You knew if the game went long enough Lance Berkman was going to hurt the Reds.
Young Mike Leake dodged the Berkman Bullet three times with runners on, including the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Berkman hit the ball as hard as he's hit any of his 21 Great American Ball Park home runs but couldn't get it in the air.
Brandon Phillips turned in a pair of nifty double plays and Berkman grounded hard up the middle to Orlando Cabrera but the Reds arch-enemies .235 batting average continued to sink slowly into the west.
"I had a lot of chances to drive in runs," Berkman said. "It was tough. It got frustrating but I felt good about the swings and the at bats themselves. I knew if I kept doing it the ball would fall in somewhere."
The ball that fell in was a line shot off Micah Owings down the rightfield line. Owings didn't do himself any favors by walking pinch hitter, Cory Sullivan and Michael Bourne to allow the Rice graduate another chance to be distasteful during the Taste of Cincinnati weekend.
Felipe Paulino was 0-7 but the record belies a talented right arm. On a hot humid 86 degree day, throwing 96 miles an hour through eight innings, he put a chill into Reds bats that scored 27 runs in the previous two games. Paulino is still 0-7 but his manager, Brad Mills said," It was his game."
Mills was going to pull the 26-year old after he walked Chris Heisey on four pitches to start the ninth.
"I went out there and I wanted him to want it. I was a little nervous when he walked the leadoff hitter on four pitches but to tell me he could do it, then do it. The progress he's made in the last few games was leaps and bounds. I was going to get him but if fought it, he'd given his heart and soul, it was his game," Mills said.
Mike Leake has become a hard luck pitcher. In his last two starts the Reds have scored just one run, while Leake has allowed just one in 13 1/3 innings. The one that scored was earned but it was made possible by a fly ball that should have been caught.
"He has more movement than he's given credit for," Berkman said. "He has a good feel for moving the ball in and out. He keeps the ball down. Some guys you face like Brandon Webb you feel the ball drops two feet. Leake's doesn't look like it is but if you look, it breaks late and it moves more than you give it credit for. That's why he's able to induce ground balls. You know going up that he's going to throw sinkers. There's got to be something that gets professional hitters to hit the ball in the ground."
"I feel like we excaped with one win here," Berkman said as he left town. Dusty Baker was happy to see him go.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Reds Finally Keeping Berkman in the Park
With apologies to Tim McGraw, Tug's son the Reds have kept Lance Berkman's Houston voice in check as of the fifth inning Sunday.
Historically, Berkman would just as soon parachute into Great American Ball Park rather than wait for the Houston charter to land at CVG. All he's done is hit 49 home runs and drive in 135 runs since breaking in to the big leagues for good 10 years ago. He has more home runs (21) than even Albert Pujols (18) in Great American Ball Park.
Yet the Reds handled him this series.
Sam LeCure walked him
Aaron Harang flied him
Mike Leake grounded him
On Sunday Berkman came to bat three times against Leake with at least two men on. He hit the ball hard each time but Brandon Phillips started an athletic double play in the first, and an easier version in the third. With the bases loaded and two out in the fifth, Berkman grounded hard to Orlando Cabrera at shortstop.
Mike Leake has allowed seven hits but no runs through six innings. In his last start he allowed just one run in 7 1/3 against Pittsburgh.
However, the Reds have not scored against Felipe Paulino, much like they were stifled by Paul Maholm in Leake's last start.
Historically, Berkman would just as soon parachute into Great American Ball Park rather than wait for the Houston charter to land at CVG. All he's done is hit 49 home runs and drive in 135 runs since breaking in to the big leagues for good 10 years ago. He has more home runs (21) than even Albert Pujols (18) in Great American Ball Park.
Yet the Reds handled him this series.
Sam LeCure walked him
Aaron Harang flied him
Mike Leake grounded him
On Sunday Berkman came to bat three times against Leake with at least two men on. He hit the ball hard each time but Brandon Phillips started an athletic double play in the first, and an easier version in the third. With the bases loaded and two out in the fifth, Berkman grounded hard to Orlando Cabrera at shortstop.
Mike Leake has allowed seven hits but no runs through six innings. In his last start he allowed just one run in 7 1/3 against Pittsburgh.
However, the Reds have not scored against Felipe Paulino, much like they were stifled by Paul Maholm in Leake's last start.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Reds Pound Astros Again 12-2 Will Finish May in First Place
The Reds pounded the Houston Astros for the second straight night, strafing and scuffing former teammate Brian Moehler,. who allowed eight runs in 2 1/3 innings.
They will at least share first place on the first of June no matter what happens in the last two days of the month.
"They're on a roll right now," Moehler said. "They've knocked us around pretty good the last couple days."
The Reds have scored 27 runs to the Astros eight in the two games.
The Reds scored six runs batted around for the fifth time in three games in the third inning scorin six runs. The last three runs scored on Jay Bruce's 50th career home run.
"I'm not satisfied with 50," Bruce said. "I don't try to hit them. I just know they come in bunches."
Aaron Harang, who has often toiled with no run support in the last two seasons, refused to waste the offense. He pitched seven strong innings, he allowed one run which could have been prevented had Orlando Cabrera not rushed a double play feed from Brandon Phillps.
"You can't dwell on things like run support," Harang said. "The attitude is so high around here right now. Once we hit the turnaround point its been exciting. It's fun to come to the ballpark."
Harang allowed four hits and walked two, while he fanned four to improve his record to 4-5. He is 4-2 in his last seven starts.
Hernandez was the last Reds position player to hit a home run and he heard about it from his teammates.
"They let me know when I hit that home run, I said fellows 'come on'," Hernandez said.
The St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Chicago Cubs 5-0 this afternoon, giving the Reds a two-game lead in the National League Central Division. The Reds haven't been that far ahead since they held a 2 1/2 game lead on June 2, 2004.
They will at least share first place on the first of June no matter what happens in the last two days of the month.
"They're on a roll right now," Moehler said. "They've knocked us around pretty good the last couple days."
The Reds have scored 27 runs to the Astros eight in the two games.
The Reds scored six runs batted around for the fifth time in three games in the third inning scorin six runs. The last three runs scored on Jay Bruce's 50th career home run.
"I'm not satisfied with 50," Bruce said. "I don't try to hit them. I just know they come in bunches."
Aaron Harang, who has often toiled with no run support in the last two seasons, refused to waste the offense. He pitched seven strong innings, he allowed one run which could have been prevented had Orlando Cabrera not rushed a double play feed from Brandon Phillps.
"You can't dwell on things like run support," Harang said. "The attitude is so high around here right now. Once we hit the turnaround point its been exciting. It's fun to come to the ballpark."
Harang allowed four hits and walked two, while he fanned four to improve his record to 4-5. He is 4-2 in his last seven starts.
Hernandez was the last Reds position player to hit a home run and he heard about it from his teammates.
"They let me know when I hit that home run, I said fellows 'come on'," Hernandez said.
The St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Chicago Cubs 5-0 this afternoon, giving the Reds a two-game lead in the National League Central Division. The Reds haven't been that far ahead since they held a 2 1/2 game lead on June 2, 2004.
The Reds Are Running Out Of Fireworks
It is the sixth inning the Reds have hit six home runs. There have been two each by Jay Bruce and Ramon Hernandez. Drew Stubbs has clubbed one and legged out a triple for good measure. Miguel Cairo, who is acting like he doesn't want to sit when Joey Votto's neck heals, hit his second of the season.
The Reds have had at least one home run in the last 18 games.
For Bruce it is his second two-home run game of the season, the seventh of his career. He now has 50 career home runs and at 23 has yet to play a full season. Hernandez hit two in one game for the eighth time.
The last time the Reds hit as many as seven home runs in a game was on September 19, 2008 against Milwaukee. On that night Joey Votto hit two, Bruce hit two, Andy Phillips, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jolbert Cabrera (Orlando's brother) hit one each.
The Reds have had at least one home run in the last 18 games.
For Bruce it is his second two-home run game of the season, the seventh of his career. He now has 50 career home runs and at 23 has yet to play a full season. Hernandez hit two in one game for the eighth time.
The last time the Reds hit as many as seven home runs in a game was on September 19, 2008 against Milwaukee. On that night Joey Votto hit two, Bruce hit two, Andy Phillips, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jolbert Cabrera (Orlando's brother) hit one each.
Hanigan to the DL Corky Miller Up From Louisville
Ryan Hanigan broke his left thumb in the fourth inning last night but didn't know it.
He was trying to break up a double play but caught his thumb on the base as he reached for it. There is a clean fracture at the top of his left thumb.
"It's a clean little fracture I hope it calcifies soon," said Hanigan, who improved his batting average to a lofty .351, including a double four innings after the thumb was fractured.
"I tried to tough it out," Hanigan said. "I took a couple of foul balls off it and blocked a sinker in the dirt. I needed to take a minute and talk to the pitcher. It could have been worse."
"It was a gutsy performance," Dusty Baker said. "I knew something was wrong because I saw him catch a ball funny. I kept checking him. I'm glad we have depth at catcher. I'm glad Corky Miller re-signed. Catchers are always getting beat up. He (Miller) was with us last year and caught a lot of these guys. He was a big part of how strong we finished."
Miller needs to be added to the Major League 40-man roster which means the Reds have to expose someone to waivers.
"It's tough for Ryan," Miller said. "You want to play here but don't want it to be for this reason."
Miller was hitting .282 with four home runs and 24 RBI.
"Last week was a tough week because we had travel but I was seeing the ball real good there (in Louisville). I was here last year and in spring training so I know how the pitchers want to get guys out. I've been working with (Louisville hitting coach) Smokey (Garret) so I can contribute at the plate. I don't know if I can hit .350 for two months like Ryan."
He was trying to break up a double play but caught his thumb on the base as he reached for it. There is a clean fracture at the top of his left thumb.
"It's a clean little fracture I hope it calcifies soon," said Hanigan, who improved his batting average to a lofty .351, including a double four innings after the thumb was fractured.
"I tried to tough it out," Hanigan said. "I took a couple of foul balls off it and blocked a sinker in the dirt. I needed to take a minute and talk to the pitcher. It could have been worse."
"It was a gutsy performance," Dusty Baker said. "I knew something was wrong because I saw him catch a ball funny. I kept checking him. I'm glad we have depth at catcher. I'm glad Corky Miller re-signed. Catchers are always getting beat up. He (Miller) was with us last year and caught a lot of these guys. He was a big part of how strong we finished."
Miller needs to be added to the Major League 40-man roster which means the Reds have to expose someone to waivers.
"It's tough for Ryan," Miller said. "You want to play here but don't want it to be for this reason."
Miller was hitting .282 with four home runs and 24 RBI.
"Last week was a tough week because we had travel but I was seeing the ball real good there (in Louisville). I was here last year and in spring training so I know how the pitchers want to get guys out. I've been working with (Louisville hitting coach) Smokey (Garret) so I can contribute at the plate. I don't know if I can hit .350 for two months like Ryan."
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sam LeCure Wins His Debut, Reds Maul Astros 15-6
The toughest part about Sam LeCure's major league debut was the drive from Louisville.
LeCure pitched like he's been in the major league's all of his life. On a day his Louisville teammates were no hit by the Gwinnet Braves, LeCure enjoyed 14 runs in support of his six inning effort.
LeCure, who was pick in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, allowed a first inning home run to the hot hitting Hunter Pence but scattered five singles and four walks. He skillfully walked Reds' killer, Lance Berkman, three times, including one intentionally.
"I know Lance Berkman will be in the Hall of Fame someday but Pence has been swinging the hottest bat. We were more focused on him," LeCure said. "The only thing I wasn't happy about was the walks."
The game was tied at two when LeCure was ordered to walk Berkman intentionally. LeCure got Pedro Feliz to hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
"I was able to make a good pitch there. You want to make the manager look smart after an intentional walk," LeCure said.
"That was big," Dusty Baker said. "The swept St. Louis a week or two ago, they have some dangerous hitter. LeCure kept the ball down and threw good pitches when he needed to. He disguised his pitches well. They all looked like the same pitch coming out of his hand."
The debut was a success with 30 family members among the 30,813 in attendence.
"I was more shaky in the bullpen, trying to harness my emotions," LeCure said.
Brandon Phillips, Jonny Gomes and Miguel Cairo, who replaced the ailing Joey Votto for the third straight game, did the offensive work.
Phillips homered and singled twice. Gomes hit a triple in the first inning, a two-run home run in the third, walked in the fourth and singled home a run in the sixth. Cairo started the game Thursday with a .216 average but with two single pumped that up to .298.
