Joe Morgan threw out the first pitch for the franchise that allowed him to play in his first postseason game.
"It was here against the Pittsburgh Pirates," Morgan said before Game 3 of the NLDS.
The Reds dropped Game 2 by making four errors, allowing six runs in a 7-4 loss on Friday. With the Reds youthful roster and this being the first playoff experience for all but a handful of Reds, nerves were blamed by many fans and observers.
"You always have jitters," Morgan said. "I had jitters for every game I played. A lot of people said those errors the other night were caused by jitters. But it was the two best players on the infield that made those mistakes, two gold glovers. I don't think that was the case. I'm not trying to say there's not jitters with anybody that takes the field in the postseason. I don't think it had that much effect. You might have a little more jitters in the playoffs because the stakes are higher. I still think that once the ball is put in play, everything settles down."
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Paul Janish Will Start
Paul Janish will start for the Reds in Game 3 of the NLDS.
The status of Orlando Cabrera was still unknown three hours before game time.
"He hasn't seen the doctor yet," Dusty Baker said.
Janish has taken the reigns before when Cabrera went down but this is the playoffs.
"Honestly, it's really not that much different. Obviously, the circumstances are more significant, but as far as the actual playing, what's going on on the field, it's not a whole lot different. He's banged up and can't go, so I'm ready to go," Janish said.
The mood in the clubhouse hasn't changed much from normal.
The status of Orlando Cabrera was still unknown three hours before game time.
"He hasn't seen the doctor yet," Dusty Baker said.
Janish has taken the reigns before when Cabrera went down but this is the playoffs.
"Honestly, it's really not that much different. Obviously, the circumstances are more significant, but as far as the actual playing, what's going on on the field, it's not a whole lot different. He's banged up and can't go, so I'm ready to go," Janish said.
The mood in the clubhouse hasn't changed much from normal.
"The mood seems to be pretty light in the clubhouse. Obviously we're on the wrong end of a 2 0 deficit against a pretty good team in Philly. But everybody is going about their business as usual and staying it in stride. We know we have to show up tonight and battle and hard tonight," Janish said.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Charlie Manuel Speaks
The Philadelphia Phillies manager is one of my favorite visiting managers. His manner of speaking is colorful with the country twang of early Andy Griffith Show.
A reporter asked Manuel about the Reds task of trying to win three straight games, having to beat, Cole Hamels, Roy Haladay and Roy Oswalt in succession.
A reporter asked Manuel about the Reds task of trying to win three straight games, having to beat, Cole Hamels, Roy Haladay and Roy Oswalt in succession.
"I think sometimes when you play, and when you look and say, "There is no way that can happen," the more I think about it and the longer I've been in the game and how we talk about the day to day thing and how we're going to play on that day, it can happen. It ain't goin' to happen, but it can happen (laughter)," Manuel said.
And how about this exchange about Carlos Ruiz, who is nursing a sore knee.
"He's doing good. I just talked to our trainer a minute ago, and he's doing very good. He's not as sore as we thought he was. Actually, he's pretty good."
It is not grammatically correct but it is entertaining.
In spite of his tongue in cheek comment about Roy Haladay's no-hitter in game one, "I think it was good managin," Manuel is a good manager, who players love to play for.
In April 2007, Manuel and the Phillies came into Cincinnati with a high payroll and a 4-10 record. Their closer, Tom Gordon, came into a 1-0 game in the ninth inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Gordon gave up a game tying home run to Scott Hatteburg. Cincinnati beat Gordon in the 10th to put sink the Phillies to a 4-11 record.
The fans that commented on the Philadelphia Inquirer website wanted Manuel fired.
He held a meeting on Saturday morning. The Phillies won five games in a row and eventually won the first of their four straight and counting Eastern Division titles.
For the record the Colorado Rockies swept them in the 2007 NLDS.
Manuel doesn't sympathize with the Reds but sees the development happening the way it did with his team.
