dirt. He never throws balls in the dirt," Dusty Baker said.
The Diamondbacks took advantage of two walks, two singles and a double to close the margin to 5-3.
"I got a little lightheaded. I'll get a little bit of rest tonight. I had a headache. I thought my hat was too tight or something," Bailey said. "I was off balance and stuff. I've have not had this before."
Matt Maloney picked up his first win of the year. He pitched 2 1/3 innings. He allowed a solo home run to Kelly Johnson after he retired the first seven batters he faced. Nick Masset finish the inning. Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a perfect eighth.
The Reds got to Saunders again in the bottom of the eighth. Saunders pitched 7 1/3 innings and allowed 10 hits. Three of the seven runs scored off him were unearned.
"There were plays we could have made," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "He gave up seven runs but they weren't reflective of the way he threw. He was in control."
Cabrera doubled yet again. Votto grounded out sending Cabrera to third. Jonny Gomes, who tripled in the first blooped a single to right. Miguel Cairo playing for a sore Scott Rolen hit a line drive into leftcenter that glanced off Gerardo Parra's glove after a long run. The drive off Esmeriling Vasquez was originally ruled an error but changed to a double. Vazquez walked Stubbs then hit Ryan Hanigan to plate the Reds seventh run.
"Those were the epitome of insurance runs, right there," Baker said.
That set the stage for Cordero, who made it interesting again.
Pinch hitter Tony Abreu and Stephen Drew singled to start the inning. Johnson hit into a force play. Chris Young grounded out to score Abreu. Then LaRoche hit the fly that Bruce caught.
Cordero has been struggling. He blew two saves against Pittsburgh over the weekend and Bruce saved him.
"He's our closer. I have 100 percent confidence in him. He has 36 saves. How many guys in the league have that many saves? Some have gotten away but that's the name of the game. That's baseball. It's not easy."
Jay Bruce returned the favor tonight, snaring a high fly hit by Adam LaRoche in the very right field corner. The ball was hit very high and twisting and arching toward the foul pole. Bruce had to get his bearings and couldn't follow the ball all the way.
"I had to make sure I could get there," Bruce said. "If I couldn't get over there, I couldn't catch it at all. I was jumping kind of laterally. I had to run so far, I didn't know really where it was."
The catch took Francisco Cordero off the hook.
The Reds scored four in the first inning and one in the second to take an early 5-0 lead but only the first of Orlando Cabrera's three doubles and a two-run home run by Drew Stubbs (18) were hit well. An dropped line drive by centerfielder Chris Young contributed to the outburst off Arizona starter Joel Saunders, who pitched better than his line indicated.
The Reds scored again in the second. Cabrera doubled and Joey Votto drove in his 104th run of the season.
But Reds starter Homer Bailey was dizzy.
"I saw his face when he went out there in the first inning. I told (pitching coach) Bryan (Price) he doesn't look right. It looked like he was nervous or way out there. I could tell something was wrong he threw the first two balls in the dirt. He never throws balls in the dirt," Dusty Baker said.
The Diamondbacks took advantage of two walks, two singles and a double to close the margin to 5-3.
"I got a little lightheaded. I'll get a little bit of rest tonight. I had a headache. I thought my hat was too tight or something," Bailey said. "I was off balance and stuff. I've have not had this before."
Matt Maloney picked up his first win of the year. He pitched 2 1/3 innings. He allowed a solo home run to Kelly Johnson after he retired the first seven batters he faced. Nick Masset finish the inning. Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a perfect eighth.
The Reds got to Saunders again in the bottom of the eighth. Saunders pitched 7 1/3 innings and allowed 10 hits. Three of the seven runs scored off him were unearned.
"There were plays we could have made," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "He gave up seven runs but they weren't reflective of the way he threw. He was in control."
Cabrera doubled yet again. Votto grounded out sending Cabrera to third. Jonny Gomes, who tripled in the first blooped a single to right. Miguel Cairo playing for a sore Scott Rolen hit a line drive into leftcenter that glanced off Gerardo Parra's glove after a long run. The drive off Esmeriling Vasquez was originally ruled an error but changed to a double. Vazquez walked Stubbs then hit Ryan Hanigan to plate the Reds seventh run.
"Those were the epitome of insurance runs, right there," Baker said.
That set the stage for Cordero, who made it interesting again.
Pinch hitter Tony Abreu and Stephen Drew singled to start the inning. Johnson hit into a force play. Chris Young grounded out to score Abreu. Then LaRoche hit the fly that Bruce caught.
Cordero has been struggling. He blew two saves against Pittsburgh over the weekend and Bruce saved him.
"He's our closer. I have 100 percent confidence in him. He has 36 saves. How many guys in the league have that many saves? Some have gotten away but that's the name of the game. That's baseball. It's not easy."
Rolen Hurt - Bruce Day Off
This time of year everyone has aches and pains. Scott Rolen has soreness in his shoulder and upper back so Super Sub Miguel Cairo will play thirdbase tonight.
Rolen tweeked his back and shoulder on his third at bat last night.
"I'm the proverbial day-to-day," Rolen said.
"I could tell last night," Dusty Baker said. "He had some funky swings. Plus he got real quiet. He's quiet anyway but when he gets real quiet, something's wrong."
Bruce, who just came back from a side injury, will rest against Arizona lefthander, Joe Saunders. Willie Bloomquist will play rightfield. Bloomquist is fresh from Kansas City. He just arrived.
"We want to give Jay a day off against the lefthander, let him heal some more. We want to let (Chris) Heisey heal a little more too. Heisey is available for the late innings but we don't want to give him four at bats just yet. (Jim) Edmonds is getting better. He's probably close. (Laynce) Nix is getting better. He's walking without a limp. He's hitting but he hasn't run yet. I've been holding my breath for two weeks."
Bloomquist considers himself and infielder but the Red have infielders that a relatively healthy.
"I am thankful for the opportunity," Bloomquist said. "I just want to help these guy get to the playoffs and do the best I can. I haven't played a lot of infield this year but I've become comfortable with the uncomfortable."
Bloomquist is not eligible to play in the postseason but his presence allow the walking wounded among the outfielders time to get better.
"We will play him tonight against the lefthander and probably the first game in Houston," Baker said. "He (Bloomquist) hits lefthanders pretty well. We'll start him against Wandy (Rodriguez Houston's lefthanded starter). He gives Jay the blues anyway."
Rolen tweeked his back and shoulder on his third at bat last night.
"I'm the proverbial day-to-day," Rolen said.
"I could tell last night," Dusty Baker said. "He had some funky swings. Plus he got real quiet. He's quiet anyway but when he gets real quiet, something's wrong."
Bruce, who just came back from a side injury, will rest against Arizona lefthander, Joe Saunders. Willie Bloomquist will play rightfield. Bloomquist is fresh from Kansas City. He just arrived.
"We want to give Jay a day off against the lefthander, let him heal some more. We want to let (Chris) Heisey heal a little more too. Heisey is available for the late innings but we don't want to give him four at bats just yet. (Jim) Edmonds is getting better. He's probably close. (Laynce) Nix is getting better. He's walking without a limp. He's hitting but he hasn't run yet. I've been holding my breath for two weeks."
Bloomquist considers himself and infielder but the Red have infielders that a relatively healthy.
"I am thankful for the opportunity," Bloomquist said. "I just want to help these guy get to the playoffs and do the best I can. I haven't played a lot of infield this year but I've become comfortable with the uncomfortable."
Bloomquist is not eligible to play in the postseason but his presence allow the walking wounded among the outfielders time to get better.
"We will play him tonight against the lefthander and probably the first game in Houston," Baker said. "He (Bloomquist) hits lefthanders pretty well. We'll start him against Wandy (Rodriguez Houston's lefthanded starter). He gives Jay the blues anyway."
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Daniel Hudson Slows Reds 3-1 But Magic Number Drops to 12
Since the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Daniel Hudson from the Chicago White Sox, he has been ace-like.
"They gave up a no-hit pitcher for him, (Edwin Jackson). He's going to be a good one," Dusty Baker said.
He started the game against the first place Reds with a 5-1 record and a paltry 1.91 ERA. His lone loss was to the Reds in Phoenix on August 17 when he allowed three runs on nine hits as the Reds took a 6-2 decision.
"He was dealing," Baker said. "He pitched well against us last time but they made an error behind him and we took advantage of it."
Tonight he allowed four hits and handcuffed the home team while his mates reached rookie Travis Wood for nine hits and three runs. Wood pitched five innings but he allowed five sharp singles in the fourth inning that put the Diamondbacks ahead, 2-0. Tony Abreu doubled and Justin Upton singled to plate the third run.
Wood did strike out eight.
"I was getting a lot of third strikes on the outside corner, but I fell behind a lot," Wood said "They didn't always hit the ball hard but they don't have to. A hit's a hit."