LeCure held off the Astros until Drew Sutton, covering Paul Janish's bereavement leave, pinch hit for his Triple A teammate with the bases loaded in the sixth. He lined a shot down the leftfield line for his first career pinch hit home run and grand slam. It is the first pinch hit grand slam for Cincinnati since Jason LaRue did it in Atlanta off Dan Kolb on September 4, 2005.
Gomes needed a double to become the first Red player since Eric Davis to hit for the cycle, one of each type of hit, in 1989. It is kind of a goofy anomoly that doesn't really mean a whole lot but it is a rare occurence.
With relief pitcher, Mike Lincoln on firstbase, Gomes lined a hit to left. He made a wide turn as if he was running for the double but Lincoln stopped at secondbase. Gomes now has had four hits in a game for the fourth time in his career, the last coming on September 15, 2008 with Tampa Bay at Seattle.
"I'll take the win over the cycle any day. That's for sure," Gomes said. "I've never pitched but it's got to be easier to pitch with a lead. We try to do that everyday."
Gomes is hitting .423 in his last 20 games with five home runs and 20 RBI.
"We talked to Jonny all year about being a hitter and not just a slugger," Baker said.
Minor Notes:
In Louisville, Matt Maloney, who was considered to make the start tonight, pitched well allowing two runs in 7 2/3 but his teammates were no hit by Todd Redmond of the Gwinnett Braves......Colerain and University of Cincinnati grad, Dan Osterbrock won his first game since being promoted to High A at Ft. Myers. The lefty pitched 6 2/3 innings of one hit basebll in the Twins farm team's 6-0 win over Brevard County. He is now 1-4 in five starts with a 4.20 ERA.
LeCure pitched like he's been in the major league's all of his life. On a day his Louisville teammates were no hit by the Gwinnet Braves, LeCure enjoyed 14 runs in support of his six inning effort.
LeCure, who was pick in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, allowed a first inning home run to the hot hitting Hunter Pence but scattered five singles and four walks. He skillfully walked Reds' killer, Lance Berkman, three times, including one intentionally.
"I know Lance Berkman will be in the Hall of Fame someday but Pence has been swinging the hottest bat. We were more focused on him," LeCure said. "The only thing I wasn't happy about was the walks."
The game was tied at two when LeCure was ordered to walk Berkman intentionally. LeCure got Pedro Feliz to hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
"I was able to make a good pitch there. You want to make the manager look smart after an intentional walk," LeCure said.
"That was big," Dusty Baker said. "The swept St. Louis a week or two ago, they have some dangerous hitter. LeCure kept the ball down and threw good pitches when he needed to. He disguised his pitches well. They all looked like the same pitch coming out of his hand."
The debut was a success with 30 family members among the 30,813 in attendence.
"I was more shaky in the bullpen, trying to harness my emotions," LeCure said.
Brandon Phillips, Jonny Gomes and Miguel Cairo, who replaced the ailing Joey Votto for the third straight game, did the offensive work.
Phillips homered and singled twice. Gomes hit a triple in the first inning, a two-run home run in the third, walked in the fourth and singled home a run in the sixth. Cairo started the game Thursday with a .216 average but with two single pumped that up to .298.
LeCure held off the Astros until Drew Sutton, covering Paul Janish's bereavement leave, pinch hit for his Triple A teammate with the bases loaded in the sixth. He lined a shot down the leftfield line for his first career pinch hit home run and grand slam. It is the first pinch hit grand slam for Cincinnati since Jason LaRue did it in Atlanta off Dan Kolb on September 4, 2005.
Gomes needed a double to become the first Red player since Eric Davis to hit for the cycle, one of each type of hit, in 1989. It is kind of a goofy anomoly that doesn't really mean a whole lot but it is a rare occurence.
With relief pitcher, Mike Lincoln on firstbase, Gomes lined a hit to left. He made a wide turn as if he was running for the double but Lincoln stopped at secondbase. Gomes now has had four hits in a game for the fourth time in his career, the last coming on September 15, 2008 with Tampa Bay at Seattle.
"I'll take the win over the cycle any day. That's for sure," Gomes said. "I've never pitched but it's got to be easier to pitch with a lead. We try to do that everyday."
Gomes is hitting .423 in his last 20 games with five home runs and 20 RBI.
"We talked to Jonny all year about being a hitter and not just a slugger," Baker said.
Minor Notes:
In Louisville, Matt Maloney, who was considered to make the start tonight, pitched well allowing two runs in 7 2/3 but his teammates were no hit by Todd Redmond of the Gwinnett Braves......Colerain and University of Cincinnati grad, Dan Osterbrock won his first game since being promoted to High A at Ft. Myers. The lefty pitched 6 2/3 innings of one hit basebll in the Twins farm team's 6-0 win over Brevard County. He is now 1-4 in five starts with a 4.20 ERA.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Aroldis Champan Has a Good Outing
Chapman missed a turn with a blister of his own like Johnny Cueto.
Pitching against the Gwinnet Braves tonight, Chapman threw five scoreless innings and allowed three hits and one walk, while he struck out seven.
The 22-year old can throwthe ball 102 miles an hour but does not have the control that Mike Leake has. Although his margin for error is larger, major league hitters will wait out a guy that can't hit his spots.
Yankee scout, Tim Naehring, once told me about a study he did. If a pitcher puts the ball right down the heart of the plate batting averages don't decline on those pitches until the radar gun gets to 97. Even then it is just a little bit. The higher the velocity the more the average drops but it is still too high. Pitchers have to put the ball in a spot that is harder for the batter to put the barrel of the bat on the ball.
Pitching against the Gwinnet Braves tonight, Chapman threw five scoreless innings and allowed three hits and one walk, while he struck out seven.
The 22-year old can throwthe ball 102 miles an hour but does not have the control that Mike Leake has. Although his margin for error is larger, major league hitters will wait out a guy that can't hit his spots.
Yankee scout, Tim Naehring, once told me about a study he did. If a pitcher puts the ball right down the heart of the plate batting averages don't decline on those pitches until the radar gun gets to 97. Even then it is just a little bit. The higher the velocity the more the average drops but it is still too high. Pitchers have to put the ball in a spot that is harder for the batter to put the barrel of the bat on the ball.
Cueto and Reds Cruise to 8-2 Win Over Pirates
Johnny Cueto is on a roll and the Reds hitters joined him.
Cueto pitched six innings and allowed just three hits and a pair of walks. He left the game with nine strikeouts, one short of his career high.
The Reds batted around in each of the first two innings against, Charlie Morton. Scott Rolen hit a three-run home run in the first inning, his 11th. The blast to left preceeded, Jay Bruce's 409 ft. bomb to right by two pitches. It was Bruce's fifth of the season and his first since April 29 at Houston.
"I didn't go up there thinking this is my first of May," Bruce said. "I was called up two years ago today. Last year on May 27 I hit two home runs. This date is a pretty good day. Home runs are nice whenever you hit them."
The Reds scored four in the first and three in the second in a game that was never in doubt.
"Johnny did a good job, we hit well and played good defense," Bruce said.
Cueto stranded all five base runners and the Pirates never touched third while he was on the hill.
Cueto (5-1), who won his fifth straight decision, left the game on Saturday with a blister on his right index finger. He's had treatment but it prevented him from using his slider.
"He threw a lot of pitches in that last inning," Dusty Baker said. "Plus we wanted to see Del Rosario, Fish and Linc needed some work so when we got to 100 pitches, we got them in. We haven't had too many of these where we jumped out way ahead. The Pirates played us tough the last two nights."
"It burned a little bit," Cueto said. "It shouldn't bother me next time."
It was a week ago today that the Reds jumped ahead of Atlanta, 8-0 in the second inning but lost the game with a seven-run ninth inning implosion.
"We learned from Atlanta not to get comfortable, to keep grinding and play nine innings," Baker said.
Bruce said the Reds memory was short.
"Those stuff happens," Bruce said. "It was a tough loss but at the end of the day, nobody really remembers it. It's just a loss."
Miguel Cairo, who replaced Joey Votto due to the latter's stiff neck, had three hits and elevated his batting average from .216 to .262. Rolen, Bruce and Johnny Gomes had two hits each.
Brandon Phillips, who was the only position player without a hit, left the game after the seventh inning. He appeared shaken up after trying to flag down a ground ball single to right by Andy LaRoche.
Enerio Del Rosario, Carlos Fisher and Mike Lincoln mopped up. Del Rosario and Lincoln allowed a run each.
Cueto pitched six innings and allowed just three hits and a pair of walks. He left the game with nine strikeouts, one short of his career high.
The Reds batted around in each of the first two innings against, Charlie Morton. Scott Rolen hit a three-run home run in the first inning, his 11th. The blast to left preceeded, Jay Bruce's 409 ft. bomb to right by two pitches. It was Bruce's fifth of the season and his first since April 29 at Houston.
"I didn't go up there thinking this is my first of May," Bruce said. "I was called up two years ago today. Last year on May 27 I hit two home runs. This date is a pretty good day. Home runs are nice whenever you hit them."
The Reds scored four in the first and three in the second in a game that was never in doubt.
"Johnny did a good job, we hit well and played good defense," Bruce said.
Cueto stranded all five base runners and the Pirates never touched third while he was on the hill.
Cueto (5-1), who won his fifth straight decision, left the game on Saturday with a blister on his right index finger. He's had treatment but it prevented him from using his slider.
"He threw a lot of pitches in that last inning," Dusty Baker said. "Plus we wanted to see Del Rosario, Fish and Linc needed some work so when we got to 100 pitches, we got them in. We haven't had too many of these where we jumped out way ahead. The Pirates played us tough the last two nights."
"It burned a little bit," Cueto said. "It shouldn't bother me next time."
It was a week ago today that the Reds jumped ahead of Atlanta, 8-0 in the second inning but lost the game with a seven-run ninth inning implosion.
"We learned from Atlanta not to get comfortable, to keep grinding and play nine innings," Baker said.
Bruce said the Reds memory was short.
"Those stuff happens," Bruce said. "It was a tough loss but at the end of the day, nobody really remembers it. It's just a loss."
Miguel Cairo, who replaced Joey Votto due to the latter's stiff neck, had three hits and elevated his batting average from .216 to .262. Rolen, Bruce and Johnny Gomes had two hits each.
Brandon Phillips, who was the only position player without a hit, left the game after the seventh inning. He appeared shaken up after trying to flag down a ground ball single to right by Andy LaRoche.
Enerio Del Rosario, Carlos Fisher and Mike Lincoln mopped up. Del Rosario and Lincoln allowed a run each.
A Long Tall Texan Rides to Town
Sam LeCure got the call last night at around 7:30. The Reds fourth round pick in 2005 (the year fellow Texan Jay Bruce was the top pick), answered the phone. It was Louisville manager Rick Sweet.
"You know we're in last place," Sweet said. "Tomorrow you'll be playing for a new manager. I thought I'd be the one to let you know."
"Did you get fired," LeCure asked.
"No you're going to be pitching for Dusty Baker," Sweet replied.
With that the phoning and texted commenced.
"I have seven siblings," LeCure said. "And a bunch aunts and uncles. It was one time I wished I was from a small family."
He got a good night sleep and is happy to be here. He will pitch against the Houston Astros tomorrow (Friday).
When the Reds put Homer Bailey on the disabled list Monday and recalled Enerio Del Rosario, it was common knowledge among the Louisville pitching staff that one of them was riding into Cincinnati, like the cavalry.
The Reds had a choice of LeCure, a righthander and lefties, Matt Maloney and Travis Wood. Wood narrowly missed making the starting rotation out of spring training and Maloney had experience from last season.
"Houston is a heavy righthanded team," Baker said.
"We talked about it. We had an off day so everyone will be rested," LeCure said. "I was the one they called but I wasn't the only one deserving."
LeCure is 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA and is the reigning International League Pitcher of the Week. He last pitched on Saturday and turned in a complete game shutout against Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
The former Texas Longhorn pitcher will where number 63. "I have been 21 all my life except at Texas because it was Roger Clemon's number and retired. I know Chris Dickerson was 21 here so I'll where 63 which is a multiple of 21."
A math whiz?
"Have you ever seen my transcripts from Texas?" LeCure asked.
It is the first time he was ever in Cincinnati.
Originally born in Missouri, he was raised in a rural town in Texas so he had no favorite major league team.
"We had three channels. I didn't even see ESPN until I was in college," LeCure said.
His mom went online right away and bought 23 tickets. "Before its all done they'll probably be 30," LeCure said.
If nothing else the Reds will enjoy the attendence boost.
"You know we're in last place," Sweet said. "Tomorrow you'll be playing for a new manager. I thought I'd be the one to let you know."
"Did you get fired," LeCure asked.
"No you're going to be pitching for Dusty Baker," Sweet replied.
With that the phoning and texted commenced.