"I look at their team, and not only are they a good team, but they're going it get better. And I have a lot of respect for them and believe me, we don't take 'em lightly at all."
Cueto Holds Reds Fate
Johnny Cueto is 24 years old. The fate of the 141-year old Cincinnati franchise is riding on his powerful right arm.
"Well, Johnny Cueto has been excellent at home here. And if not, it's kinda "Johnny Whole Staff" tomorrow and the next day," Dusty Baker said. "We can't afford to get behind. We need to get ahead. I have confidence in Johnny Cueto. If not, he would not be starting. He's a young man that's hungry. He's a young man that's been through a lot in his short lifetime, so we got a lot of confidence in Johnny Cueto."
Cueto through interpreter Thomas Vera said, "I am going to through my game."
"Pitching in the playoffs is the same just more noise and more people in the stands. It's the same game. My arm feels strong. I just have to concentrate and keep the ball down."
Cueto last pitched the day after the Reds clinched the division on September 29, 10 days ago.
This season against Philadelphia, he is 1-0 with a win on June 28. He pitched eight innings and allowed one run on six hits. He also pitched six innings in Philadelphia allowing one earned run in seven innings on four hits.
Reds Have No Choice and A Slim Chance
Dusty Baker took a fatalistic approach to his team's 0-2 predicament in the National League Division Series.
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"We have no choice," Baker said. "It is a tough spot, but it's not impossible. All things are possible through faith and perseverance. I've been in this situation, down 2-1, down three with three to go. In 1980, Arroyo I think was in Boston when they were down 3-0 in a best of seven, and they came back and won four."
"Like I said yesterday, the hardest thing is to win one. And you win one, and you got yourself some action. And we've got our backs up against the wall, but this club performs well with our backs up against the wall. That's the kind of club we have. I wish we didn't always have our backs against the wall, but, you know, we've been there before, not necessarily in elimination, but we're just trying to get one."
Cabrera's Status In Question
Orlando Cabrera called the trainer this morning according to Dusty Baker.
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
"He said that he was better," Baker said. "It has been bothering him for awhile now. It's going to be tough for him to play."
Cabrera missed 27 games with a strained left oblique from August 3 to September 3. He aggravated it Friday night in Philadelphia and had to leave the Reds 7-4 loss in the fifth inning.
"We haven't made a decision," Baker said. "We are going to wait until the last minute."
The Reds sent rookie Chris Valaika to Arizona to work out for just this type of contingency. He is flying in from Goodyear. The Reds would lose Cabrera for the next round if they choose to replace him.
"We have to worry about getting to the next round," Baker said. "It will be tough for us to play short."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Aroldis Chapman Gets to Face His Childhood Hero
Aroldis Chapman has never met Jose Contreras, the 39-year old reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Contreras was the Cuban National Team's best pitcher when Chapman was a boy. He watched him on TV,
"When I was a kid and watching baseball, I saw Jose. I liked the way he threw. I liked the way he pitched," Chapman said through an interpreter on media day in Philadelphia. I was impressed with the number of pitches he had and the quality of the pitches he had. He was the best in Cuba."
Contreras was a starter when he first appeared in the Major Leagues after defecting from Cuba in 2003 with the New York Yankees. He was the ace of the Chicago White Sox World Championship team in 2005 with a 15-7 record. He won a world series game against the Houston Astros.
This will be his fourth trip to the playoffs. He was with the Yankees in 2003, White Sox in 2005 and the Colorado Rockies last season.
This season with the Phillies, Contreras has appeared in 67 games all in relief with a 6-4 record and 3.34 ERA. He contributed four saves.
Chapman became the most watched player in baseball this spring after he signed with the Reds in January. He needed to work on some things and become acclimated to life in the United States. The Reds sent him to Louisville as a starting pitcher but with the huge success of the Reds starting rotation this season, the Reds felt he could be valuable pitching from the bullpen.