"Wood threw the ball good. They squared some up though in RBI situations," Baker said
Jonny Gomes singled in the second inning, Wood doubled in the third. Orlando Cabrera doubled in the fourth and Yonder Alonso singled as a pinch hitter in the fifth but that was all.
Hudson finished eight shutout innings allowing the four hits and one walk. Juan Gutierrez came on in the ninth.
Cabrera opened the ninth with a single. Joey Votto singled hard off the wall in right. Scott Rolen struckout on three pitches. Gomes did the same. Jay Bruce got nothing to hit and walked on four pitches, leaving the game in the hands of Drew Stubbs with 66 RBI on the year. Stubbs was hitting .412 with a grand slam and 18 RBI with the bases loaded this season. Guiterrez hit Stubbs in the left arm with a 1-1 pitch to score Cabrera and put the tying run on secondbase. Ramon Hernandez lined to right and Justin Upton made a nice running catch to end the game.
With the speedy Stubbs on first the play was win or lose for both teams. With two out Stubbs would have easily scored the winning run had Upton not been up to making the catch.
"That shows you the importance of defense right there," Baker said. "Mony (Ramon Hernandez) scalded that ball. That's why we stress defense, it may not always win you a game but it can save one. Did you see the strides he used to run that down? That's an athlete. He wanted that ball."
Hernandez was certain it was going to win the game.
"The way I hit it I thought it was in the gap. He made a great, great play. You have to tip your hat to him," Hernandez said. "We never give up. We put together good at bats and made him (Gutierrez) strikes," Hernandez said.
Upton was sitting by his locker watching his older brother B.J. bat for Tampa Bay in a 7-7 game against the Yankees.
"I got a good jump on the ball when it came off the bat," Justin Upton said. "It got up in the lights a little bit but I was tracking it. It came out of the lights in time for me to get a glove on it."
Meanwhile in St. Louis the Chicago Cubs defeated Adam Wainwright, 7-2 to keep the Cardinals seven games behind the Reds and drop the magic number to 12. Any combination of Reds wins and Cardinals losses that add up to 12 gives the Reds the Central Division.
"They gave up a no-hit pitcher for him, (Edwin Jackson). He's going to be a good one," Dusty Baker said.
He started the game against the first place Reds with a 5-1 record and a paltry 1.91 ERA. His lone loss was to the Reds in Phoenix on August 17 when he allowed three runs on nine hits as the Reds took a 6-2 decision.
"He was dealing," Baker said. "He pitched well against us last time but they made an error behind him and we took advantage of it."
Tonight he allowed four hits and handcuffed the home team while his mates reached rookie Travis Wood for nine hits and three runs. Wood pitched five innings but he allowed five sharp singles in the fourth inning that put the Diamondbacks ahead, 2-0. Tony Abreu doubled and Justin Upton singled to plate the third run.
Wood did strike out eight.
"I was getting a lot of third strikes on the outside corner, but I fell behind a lot," Wood said "They didn't always hit the ball hard but they don't have to. A hit's a hit."
"Wood threw the ball good. They squared some up though in RBI situations," Baker said
Jonny Gomes singled in the second inning, Wood doubled in the third. Orlando Cabrera doubled in the fourth and Yonder Alonso singled as a pinch hitter in the fifth but that was all.
Hudson finished eight shutout innings allowing the four hits and one walk. Juan Gutierrez came on in the ninth.
Cabrera opened the ninth with a single. Joey Votto singled hard off the wall in right. Scott Rolen struckout on three pitches. Gomes did the same. Jay Bruce got nothing to hit and walked on four pitches, leaving the game in the hands of Drew Stubbs with 66 RBI on the year. Stubbs was hitting .412 with a grand slam and 18 RBI with the bases loaded this season. Guiterrez hit Stubbs in the left arm with a 1-1 pitch to score Cabrera and put the tying run on secondbase. Ramon Hernandez lined to right and Justin Upton made a nice running catch to end the game.
With the speedy Stubbs on first the play was win or lose for both teams. With two out Stubbs would have easily scored the winning run had Upton not been up to making the catch.
"That shows you the importance of defense right there," Baker said. "Mony (Ramon Hernandez) scalded that ball. That's why we stress defense, it may not always win you a game but it can save one. Did you see the strides he used to run that down? That's an athlete. He wanted that ball."
Hernandez was certain it was going to win the game.
"The way I hit it I thought it was in the gap. He made a great, great play. You have to tip your hat to him," Hernandez said. "We never give up. We put together good at bats and made him (Gutierrez) strikes," Hernandez said.
Upton was sitting by his locker watching his older brother B.J. bat for Tampa Bay in a 7-7 game against the Yankees.
"I got a good jump on the ball when it came off the bat," Justin Upton said. "It got up in the lights a little bit but I was tracking it. It came out of the lights in time for me to get a glove on it."
Meanwhile in St. Louis the Chicago Cubs defeated Adam Wainwright, 7-2 to keep the Cardinals seven games behind the Reds and drop the magic number to 12. Any combination of Reds wins and Cardinals losses that add up to 12 gives the Reds the Central Division.
The Yankees Are Coming
Major League Baseball has released a tentative schedule for 2011.
The Reds will open with Milwaukee on Thursday, March 31.
No game times have been set yet.
The Reds host Cleveland, Toronto and The New York Yankees in Interleague play.
Toronto comes into Cincinnati Friday June 17, Sat 18 and Sunday the 19th. The Yankees follow on Monday June 20, Tuesday June 21 and Wed June 22.
The Reds travel to Cleveland for a weekend series May 20-22. They go to Camden Yard in Baltimore for the first time ever, the weekend of June 24-26 and to Tampa Bay June 27-29.
See the full schedule by clicking below:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=cin&m=4&y=2011
The Reds will open with Milwaukee on Thursday, March 31.
No game times have been set yet.
The Reds host Cleveland, Toronto and The New York Yankees in Interleague play.
Toronto comes into Cincinnati Friday June 17, Sat 18 and Sunday the 19th. The Yankees follow on Monday June 20, Tuesday June 21 and Wed June 22.
The Reds travel to Cleveland for a weekend series May 20-22. They go to Camden Yard in Baltimore for the first time ever, the weekend of June 24-26 and to Tampa Bay June 27-29.
See the full schedule by clicking below:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=cin&m=4&y=2011
Pujols Out Of Cardinals Lineup
The Cincinnati Reds have the St. Louis Cardinals on ropes.
Super star Albert Pujols is not in the lineup tonight against the Chicago Cubs. Pujols injured his left elbow in Pittsburgh three weeks ago and aggravated it again a couple days later. After the Cardinals lost to Chicago last night, Pujols needed a cortisone shot in his arm.
The National League leader with 39 home runs and 104 RBI has missed just one other game this season.
Felipe Lopez will play firstbase tonight for St. Louis and Colby Rasmus will take Pujols third spot in the batting order.
St. Louis trails the Reds by seven games and any combination of Reds wins and Cardinal losses that add up to 13 will clinch the Central Division for Cincinnati.
Super star Albert Pujols is not in the lineup tonight against the Chicago Cubs. Pujols injured his left elbow in Pittsburgh three weeks ago and aggravated it again a couple days later. After the Cardinals lost to Chicago last night, Pujols needed a cortisone shot in his arm.
The National League leader with 39 home runs and 104 RBI has missed just one other game this season.
Felipe Lopez will play firstbase tonight for St. Louis and Colby Rasmus will take Pujols third spot in the batting order.
St. Louis trails the Reds by seven games and any combination of Reds wins and Cardinal losses that add up to 13 will clinch the Central Division for Cincinnati.
Bronson Arroyo's 15 Wins Makes Him One of the Big Boys
For the third year in a row Reds righthander Bronson Arroyo has won 15 games.
Is 15-games the new 20?
"No," Dusty Baker said. "Twenty is twenty. With any luck he would have 20 wins."
No one has won 20 games in either league over the last season. From 1900 through 1982 there was just one season in the National League that no pitcher won 20 games. In the American League there was just one season from 1900-1980 in which no pitcher won 20 games.
There have been seven season since 1982 in which no pitcher in the National League won 20 games. In the American League there have been four years since 1982 without a 20-game winner.
Consider the following from the Reds Public Relations Department.....
Is 15-games the new 20?
"No," Dusty Baker said. "Twenty is twenty. With any luck he would have 20 wins."
No one has won 20 games in either league over the last season. From 1900 through 1982 there was just one season in the National League that no pitcher won 20 games. In the American League there was just one season from 1900-1980 in which no pitcher won 20 games.
There have been seven season since 1982 in which no pitcher in the National League won 20 games. In the American League there have been four years since 1982 without a 20-game winner.
Consider the following from the Reds Public Relations Department.....
Streaking: For the third straight season Arroyo has produced a career-high 15 wins...is the first Reds pitcher to win at least 15 decisions in 3 straight seasons since Tom Browning did it from 1988-90 (18, 15, 15) and the first Reds righthander to do it since Jack Billingham from 1973-75 (19, 19, 15)...is 1 of only 4 pitchers in the Major Leagues with at least 15 wins in each of the last 3 seasons (Sabathia,Halladay, Lester)...Lincecum becomes the fifth with 1 more victory.