"I have seven siblings," LeCure said. "And a bunch aunts and uncles. It was one time I wished I was from a small family."
He got a good night sleep and is happy to be here. He will pitch against the Houston Astros tomorrow (Friday).
When the Reds put Homer Bailey on the disabled list Monday and recalled Enerio Del Rosario, it was common knowledge among the Louisville pitching staff that one of them was riding into Cincinnati, like the cavalry.
The Reds had a choice of LeCure, a righthander and lefties, Matt Maloney and Travis Wood. Wood narrowly missed making the starting rotation out of spring training and Maloney had experience from last season.
"Houston is a heavy righthanded team," Baker said.
"We talked about it. We had an off day so everyone will be rested," LeCure said. "I was the one they called but I wasn't the only one deserving."
LeCure is 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA and is the reigning International League Pitcher of the Week. He last pitched on Saturday and turned in a complete game shutout against Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
The former Texas Longhorn pitcher will where number 63. "I have been 21 all my life except at Texas because it was Roger Clemon's number and retired. I know Chris Dickerson was 21 here so I'll where 63 which is a multiple of 21."
A math whiz?
"Have you ever seen my transcripts from Texas?" LeCure asked.
It is the first time he was ever in Cincinnati.
Originally born in Missouri, he was raised in a rural town in Texas so he had no favorite major league team.
"We had three channels. I didn't even see ESPN until I was in college," LeCure said.
His mom went online right away and bought 23 tickets. "Before its all done they'll probably be 30," LeCure said.
If nothing else the Reds will enjoy the attendence boost.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Arroyo Dazzles His Former Team 4-0
Bronson Arroyo started his professional career in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. On Wednesday, he treated them like minor leaguers, allowing five hits and a pair of walks in 7 2/3 innings. It dropped his earned run average to 4.30 as he left with a 3-0 lead.
The hard luck Pirates drafted Arroyo out of high school in 1995 but let him go on waivers after he was 9-14 in parts of three seasons (2000-2002). He found himself with the Boston Red Sox and helped pitch them to a World Series title in 2004.
He didn't start the game very well. He walked the leadoff hitter, Akinori Iwamura but stabbed a smash back through the middle and turned it into a double play.
"I couldn't hit my spots," Arroyo said. "I was so far off Ryan Hanigan told me he was just going to put the target down the middle. That double play was huge. There were two out and nobody on instead of runners on first and third with no out. I even missed my spot on the third batter, (Andrew McCutcheon) but got the ground out. Sometimes you feel a little funky out there,"
His bunt single in the second inning loaded the bases and Drew Stubbs scored on Orlando Cabrera's sacrifice fly for the only run he needed. Miguel Cairo hit a home run off Pirate starter, Ross Ohlendorf in the fifth. But Arroyo's ability to bunt was a key to the Reds sixth inning run. He moved Ryan Hanigan to second and Cabrera plated the catcher with a sharp single.
"Bronson's an athlete," Dusty Baker said. "He can field, hit and run. You like those athlete's out there."
Chris Heisey hit his second pinch hit home run of the season to conclude the Reds scoring.
"That was big. It got a little scary we left a lot of runners on base (11). We didn't get the big hit until then," Baker said.
Pittsburgh was hitless until Garret Jones singled to open the fifth but Arroyo pitched out of a bases loaded situation.
Arroyo needed bullpen help, leaving with two out and runners on first in the eighth. Nick Masset allowed a single and a walk but Daniel Herrera struck out Jones to save the lead.
Iwamura battled a tired Arroyo until he flied out for the second out with Ronny Cedeno on first with two outs. He signaled Baker that he was through.
"That eight pitch at bat by Iwamura took a lot out of Bronson. We are short in the bullpen especially with lefthanders with Arthur (Rhodes) out of action. I had to bring in Masset to face Neil Walker, a switch hitter, then McCutcheon but after that they had lefthanders until the bottom of the order. Masset was real close on the 2-2 pitch to McCutcheon. He needed that to get his confidence again. We have to get him back to beinng Masset."
"My tank was almost empty and that last batter took a lot out of me. I try to be honest with Dusty. I try to let him know when I've had enough," Arroyo said.
Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth.
Notes:
Paul Janish was on bereavement leave due to the passing of his grandmother. He will miss three games. Drew Sutton was called up from Louisville to fill the bench......Ironman Joey Votto was out with a stiff neck. Miguel Cairo filled in at firstbase. Cairo hit a single in the second inning for the 900th hit of his career. He hit a solo home run in the fifth.....The Reds still need a starter for the game Friday but Baker wouldn't say who it was. "You'll see him in here (the clubhouse) tomorrow," Baker said. That means it won't be Micah Owings. It won't be Aroldis Chapman either. He is coming off a game in which he left with a blister. It could be any one of Matt Maloney, Sam LeCure or Travis Wood. Maloney last pitched on the 21st, LeCure on the 22nd and Wood on the 23rd. Wood's turn would be in rotation but LeCure was the International League pitcher of the week, in which he won a pair of games. His last start was a complete game shutout.
The hard luck Pirates drafted Arroyo out of high school in 1995 but let him go on waivers after he was 9-14 in parts of three seasons (2000-2002). He found himself with the Boston Red Sox and helped pitch them to a World Series title in 2004.
He didn't start the game very well. He walked the leadoff hitter, Akinori Iwamura but stabbed a smash back through the middle and turned it into a double play.
"I couldn't hit my spots," Arroyo said. "I was so far off Ryan Hanigan told me he was just going to put the target down the middle. That double play was huge. There were two out and nobody on instead of runners on first and third with no out. I even missed my spot on the third batter, (Andrew McCutcheon) but got the ground out. Sometimes you feel a little funky out there,"
His bunt single in the second inning loaded the bases and Drew Stubbs scored on Orlando Cabrera's sacrifice fly for the only run he needed. Miguel Cairo hit a home run off Pirate starter, Ross Ohlendorf in the fifth. But Arroyo's ability to bunt was a key to the Reds sixth inning run. He moved Ryan Hanigan to second and Cabrera plated the catcher with a sharp single.
"Bronson's an athlete," Dusty Baker said. "He can field, hit and run. You like those athlete's out there."
Chris Heisey hit his second pinch hit home run of the season to conclude the Reds scoring.
"That was big. It got a little scary we left a lot of runners on base (11). We didn't get the big hit until then," Baker said.
Pittsburgh was hitless until Garret Jones singled to open the fifth but Arroyo pitched out of a bases loaded situation.
Arroyo needed bullpen help, leaving with two out and runners on first in the eighth. Nick Masset allowed a single and a walk but Daniel Herrera struck out Jones to save the lead.
Iwamura battled a tired Arroyo until he flied out for the second out with Ronny Cedeno on first with two outs. He signaled Baker that he was through.
"That eight pitch at bat by Iwamura took a lot out of Bronson. We are short in the bullpen especially with lefthanders with Arthur (Rhodes) out of action. I had to bring in Masset to face Neil Walker, a switch hitter, then McCutcheon but after that they had lefthanders until the bottom of the order. Masset was real close on the 2-2 pitch to McCutcheon. He needed that to get his confidence again. We have to get him back to beinng Masset."
"My tank was almost empty and that last batter took a lot out of me. I try to be honest with Dusty. I try to let him know when I've had enough," Arroyo said.
Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth.
Notes:
Paul Janish was on bereavement leave due to the passing of his grandmother. He will miss three games. Drew Sutton was called up from Louisville to fill the bench......Ironman Joey Votto was out with a stiff neck. Miguel Cairo filled in at firstbase. Cairo hit a single in the second inning for the 900th hit of his career. He hit a solo home run in the fifth.....The Reds still need a starter for the game Friday but Baker wouldn't say who it was. "You'll see him in here (the clubhouse) tomorrow," Baker said. That means it won't be Micah Owings. It won't be Aroldis Chapman either. He is coming off a game in which he left with a blister. It could be any one of Matt Maloney, Sam LeCure or Travis Wood. Maloney last pitched on the 21st, LeCure on the 22nd and Wood on the 23rd. Wood's turn would be in rotation but LeCure was the International League pitcher of the week, in which he won a pair of games. His last start was a complete game shutout.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tied For First
The Reds hit into five double plays but somehow surrounded them with 10 hits and five walks to score seven runs in a 7-5 win over the Pittsbrugh Pirates, the fourth straight win over them.
It was enough for Aaron Harang to improve to 3-5 with 6 1/3 innings of hard work. That work included driving in the lead run with two outs, one of many two-out hits and scoring from firstbase on a double by Orlando Cabrera.
"I felt good overall," Harang said. "Fatigue started to set in in the seventh. You probably won't see me score from fistbase like that again. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I got to home. I tried to make it without falling on my face. It was the good thing they made a pitching change."
The Pirates led 2-1 going into the bottom of the fifth. Ronnie Cedeno hit his fourth home run of the season in the second inning. It was his third off Reds' pitching this season.
The Reds had the bases loaded with no outs but Ryan Hanigan hit into a 6-4-3 double play to score the tying run. Harang singled sharply through the hole at shortstop, one of four straight two-out hits in the inning. Inspired by Harang's long run the Reds scored five times in the inning while two were out.
"Those two out hits were huge," Dusty Baker said. "Harang was stumblin and bumblin home. It was a big two runs. He got a win and we got a win."
The Reds tied the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the National League Central Division. The Cards had the night off.
Arthur Rhodes did not have the night off. He made the 800th appearance of his career. The 40-year old lefthander had a 16 1/3 inning scoreless streak and amazingly ranks 11th all-time in strikeouts per nine innings
Drew Stubbs had three hits, including his fifth home run and an RBI double. He hit the ball extremely hard in his last at bat but Akinori Iwamura made a diving stop and turned it into one of the five double plays.
Enerio Del Rosario pitched to one batter and struck him out but Ryan Hanigan couldn't handle it and Andrew McCutchen reached base.
"He threw the ball great," Baker said. "That hard sinker reminds me of Pedro Borbon."
The Pirates scored three runs off a gassed Harang in the seventh to make it 7-5
Del Rosario, Daniel Herrera, Rhodes and Francisco "Coco" Cordero stopped the Prates cold. Cordero allowed a double but it was one of his more routine saves of the year, his 15th in 18 tries.
It was enough for Aaron Harang to improve to 3-5 with 6 1/3 innings of hard work. That work included driving in the lead run with two outs, one of many two-out hits and scoring from firstbase on a double by Orlando Cabrera.
"I felt good overall," Harang said. "Fatigue started to set in in the seventh. You probably won't see me score from fistbase like that again. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I got to home. I tried to make it without falling on my face. It was the good thing they made a pitching change."
The Pirates led 2-1 going into the bottom of the fifth. Ronnie Cedeno hit his fourth home run of the season in the second inning. It was his third off Reds' pitching this season.
The Reds had the bases loaded with no outs but Ryan Hanigan hit into a 6-4-3 double play to score the tying run. Harang singled sharply through the hole at shortstop, one of four straight two-out hits in the inning. Inspired by Harang's long run the Reds scored five times in the inning while two were out.
"Those two out hits were huge," Dusty Baker said. "Harang was stumblin and bumblin home. It was a big two runs. He got a win and we got a win."
The Reds tied the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the National League Central Division. The Cards had the night off.
Arthur Rhodes did not have the night off. He made the 800th appearance of his career. The 40-year old lefthander had a 16 1/3 inning scoreless streak and amazingly ranks 11th all-time in strikeouts per nine innings
Drew Stubbs had three hits, including his fifth home run and an RBI double. He hit the ball extremely hard in his last at bat but Akinori Iwamura made a diving stop and turned it into one of the five double plays.
Enerio Del Rosario pitched to one batter and struck him out but Ryan Hanigan couldn't handle it and Andrew McCutchen reached base.
"He threw the ball great," Baker said. "That hard sinker reminds me of Pedro Borbon."
The Pirates scored three runs off a gassed Harang in the seventh to make it 7-5
Del Rosario, Daniel Herrera, Rhodes and Francisco "Coco" Cordero stopped the Prates cold. Cordero allowed a double but it was one of his more routine saves of the year, his 15th in 18 tries.
Del Rosario is Making His ML Debut
in the seventh inning facing Andrew McCutchen in relief of Aaron Harang. He struck out McCutcheon but catcher Ryan Hanigan could not handle the pitch. Danny Herrera is coming on.
Del Rosario's line 0 innings pitched, one strikeout. That is the most unusual debut I've ever seen.
Del Rosario's line 0 innings pitched, one strikeout. That is the most unusual debut I've ever seen.
Bailey on 15-Day DL Enerio Del Rosario Gets First ML Call
Homer Bailey left the game in Cleveland yesterday with inflamaition in his right shoulder.