"My teammates in Louisville helped me out with a lot of things," Chapman said. "The same thing when I came to the Reds. I received a lot of help from my teammates. I feel very lucky that I got to be part of the celebration."
Monday, October 4, 2010
Travis Wood Comes A Long Way
The Philadelphia Inquirer hired a freelance writer to do a story on Aroldis Chapman. His signing sent a buzz throughout the baseball world.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
But Travis Wood came up through the organization with the quiet calm that depicts his personality. He has confidence in himself and is very intense but is not one to stand out.
Major League scouts prefer tall pitchers that throw the ball on a downward plane to induce ground balls.
Wood is 5' 11' and 163 pounds. He is hard to pick Wood out in the clubhouse unless he has his uniform on.
Reds pitching coach, Bryan Price, had never seen him before Wood reported to Goodyear, Arizona as the Reds pitching coach.
"He was the first guy that caught my eye when he came out early to Goodyear. I had never seen him before. Obviously, he was on the radar because he was the organization pitcher of the year. Having a chance to watch him before spring training even started. I could see he would probably pitch here. It is beyond good stuff. He has great deception," Price said.
Wood nearly made the team out of spring training but Mike Leake was chosen and pitched well early in the season. Wood made his debut in Chicago on July 1. He pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He pitched into the ninth inning with a perfect game in Philadelphia, the Reds opponent in the playoffs.
"I can't say I anticipated the kind of start he got off to in Chicago and Philadelphia, going out there and having a perfect game through eight innings in Philadelphia but I certainly felt he was capable of being a good player."
Wood was asked in spring training (http://www.redsspringtraining.blogspot.com) if he thought he could make the team. He always believed he would have a chance. He continued to believe in himself when he was sent to Louisville in favor of Leake. Now Leake has been shut down for the year but Wood is likely to pitch in the playoffs.
"I thought I had a good chance out of spring," Wood said. "They went with Leake but I thought I threw well for them. I went to Louisville and got my stuff together. Now, I'm here and I'm going to do everything that I can for them."
"It's amazing. It's been a great year. I couldn't ask for much more," Wood said as he rushed to the field for the 1 p.m. workout before the team leaves for Philadelphia.
Dusty Baker Signs a Two-Year Contract Extension
Two years ago in Sarasota, Dusty Baker took a look at the raggedy clubhouse staffers such as Elder grad, Rick Stowe and decided they needed a wardrobe makeover.
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
He bought the staff suits for travel. He told noone. They had to keep them for two years.
"Hey man this we're going to the playoffs dude," Baker told them at the time. "I added some more guys here."
"He ordered them in Sarasota, and said 'You'll need these'" said Stowe, who looked surprisingly good in a Colerain T-shirt after losing a bet earlier in the football season.
On the day the Reds announced that Baker's contract was extended two years, the suits were hanging ready for a trip to Philadelphia.
"I want them all clean, looking good, representing and believing that we're going places," Baker said.
Bob Castellini turned the microphone over to General Manager, Walt Jocketty to make the announcement.
"With the success we've had this year and really the last couple years, today under the leadership of Dusty, we've got here to the playoffs sooner than we thought. A lot of it is due in part to Dusty's leadership and his staff. It's a great situation for this organization to be in the playoffs. We believe that we are in position to be in the playoffs for many years to come," Jocketty said. "Dusty has agreed a two-year contract extension. We have also offered his coaches a two-year contract extension."
"Dusty, we are very pleased. You've done a terrific job. If all goes well, you might have another Manager of the Year Award."
"I want to thank Bob Castellini for having the faith in me to lead this team. It always good to have someone else have faith in you, as you have faith in yourself. I'm happy. My family is happy. People are going to ask me why two years so I'm going to answer that before you ask. I'm not too superstitious but I've had my best success when, I've signed a two-year contract," Baker said. "I don't know why I just have."