Under Pressure: In 58 career apps and 47 starts in September/October is 22-11, 3.40 (315.1ip, 119er).
Workhorse: In each of the previous 5 seasons produced at least 32 starts and 200 innings pitched...has 30 starts and 197.2 innings pitched...is 1 of only 4 pitchers to record at least 200 innings in each of the previous 5 seasons, joining Dan Haren(202ip in 2010), Javier Vazquez (148.2 in 2010) and Mark Buehrle (187.1ip in 2010)...since he was acquired by the Reds prior to the 2006 season leads all Major League pitchers with 166 starts (tied w/ Dan Haren) and leads the National League with 1069.1 innings pitched.
"That's Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins right there. You don't think of Bronson as being one of the big boys. He just don't have the stuff the big boys have. He is one of the big boys. The main thing is how many of those games did we win. It's being as consistent as you can get right there," Baker said.
Bray Beats Ryal in a 16 Pitch Battle
Bill Bray and Rusty Ryal played out a mini drama in last night games.
Ryal fouled off 10 two-strike pitches until Bray finally got him to swing through the 16th pitch.
"I went fastball, slider. I just didn't want to walk him and put him on base," Bray said.
A typical inning more often than not is 15 pitches.
"You want to avoid those," Bray said. "You run up your pitch count pretty fast doing that. I just wanted him to put the ball in play."
Bray couldn't remember an at bat that long.
"No comes to mind. You don't want to have too many of them."
Ryal fouled off 10 two-strike pitches until Bray finally got him to swing through the 16th pitch.
"I went fastball, slider. I just didn't want to walk him and put him on base," Bray said.
A typical inning more often than not is 15 pitches.
"You want to avoid those," Bray said. "You run up your pitch count pretty fast doing that. I just wanted him to put the ball in play."
Bray couldn't remember an at bat that long.
"No comes to mind. You don't want to have too many of them."
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Reds Clinch Its First Winning Season Since 2000
Jay Bruce turned 13 the year the Reds last had a winning record. The Reds won for the 82nd time.
"Everybody wants to go to the World Series right away but you have to have a winning season first." Dusty Baker said. "We have that. The next step is win the division. After that its the playoffs."
His two home-run, four RBI performance sealed it for the Reds, backing up Bronson Arroyo, who won his 15th game for the third straight year. He is just 2 1/3 innings shy of 200 innings.
"One of the things that I'm most proud of in my career is taking the ball every fifth day," said Arroyo. "I don't have C. C. Sabathia stuff."
Maybe not but the slightly built Arroyo has the equivalent of a 20 win year. The old benchmark for wins by a starting pitcher used to be 20 but that was when managers used a four man rotation. Since going to a fifth man the number of wins is logical. Very few pitchers win 20 games now. There aren't a whole lot that win 15 either. Arroyo mentions Sabathia, who has 19 wins now. He has a chance to win 20 for the first time in his career but he doesn't have a string of five straight 200 inning seasons that Arroyo has.
"He'll get 200 innings this year," Dusty Baker said. "Fifteen wins is the model of consistency. I'll take that."
Bruce's injury may have helped him lead the team in its five home run assault of the Diamondbacks.
Joey Votto hit his 34th of the season. Drew Stubbs added his 17th in the second inning following Bruce. Orlando Cabrera hit his fourth.
"The injury may have helped Bruce," Baker stated. "Actually it made him a little calmer and slower. Chris Heisey came in and said he was the MVP because he got hurt."
There was a young fan who was in a wheel chair before the game. Several players including Bruce gave him a bat and was asked to hit a home run.
"It is a humbling experience to meet someone like him," Bruce said. "It's always good to hit home runs but everytime out there, I'm trying to have an impact. This game is humbling."
The Reds win and St. Louis 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs puts the Reds back on top of the Division by seven games. The Cubs are mathematically eliminated by the Reds win. The magic number is now 13.
"Everybody wants to go to the World Series right away but you have to have a winning season first." Dusty Baker said. "We have that. The next step is win the division. After that its the playoffs."
His two home-run, four RBI performance sealed it for the Reds, backing up Bronson Arroyo, who won his 15th game for the third straight year. He is just 2 1/3 innings shy of 200 innings.
"One of the things that I'm most proud of in my career is taking the ball every fifth day," said Arroyo. "I don't have C. C. Sabathia stuff."
Maybe not but the slightly built Arroyo has the equivalent of a 20 win year. The old benchmark for wins by a starting pitcher used to be 20 but that was when managers used a four man rotation. Since going to a fifth man the number of wins is logical. Very few pitchers win 20 games now. There aren't a whole lot that win 15 either. Arroyo mentions Sabathia, who has 19 wins now. He has a chance to win 20 for the first time in his career but he doesn't have a string of five straight 200 inning seasons that Arroyo has.
"He'll get 200 innings this year," Dusty Baker said. "Fifteen wins is the model of consistency. I'll take that."
Bruce's injury may have helped him lead the team in its five home run assault of the Diamondbacks.
Joey Votto hit his 34th of the season. Drew Stubbs added his 17th in the second inning following Bruce. Orlando Cabrera hit his fourth.
"The injury may have helped Bruce," Baker stated. "Actually it made him a little calmer and slower. Chris Heisey came in and said he was the MVP because he got hurt."
There was a young fan who was in a wheel chair before the game. Several players including Bruce gave him a bat and was asked to hit a home run.
"It is a humbling experience to meet someone like him," Bruce said. "It's always good to hit home runs but everytime out there, I'm trying to have an impact. This game is humbling."
The Reds win and St. Louis 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs puts the Reds back on top of the Division by seven games. The Cubs are mathematically eliminated by the Reds win. The magic number is now 13.
Bruce is Back Beats D'Backs 7-2
Jay Bruce was not in the original lineup but Chris Heisey was worn down.
Bruce insisted his aching side was better a couple days ago and talked his way into Dusty Baker's lineup.
He made Baker look smart again. Bruce cracked two home runs and hit an RBI single in four trips to pace the Reds victory over the hapless snakes of Arizona.
Bronson Arroyo pitched the required five innings plus one to annex his 15th victory, tying his career high for the third time. He has won either 14 or 15 games six times in the last seven seasons and four in a row. He is 2 1/3 innings short of the benchmark 200 innings.
The only blemishes in his performance was back-to-back home runs to Miguel Montero and Ryan Church. He scattered five single and walked none, while striking out eight.
Bruce has hit 10 home runs in his last 16 games. He was the Reds' hottest hitter before missing the last 13 games with a strain in his right side. It was the fourth multi-home run game this season for Bruce.
Bruce insisted his aching side was better a couple days ago and talked his way into Dusty Baker's lineup.
He made Baker look smart again. Bruce cracked two home runs and hit an RBI single in four trips to pace the Reds victory over the hapless snakes of Arizona.
Bronson Arroyo pitched the required five innings plus one to annex his 15th victory, tying his career high for the third time. He has won either 14 or 15 games six times in the last seven seasons and four in a row. He is 2 1/3 innings short of the benchmark 200 innings.
The only blemishes in his performance was back-to-back home runs to Miguel Montero and Ryan Church. He scattered five single and walked none, while striking out eight.
Bruce has hit 10 home runs in his last 16 games. He was the Reds' hottest hitter before missing the last 13 games with a strain in his right side. It was the fourth multi-home run game this season for Bruce.
Reds Emergency Outfielder Turns Out To Be Bruce
Dusty Baker wanted to wait until Tuesday to bring Jay Bruce back. Bruce has been saying he is ready for a couple days but Baker wanted to make sure he wouldn't hurt himself worse.
"We had a meeting a couple days ago. Me, Jay and Dr. Kremchek talked about it. We know he is not going to be fully healthy until he gets rest in the winter," Baker said. "With Heisey hurting now we have to mix and match."
For insurance the Reds acquired Willie Bloomquist from the Kansas City Royals. Bloomquist is 32 years old. He was the third pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1999 out of Arizona State University.
Bloomquist hit .265 in 72 games for Kansas City, 35 in the outfield. He can also play the middle infield which is valuable too with Orlando Cabrera's general soreness.
"Walt told me he is excited about being in a pennant race," Baker said. "We need him. He plays all over. He plays a good outfield and he can run."
"We had a meeting a couple days ago. Me, Jay and Dr. Kremchek talked about it. We know he is not going to be fully healthy until he gets rest in the winter," Baker said. "With Heisey hurting now we have to mix and match."
For insurance the Reds acquired Willie Bloomquist from the Kansas City Royals. Bloomquist is 32 years old. He was the third pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1999 out of Arizona State University.
Bloomquist hit .265 in 72 games for Kansas City, 35 in the outfield. He can also play the middle infield which is valuable too with Orlando Cabrera's general soreness.