"It's not good news," Dusty Baker said. "But it could be worse. "That's how you've got to look at it."
Enerio Del Rosario, a reliever was recalled.
"We need another reliever right now," Baker said. "It came down to him and a couple other guys. We asked our minor league people, 'Who could help us most.' He throws strikes, fields his position and he's hungry to succeed."
His best pitch is a sinker according to his mentor, Mario Soto, who has worked with Reds young pitchers.
Del Rosario was impressive in Arizona but not quite ready.
"He just needs to pitch more," Soto said in March.
Del Rosario is 24 years old. He is from the Dominican Republic and signed with the Reds as a 19-year old.
At Louisville he pitched in 20 games, allowing just 4 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings for a 1.48 ERA. He saved three games, while walking just four batter and fanning 17.
The Reds won't need a starter until Friday. Micah Owings, who pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief of Bailey, could be the replacement starter.
The Reds have used the same 5 starters in the first 44 games. The last time they went that deep into the season without a sixth starter was 1992 when the starting five lasted 80 games.
Owings is available only as a pinch hitter, Baker said this afternoon. He could be the emergency starter on Friday, having filled that role before.
All the hype says that Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban Missle, should be recalled but Sam LeCure has been the most efficient and consistent starter for Louisville to date. LeCure was named International League pitcher of the week. He is 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA.
Matt Maloney is also ahead of Chapman and near miss out of spring training, Travis Wood. Just off the DL, Maloney is 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA.
Chapman is 4-2 with a 3.98 ERA. But these stats will tell the Radar Gun Advocates why he is not ready. Chapman has walked 24 batters in just 40 2/3 innings. He has started eight games but so his 40 innings works out to five innings a game. Major League hitters can hit a 102 pitch when the pitcher doesn't get put it where it needs to be. They are also more disciplined than the Triple A guys and will wait until a pitcher puts it in the middle of the plate.
Wood was narrowly beaten out by Mike Leake for the fifth spot in the Reds rotation but is recovering from a slow start of the season. He is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA but in his last two starts he has allowed just two runs in 14 innings. He has pitched into the seventh inning in four of his nine starts and lasted at least six innings in seven of the nine..
"It's not good news," Dusty Baker said. "But it could be worse. "That's how you've got to look at it."
Enerio Del Rosario, a reliever was recalled.
"We need another reliever right now," Baker said. "It came down to him and a couple other guys. We asked our minor league people, 'Who could help us most.' He throws strikes, fields his position and he's hungry to succeed."
His best pitch is a sinker according to his mentor, Mario Soto, who has worked with Reds young pitchers.
Del Rosario was impressive in Arizona but not quite ready.
"He just needs to pitch more," Soto said in March.
Del Rosario is 24 years old. He is from the Dominican Republic and signed with the Reds as a 19-year old.
At Louisville he pitched in 20 games, allowing just 4 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings for a 1.48 ERA. He saved three games, while walking just four batter and fanning 17.
The Reds won't need a starter until Friday. Micah Owings, who pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief of Bailey, could be the replacement starter.
The Reds have used the same 5 starters in the first 44 games. The last time they went that deep into the season without a sixth starter was 1992 when the starting five lasted 80 games.
Owings is available only as a pinch hitter, Baker said this afternoon. He could be the emergency starter on Friday, having filled that role before.
All the hype says that Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban Missle, should be recalled but Sam LeCure has been the most efficient and consistent starter for Louisville to date. LeCure was named International League pitcher of the week. He is 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA.
Matt Maloney is also ahead of Chapman and near miss out of spring training, Travis Wood. Just off the DL, Maloney is 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA.
Chapman is 4-2 with a 3.98 ERA. But these stats will tell the Radar Gun Advocates why he is not ready. Chapman has walked 24 batters in just 40 2/3 innings. He has started eight games but so his 40 innings works out to five innings a game. Major League hitters can hit a 102 pitch when the pitcher doesn't get put it where it needs to be. They are also more disciplined than the Triple A guys and will wait until a pitcher puts it in the middle of the plate.
Wood was narrowly beaten out by Mike Leake for the fifth spot in the Reds rotation but is recovering from a slow start of the season. He is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA but in his last two starts he has allowed just two runs in 14 innings. He has pitched into the seventh inning in four of his nine starts and lasted at least six innings in seven of the nine..
Lima Time Too Short
Jose Lima was 37 years young when the lord decided he needed him in relief up above.
When he pitched it was "Lima Time."
An apparent heart attack took an effervescent soul full of life from among us at a time we need more people like him. Yes he pitched in the Major Leagues and for a few seasons was a big time pitcher but his statistics don't do justice to a man who cared about everyone. He genuinly cared about people. He was not all about himself as his antics on the mound might have led one to believe.
His fist pumps and talking to himself on the mound upset the sensibilities of baseball traditionalists that frown on such things. Lima was not a fake. When he celebrated on the mound it was pure emotion. It was not directed at opponents. He would strike a guy out in a key situation, pump his fists, talk awhile on the mound then be willing to shake hands with anyone near him, including the strike out victim.
His last name was pronounced LEE MA, but I once joked with him that there was a town in northern Ohio with the same name, Lima. He knew better but took a map and showed teammates that we named a city after him.."Look Leema Ohio, they like me so much,"
I doubt that he ever got closer to Lima than Toledo for whom he pitched in the International League as a Detroit Tiger farmhand. Yet, everytime I saw him after that he'd ask me, "How is my town."
Jose would talk to anybody, anytime, anywhere and you got the impression he really cared what you thought.
I recall waiting outside the Houston Astros clubhouse to get word on a player that was taken to the hospital. I was sitting there by myself just waiting so I could be the first to the wire as a member SportsTicker. Lima came out of the clubhouse and sat down with me and just had a conversation. He talked about his son Jose Jr and my daughter, Hally. We compared notes on discipline and how they would try to play us. He was much deeper than people thought. The man truly cared.
Chis Collins has worked in the visiting clubhouse for many years, cleaning cleats, washing uniforms, running errands; all the real work thankless jobs that many players take for granted, not Lima.
"He was a great guy," Collins said. "He always asked about you. He was fun. He played his music loud. He would go out of his way to take care of you."
He just loved life. If anyone could live a full life in just the 37 years he was given, Lima could.
A couple nights after Lima gave up the longest home run in Great American Ball Park history to Adam Dunn, he said, "I hope he remembers it and remember who he hit it off of. It had to be off a good pitcher. I tip my cap to him."
He was playing his recording of himself singing salsa music in the clubhouse when I approached. I had a CD from spring training in Sarasota. Reds PR director, Rob Butcher and his mother, father and sister, manager Dave Miley and his wife, Marty Brennaman, Enquirer writer John Fay and his wife Laura, Mark Berry and I went out to sing karaoke at the Banana Factory near the Sarasota Bradenton airport. Former Oakland Henry Lawrence, who lives there, was also in the crowd.
The karaoke host made a recording and handed it to me. I burned a few copies.
I told Lima, jokingly that I would trade a copy for one of his salsa CD's. He agreed. I have it somewhere at home.
It is time to bring him back to life if only in my mind's eye. I know heaven is a much livelier place today.
When he pitched it was "Lima Time."
An apparent heart attack took an effervescent soul full of life from among us at a time we need more people like him. Yes he pitched in the Major Leagues and for a few seasons was a big time pitcher but his statistics don't do justice to a man who cared about everyone. He genuinly cared about people. He was not all about himself as his antics on the mound might have led one to believe.
His fist pumps and talking to himself on the mound upset the sensibilities of baseball traditionalists that frown on such things. Lima was not a fake. When he celebrated on the mound it was pure emotion. It was not directed at opponents. He would strike a guy out in a key situation, pump his fists, talk awhile on the mound then be willing to shake hands with anyone near him, including the strike out victim.
His last name was pronounced LEE MA, but I once joked with him that there was a town in northern Ohio with the same name, Lima. He knew better but took a map and showed teammates that we named a city after him.."Look Leema Ohio, they like me so much,"
I doubt that he ever got closer to Lima than Toledo for whom he pitched in the International League as a Detroit Tiger farmhand. Yet, everytime I saw him after that he'd ask me, "How is my town."
Jose would talk to anybody, anytime, anywhere and you got the impression he really cared what you thought.
I recall waiting outside the Houston Astros clubhouse to get word on a player that was taken to the hospital. I was sitting there by myself just waiting so I could be the first to the wire as a member SportsTicker. Lima came out of the clubhouse and sat down with me and just had a conversation. He talked about his son Jose Jr and my daughter, Hally. We compared notes on discipline and how they would try to play us. He was much deeper than people thought. The man truly cared.
Chis Collins has worked in the visiting clubhouse for many years, cleaning cleats, washing uniforms, running errands; all the real work thankless jobs that many players take for granted, not Lima.
"He was a great guy," Collins said. "He always asked about you. He was fun. He played his music loud. He would go out of his way to take care of you."
He just loved life. If anyone could live a full life in just the 37 years he was given, Lima could.
A couple nights after Lima gave up the longest home run in Great American Ball Park history to Adam Dunn, he said, "I hope he remembers it and remember who he hit it off of. It had to be off a good pitcher. I tip my cap to him."
He was playing his recording of himself singing salsa music in the clubhouse when I approached. I had a CD from spring training in Sarasota. Reds PR director, Rob Butcher and his mother, father and sister, manager Dave Miley and his wife, Marty Brennaman, Enquirer writer John Fay and his wife Laura, Mark Berry and I went out to sing karaoke at the Banana Factory near the Sarasota Bradenton airport. Former Oakland Henry Lawrence, who lives there, was also in the crowd.
The karaoke host made a recording and handed it to me. I burned a few copies.
I told Lima, jokingly that I would trade a copy for one of his salsa CD's. He agreed. I have it somewhere at home.
It is time to bring him back to life if only in my mind's eye. I know heaven is a much livelier place today.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Votto Sinks Brewers and Hoffman, 5-4
Joey Votto nearly sunk the steamboat in centerfield with his ninth home run off Marco Estrada in the eighth inning. An inning later, he scalded the ball off aging Trevor Hoffman to sink the Brewers, 5-4
It was the 10th game the team has won in its last at bat and its 13th come-from-behind victory. The win salvaged Homer Bailey's second straight good start.
"It was not a question that we were going to come back," Bailey said. "It was more when was it going to happen. That's not to sound arragant but that's the confidence we have in each other right now."
Hoffman, once a feared closer that entered games to the haunting tones of AC/DC's Hell's Bells, entered in the ninth. He walked to the mound carrying a 1-2 record and an 11.08 ERA. He has just five saves. He never got an out.
"To come back against arguably the best closer of all-time, says a lot," Votto said. "I think the guys on the team felt like we had a shot. The first guy got on base and away we went."
“They don’t quit," Baker said of his young Reds. "They’re always looking for an opening. They’re always looking for an edge.”
After cameras leave, unprompted Baker described the game.
“That’s wonderful. Shit. That’s a good one, boy.”
The 42-year old Brewer's closer has now blown five saves in 10 chances. Hoffman was a former infielder in the Reds minor league system, who was taken by the Florida Marlins in the 1993 expansion draft. It appears that his 596th save is the highest of all-time and today was his 999th appearance but it may be his last.
Beleagured Brewers manager Ken Maccha was sullen.
"The tough part of this game is to play your hearts out and get to the ninth inning and not close it off," Maccha said. "We have to have a discussion about a lot of things."
As happy as the Reds were to come back and win there was a sense of saddness in watching a sure Hall of Famer struggle.
"I've sat down with Trevor before and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He said that I've done all that I could to help him."
Hoffman told the Associated Press, "If there was a solution to the problem we would have found it by now." He left the impression that he senses the end of his career is near.
The young Reds seized the moment like the young male dear challenges the dominant male of the herd.
Paul Janish singled to center. Scott Rolen, getting the day off, hit his eighth home run of the season, his second career pinch hit home run to tie the game. Rolen prefers not to pinch hit.
“I guess the politicially correct answer isn’t no. Everybody gets nervous pinch-hitting. Your heart rate goes up. It’s a very difficult thing to do.”
Explaining his success against Hoffman?
“I can’t. He’s the all-time saves leader, and I don’t look forward to facing him. I see the ball well. I saw it today. Imagine my surprise when it went out.”
Heisey hustled a line drive to left into a double. Brandon Phillips walked. Votto hit the ball over Hart's head as Heisey sprinted home.
Bailey's day started out rough. Pitching for a hot team on a cold day in May, Bailey allowed a home run to Ryan Braun, a double to Prince Fielder and a run-scoring single to Casey McGehee.
For the next six innings Bailey held the high scoring Brewers to one hit and two walks, with one of those intentional.