The coaches were just offered extension a couple days ago.
"It is important to have continuity," Baker said. "You have to have continuity of staff before you have continuity of team. You have to have continuity of staff, trainers, ground crew, everybody. I expect them back."
Jay Bruce is Named NL Player of the Week
Jay Bruce was named National League player of the week. He hit .444 for the week with four home runs and five RBI, including the ninth inning blast on Tuesday that clinched the National League Central Division for the Reds.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Harang's Sad Farewell
No crying in baseball eh. Don't tell Aaron Harang. The big hulking 6'8" gentle giant most likely has pitched his last game as a Red.
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
Harang was a young pitcher just reaching his prime when the Reds sent Jose Guillen to Oakland for Harang. That deal came at the end of the 2003 season, engineered by Brad Kuhlman, who was an interim GM after Jim Bowden's firing.
The big righthander became the ace of a team three two seasons into its streak of nine straight losing seasons. He won 53 games in his first four seasons and this spring made the Opening Day start for the fifth straight year.
The last three season have been rough. He won six games all three years but suffered 17,14 and 7 losses.
When the Reds decided that Edinson Volquez was going to Open the playoffs, he was scratched from Sunday's start and Harang was given the last day assignment. It is likely that the former ace will not be able to pitch in the postseason and it hurts.
Stopping to wipe tears from his face Harang knew that he may be left out of the postseason and worse may not be back next year. The Reds have an option for next year. If they exercise the option they have to pay him $12.5 million or they can buy it out for $2 million which makes more financials sense, since they have built a stable of good young pitchers.
"I don't really know. I guess. You just kinda know in a way but just, sorry, for me and my family. My daughter always grew up here. Besides regular home, this is the only place she's known. It's tough. God I thought I'd never do this but its not completely over yet so we'll see what happens," he said through the tears.
They crowd cheered him as he walked off the field, a blister on his right middle finger that prevented him from throwing anything other than fastballs.
"That made it tough," he sobbed. "You never ever hoped it would end that way. It is what it is. Those people were paying attention. You have to give them credit for that. We've been here for the good and the bad. A lot more of the bad. We got it turned around. Hopefully we can keep it going. It's been a tough seven years but its been an enjoyable seven years. The city has been good to me. It's just, I'll definitely miss it here. Cincinnati has a place in the back of my heart. You never know what's going to happen."
His language indicates that he feels the run is over here in Cincinnati. The pronoun has changed from we to they.
"The you group of guys and the new players that they have, you know the guys that they have that will be here for the future, you definitely see that change. They just have to keep it going," Harang continued.
Dusty Baker has empathy and appreciation for what Harang has been through.
"I wanted to give him the ball personally today," Baker said. "It's been a tough three years for him. I wanted to get him to 7-7. He hurt his finger a couple days ago and he didn't like the way it healed but he wanted the ball. You like his attitude."
Baker has not ruled Harang out completely. He told Carlos Fisher, Chris Valaika, Matt Maloney, who got the win Sunday, Sam LeCure and Jordan Smith that they are going to Arizona to work out and be ready for later rounds of the playoffs.
"We haven't set our roster yet. Harang is not going home and he's not going to Arizona," Baker said.
There were some personal goals that were reached on this last day.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and drove in his 70th run. Drew Stubbs stole his 30th base and Francisco Cordero saved his 40th game.
"It means a lot to me," Cordero said. "I am happy the way I finished the last five or six outings. I had two or three times this season with some bumps in the road, so that is a pretty good number."
Cordero Saves 40th Nails Down Season Finale 3-2
The man that many nervous Reds fans have dubbed Coo Coo Cordero, pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the team's 91st victory of the 2010 season.
It gives the righthander his third 40-save season of his career and he has now logged 290 in his career.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home in the fourth inning and Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes had first inning RBI hits to provide the offense.
It gives the righthander his third 40-save season of his career and he has now logged 290 in his career.