"Walt told me he is excited about being in a pennant race," Baker said. "We need him. He plays all over. He plays a good outfield and he can run."
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Reds Miss Chance to Guarantee a Winning Season Fall 3-1
The Pittsburgh Pirates came off the mat for the third day in a row. Friday they trailed 3-1 in the ninth and tied the game. Saturday they scored four runs in the eighth when they were behind 3-0. Sunday the Reds held a slim 1-0 lead in the ninth and scored on a three-run double by Andrew McCutchen off Francisco Cordero.
The Reds' maligned closer walked John Bowker to start the ninth. Ryan Doumit singled to center. Lastings Milledge bunted back to Cordero, who nailed Bowker at third. Pinch hitter Garrett Jones singled hard to center to load the bases. Pinch hitter, Jose Tabata hit a one-hopper to Votto, who got the force at home. McCutchen was down 0-2 and took a pitch before he lined a ball into the leftfield corner to clear the bases.
Johnny Cueto was in middle school the last time the Reds had a winning season.
Cueto has allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates just four runs in 33 innings over five starts.
Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a dribbler in the first inning. Pedro Alverez and Lastings Milledge hit singles in the seventh. Cueto walked two.
Joey Votto drove home his 102nd run of the season with a double in the fourth, following Orlando Cabrera's double off Brian Burres. Combined with two singles by Ramon Hernandez the Reds managed just four hits off the Pirates lefthander.
Logan Ondrusek and Arthur Rhodes relieved Cueto. Ondrusek got the first two Pirates in the eighth but rookie Alex Presley singled. Rhodes walked Walker. Alvarez hit a sharp grounder to Cairo at third, who was giving Scott Rolen a day off. He momentarily bobbled the ball but nipped Alvarez at first for the final out of the inning.
On Friday and Saturday the Reds responded after losing the lead by scoring. Heisey was involved in both. This time Joel Hanrahan retired Votto on a ground out and Gomes on a swinging strike. Then he nearly self destructed. He hit Hernandez with a pitch, surrendered a single to Cairo. Then he walked Stubbs. Heisey came up with a chance to become the hero again. He got down 0 and 2 but battled to get the count even, fouling off three pitches. Hanrahan got him on a called third strike.
The Reds have to wait another day for its 82nd win.
The Reds' maligned closer walked John Bowker to start the ninth. Ryan Doumit singled to center. Lastings Milledge bunted back to Cordero, who nailed Bowker at third. Pinch hitter Garrett Jones singled hard to center to load the bases. Pinch hitter, Jose Tabata hit a one-hopper to Votto, who got the force at home. McCutchen was down 0-2 and took a pitch before he lined a ball into the leftfield corner to clear the bases.
Johnny Cueto was in middle school the last time the Reds had a winning season.
Cueto has allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates just four runs in 33 innings over five starts.
Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a dribbler in the first inning. Pedro Alverez and Lastings Milledge hit singles in the seventh. Cueto walked two.
Joey Votto drove home his 102nd run of the season with a double in the fourth, following Orlando Cabrera's double off Brian Burres. Combined with two singles by Ramon Hernandez the Reds managed just four hits off the Pirates lefthander.
Logan Ondrusek and Arthur Rhodes relieved Cueto. Ondrusek got the first two Pirates in the eighth but rookie Alex Presley singled. Rhodes walked Walker. Alvarez hit a sharp grounder to Cairo at third, who was giving Scott Rolen a day off. He momentarily bobbled the ball but nipped Alvarez at first for the final out of the inning.
On Friday and Saturday the Reds responded after losing the lead by scoring. Heisey was involved in both. This time Joel Hanrahan retired Votto on a ground out and Gomes on a swinging strike. Then he nearly self destructed. He hit Hernandez with a pitch, surrendered a single to Cairo. Then he walked Stubbs. Heisey came up with a chance to become the hero again. He got down 0 and 2 but battled to get the count even, fouling off three pitches. Hanrahan got him on a called third strike.
The Reds have to wait another day for its 82nd win.
Bruce Back Tuesday
Dusty Baker expects Jay Bruce to be ready by Tuesday. Baker likes to make sure that players are 100 percent before they get back in the lineup.
His patience has been tested this time. A month ago he had six outfielders. He didn't know how to find enough playing time for them to stay sharp. Then in succession, Laynce Nix, Jim Edmonds and Bruce went down with injuries.
That left Jonny Gomes, Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey with no back ups aside from Yonder Alonso and Juan Francisco, who dabbled in the Louisville outfield. Miguel Cairo played rightfield on Saturday because Heisey was a little banged up.
Heisey was back in rightfield on Sunday.
His patience has been tested this time. A month ago he had six outfielders. He didn't know how to find enough playing time for them to stay sharp. Then in succession, Laynce Nix, Jim Edmonds and Bruce went down with injuries.
That left Jonny Gomes, Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey with no back ups aside from Yonder Alonso and Juan Francisco, who dabbled in the Louisville outfield. Miguel Cairo played rightfield on Saturday because Heisey was a little banged up.
Heisey was back in rightfield on Sunday.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Volquez is Back Reds One Day Closer As They Rally 5-4 in 10
Edinson Volquez has found his long lost release point. He poured in quality strikes at the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates all night.
Scott Rolen and the Reds offense provided just enough to get the job done. Charlie Morton pitched much better than his 1-11 record and 9.66 ERA would suggest.
Rolen hit a pair of leadoff doubles. Jonny Gomes singled behind him twice. Both hits were right in front of outfielders and hit a little to hard to score Rolen but Drew Stubbs and Ramon Hernandez hit fly balls deep enough to get Rolen home.
Volquez allowed a single that could easily have been fielded by Orlando Cabrera but Jose Tabata reached one out into the first. Garrett Jones walked with two outs and was the last to reach base against the dominant Volquez.
He retired all of the last 19 batters he faced, fanning 10 of them.
Drew Stubbs had two hits to go with his sacrifice fly and Miguel Cairo starting in rightfield for Chris Heisey lifted a third sacrifice fly in the seventh. Cairo made his 33rd career start in the outfield in 1150 games. Heisey was banged up last night but entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.
The Reds were already down to its last three outfielders forcing Dusty Baker to put Cairo in right where he had one routine chance.
The scoreboard watching was evident when the team's investment in Alex Gonzalez paid off in a strange way. Gonzalez now an employee of the Atlanta Braves hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 12th inning in Atlanta to sink the St. Louis Cardinals in a 6-3 loss. When the score was posted a bewildered Ryan Doumit couldn't understand why the crowd cheered so, as he entered the batters box.
The Pirates scored two runs in the eighth off Nick Masset before giving way to Aroldis Chapman with two outs. Masset left runners on first and second. Chapman threw a two balls to Neil Walker. Andrew McCutchen and Tabata easily pulled of a double steal. Walker hit a 99 mph fastball back through the box for a two run single and the Reds lead and Volquez win, went up in smoke. Chapman caught Walker running for the third out but the save had been blown.
Evan Meek started the eighth for Pittsburgh. Brandon Phillips lined out to right but Cabrera singled and Joey Votto walked for the second time. Rolen struck out on a 3-2 pitch. Gomes took a called third strike to end the threat.
Chapman struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.
Joel Hanrahan took the mound for Pittsburgh in the bottom of the ninth, attempting his fifth save.
Hernandez singled up the middle on the first pitch. Chris Valaika pinch ran for him. Stubbs took a ball after squaring to bunt, then forced Valaika with a bunt at his feet. Doumit got Valaika easily. Heisey tied it with a double just inside the thirdbase. Ryan Hanigan hit for Chapman. Hanigan flied out to deep center. Phillips stepped in 0-for-4. The count went full. Phillips walked. Cabrera flied out to deep center.
Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect 10th.
Justin Thomas trotted from the bullpen to face Votto. The MVP candidate launched his 33rd home run of the season to leftfield to build the Reds lead back to seven games.
Scott Rolen and the Reds offense provided just enough to get the job done. Charlie Morton pitched much better than his 1-11 record and 9.66 ERA would suggest.
Rolen hit a pair of leadoff doubles. Jonny Gomes singled behind him twice. Both hits were right in front of outfielders and hit a little to hard to score Rolen but Drew Stubbs and Ramon Hernandez hit fly balls deep enough to get Rolen home.
Volquez allowed a single that could easily have been fielded by Orlando Cabrera but Jose Tabata reached one out into the first. Garrett Jones walked with two outs and was the last to reach base against the dominant Volquez.
He retired all of the last 19 batters he faced, fanning 10 of them.
Drew Stubbs had two hits to go with his sacrifice fly and Miguel Cairo starting in rightfield for Chris Heisey lifted a third sacrifice fly in the seventh. Cairo made his 33rd career start in the outfield in 1150 games. Heisey was banged up last night but entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.
The Reds were already down to its last three outfielders forcing Dusty Baker to put Cairo in right where he had one routine chance.