“I’m happy he battled," Baker said. "He was facing a high-octane team. He settled down. Hanigan directed him. They’ve got some big-time hitters over there.”
Unfortunately, his first place teammates were doing little with Milwaukee's emergency starter, Manny Para.
One of last night's heroes, Chris Heisey, walked to start the bottom of the first and scored on Red hot Jonny Gomes double with two outs.
Para was called out of the bullpen to replace the injured Doug Davis. He had pitched no longer than three innings this year but allowed just four hits in four innings. He pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth.
Marco Estrada was recalled from Nashville before the game. He retired the first nine Reds he faced.
Laynce Nix appeared for the first time on this five-game homestand after healing a bad back.
Mike Lincoln, Danny Herrera and Carlos Fisher have had little work recently because the starters have pitched so deep into the last 11 games.
All three pitched to the Brewers in the eighth.
Alcides Escobar singled off Lincoln with one out. He walked Braun. Dusty Baker brought in lefty Herrera to pitch to lefty Fielder. The little hurler that resembles a jockey fanned Fielder but gave up and RBI single to McGehee. Fisher came on. He threw a wild pitch that allowed Braun to score one pitch before he struck out Corey Hart to end the inning.
It ended up just setting the scene for another strong finish.
It was the 10th game the team has won in its last at bat and its 13th come-from-behind victory. The win salvaged Homer Bailey's second straight good start.
"It was not a question that we were going to come back," Bailey said. "It was more when was it going to happen. That's not to sound arragant but that's the confidence we have in each other right now."
Hoffman, once a feared closer that entered games to the haunting tones of AC/DC's Hell's Bells, entered in the ninth. He walked to the mound carrying a 1-2 record and an 11.08 ERA. He has just five saves. He never got an out.
"To come back against arguably the best closer of all-time, says a lot," Votto said. "I think the guys on the team felt like we had a shot. The first guy got on base and away we went."
“They don’t quit," Baker said of his young Reds. "They’re always looking for an opening. They’re always looking for an edge.”
After cameras leave, unprompted Baker described the game.
“That’s wonderful. Shit. That’s a good one, boy.”
The 42-year old Brewer's closer has now blown five saves in 10 chances. Hoffman was a former infielder in the Reds minor league system, who was taken by the Florida Marlins in the 1993 expansion draft. It appears that his 596th save is the highest of all-time and today was his 999th appearance but it may be his last.
Beleagured Brewers manager Ken Maccha was sullen.
"The tough part of this game is to play your hearts out and get to the ninth inning and not close it off," Maccha said. "We have to have a discussion about a lot of things."
As happy as the Reds were to come back and win there was a sense of saddness in watching a sure Hall of Famer struggle.
"I've sat down with Trevor before and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He said that I've done all that I could to help him."
Hoffman told the Associated Press, "If there was a solution to the problem we would have found it by now." He left the impression that he senses the end of his career is near.
The young Reds seized the moment like the young male dear challenges the dominant male of the herd.
Paul Janish singled to center. Scott Rolen, getting the day off, hit his eighth home run of the season, his second career pinch hit home run to tie the game. Rolen prefers not to pinch hit.
“I guess the politicially correct answer isn’t no. Everybody gets nervous pinch-hitting. Your heart rate goes up. It’s a very difficult thing to do.”
Explaining his success against Hoffman?
“I can’t. He’s the all-time saves leader, and I don’t look forward to facing him. I see the ball well. I saw it today. Imagine my surprise when it went out.”
Heisey hustled a line drive to left into a double. Brandon Phillips walked. Votto hit the ball over Hart's head as Heisey sprinted home.
Bailey's day started out rough. Pitching for a hot team on a cold day in May, Bailey allowed a home run to Ryan Braun, a double to Prince Fielder and a run-scoring single to Casey McGehee.
For the next six innings Bailey held the high scoring Brewers to one hit and two walks, with one of those intentional.
“I’m happy he battled," Baker said. "He was facing a high-octane team. He settled down. Hanigan directed him. They’ve got some big-time hitters over there.”
Unfortunately, his first place teammates were doing little with Milwaukee's emergency starter, Manny Para.
One of last night's heroes, Chris Heisey, walked to start the bottom of the first and scored on Red hot Jonny Gomes double with two outs.
Para was called out of the bullpen to replace the injured Doug Davis. He had pitched no longer than three innings this year but allowed just four hits in four innings. He pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth.
Marco Estrada was recalled from Nashville before the game. He retired the first nine Reds he faced.
Laynce Nix appeared for the first time on this five-game homestand after healing a bad back.
Mike Lincoln, Danny Herrera and Carlos Fisher have had little work recently because the starters have pitched so deep into the last 11 games.
All three pitched to the Brewers in the eighth.
Alcides Escobar singled off Lincoln with one out. He walked Braun. Dusty Baker brought in lefty Herrera to pitch to lefty Fielder. The little hurler that resembles a jockey fanned Fielder but gave up and RBI single to McGehee. Fisher came on. He threw a wild pitch that allowed Braun to score one pitch before he struck out Corey Hart to end the inning.
It ended up just setting the scene for another strong finish.
Bailey Continues the Trend
Coming into the afternoon game with Milwaukee the Reds starts have had nine complete games in their last 10 games, including two shutouts:
IP H R BB K Result
Harang 6.2 7 2 1 9 W, 14-2
Leake 7.0 4 3 1 6 W, 5-3
Arroyo 7.+ 5 1 1 2 W, 2-1
Cueto 9.0 1 0 0 8 W, 9-0
Bailey 9.0 4 0 0 6 W, 5-0
Harang 6.0 6 4 2 5 L, 3-4
Leake 6.0 4 2 3 5 W, 4-3
Arroyo 9.0 7 2 3 4 W, 7-2
Cueto 7.0 7 1 1 7 W, 6-3
Totals 66.2 45 15 12 52 2.03era
Homer Bailey added this line today.....7IP, 4Hits, 2Earned Runs, 2Walks, 4SO.
IP H R BB K Result
Harang 6.2 7 2 1 9 W, 14-2
Leake 7.0 4 3 1 6 W, 5-3
Arroyo 7.+ 5 1 1 2 W, 2-1
Cueto 9.0 1 0 0 8 W, 9-0
Bailey 9.0 4 0 0 6 W, 5-0
Harang 6.0 6 4 2 5 L, 3-4
Leake 6.0 4 2 3 5 W, 4-3
Arroyo 9.0 7 2 3 4 W, 7-2
Cueto 7.0 7 1 1 7 W, 6-3
Totals 66.2 45 15 12 52 2.03era
Homer Bailey added this line today.....7IP, 4Hits, 2Earned Runs, 2Walks, 4SO.
The Ballad of Rip Van Griffey
This is a tribute to our good friend Ken Griffey Junior who is alleged to have mistaken the Seattle clubhouse for a Moeller math class. I don't know if the future Hall of Famer was asleep or not but as a Colerain fan, I can not help but poke fun at the guy. I hope that he takes this in the good natured spirit in which it is intended.
Also apologies to the Everly Brothers and Suzi Dornbusch, love you baby.
Wake up Kenny Jr. Wake up
Wake up Kenny Jr. Wake up
In the clubhouse sound asleep
and we are trying to sweep
its the seventh inning
a righties on
we want you to go deep
Wake up Kenny Jr.
Wake up Kenny Jr.
What are we gonna tell the media
What are we gonna tell the skip
What are we gonna tell the fans
That say release the bum
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr.
The skipper told you that you were on the bench
Your batting is giving off a stench
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr
You gotta go home
Wake up Kenny Jr wake up
Wake up Kenny Jr wake up
Our DH isn't so hot
He doesn't have much of a shot
You fell asleep, you need to stretch
And we can't find you a cot
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr well
What are we gonna tell your agent.
And how about Senior Ken
What are we gonna to tell the press
That says you goofed again
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr.
Also apologies to the Everly Brothers and Suzi Dornbusch, love you baby.
Wake up Kenny Jr. Wake up
Wake up Kenny Jr. Wake up
In the clubhouse sound asleep
and we are trying to sweep
its the seventh inning
a righties on
we want you to go deep
Wake up Kenny Jr.
Wake up Kenny Jr.
What are we gonna tell the media
What are we gonna tell the skip
What are we gonna tell the fans
That say release the bum
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr.
The skipper told you that you were on the bench
Your batting is giving off a stench
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr
You gotta go home
Wake up Kenny Jr wake up
Wake up Kenny Jr wake up
Our DH isn't so hot
He doesn't have much of a shot
You fell asleep, you need to stretch
And we can't find you a cot
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr well
What are we gonna tell your agent.
And how about Senior Ken
What are we gonna to tell the press
That says you goofed again
Wake up Kenny Jr
Wake up Kenny Jr.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Reds Beat Brewers 6-2
The Reds will hold first for one more day.
Dusty Baker said before the game, "We think we have a good team but we don't know because we haven't played everybody yet. We've played the Cardinals nine times but we haven't played Milwaukee yet."
His team came out aggressive from the start. Sometimes too aggressive.
Orlando Cabrera threw Alcides Escobar out at home plate on a hard ground ball off Ryan Braun's bat. Escobar tripled with one out. The Reds were more than willing to concede the run with the infield back. But Cabrera gambled and threw the runner out. The Brewers are 12-1 when they score first and 3-21 when they don't.
"He's one of the smartest players I've ever been around," Baker said. "He knew just how hard the ball was hit."
It got starter Johnny Cueto pumped up. Cueto was coming off his best start, a one-hit shutout over Pittsburgh.
"It got my adrenaline going. It showed me they were playing hard behind me," Cueto said.
Cueto gave up a home run to Corey Hart but nothing else in seven innings thanks to more defense.
Brandon Phillips made the team's first error in 13 games, letting a hard hit ball by Jody Gerut get by him. But Drew Stubbs picked him up by throwing out Greg Zaun at home on a fly out.
"I love our defense," Baker said. "You may not see Brandon miss a ball like that the rest of the year, then Stubbs pieked him up."
The Reds made a couple running mistakes but they were aggressive mistakes.
"We want our guys to be aggressive," Baker said.
Joey Votto drove in the tying run with a double but was caught between second and third when the throw home was cut off. Then Phillips failed to see that Cabrera was being held and was caught off second in the Reds winning five-run seventh inning rally.
Chris Heisey tripled to start the seventh against former Red Todd Coffey. Cabrera put the Reds in the lead with a single up the middle. Phillips singled and Votto singled. Phillips made his mistake but got in a run down to allow Votto to get to second. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly. Jay Bruce was walked intentionally.
All that did was make Jonny Gomes mad and he hit a three-run home run.
"We're all competitors in here," Gomes said. "It's a little character check when the decide they'd rather pitch to you. Coffey has a power arm. You have to be ready."
Dusty Baker said before the game, "We think we have a good team but we don't know because we haven't played everybody yet. We've played the Cardinals nine times but we haven't played Milwaukee yet."
His team came out aggressive from the start. Sometimes too aggressive.
Orlando Cabrera threw Alcides Escobar out at home plate on a hard ground ball off Ryan Braun's bat. Escobar tripled with one out. The Reds were more than willing to concede the run with the infield back. But Cabrera gambled and threw the runner out. The Brewers are 12-1 when they score first and 3-21 when they don't.
"He's one of the smartest players I've ever been around," Baker said. "He knew just how hard the ball was hit."
It got starter Johnny Cueto pumped up. Cueto was coming off his best start, a one-hit shutout over Pittsburgh.
"It got my adrenaline going. It showed me they were playing hard behind me," Cueto said.
Cueto gave up a home run to Corey Hart but nothing else in seven innings thanks to more defense.
Brandon Phillips made the team's first error in 13 games, letting a hard hit ball by Jody Gerut get by him. But Drew Stubbs picked him up by throwing out Greg Zaun at home on a fly out.
"I love our defense," Baker said. "You may not see Brandon miss a ball like that the rest of the year, then Stubbs pieked him up."
The Reds made a couple running mistakes but they were aggressive mistakes.
"We want our guys to be aggressive," Baker said.
Joey Votto drove in the tying run with a double but was caught between second and third when the throw home was cut off. Then Phillips failed to see that Cabrera was being held and was caught off second in the Reds winning five-run seventh inning rally.
Chris Heisey tripled to start the seventh against former Red Todd Coffey. Cabrera put the Reds in the lead with a single up the middle. Phillips singled and Votto singled. Phillips made his mistake but got in a run down to allow Votto to get to second. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly. Jay Bruce was walked intentionally.
All that did was make Jonny Gomes mad and he hit a three-run home run.
"We're all competitors in here," Gomes said. "It's a little character check when the decide they'd rather pitch to you. Coffey has a power arm. You have to be ready."