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home in the fourth inning and Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes had first inning RBI hits to provide the offense.
Bruce and Stubbs Finish at their Highest Points
Jay Bruce hit his 25th home run and singled in his tune up at bats before Dusty Baker emptied the bench in the season finale against Milwaukee.
Bruce finished with 70 RBI and a batting average of .281. It is very close to the highest its been all season. Bruce was hitting .287 on June 26th. Four days later he slipped to .281. Bruce dipped to .253 on August 7. In his last 37 games, he hit .377 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI.
Stubbs had two hits in two at bats on Opening Day. He went 3-for-18 in through April 11th to slip to .250. He was under .200 on May 21. He fought back to .251 on July 20, then slipped to .228 on August 2 before starting the climb back to his current .255 with a 1-for-2 performance in game 162.
Stubbs is a .310 hitter with nine home runs and 28 RBI since his low point.
Bruce finished with 70 RBI and a batting average of .281. It is very close to the highest its been all season. Bruce was hitting .287 on June 26th. Four days later he slipped to .281. Bruce dipped to .253 on August 7. In his last 37 games, he hit .377 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI.
Stubbs had two hits in two at bats on Opening Day. He went 3-for-18 in through April 11th to slip to .250. He was under .200 on May 21. He fought back to .251 on July 20, then slipped to .228 on August 2 before starting the climb back to his current .255 with a 1-for-2 performance in game 162.
Stubbs is a .310 hitter with nine home runs and 28 RBI since his low point.
Reds Rally on Fountain Square Tomorrow
The Reds will have a rally on Fountain Square tomorrow from 2-6 p.m.
Marty Brennaman will host it. CEO Bob Castellini and General Manager Walt Jocketty will speak.
Joe Morgan, Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips along with Dusty Baker will attend.
The entire team will attend between 2 and 4 p.m. based on their travel schedule which will be determined later this evening.
Marty Brennaman will host it. CEO Bob Castellini and General Manager Walt Jocketty will speak.
Joe Morgan, Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips along with Dusty Baker will attend.
The entire team will attend between 2 and 4 p.m. based on their travel schedule which will be determined later this evening.
Reds Set Up Pitching for the Playoffs
The Reds do not yet know who its opponent will be in the National League Division Series but the starting pitching rotation has been set.
Edinson Volquez will throw a light bullpen today to save his arm for the first game against an opponent yet to be determined. (San Diego, San Francisco or Philadelphia)
Bronson Arroyo will start the middle game.
"He is soft thrower," Dusty Baker said. "We want him to follow the hard thrower."
Johnny Cueto will pitch the home game.
"He's pitched very well at home," Baker said.
The Reds will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Homer Bailey and Travis Wood will also be on the staff.
"Wood gives us potentially four lefthanders. He and Homer are the least experienced. They may be used in the fourth or fifth game if needed," Baker said.
The Reds don't have to submit the roster until 10 A.M. the day of the first game.
The only tough decisions are between Laynce Nix and Jim Edmonds both of who are recovering from injuries. Nix is further along than Edmonds.
Edinson Volquez will throw a light bullpen today to save his arm for the first game against an opponent yet to be determined. (San Diego, San Francisco or Philadelphia)
Bronson Arroyo will start the middle game.
"He is soft thrower," Dusty Baker said. "We want him to follow the hard thrower."
Johnny Cueto will pitch the home game.
"He's pitched very well at home," Baker said.
The Reds will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Homer Bailey and Travis Wood will also be on the staff.
"Wood gives us potentially four lefthanders. He and Homer are the least experienced. They may be used in the fourth or fifth game if needed," Baker said.
The Reds don't have to submit the roster until 10 A.M. the day of the first game.
The only tough decisions are between Laynce Nix and Jim Edmonds both of who are recovering from injuries. Nix is further along than Edmonds.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Harang Starts and Finishes
Aaron Harang was the starting pitcher on Opening Day on April 5th. He gets the honor of closing the season nearly six months later.