The scoreboard watching was evident when the team's investment in Alex Gonzalez paid off in a strange way. Gonzalez now an employee of the Atlanta Braves hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 12th inning in Atlanta to sink the St. Louis Cardinals in a 6-3 loss. When the score was posted a bewildered Ryan Doumit couldn't understand why the crowd cheered so, as he entered the batters box.
The Pirates scored two runs in the eighth off Nick Masset before giving way to Aroldis Chapman with two outs. Masset left runners on first and second. Chapman threw a two balls to Neil Walker. Andrew McCutchen and Tabata easily pulled of a double steal. Walker hit a 99 mph fastball back through the box for a two run single and the Reds lead and Volquez win, went up in smoke. Chapman caught Walker running for the third out but the save had been blown.
Evan Meek started the eighth for Pittsburgh. Brandon Phillips lined out to right but Cabrera singled and Joey Votto walked for the second time. Rolen struck out on a 3-2 pitch. Gomes took a called third strike to end the threat.
Chapman struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.
Joel Hanrahan took the mound for Pittsburgh in the bottom of the ninth, attempting his fifth save.
Hernandez singled up the middle on the first pitch. Chris Valaika pinch ran for him. Stubbs took a ball after squaring to bunt, then forced Valaika with a bunt at his feet. Doumit got Valaika easily. Heisey tied it with a double just inside the thirdbase. Ryan Hanigan hit for Chapman. Hanigan flied out to deep center. Phillips stepped in 0-for-4. The count went full. Phillips walked. Cabrera flied out to deep center.
Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect 10th.
Justin Thomas trotted from the bullpen to face Votto. The MVP candidate launched his 33rd home run of the season to leftfield to build the Reds lead back to seven games.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Chapman Gets His First Win Hanigan Blasts Brewers 6-1 Lead By 8
Aroldis Chapman got his first Major League win when Ryan Hanigan hit a three-run pinch-hit home run off former batterymate, Todd Coffey in the seventh inning..
It was his fifth of the season and the 10th pinch-hit home run by the Reds this season. The record is 13 set in 2006.
For six innings, Milwaukee's starter, Chris Narveson, pitched and hit the Brewers into the lead. His second single of the game off Johnny Cueto in the sixth plated Lorenzo Cain with the first run of the contest in the top of the fifth.
"Narveson was dealing but Johnny was good too. If we could have gotten a fielder's choice before Narveson's hit, they wouldn't have scored either," Baker said.
Cueto completed six innings and allowed just five hits but Narveson, who now sports a .341 average put him in a one-run hole as he left the game.
The crowd got into the game when the with the Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman, incoming. For the second straight night, Chapman sent the digital diplays of the radar guns spinning. However, Cain hit a 101 mph fastball hard on one hop to Scott Rolen at third. Chapman took command and whiffed Alcides Escobar and Jonathan Lucroy to end the inning.
"We weren't dead on the bench. Narveson made us look dead," Baker said. "When you're not scoring and their pitchers is pitching well sometimes you look dead. But Chapman coming in did change the energy in the ballpark. You don't say anything but you absorb it."
The excitement carried over into the offense. Jonny Gomes swung threw Narveson's two-strike pitch for the first out, but Ramon Hernandez coaxed a walk. Coffey replaced Narveson. With an extra catcher on the roster Dusty Baker could pinch run for him. Brandon Phillips, who hasn't played all week with a swollen right hand, scored another run when Miguel Cairo doubled off Coffey. Paul Janish reached on an infield single that Escobar dove for an saved a run, temporarily. Hanigan launched a three-run home run into the upper deck in left. The Brewers changed pitchers.
"I hit a slider middle in," Hanigan said. "Everyone feels like they want to be the guy. Everyone has stepped up, top to bottom. We trying to build on our lead. We're not taking anything for granted. We haven't played St. Louis too well this year. We'll take the momentum we have now and see what happens."
Mike McClendon walked Drew Stubbs and surrendered a single to Chris Heisey. Milwaukee manager Ken Macha selected Zach Braddock to work his lefty on lefty voodoo on Joey Votto. Votto walked for the second time. Rolen capped the scoring with a two run single.
"I am really happy to have my first victory in my big leagues. I'm very proud of it," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I didn't talk much about it before now. I just wanted to get here (Major Leagues) and stay here. I feel really good when people cheer for me. I think their starting pitcher from the other team was doing a great job. When their bullpen came in then we started to hit."
The Reds and Baker wanted to ease him into his role but a short bullpen forced Baker to use him in a 1-0 game.
"It was not by choice that we used him tonight but Arthur (Rhodes) was not available and Bill Bray worked two in a row. That's why I didn't use him two innings last night," Baker said.
Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero finished off the Brewers.
Phillips took the scoring lead back from Albert Pujols with his 93rd run scored. The only bad news was Votto's 10-game hitting streak ended. He was 0-for-2 with two walks.
Lost in the night was the first Major League at bat by the Reds top pick in the 2008 draft. Yonder Alonso made the last out in the six-run seventh by hitting a check swing grounder to the pitcher.
It was his fifth of the season and the 10th pinch-hit home run by the Reds this season. The record is 13 set in 2006.
For six innings, Milwaukee's starter, Chris Narveson, pitched and hit the Brewers into the lead. His second single of the game off Johnny Cueto in the sixth plated Lorenzo Cain with the first run of the contest in the top of the fifth.
"Narveson was dealing but Johnny was good too. If we could have gotten a fielder's choice before Narveson's hit, they wouldn't have scored either," Baker said.
Cueto completed six innings and allowed just five hits but Narveson, who now sports a .341 average put him in a one-run hole as he left the game.
The crowd got into the game when the with the Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman, incoming. For the second straight night, Chapman sent the digital diplays of the radar guns spinning. However, Cain hit a 101 mph fastball hard on one hop to Scott Rolen at third. Chapman took command and whiffed Alcides Escobar and Jonathan Lucroy to end the inning.
"We weren't dead on the bench. Narveson made us look dead," Baker said. "When you're not scoring and their pitchers is pitching well sometimes you look dead. But Chapman coming in did change the energy in the ballpark. You don't say anything but you absorb it."
The excitement carried over into the offense. Jonny Gomes swung threw Narveson's two-strike pitch for the first out, but Ramon Hernandez coaxed a walk. Coffey replaced Narveson. With an extra catcher on the roster Dusty Baker could pinch run for him. Brandon Phillips, who hasn't played all week with a swollen right hand, scored another run when Miguel Cairo doubled off Coffey. Paul Janish reached on an infield single that Escobar dove for an saved a run, temporarily. Hanigan launched a three-run home run into the upper deck in left. The Brewers changed pitchers.
"I hit a slider middle in," Hanigan said. "Everyone feels like they want to be the guy. Everyone has stepped up, top to bottom. We trying to build on our lead. We're not taking anything for granted. We haven't played St. Louis too well this year. We'll take the momentum we have now and see what happens."
Mike McClendon walked Drew Stubbs and surrendered a single to Chris Heisey. Milwaukee manager Ken Macha selected Zach Braddock to work his lefty on lefty voodoo on Joey Votto. Votto walked for the second time. Rolen capped the scoring with a two run single.
"I am really happy to have my first victory in my big leagues. I'm very proud of it," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I didn't talk much about it before now. I just wanted to get here (Major Leagues) and stay here. I feel really good when people cheer for me. I think their starting pitcher from the other team was doing a great job. When their bullpen came in then we started to hit."
The Reds and Baker wanted to ease him into his role but a short bullpen forced Baker to use him in a 1-0 game.
"It was not by choice that we used him tonight but Arthur (Rhodes) was not available and Bill Bray worked two in a row. That's why I didn't use him two innings last night," Baker said.
Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero finished off the Brewers.
Phillips took the scoring lead back from Albert Pujols with his 93rd run scored. The only bad news was Votto's 10-game hitting streak ended. He was 0-for-2 with two walks.
Lost in the night was the first Major League at bat by the Reds top pick in the 2008 draft. Yonder Alonso made the last out in the six-run seventh by hitting a check swing grounder to the pitcher.
Cards Have A Problem In Houston
The St. Louis Cardinals lost in Houston this afternoon and were swept in the three game series. They scored exactly two runs in three games.
It is a good thing that Tony La Russa saved his aces for the Reds over the weekend. They shaved their heads to change their luck. They have dealt themselves a tough hand. They are at the present time 7 1/2 games behind the Reds. If the Reds complete the sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers tonight, they will take an eight game lead into St. Louis Friday night.
Any combination of Reds wins and Cardinal losses that equal 24 give the Central Division to the Reds.
If the Reds split the remaining 30 games at 15-15. The Cardinals must go 23-8 the rest of the season just to tie.
It is a good thing that Tony La Russa saved his aces for the Reds over the weekend. They shaved their heads to change their luck. They have dealt themselves a tough hand. They are at the present time 7 1/2 games behind the Reds. If the Reds complete the sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers tonight, they will take an eight game lead into St. Louis Friday night.