Bravo Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera has been one of the best things to happen to the Cincinnati Reds in a long time.
It is just the first inning at Great American Ball Park, Cabrera has already had an effect.
Alcides Escobar hit a one-out triple with Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee slugger with a .343 batting average coming to the plate. The normal wisdom is to concede the run that early in the game to prevent a big inning.
Braun smoked a Johnny Cueto pitch to Cabrera's glove side, deep in the hole at shortstop.
Everyone with the possible exception of Ramon Hernandez expected Cabrera to throw to first. Without hesitation, he fired home to Hernandez, who blocked the plate and tagged out Escobar.
An aggressive defensive play, it was a risk that could have been second guessed all day long but it set the tone already.
Cabrera then extended his hitting streak to 10 games by lining a double down the leftfield line. It was the third straight game that he has had a hit in his first at bat to leadoff the game.
"He brings enthusiasm and emphasizes going from first to third," Bronson Arroyo said before the game.
Cabrera advanced to third when Brandon Phillips sacrificed him there but after Joey Votto walked, Scott Rolen hit a low line drive on a 3-2 pitch with Votto running. Casey McGehee turned it into a double play.
There is a statistical significance to scoring first.
Milwaukee is 3-21 when the opponent scores first. The Reds are 12-2 when they score first.
Note:
Today the Reds signed to a minor league contract 25-year-old Cuban free agent OF Felix Perez (6-2, 190, bats left, throws left) They signing compliments the more heralded inking of Aroldis Chapman.
It is just the first inning at Great American Ball Park, Cabrera has already had an effect.
Alcides Escobar hit a one-out triple with Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee slugger with a .343 batting average coming to the plate. The normal wisdom is to concede the run that early in the game to prevent a big inning.
Braun smoked a Johnny Cueto pitch to Cabrera's glove side, deep in the hole at shortstop.
Everyone with the possible exception of Ramon Hernandez expected Cabrera to throw to first. Without hesitation, he fired home to Hernandez, who blocked the plate and tagged out Escobar.
An aggressive defensive play, it was a risk that could have been second guessed all day long but it set the tone already.
Cabrera then extended his hitting streak to 10 games by lining a double down the leftfield line. It was the third straight game that he has had a hit in his first at bat to leadoff the game.
"He brings enthusiasm and emphasizes going from first to third," Bronson Arroyo said before the game.
Cabrera advanced to third when Brandon Phillips sacrificed him there but after Joey Votto walked, Scott Rolen hit a low line drive on a 3-2 pitch with Votto running. Casey McGehee turned it into a double play.
There is a statistical significance to scoring first.
Milwaukee is 3-21 when the opponent scores first. The Reds are 12-2 when they score first.
Note:
Today the Reds signed to a minor league contract 25-year-old Cuban free agent OF Felix Perez (6-2, 190, bats left, throws left) They signing compliments the more heralded inking of Aroldis Chapman.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Reds Pass the Cards With a 7-2 Win
I'm a Cardinal fan but that's Colerain Cardinals.
The Reds pushed past those dirty birds from St. Louis with a 7-2 rout, taking the series last two games. The crowd cheered the final out. Then cheered as the logos that depict the standings behind the rightfield bleachers were rearranged with the wishbone "C" on top.
Bronson Arroyo and Scott Rolen with three RBI, led the way but they had plenty of support.
Arroyo gave up two runs but got them back himself with a two-run single after Cardinal manager Tony La Russa had Ryan Hanigan, the only Red without a hit walked in the sixth inning.
Orlando Cabrera laced the first pitch of the game down the rightfield line for a double. Rolen homered to right and the Reds never looked back.
In his second at bat Rolen hit a ground ball through the huge hole between first and second.
"That's Scotty's stroke up the middle, opposite field hitter. He uses the center part of the ballpark. That's why he's such a good hitter. That why he's good in RBI situations. Guys that use the whole ballpark especially the middle. He works on it."
The old Reds would have been trying to hit the ball out for the second time. Rolen was given the opportunity to take credit for going the opposite way but said, "He jammed the ____ out of me. It's good clean living."
Arroyo pitched the third complete game for the first place Reds this week.
The first place Reds.
"I don't think I've heard that since I was six," said Arroyo, who was born in 1977. Maybe he meant six months.
"It's been a long time. It definitely means more to this club than it would if we did have a winning club for the last few years. We've got to stay in it the whole time. It's huge for us. If we can stay withing arms reach for the confidence of the guys around here that haven't played on a championship or playoff type team."
The Cardinals threatened in the first and fifth innings but Arroyo rose to the task.
Jon Jay doubled with one out. Dusty Baker elected to walk (see previous posts) Albert Pujols to face Matt Holliday. "You're never crazy about facing Holliday. Albert can hurt you but there's no guarantees," Baker said. "The double play was huge."
"I haven't pitched a day game in a while. I was cold in the first inning. We walked Albert which we need to. Holliday is such a dangerous hitter to get the double play was nice."
Skip Schumaker singled to start the fifth. Jason LaRue walked. With the Reds expecting Penny to bunt them over, he hit away and rolled a single to left to load the bases. Arroyo induced another ground ball that forced Penny at second while Schumaker scored. Votto fielded a one hopper and threw out LaRue at the plate. Then Arroyo struck out Jay.
"The bottom of the lineup is the one part of the order you can't let beat you. I put myself in a jam I shouldn't have been in. It was getting to the top of the order. Albert could have come up and changed the whole game," Arroyo said.
As for the single by Arroyo that broke the game open.......
"Walking Hanigan is definitely the right move but there's no guarantees," Baker said. "You can make the right move and it doesn't work. You play the odds the best you can and hopefully you come out ahead 75 percent of the time. You have to have the right personnel to make moves correct. That's a huge part of the equation too."
"They walked Hanigan. You've got to expect that. He beat me with a fastball the last time they were here. I thought he would try to get ahead, hard. I tried to stay back and make contact and not try to kill it."
The Reds haven't been in first place this late in the season in four years.
"We're not starting the playoffs yet," Baker said. "We have to keep doing what we've been doing, getting good pitching and defense."
"It means we're playing good baseball," Rolen said.
The Reds pushed past those dirty birds from St. Louis with a 7-2 rout, taking the series last two games. The crowd cheered the final out. Then cheered as the logos that depict the standings behind the rightfield bleachers were rearranged with the wishbone "C" on top.
Bronson Arroyo and Scott Rolen with three RBI, led the way but they had plenty of support.
Arroyo gave up two runs but got them back himself with a two-run single after Cardinal manager Tony La Russa had Ryan Hanigan, the only Red without a hit walked in the sixth inning.
Orlando Cabrera laced the first pitch of the game down the rightfield line for a double. Rolen homered to right and the Reds never looked back.
In his second at bat Rolen hit a ground ball through the huge hole between first and second.
"That's Scotty's stroke up the middle, opposite field hitter. He uses the center part of the ballpark. That's why he's such a good hitter. That why he's good in RBI situations. Guys that use the whole ballpark especially the middle. He works on it."
The old Reds would have been trying to hit the ball out for the second time. Rolen was given the opportunity to take credit for going the opposite way but said, "He jammed the ____ out of me. It's good clean living."
Arroyo pitched the third complete game for the first place Reds this week.
The first place Reds.
"I don't think I've heard that since I was six," said Arroyo, who was born in 1977. Maybe he meant six months.
"It's been a long time. It definitely means more to this club than it would if we did have a winning club for the last few years. We've got to stay in it the whole time. It's huge for us. If we can stay withing arms reach for the confidence of the guys around here that haven't played on a championship or playoff type team."
The Cardinals threatened in the first and fifth innings but Arroyo rose to the task.
Jon Jay doubled with one out. Dusty Baker elected to walk (see previous posts) Albert Pujols to face Matt Holliday. "You're never crazy about facing Holliday. Albert can hurt you but there's no guarantees," Baker said. "The double play was huge."
"I haven't pitched a day game in a while. I was cold in the first inning. We walked Albert which we need to. Holliday is such a dangerous hitter to get the double play was nice."
Skip Schumaker singled to start the fifth. Jason LaRue walked. With the Reds expecting Penny to bunt them over, he hit away and rolled a single to left to load the bases. Arroyo induced another ground ball that forced Penny at second while Schumaker scored. Votto fielded a one hopper and threw out LaRue at the plate. Then Arroyo struck out Jay.
"The bottom of the lineup is the one part of the order you can't let beat you. I put myself in a jam I shouldn't have been in. It was getting to the top of the order. Albert could have come up and changed the whole game," Arroyo said.
As for the single by Arroyo that broke the game open.......
"Walking Hanigan is definitely the right move but there's no guarantees," Baker said. "You can make the right move and it doesn't work. You play the odds the best you can and hopefully you come out ahead 75 percent of the time. You have to have the right personnel to make moves correct. That's a huge part of the equation too."
"They walked Hanigan. You've got to expect that. He beat me with a fastball the last time they were here. I thought he would try to get ahead, hard. I tried to stay back and make contact and not try to kill it."
The Reds haven't been in first place this late in the season in four years.
"We're not starting the playoffs yet," Baker said. "We have to keep doing what we've been doing, getting good pitching and defense."
"It means we're playing good baseball," Rolen said.
Scott Rolen Sets the Tone
Yes, the two-run home run that Rolen hit in the first inning was nice but his next at bat really showed the young Reds how to play the game.
A tough customer was on the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals in burly Brad Penny. The big right hander was 3-3 but had a slim 1.70 ERA.
Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto opened the third inning off Penny with singles. Phillips as has become the Reds custom recently went to third. Since 1999, we have gotten used to watching the Reds go station-to-station. One base at a time and wait for the home run.....Bowden ball.
The Cardinals firstbaseman, Albert Pujols, at first because the Reds have not been shy about sending Votto. Secondbaseman Skip Schumaker was playing up the middle for the double play which left a huge hole on the right side of the infield.
During the Bowden years we would have seen the Adam Dunn's, the Ken Griffey Jr. and the Austin Kearns, trying to put one in the seats.
Rolen waited on an inside pitch and put a ground ball right throught the hole, with Votto hustling to third.
That taxed Penny and he ended up adding a full run to his ERA, more importantly, it allowed the Reds the momentum to add on runs as the game goes on.
A tough customer was on the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals in burly Brad Penny. The big right hander was 3-3 but had a slim 1.70 ERA.
Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto opened the third inning off Penny with singles. Phillips as has become the Reds custom recently went to third. Since 1999, we have gotten used to watching the Reds go station-to-station. One base at a time and wait for the home run.....Bowden ball.
The Cardinals firstbaseman, Albert Pujols, at first because the Reds have not been shy about sending Votto. Secondbaseman Skip Schumaker was playing up the middle for the double play which left a huge hole on the right side of the infield.
During the Bowden years we would have seen the Adam Dunn's, the Ken Griffey Jr. and the Austin Kearns, trying to put one in the seats.
Rolen waited on an inside pitch and put a ground ball right throught the hole, with Votto hustling to third.
That taxed Penny and he ended up adding a full run to his ERA, more importantly, it allowed the Reds the momentum to add on runs as the game goes on.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Reds Win Civil Rights Game 4-3
Willie Mays, Harry Belafonte and Billy Jean Moffet King were honored before the Reds defeated Arch-rival St. Louis 4-3.
Rookie Drew Stubbs burned a St. Louis outfield that played him shallow all game, hitting a two-run triple to give the Reds the winning cushion.
Fellow rookie, Mike Leake, pitched six solid innings to pick up his fourth win. He has yet to lose. Who needs the stinkin minor leagues anyway?
It was not without late drama.
Stubbs triple put the Reds up 4-2. “He actually made a good pitch. It was a slider away. I was able to get a good part of the bat on it," Stubb said. The Cardinals walked hot hitting Jonny Gomes to pitch to Stubbs. “It was huge. That gives me extra motivation, and coming through that way gets you going.”
Francisco "Coco" Cordero began the ninth inning to attempt his 12th save of the season. He has blown just one but has driven Reds fans and probably Dusty Baker, coo-coo. Rookie Chris Heisey replaced Jonny Gomes for defensive purposes.
David Freese opened the ninth inning with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freese went to third on a ground out to short which would have likely been a double play, absent the wild pitch. Skip Schumaker singled to make the score 4-3. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay struck out. Shortstop Brendan Ryan hitting .167 was pulled for .194 hitting Joe Mather. Mather hit a line drive to the leftfield wall, that stuck between the turf and padding. Cardinal thirdbase coach Jose Oquendo sent Schumaker.
Heisey and Orlando Cabrera fired to Ramon Hernandez, who applied the tag to end the game.
"I've never had a save like that," Cordero said. "For me it was a little disappointing to get a save like that but a "W" is a "W". Everyone went home happy. Tonight, they saved me. That's what I like about this team everybody says, 'I got your back, I got your back'."
“I was waiting for it to kick, and it never did," Heisey said. "I had my feet set for it coming off the wall, but it never did, so I had to get moving again. I just picked it up and let it go, and then I stood there and watched until the play was over. That was great to get that win after last night.”
The Cardinals manager Tony La Russa thought the gamble was worth it in spite of the results. "With two outs 7 out of 10 times the thirdbase coach will send them," La Russa said. "They have to make two good throws and a catch and tag. I have no problems being aggrssive. If one of the throws is off-line we get a run and tie the game."
Oquendo explained, "The ball got stuck in the wall. It didn't come back to him, so he (Heisey) had to go get it. With two outs he (Schumaker) was going on contact.".
Dusty Baker was thrilled that a sell out crowd was here to see it.
“Like I’ve been saying, this team likes electricity. The last couple of years, it seems like we play better the more people we have. That was some game. Leake pitched great, Arthur (Rhodes) did his thing (a scoreless inning for 13 in a row), Stubbs came up with the big hit, and the execution at the end – that’s why you practice cutoffs and relays, especially when that ball didn’t bounce back. Ramon had to bend down and pick that ball up before making the tag,” Baker said.
Leake beat one of the hottest pitchers in the league in Adam Wainwright, who started the game with a 5-1 record and a 2.08 ERA.
“He was throwing strikes," Baker said. "You could tell what their game plan was, because they were swinging early. They know he throws strikes. He adjusted to that and started throwing breaking balls.”
Leake has gained a reputation for not getting excited which hides his competitive nature.
“That last play got me excited," Leake said.
Hernandez hit an RBI single and Gomes homered to account for the other two Reds runs.
Schumaker's sacrifice fly scored Freese and Colby Rasmus hit a home run for the Cardinals other scores.
Rookie Drew Stubbs burned a St. Louis outfield that played him shallow all game, hitting a two-run triple to give the Reds the winning cushion.
Fellow rookie, Mike Leake, pitched six solid innings to pick up his fourth win. He has yet to lose. Who needs the stinkin minor leagues anyway?
It was not without late drama.
Stubbs triple put the Reds up 4-2. “He actually made a good pitch. It was a slider away. I was able to get a good part of the bat on it," Stubb said. The Cardinals walked hot hitting Jonny Gomes to pitch to Stubbs. “It was huge. That gives me extra motivation, and coming through that way gets you going.”
Francisco "Coco" Cordero began the ninth inning to attempt his 12th save of the season. He has blown just one but has driven Reds fans and probably Dusty Baker, coo-coo. Rookie Chris Heisey replaced Jonny Gomes for defensive purposes.
David Freese opened the ninth inning with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freese went to third on a ground out to short which would have likely been a double play, absent the wild pitch. Skip Schumaker singled to make the score 4-3. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay struck out. Shortstop Brendan Ryan hitting .167 was pulled for .194 hitting Joe Mather. Mather hit a line drive to the leftfield wall, that stuck between the turf and padding. Cardinal thirdbase coach Jose Oquendo sent Schumaker.
Heisey and Orlando Cabrera fired to Ramon Hernandez, who applied the tag to end the game.
"I've never had a save like that," Cordero said. "For me it was a little disappointing to get a save like that but a "W" is a "W". Everyone went home happy. Tonight, they saved me. That's what I like about this team everybody says, 'I got your back, I got your back'."
“I was waiting for it to kick, and it never did," Heisey said. "I had my feet set for it coming off the wall, but it never did, so I had to get moving again. I just picked it up and let it go, and then I stood there and watched until the play was over. That was great to get that win after last night.”
The Cardinals manager Tony La Russa thought the gamble was worth it in spite of the results. "With two outs 7 out of 10 times the thirdbase coach will send them," La Russa said. "They have to make two good throws and a catch and tag. I have no problems being aggrssive. If one of the throws is off-line we get a run and tie the game."
Oquendo explained, "The ball got stuck in the wall. It didn't come back to him, so he (Heisey) had to go get it. With two outs he (Schumaker) was going on contact.".
Dusty Baker was thrilled that a sell out crowd was here to see it.
“Like I’ve been saying, this team likes electricity. The last couple of years, it seems like we play better the more people we have. That was some game. Leake pitched great, Arthur (Rhodes) did his thing (a scoreless inning for 13 in a row), Stubbs came up with the big hit, and the execution at the end – that’s why you practice cutoffs and relays, especially when that ball didn’t bounce back. Ramon had to bend down and pick that ball up before making the tag,” Baker said.
Leake beat one of the hottest pitchers in the league in Adam Wainwright, who started the game with a 5-1 record and a 2.08 ERA.
“He was throwing strikes," Baker said. "You could tell what their game plan was, because they were swinging early. They know he throws strikes. He adjusted to that and started throwing breaking balls.”
Leake has gained a reputation for not getting excited which hides his competitive nature.
“That last play got me excited," Leake said.
Hernandez hit an RBI single and Gomes homered to account for the other two Reds runs.
Schumaker's sacrifice fly scored Freese and Colby Rasmus hit a home run for the Cardinals other scores.
Mike Leake Batting Average is Higher than his ERA
As of this posting in the bottom of the first inning, Mike Leake is hitting .308. His ERA is 3.02.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Reds Drop a Close One to St. Louis 4-3
It had to end sometime. The Reds starters threw 21 consecutive innings of shutdown, shutout baseball until "That Man" Albert Pujols ended it with a two-run home run off starting pitcher, Aaron Harang.
And I still say pitch to him. They are the Cincinnati Reds, not the Yellows.
Pujols was backed up by a two-run home run hit by Ryan Ludwick two innings later.
The five game-winning streak, the string of three consecutive quality starts by Harang also fell victim to the long balls. Neither were 400 ft. blasts. In fact they had more altitude than longitude.
Great American Ball Park is generous to home run hitters.
"I've given up enough of those and seen enough of those (fence scrapping home runs)," Harang said. "You're going to give up home runs but you hope they are solo. But (Cody) Rasmus did a good job (pulling a double that bounced over a diving Joey Votto's glove)."
Harang got a nervous chuckle out of the lack of length on Ludwick's fly and later was amused at rightfielder Jay Bruce's reaction.
After the ball ticked off Bruce's glove, the glove went crashing to the warning track at about 95 mph. Bruce threw his glove in frustration.
"I probably shouldn't have thrown it," Bruce said. "I feel like if it hits my glove, I should catch it."
"I didn't think either would go out," Harang said. "I threw Pujols a high pitch. I've done it too him before and got him to pop it up. I threw the same pitch in the same location in his next at bat. He fouled it off and I struck him out."
Pujols was 1-for-4 and struck out twice. See folks. He is mortal just like the rest of us.
"That's the way our park it. Aaron got two balls up and it cost us four runs. If the pitches were down maybe they don't go out," Dusty Baker said.
But the Reds rallied. The game ended with the tying run personified by Drew Stubbs on second base.
Stubbs, who was struggling under .200 coming into the contest, drove in all three Reds runs.
He showed that Jaime Garcia, who had not allowed a home run this season to mar his 1.18 ERA, was human too. He showed disgust as Stubbs seventh inning home run to the Reds bullpen scored Jonny Gomes ahead of him. Gomes had three hits, including an infield hit that started the Reds' ninth.
Former Red, Ryan Franklin started the ninth with intent to save the game for Garcia.
It wasn't easy.
With Gomes on second after indifference put him there, Bruce dumped a single into short center. Stubbs speed allowed him to beat the double play relay. That scored Gomes. Ryan Hanigan singled. Chris Heisey ran for Hanigan.
Then came the questions as Ramon Hernandez, who was 3-for-21 against Franklin came on to hit. What?
Why not lefhander hitting Laynce Nix? Nix has four hits in 16 at bats against Franklin.
"Nix couldn't swing the bat today," Baker said. "It's getting better. He's had it for a couple days. Hopefully, he will be better tomorrow or the day after,"
Hernandez hard ground ball was turned into a game ending double play and the fireworks music was cued.
"We had a chance. That is what you want," Baker said.
The Reds fell a game and a half behind the Cardinals, who were swept at home by Houston in a three-game series. The Reds have lost five of the seven games between them.
"To get into first place we have to beat them. We've had a lot of close games against them. We can beat them. We're a good team. I'd put us up against anyone. We've been playing good baseball. We were one swing away. It's been that way all season. The pitchers kept us in the ball game. Garcia's been pitching really well. It was a good game."
And I still say pitch to him. They are the Cincinnati Reds, not the Yellows.
Pujols was backed up by a two-run home run hit by Ryan Ludwick two innings later.
The five game-winning streak, the string of three consecutive quality starts by Harang also fell victim to the long balls. Neither were 400 ft. blasts. In fact they had more altitude than longitude.
Great American Ball Park is generous to home run hitters.
"I've given up enough of those and seen enough of those (fence scrapping home runs)," Harang said. "You're going to give up home runs but you hope they are solo. But (Cody) Rasmus did a good job (pulling a double that bounced over a diving Joey Votto's glove)."
Harang got a nervous chuckle out of the lack of length on Ludwick's fly and later was amused at rightfielder Jay Bruce's reaction.
After the ball ticked off Bruce's glove, the glove went crashing to the warning track at about 95 mph. Bruce threw his glove in frustration.
"I probably shouldn't have thrown it," Bruce said. "I feel like if it hits my glove, I should catch it."
"I didn't think either would go out," Harang said. "I threw Pujols a high pitch. I've done it too him before and got him to pop it up. I threw the same pitch in the same location in his next at bat. He fouled it off and I struck him out."
Pujols was 1-for-4 and struck out twice. See folks. He is mortal just like the rest of us.
"That's the way our park it. Aaron got two balls up and it cost us four runs. If the pitches were down maybe they don't go out," Dusty Baker said.
But the Reds rallied. The game ended with the tying run personified by Drew Stubbs on second base.
Stubbs, who was struggling under .200 coming into the contest, drove in all three Reds runs.
He showed that Jaime Garcia, who had not allowed a home run this season to mar his 1.18 ERA, was human too. He showed disgust as Stubbs seventh inning home run to the Reds bullpen scored Jonny Gomes ahead of him. Gomes had three hits, including an infield hit that started the Reds' ninth.
Former Red, Ryan Franklin started the ninth with intent to save the game for Garcia.
It wasn't easy.
With Gomes on second after indifference put him there, Bruce dumped a single into short center. Stubbs speed allowed him to beat the double play relay. That scored Gomes. Ryan Hanigan singled. Chris Heisey ran for Hanigan.
Then came the questions as Ramon Hernandez, who was 3-for-21 against Franklin came on to hit. What?
Why not lefhander hitting Laynce Nix? Nix has four hits in 16 at bats against Franklin.
"Nix couldn't swing the bat today," Baker said. "It's getting better. He's had it for a couple days. Hopefully, he will be better tomorrow or the day after,"
Hernandez hard ground ball was turned into a game ending double play and the fireworks music was cued.
"We had a chance. That is what you want," Baker said.
The Reds fell a game and a half behind the Cardinals, who were swept at home by Houston in a three-game series. The Reds have lost five of the seven games between them.
"To get into first place we have to beat them. We've had a lot of close games against them. We can beat them. We're a good team. I'd put us up against anyone. We've been playing good baseball. We were one swing away. It's been that way all season. The pitchers kept us in the ball game. Garcia's been pitching really well. It was a good game."
And They Pitched to Pujols
Albert the Great came to the plate with runners on first and second and no outs. Harang went after him aggressively. He got the Cardinals star on a fly to right, then got out of the inning with no damage.
In my opinion, if you are going to build a winner you can not play scared.
Pujols may beat the Reds later in the game or later in the series but you have to compete with the best to be a winner.
Stay tuned.
In my opinion, if you are going to build a winner you can not play scared.
Pujols may beat the Reds later in the game or later in the series but you have to compete with the best to be a winner.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Pitch to Pujols
I hate the intentional walk.
To me it is like a white flag; an I give up; I'm too afraid to compete.
Recently, I have had discussions about pitching to Albert Pujols. I am sure this weekend a situation will arise in which the best hitter in the National League and probably the Major Leagues, will come to the plate with a chance to hurt the Reds.
Pitch to him. As good as he is, a lifetime .333 hitter up to the minute. There is a 66 percent chance you will get him out.
Last month Pujols when the Reds were in St. Louis, the slugger came to the plate twice with a chance to hurt the Reds.
Baker ordered him walked in the fifth inning on Friday night with two outs and runners on second and third in the fifth inning. Matt Holliday ruined that strategy by hitting a two-run single off Johnny Cueto.