Any combination of Reds wins and Cardinal losses that equal 24 give the Central Division to the Reds.
If the Reds split the remaining 30 games at 15-15. The Cardinals must go 23-8 the rest of the season just to tie.
Division Hell, The Reds Best in the League
Don't look now but the Reds recent surge has put them at the top of the National League.
San Diego has lost six straight while the Reds have won 10 of its last 14 games. The Reds and Atlanta have identical records, 77-55. San Diego is sitting at 76-55.
The only two teams in baseball with a better record are the Yankees at 82-50 and Tampa Bay at 81-51.
San Diego has lost six straight while the Reds have won 10 of its last 14 games. The Reds and Atlanta have identical records, 77-55. San Diego is sitting at 76-55.
The only two teams in baseball with a better record are the Yankees at 82-50 and Tampa Bay at 81-51.
Cabrera and Volquez Play in Dayton Tonight
Orlando Cabrera is close to returning for the stretch run. He will play in Dayton tonight and tomorrow. He will join the Reds in St. Louis and be evaluated to see if he is ready.
Brandon Phillips is lobbying for a return on Friday. Dusty Baker wants to see how he feels after hitting this afternoon. The swelling is nearly gone but the urgency is not that great due to the excellent job that young Chris Valaika has done.
Yonder Alonso will be a bat off the bench. "We already have a firstbaseman," Baker said. "The reports on Alonso and Francisco as outfielders have been so-so."
Two weeks ago the Reds had more outfielders than they needed. Now with Jim Edmonds and Laynce Nix getting hurt, the options have evaporated. Miguel Cairo, who also suffered an injury, is the best option to help in the outfield. Tonight Cairo is in the lineup at secondbase.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Yonder Alonso Is Joining the Reds
If Aroldis Chapman wasn't exciting enough, the Reds first pick in the 2007 draft Yonder Alonso will be with the team tomorrow.
The Reds will also recall, RHP Carlos Fisher. They purchased the contract of C Corky Miller.
To make room for Miller, RHP Russ Springer was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
The Reds will also recall, RHP Carlos Fisher. They purchased the contract of C Corky Miller.
To make room for Miller, RHP Russ Springer was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
Chapmania Aside Reds Distill Brewers 8-4 Lead Now 7 Games
With the Cuban Missle, Aroldis Chapman in town, who knew the fastest the ball would travel was after Aaron Harang threw the ball.
Harang gave up eight hits in four innings. All of them left the bat at a high rate of speed with the exception of Prince Fielder's RBI duck fart in the first inning. Even the outs were smoked.
However, the Brewers needed help to score two runs in Harang's last inning.
Sam LeCure got the win with two good innings of relief.
The Reds pounded Milwaukee starter, Yovani Gallardo.
Drew Stubbs walked to start the game and Chris Valaika, making his fourth start replacing injured Brandon Phillips, shot a single to center. Reds MVP candidate, Joe Votto hit a screamer past Prince Fielder and down the rightfield line to score them both.
In the fourth inning Scott Rolen led off with double and Jonny Gomes, a last minute replacement for Jay Bruce ,who had pain in his right side, hit a home run to the moon deck in rightfield.
"It is no secret the Reds are playing great ball," said the low key Milwaukee manager Ken Macha. "Look at that inning. I'm sure if you asked Gomes he was trying to go the other way to get Rolen to third. Then Chris Heisey hit a double and (Ryan) Hanigan hit the ball the other way to get him to third."
Paul Janish couldn't reach an outside and low curveball on a squeeze play and the rally died but the point was made.
"They are playing unselfish, good team ball," Macha said.
Harang had a high pitch count to start the fourth as it was. He compounded it by walking Fielder after Ryan Braun opened with a hard line single. Dusty Baker pulled his starter, making his first start since going on the DL on July 5th.
Lecure got Casey McGehee on a fly to left. Former Red Chris Dickerson lined a hit to left. Gomes trying to make a quick throw to the plate missed the ball and it rolled to the wall for a two base error, allowing Braun and Fielder to score. The runs were charged to Harang but they were labeled unearned and LeCure got the Brewers out the rest of the way with the lead in hand.
The Reds got one back in the fifth when Drew Stubbs, the leadoff hitter du jour, doubled, Valaika struck out looking. Bringing Votto up with an open base. It was clear that Gallardo was being cautious and the count went to 3-2. Gallardo did his job but Votto still got the better of him poking the ball into shallow left for an RBI double.
"I made a good 3-2 pitch to Votto but it landed. There was nothing I could do about it."
Hanigan, Janish and Rolen doubled and the Reds put the game away with three runs in the sixth.
Rickie Weeks homered off Logan Ondrusek for an anticlimactic run in the ninth, after a bout of Chapmanania.
Jonathan Lucroy had the dubious distinction of facing the "Cuban Missle" first.
The at bat went as follows:
Poor Jonathan Lucroy was the first hitter to face him in the big leagues. Chapman threw a strike at 98 mph on the first pitch as cameras flashed. He got a swing and miss on an 86 mph slider for strike two. Lucroy fouled a 102mph pitch sideways and whiffed on an 86mph slider.
"I was just trying to hit the ball hard. He's tough. He's very deceptive. He hides the ball. I knew it was coming. We knew they would make a big deal out of it. I tried to shut it out. 102mph, I was just trying to get my bat on the ball. I'm glad no one got hurt when I fouled it."
The foul ball screamed into the first row above the Reds dugout as players on the Reds bench ducked in unison.
"I'll be better prepared next time," Lucroy said.
Macha, who speaks in a monotone all the time, didn't want to talk much about it.
"The crowd liked it. 102mph, I'm sure it will be on Sportscenter."
Harang gave up eight hits in four innings. All of them left the bat at a high rate of speed with the exception of Prince Fielder's RBI duck fart in the first inning. Even the outs were smoked.
However, the Brewers needed help to score two runs in Harang's last inning.
Sam LeCure got the win with two good innings of relief.
The Reds pounded Milwaukee starter, Yovani Gallardo.
Drew Stubbs walked to start the game and Chris Valaika, making his fourth start replacing injured Brandon Phillips, shot a single to center. Reds MVP candidate, Joe Votto hit a screamer past Prince Fielder and down the rightfield line to score them both.
In the fourth inning Scott Rolen led off with double and Jonny Gomes, a last minute replacement for Jay Bruce ,who had pain in his right side, hit a home run to the moon deck in rightfield.
"It is no secret the Reds are playing great ball," said the low key Milwaukee manager Ken Macha. "Look at that inning. I'm sure if you asked Gomes he was trying to go the other way to get Rolen to third. Then Chris Heisey hit a double and (Ryan) Hanigan hit the ball the other way to get him to third."
Paul Janish couldn't reach an outside and low curveball on a squeeze play and the rally died but the point was made.
"They are playing unselfish, good team ball," Macha said.
Harang had a high pitch count to start the fourth as it was. He compounded it by walking Fielder after Ryan Braun opened with a hard line single. Dusty Baker pulled his starter, making his first start since going on the DL on July 5th.
Lecure got Casey McGehee on a fly to left. Former Red Chris Dickerson lined a hit to left. Gomes trying to make a quick throw to the plate missed the ball and it rolled to the wall for a two base error, allowing Braun and Fielder to score. The runs were charged to Harang but they were labeled unearned and LeCure got the Brewers out the rest of the way with the lead in hand.
The Reds got one back in the fifth when Drew Stubbs, the leadoff hitter du jour, doubled, Valaika struck out looking. Bringing Votto up with an open base. It was clear that Gallardo was being cautious and the count went to 3-2. Gallardo did his job but Votto still got the better of him poking the ball into shallow left for an RBI double.
"I made a good 3-2 pitch to Votto but it landed. There was nothing I could do about it."
Hanigan, Janish and Rolen doubled and the Reds put the game away with three runs in the sixth.
Rickie Weeks homered off Logan Ondrusek for an anticlimactic run in the ninth, after a bout of Chapmanania.
Jonathan Lucroy had the dubious distinction of facing the "Cuban Missle" first.
The at bat went as follows:
Poor Jonathan Lucroy was the first hitter to face him in the big leagues. Chapman threw a strike at 98 mph on the first pitch as cameras flashed. He got a swing and miss on an 86 mph slider for strike two. Lucroy fouled a 102mph pitch sideways and whiffed on an 86mph slider.
"I was just trying to hit the ball hard. He's tough. He's very deceptive. He hides the ball. I knew it was coming. We knew they would make a big deal out of it. I tried to shut it out. 102mph, I was just trying to get my bat on the ball. I'm glad no one got hurt when I fouled it."
The foul ball screamed into the first row above the Reds dugout as players on the Reds bench ducked in unison.
"I'll be better prepared next time," Lucroy said.
Macha, who speaks in a monotone all the time, didn't want to talk much about it.
"The crowd liked it. 102mph, I'm sure it will be on Sportscenter."
Chapman Debuts and Oh Yes the Reds Lead 8-3 After Eight Innings
Hype meister du jour long legged it to the mound after his new mates built an 8-3 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Reds fans made as much noise as a 19,218 crowd could.
Poor Jonathan Lucroy was the first hitter to face him in the big leagues. Chapman threw a strike at 98 mph on the first pitch as cameras flashed. He got a swing and miss on an 86 mph slider for strike two. Lucroy fouled a 102mph pitch sideways and whiffed on an 86mph slider.
Craig Counsel was next. Swing and miss at 100mph heater. He grounded out on a 102 pitch.
Carlos Gomez next. A 101 fastball missed inside. He was retired on a 98 mph fastball grounding out 4-3.
Game details coming after interviewsl
Poor Jonathan Lucroy was the first hitter to face him in the big leagues. Chapman threw a strike at 98 mph on the first pitch as cameras flashed. He got a swing and miss on an 86 mph slider for strike two. Lucroy fouled a 102mph pitch sideways and whiffed on an 86mph slider.
Craig Counsel was next. Swing and miss at 100mph heater. He grounded out on a 102 pitch.
Carlos Gomez next. A 101 fastball missed inside. He was retired on a 98 mph fastball grounding out 4-3.
Game details coming after interviewsl
Jay Bruce Scratched
Hot hitting Jay Bruce was scratched from the Reds lineup an hour before the first pitch and replaced by Jonny Gomes.
Bruce was in the original lineup in his customary rightfield position batting fifth. Gomes will play leftfield with Chris Heisey moving to rightfield batting sixth.
Bruce was the hero last night for Cincinnati. He is hitting .533 with five home runs and eight RBI in his last four games.
No reason has yet been given for the lineup change.
Bruce was in the original lineup in his customary rightfield position batting fifth. Gomes will play leftfield with Chris Heisey moving to rightfield batting sixth.
Bruce was the hero last night for Cincinnati. He is hitting .533 with five home runs and eight RBI in his last four games.
No reason has yet been given for the lineup change.
Chapman Brings the Heat
The fire alarms went off at 4:30 about the time that flame throwing lefthander, Aroldis Chapman entered Great American Ball Park.
The problem was in the Pilot House in centerfield, just enough smoke to set off the alarm but the speculation was that Chapman, known to bring the heat at 105mph, had started to throw.
Chapman strolled slowly to the bullpen with Francisco Cordero, as if he was a pupil following his teacher.
The Reds also activated tonight's starter, Aaron Harang, who missed a start on the 5th of July and hasn't pitched for the big club since.
To clear roster spots, Edinson Volquez was optioned to Single A Dayton and will work on his mechanics in a start on Thursday. Laynce Nix with a sprained ankle was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Thursday.
The Reds plan to call up some minor league players in two waves. The players have not been told yet so they weren't named but Yonder Alonso's jersey was spotted in the clubhouse. A couple players will be recalled on Wednesday and a couple more on Friday in time for the St. Louis series.
The problem was in the Pilot House in centerfield, just enough smoke to set off the alarm but the speculation was that Chapman, known to bring the heat at 105mph, had started to throw.
Chapman strolled slowly to the bullpen with Francisco Cordero, as if he was a pupil following his teacher.
The Reds also activated tonight's starter, Aaron Harang, who missed a start on the 5th of July and hasn't pitched for the big club since.
To clear roster spots, Edinson Volquez was optioned to Single A Dayton and will work on his mechanics in a start on Thursday. Laynce Nix with a sprained ankle was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Thursday.
The Reds plan to call up some minor league players in two waves. The players have not been told yet so they weren't named but Yonder Alonso's jersey was spotted in the clubhouse. A couple players will be recalled on Wednesday and a couple more on Friday in time for the St. Louis series.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Reds Get 19th Walk Off Win 5-4. Increase Lead to Six Games
Jay Bruce singled home pinch runner Brandon Phillips in the 10th inning for the Reds 19th win in its last at bat.
The hits made a winner out of Francisco Cordero. Trevor Hoffman took the loss.
The line drive to left came after Ryan Hanigan walked to leadoff the 10th inning. Drew Stubbs flubbed a bunt attempt popping it up to Hoffman. Paul Janish popped to first. Chris Heisey singled to move Phillips to second base. Bruce lined a pitch by Hoffman to left and Phillips scored easily.
"My approach was to take him up the middle or the other way," Bruce said. "This game was not exactly how you would write it out."
The Reds indeed made some mistakes.
"It was a twilight zone game or a full moon game. It looked like it was becoming contagious but we fought through it," Dusty Baker said.
Hoffman, is one save away from 600 for his career. No one has done that ever. The 42-year old former Cincinnati minor leaguer, lost his closer job on the Great American Ball Park field in May by blowing a three-run ninth inning lead. Joey Votto doubled home the winning run.
Jay Bruce led off the game with his fifth home run in four games. The blow came off another lefthander, Randy Wolf of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cincinnati starter, Homer Bailey gutted out six innings. He was hit hard but allowed just four runs. His downfall was walking Lorenzo Cain with two out and the bases empty in the sixth inning. Alcides Escobar followed with a triple to put the Brewers ahead, 4-3.
The Reds smacked eight hits off Wolf but ran themselves out of a couple promising innings and hit into four double plays.
The Brewers ran wild on Bailey, stealing four bases. Wolf even stole one. It was the first by a Brewer pitcher in their 40 year history.
"It was one of those days when I didn't feel right," Wolf said. "I got some ground balls to get me out of trouble and they made some base running mistakes that helped. I told Ed (firstbase coach Sedar) that I could go. Bailey wasn't watching me and was slow to the plate."
Rolen hit into a double play in the first inning. Paul Janish did the same in the second. Bailey walked to start the third and Bruce followed with a single. When Chris Valaika flied to center, Bruce was thrown out trying to get into scoring position. With one out in the fourth, Ryan Hanigan doubled and Drew Stubbs walked. Hanigan made it to third on another fly to center by Janish. Bailey shot a single to right but Stubbs went through a stop sign by thirdbase coach, Mark Berry. After the Reds knotted the score at three on a ground rule double by Joey Votto. The ball bouncing into the stands cost a run and Valaika was out at home when he took off on contact on a hard ground ball to third by Scott Rolen. The Reds loaded the bases but Hanigan grounded into a double play.
"That was the epitome of an ugly win but it was a win," Baker said. "We can't make those mistakes. You get to championship baseball and we could make the mistakes now. You have to be aware of where the outfielders are. Mark told Valaika to gohome on a ball hit anywhere but the pitcher and thirdbase. He said ok then ran anyway. Those things happen with youth. We encourage our guys to be aggressive but you need to be aggressive and smart."
Bruce knew they got away with mistakes.
"We expect to win. We didn't play well, myself included. We have a relatively young team but that's no excuse. Honestly at this point in the season, it can't happen. You can't give away outs. You can't give away runs. We did tonight. We came out on top. We all know we need to play better baseball."
The Reds tied the score on a pinch hit home run by rookie Juan Francisco. It was the first by Francisco in the major leagues this season. He hit 18 in 77 games with Louisville. It was the Reds ninth pinch hit home run of the season.
The game tying home run put the game in the hands of the bullpens. Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray and Nick Masset held the line going into the bottom of the ninth.
Chris Valaika, filling in capably for Brandon Phillips singled to left with one out in the ninth. It was his third hit.
That left MVP candidate Joey Votto to face the Brewers lefthanded flame thrower, Zach Braddock. Votto flied out to deep left. Rolen walked. Miguel Cairo pinch hit for Masset. He has been out with a strained hamstring since his key double in the Reds 12-11 win in San Francisco, last Wednesday. He struck out swinging.
Meanwhile, J.A. Happ of the Houston Astros, shutout the hairless St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0 on two hits. The Cardinals all shaved their heads to change their luck. It didn't.
Notes:
Someone emailed, Hal McCoy, of Fox Sports Ohio, pointing out that the Reds started nine caucasion, American born players. To be correct, Joey Votto, is a native of Canada but the point that escaped most of us as it should.
The hits made a winner out of Francisco Cordero. Trevor Hoffman took the loss.
The line drive to left came after Ryan Hanigan walked to leadoff the 10th inning. Drew Stubbs flubbed a bunt attempt popping it up to Hoffman. Paul Janish popped to first. Chris Heisey singled to move Phillips to second base. Bruce lined a pitch by Hoffman to left and Phillips scored easily.
"My approach was to take him up the middle or the other way," Bruce said. "This game was not exactly how you would write it out."
The Reds indeed made some mistakes.
"It was a twilight zone game or a full moon game. It looked like it was becoming contagious but we fought through it," Dusty Baker said.
Hoffman, is one save away from 600 for his career. No one has done that ever. The 42-year old former Cincinnati minor leaguer, lost his closer job on the Great American Ball Park field in May by blowing a three-run ninth inning lead. Joey Votto doubled home the winning run.