On Saturday Baker pitched to Pujols in the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on second in a tie game. Pujols doubled to put the Cardinals in the lead against Homer Bailey.
Later that night a friend of mine asked me, "When is Dusty Baker going to realize that you can't let Pujols beat you?"
Pujols hit did not beat the Reds on that occasion. In fact they tied the game in their next at bat.
Last year Baker removed Bailey with the bases loaded, two outs and Pujols coming to the plate with Bailey holding a 3-0 lead in the seventh.
A pair of hall of famers, Marty Brennaman and Hal McCoy both said publicly that they would walk Pujols in that situation. While I respect both of them, neither made the Hall as a manager. Neither was a three-time manager of the year.
I disagreed with both. I would have pitched to him too in spite of the results. Pujols hit a grand slam off reliever. David Weathers.
You can not play scared. How can you teach a young team that you should be afraid of the opposition and expect them to develop into winners?
As good as Pujols is, you need to compete. You need to face him, if you want to give yourself any chance at all to be a winner.
To me it is like a white flag; an I give up; I'm too afraid to compete.
Recently, I have had discussions about pitching to Albert Pujols. I am sure this weekend a situation will arise in which the best hitter in the National League and probably the Major Leagues, will come to the plate with a chance to hurt the Reds.
Pitch to him. As good as he is, a lifetime .333 hitter up to the minute. There is a 66 percent chance you will get him out.
Last month Pujols when the Reds were in St. Louis, the slugger came to the plate twice with a chance to hurt the Reds.
Baker ordered him walked in the fifth inning on Friday night with two outs and runners on second and third in the fifth inning. Matt Holliday ruined that strategy by hitting a two-run single off Johnny Cueto.
On Saturday Baker pitched to Pujols in the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on second in a tie game. Pujols doubled to put the Cardinals in the lead against Homer Bailey.
Later that night a friend of mine asked me, "When is Dusty Baker going to realize that you can't let Pujols beat you?"
Pujols hit did not beat the Reds on that occasion. In fact they tied the game in their next at bat.
Last year Baker removed Bailey with the bases loaded, two outs and Pujols coming to the plate with Bailey holding a 3-0 lead in the seventh.
A pair of hall of famers, Marty Brennaman and Hal McCoy both said publicly that they would walk Pujols in that situation. While I respect both of them, neither made the Hall as a manager. Neither was a three-time manager of the year.
I disagreed with both. I would have pitched to him too in spite of the results. Pujols hit a grand slam off reliever. David Weathers.
You can not play scared. How can you teach a young team that you should be afraid of the opposition and expect them to develop into winners?
As good as Pujols is, you need to compete. You need to face him, if you want to give yourself any chance at all to be a winner.
Dusty's Faith in his Players Pays Off
It is time to ruffle the feathers of the panic ridden among Reds' fans. The list includes the talk show geeks, including but not limited to, Lance McCallister.
McCallister, who rarely shows up at GABP to ask questions directly, was among those who wanted Aaron Harang moved to the bullpen.
The popular opinions did not factor into Baker's decisions.
"If it was 14 starts it would be one thing," Baker said after Harang struggled in his first four starts (actually Harang's opening day start was not that bad). "But it is only four starts. He makes a lot of money to win games and we need him to win."
Harang's record has not been good the last two years but detractors forget the lack of run support. As the number one starter, he was always facing the ace of the opponent. Numbers do lie at times. It is why the true professionals watch baseball in person rather than draw false assumptions from statistics.
Harang rewarded Baker's faith by reeling off three quality starts.
Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey have recently turned in gems that contradict their season ERA's.
I ask you. What kind of leader would you like to follow? One who shows no faith in you when things go wrong or one that stands behind you until you find a way to produce. We have far too many bosses in this would that panic.
To McCallister's credit, he admited he spoke too soon about Harang on his Wednesday night show.
Remember the heat Baker took for sticking with Corey Patterson? Guess who was just promoted to the Major Leagues,
McCallister, who rarely shows up at GABP to ask questions directly, was among those who wanted Aaron Harang moved to the bullpen.
The popular opinions did not factor into Baker's decisions.
"If it was 14 starts it would be one thing," Baker said after Harang struggled in his first four starts (actually Harang's opening day start was not that bad). "But it is only four starts. He makes a lot of money to win games and we need him to win."
Harang's record has not been good the last two years but detractors forget the lack of run support. As the number one starter, he was always facing the ace of the opponent. Numbers do lie at times. It is why the true professionals watch baseball in person rather than draw false assumptions from statistics.
Harang rewarded Baker's faith by reeling off three quality starts.
Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey have recently turned in gems that contradict their season ERA's.
I ask you. What kind of leader would you like to follow? One who shows no faith in you when things go wrong or one that stands behind you until you find a way to produce. We have far too many bosses in this would that panic.
To McCallister's credit, he admited he spoke too soon about Harang on his Wednesday night show.
Remember the heat Baker took for sticking with Corey Patterson? Guess who was just promoted to the Major Leagues,
Monday, May 3, 2010
Laynce Nix Home Run in the 11th Gives the Reds a 3-2 Win
Laynce Nix was resigned by the Reds for moments like this.
The lefthanded power hitter provided thunder off the bench with his first ever game ending home run.
"I've had a lot of walk off hits," Nix said "but not a home run."
The struggling Nick Masset pitched two scoreless innings to get the win for the Reds as the Mets fresh off an eight game winning streak took the road loss.
"This was a big confidence boost," Masset said.
The righthanded reliever was tagged with a two-run home run and three-run double in separate games on this trip. He managed to pitch out of bases loaded jam on Friday night as the Reds held on to win.
"There is a reason for everything if you can pinpoint what it is," Masset said. "It seems that I've been getting beat on my fastball. When you get in a groove it's exciting. This was a big win for us."
"His stuff has been there but his locations has been a problem," Dusty Baker said before the contest. He didn't want to use Masset but was forced to.
Drew Stubbs gave young Mike Leake a 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run, his second of the season. He then misplayed a fly ball hit by the Mets Ike Davis the next inning which led to a tying run.
Leake who was solid again with six innings allowing just two runs, one earned on four hits but his lone walk kept him from being the winner when the Reds bullpen picked him up after he was removed for a pinch hitter.
Leake had walked himself with one out in the fifth and advanced to second base one out later on Stubbs infield hit. Joey Votto delivered him with a sharp single to center off Mets starter, Oliver Perez.
The rookie righthander, who hates to issue walks allowed one to Luis Castillo after retiring nine in a row. Jose Reyes drove in Castillo with a double.
When the Reds got two runners on in the bottom of the sixth, Miguel Cairo hit for Leake and flied out to left. The former Arizona State hurler couldn't post his third winning decision as a result.
Both bullpens held the fort until Manny Acosta relieved for the Mets in the bottom of the 11th.
Nix hit a towering drive for his second career pinch hit home run to send both teams and 14,000 fans home.
"He hung a curve," Nix said. "I'm excited about it. I saw the pile (of celebrating Reds players). I went in low and got out fast."
It was the first time since 2006 when the Reds got a leadoff home run and a game ending home run in the same game.
NOTE:
Chris Dickerson had surgery on his right hand this afternoon. He will miss four to six weeks.
The lefthanded power hitter provided thunder off the bench with his first ever game ending home run.
"I've had a lot of walk off hits," Nix said "but not a home run."
The struggling Nick Masset pitched two scoreless innings to get the win for the Reds as the Mets fresh off an eight game winning streak took the road loss.
"This was a big confidence boost," Masset said.
The righthanded reliever was tagged with a two-run home run and three-run double in separate games on this trip. He managed to pitch out of bases loaded jam on Friday night as the Reds held on to win.
"There is a reason for everything if you can pinpoint what it is," Masset said. "It seems that I've been getting beat on my fastball. When you get in a groove it's exciting. This was a big win for us."
"His stuff has been there but his locations has been a problem," Dusty Baker said before the contest. He didn't want to use Masset but was forced to.
Drew Stubbs gave young Mike Leake a 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run, his second of the season. He then misplayed a fly ball hit by the Mets Ike Davis the next inning which led to a tying run.
Leake who was solid again with six innings allowing just two runs, one earned on four hits but his lone walk kept him from being the winner when the Reds bullpen picked him up after he was removed for a pinch hitter.
Leake had walked himself with one out in the fifth and advanced to second base one out later on Stubbs infield hit. Joey Votto delivered him with a sharp single to center off Mets starter, Oliver Perez.
The rookie righthander, who hates to issue walks allowed one to Luis Castillo after retiring nine in a row. Jose Reyes drove in Castillo with a double.
When the Reds got two runners on in the bottom of the sixth, Miguel Cairo hit for Leake and flied out to left. The former Arizona State hurler couldn't post his third winning decision as a result.
Both bullpens held the fort until Manny Acosta relieved for the Mets in the bottom of the 11th.
Nix hit a towering drive for his second career pinch hit home run to send both teams and 14,000 fans home.
"He hung a curve," Nix said. "I'm excited about it. I saw the pile (of celebrating Reds players). I went in low and got out fast."
It was the first time since 2006 when the Reds got a leadoff home run and a game ending home run in the same game.
NOTE:
Chris Dickerson had surgery on his right hand this afternoon. He will miss four to six weeks.
Heisey Makes His Major League Debut
It was a dream for Chris Heisey when he first picked up a bat and glove in Eastern Pennsylvania.
When the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 17th round, it still seamed far away but a little closer.
"If you would have told me last week or a year ago, I would have never believed it," Heisey said. "I'm pumped up. I'm really excited. When they put me on the 40-man roster this winter, I thought maybe later in the year but not right now."
The outfielder was drafted by the Reds in 2006. It was the same day that his sister graduated from high school, so she had to share the spotlight. When Chris Dickerson was injured on Thursday night in Houston with what turned out to be a broken hamate bone in his right hand, Heisey got the call on Saturday. His sister was graduating from college in Misheshaukwa, Indiana near South Bend the following day.
He joined the Reds on Saturday in St. Louis after getting a call at his home in Mechanicsburg, his hometown. The Louisville Bats played the Scranton Wilkes-Bare Yankees earlier that day.
He watched from the bench the balance of the series against the Cardinals.
"You don't want a young player to sit too long," Dusty Baker said. "I didn't get a chance to pinch hit him in St. Louis. With Oliver Perez pitching, he's tough on lefthanders so it worked out that I could give Jay (Bruce) a day off."
Heisey found out he was starting when he arrived at Great American Ball Park for the first time.
Heisey impressed Baker in spring training as a "camp player", the minor leaguers that teams take along in spring training to finish games.
"I was told two years ago by an old teammate of mine, Candy Maldonado, who saw him play in Puerto Rico. He told me to watch this kid, Heisey," Baker said. "I've watched him in camp the last couple years. He plays hard, runs well. He probably has a chip on his shoulder because he was a low draft choice, which is good,"
Baker himself was a 23rd round pick.
"You hope that a young player comes up and contributes and makes it hard for you to send him back down," Baker said
When the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 17th round, it still seamed far away but a little closer.
"If you would have told me last week or a year ago, I would have never believed it," Heisey said. "I'm pumped up. I'm really excited. When they put me on the 40-man roster this winter, I thought maybe later in the year but not right now."
The outfielder was drafted by the Reds in 2006. It was the same day that his sister graduated from high school, so she had to share the spotlight. When Chris Dickerson was injured on Thursday night in Houston with what turned out to be a broken hamate bone in his right hand, Heisey got the call on Saturday. His sister was graduating from college in Misheshaukwa, Indiana near South Bend the following day.
He joined the Reds on Saturday in St. Louis after getting a call at his home in Mechanicsburg, his hometown. The Louisville Bats played the Scranton Wilkes-Bare Yankees earlier that day.
He watched from the bench the balance of the series against the Cardinals.
"You don't want a young player to sit too long," Dusty Baker said. "I didn't get a chance to pinch hit him in St. Louis. With Oliver Perez pitching, he's tough on lefthanders so it worked out that I could give Jay (Bruce) a day off."
Heisey found out he was starting when he arrived at Great American Ball Park for the first time.
Heisey impressed Baker in spring training as a "camp player", the minor leaguers that teams take along in spring training to finish games.
"I was told two years ago by an old teammate of mine, Candy Maldonado, who saw him play in Puerto Rico. He told me to watch this kid, Heisey," Baker said. "I've watched him in camp the last couple years. He plays hard, runs well. He probably has a chip on his shoulder because he was a low draft choice, which is good,"
Baker himself was a 23rd round pick.
"You hope that a young player comes up and contributes and makes it hard for you to send him back down," Baker said
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