Jay Bruce led off the game with his fifth home run in four games. The blow came off another lefthander, Randy Wolf of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cincinnati starter, Homer Bailey gutted out six innings. He was hit hard but allowed just four runs. His downfall was walking Lorenzo Cain with two out and the bases empty in the sixth inning. Alcides Escobar followed with a triple to put the Brewers ahead, 4-3.
The Reds smacked eight hits off Wolf but ran themselves out of a couple promising innings and hit into four double plays.
The Brewers ran wild on Bailey, stealing four bases. Wolf even stole one. It was the first by a Brewer pitcher in their 40 year history.
"It was one of those days when I didn't feel right," Wolf said. "I got some ground balls to get me out of trouble and they made some base running mistakes that helped. I told Ed (firstbase coach Sedar) that I could go. Bailey wasn't watching me and was slow to the plate."
Rolen hit into a double play in the first inning. Paul Janish did the same in the second. Bailey walked to start the third and Bruce followed with a single. When Chris Valaika flied to center, Bruce was thrown out trying to get into scoring position. With one out in the fourth, Ryan Hanigan doubled and Drew Stubbs walked. Hanigan made it to third on another fly to center by Janish. Bailey shot a single to right but Stubbs went through a stop sign by thirdbase coach, Mark Berry. After the Reds knotted the score at three on a ground rule double by Joey Votto. The ball bouncing into the stands cost a run and Valaika was out at home when he took off on contact on a hard ground ball to third by Scott Rolen. The Reds loaded the bases but Hanigan grounded into a double play.
"That was the epitome of an ugly win but it was a win," Baker said. "We can't make those mistakes. You get to championship baseball and we could make the mistakes now. You have to be aware of where the outfielders are. Mark told Valaika to gohome on a ball hit anywhere but the pitcher and thirdbase. He said ok then ran anyway. Those things happen with youth. We encourage our guys to be aggressive but you need to be aggressive and smart."
Bruce knew they got away with mistakes.
"We expect to win. We didn't play well, myself included. We have a relatively young team but that's no excuse. Honestly at this point in the season, it can't happen. You can't give away outs. You can't give away runs. We did tonight. We came out on top. We all know we need to play better baseball."
The Reds tied the score on a pinch hit home run by rookie Juan Francisco. It was the first by Francisco in the major leagues this season. He hit 18 in 77 games with Louisville. It was the Reds ninth pinch hit home run of the season.
The game tying home run put the game in the hands of the bullpens. Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray and Nick Masset held the line going into the bottom of the ninth.
Chris Valaika, filling in capably for Brandon Phillips singled to left with one out in the ninth. It was his third hit.
That left MVP candidate Joey Votto to face the Brewers lefthanded flame thrower, Zach Braddock. Votto flied out to deep left. Rolen walked. Miguel Cairo pinch hit for Masset. He has been out with a strained hamstring since his key double in the Reds 12-11 win in San Francisco, last Wednesday. He struck out swinging.
Meanwhile, J.A. Happ of the Houston Astros, shutout the hairless St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0 on two hits. The Cardinals all shaved their heads to change their luck. It didn't.
Notes:
Someone emailed, Hal McCoy, of Fox Sports Ohio, pointing out that the Reds started nine caucasion, American born players. To be correct, Joey Votto, is a native of Canada but the point that escaped most of us as it should.
Aroldis Chapman Will Be Recalled Tomorrow
The much awaited debut of Cuban sensation, Aroldis Chapman, is one day away.
The Reds will recall the 22-year old lefthander, who has a fastball clocked at 105 mph for Tuesday's game with Milwaukee. The Reds paid $30 million for Chapman but optioned him to Louisville where he has been all season.
The Reds will recall the 22-year old lefthander, who has a fastball clocked at 105 mph for Tuesday's game with Milwaukee. The Reds paid $30 million for Chapman but optioned him to Louisville where he has been all season.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Leadoff Change Pays Off Again For Reds Go Up Five Games
On Friday Dusty Baker put Jay Bruce in the leadoff spot and he responded with three home runs. That power provided the Reds with a 7-1 win.
Things changed on Sunday. Drew Stubbs was in the leadoff spot against Chicago Cubs starter, Casey Coleman. Stubbs was the leadoff hitter early in the season but a series of 0-for-5's led the Reds manager to drop him to seventh in the batting order.
"Stubbs gives us the best chance today," Baker said before the game. "I challenged him to score four runs today."
Stubbs failed. He scored three.
"I was one base short," Stubbs said.
Bruce and Stubbs both of whom have struggled at the plate for long stretches this season, carried the Reds this series. The Reds needed them as Baker says often, "big time."
The Reds have a series of nagging injuries to Brandon Phillips, Laynce Nix and Miguel Cairo. These veterans are healing while the young outfielders, including Chris Heisey pick up the slack. In Heisey's case he hit sixth in the order, while Bruce was placed in the fifth spot. Jonny Gomes normally hits there but has been in a slump of his own.
Gomes met with Baker early this morning.
"We needed someone in the fifth spot in the order to protect Joey Votto and Scott Rolen," Baker said. "Jay is seeing the ball better and Stubbs has been swinging the bat better.
On cue Stubbs had three hits, a double to start the game and two singles. One hit was a bunt hit that he has been working on. He stole two bases and scored three runs. Combined with Bruce's fourth home run of the series the pair made a genius out of Baker.
"I don't know if its coincidence or what," Stubbs said with a smile. "I've been feeling pretty good at the plate. You go through cycles good and bad over the course of the season."
Stubbs has had success against the Cubs in his brief career with a .324 batting average with five home runs and 18 RBI.
"I don't know the reason for that," Stubbs said.
Travis Wood was not as sharp as he normally is but got through five innings with the score tied at 3. Ramon Hernandez who Baker calls, "Clutch Man Mony" had three singles and a key RBI. Chris Valaika had a key RBI single.
Heisey broke an 0-for-14 slide with a bloop double and created problems for Cubs rightfielder Kosuke Fukudome by racing to third on a Hernandez single to force a bad throw.
"It's been our mentality from spring training to go first to third. As an outfielder myself, I know what kind of pressure it puts on you to field the ball, straighten up and make an good throw. Too many things have to go right. We've been doing it all year and I can count the times we've been thrown out on one hand. I watched Scott Rolen do it in the All-Star Game. I told him how excited it got me. That's another thing. You see one guy do it then you think, 'hey I'll try that'."
The St. Louis lost 4-2 to Washington. The Reds at 75-55 own a five game lead, the largest lead of the season.
Things changed on Sunday. Drew Stubbs was in the leadoff spot against Chicago Cubs starter, Casey Coleman. Stubbs was the leadoff hitter early in the season but a series of 0-for-5's led the Reds manager to drop him to seventh in the batting order.
"Stubbs gives us the best chance today," Baker said before the game. "I challenged him to score four runs today."
Stubbs failed. He scored three.
"I was one base short," Stubbs said.
Bruce and Stubbs both of whom have struggled at the plate for long stretches this season, carried the Reds this series. The Reds needed them as Baker says often, "big time."
The Reds have a series of nagging injuries to Brandon Phillips, Laynce Nix and Miguel Cairo. These veterans are healing while the young outfielders, including Chris Heisey pick up the slack. In Heisey's case he hit sixth in the order, while Bruce was placed in the fifth spot. Jonny Gomes normally hits there but has been in a slump of his own.
Gomes met with Baker early this morning.
"We needed someone in the fifth spot in the order to protect Joey Votto and Scott Rolen," Baker said. "Jay is seeing the ball better and Stubbs has been swinging the bat better.
On cue Stubbs had three hits, a double to start the game and two singles. One hit was a bunt hit that he has been working on. He stole two bases and scored three runs. Combined with Bruce's fourth home run of the series the pair made a genius out of Baker.
"I don't know if its coincidence or what," Stubbs said with a smile. "I've been feeling pretty good at the plate. You go through cycles good and bad over the course of the season."
Stubbs has had success against the Cubs in his brief career with a .324 batting average with five home runs and 18 RBI.
"I don't know the reason for that," Stubbs said.
Travis Wood was not as sharp as he normally is but got through five innings with the score tied at 3. Ramon Hernandez who Baker calls, "Clutch Man Mony" had three singles and a key RBI. Chris Valaika had a key RBI single.
Heisey broke an 0-for-14 slide with a bloop double and created problems for Cubs rightfielder Kosuke Fukudome by racing to third on a Hernandez single to force a bad throw.
"It's been our mentality from spring training to go first to third. As an outfielder myself, I know what kind of pressure it puts on you to field the ball, straighten up and make an good throw. Too many things have to go right. We've been doing it all year and I can count the times we've been thrown out on one hand. I watched Scott Rolen do it in the All-Star Game. I told him how excited it got me. That's another thing. You see one guy do it then you think, 'hey I'll try that'."
The St. Louis lost 4-2 to Washington. The Reds at 75-55 own a five game lead, the largest lead of the season.
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