Edinson Volquez was listed as Sunday's starter on the Reds notes this morning.
They announced that Harang will get the start instead.
Harang was once the ace of the staff. He won 16 games in 2006 and 2007 but has struggled since.
His 109 2/3 innings is the lowest total since he joined the Reds in 2003. He is 6-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 19 starts (21 appearances).
Edinson Volquez was listed as Sunday's starter on the Reds notes this morning.
They announced that Harang will get the start instead.
Harang was once the ace of the staff. He won 16 games in 2006 and 2007 but has struggled since.
His 109 2/3 innings is the lowest total since he joined the Reds in 2003. He is 6-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 19 starts (21 appearances).
Reds Reserves Rally to 7-4 Win
Dusty Baker is treating the last two games of the season as if it is spring training. He wants to keep players sharp yet give them rest.
The starters including Homer Bailey the pitcher, worked five innings then took a seat.
The Reds starters built a 4-1 lead with two home runs by Jay Bruce. After he struck out four times in last night's game, Ken Macha of the Brewers ordered him walked as the winning run in the ninth inning last night.
He should have followed the same strategy today as Bruce hit two home runs, a two-run job in third and a disputed solo home run in the fifth. It was Bruce's fifth two-home run game of the season. A fan appeared to interfere with Lorenzo Cain's attempt to catch the drive but a replay examination upheld umpire Sam Holbrook's initial call.
Jordan Smith, who is trying to earn a postseason roster spot coughed up the lead in the seventh after working a scoreless sixth.
He hit Ryan Braun and walked Prince Fielder. Casey McGehee launched a game-tying upper deck home run to cost Bailey his fifth victory.
Bailey was decent in his five innings, six hits and one run but took 120 pitches to navigate his five frames.
The Reds took the lead back for good in the eighth.
Supersub, Miguel Cairo singled off former Red, Todd Coffey. Yonder Alonso doubled, his second hit of the game off the gate to the Reds bullpen to score Cairo. Corky Miller blasted a long home run to centerfield.
Logan Ondrusek got the win with 2/3 of an inning to go 5-0 on the year. Francisco Cordero gave up one hit but faced just three batters for his 39th save.
The Reds reached the 90 win mark with the victory a number that Baker says is significant.
"Now we join all the division leaders and playoff teams that have 90-plus. That was big. In spring training, usually that's my goal every year but especially this year. Most of the time if you can get to 90, you'll be somewhere in the playoff hunt. You've usually got a pretty good chance for something between 90-95. Usually 90 is that magic number. Then you start thinking back on things and you're saying, 'Hey, man, this team has the potential next year of achieving that magic 100 even, 10 more games.' You're happy where you are, but as a manager you always want more."
The starters including Homer Bailey the pitcher, worked five innings then took a seat.
The Reds starters built a 4-1 lead with two home runs by Jay Bruce. After he struck out four times in last night's game, Ken Macha of the Brewers ordered him walked as the winning run in the ninth inning last night.
He should have followed the same strategy today as Bruce hit two home runs, a two-run job in third and a disputed solo home run in the fifth. It was Bruce's fifth two-home run game of the season. A fan appeared to interfere with Lorenzo Cain's attempt to catch the drive but a replay examination upheld umpire Sam Holbrook's initial call.
Jordan Smith, who is trying to earn a postseason roster spot coughed up the lead in the seventh after working a scoreless sixth.
He hit Ryan Braun and walked Prince Fielder. Casey McGehee launched a game-tying upper deck home run to cost Bailey his fifth victory.
Bailey was decent in his five innings, six hits and one run but took 120 pitches to navigate his five frames.
The Reds took the lead back for good in the eighth.
Supersub, Miguel Cairo singled off former Red, Todd Coffey. Yonder Alonso doubled, his second hit of the game off the gate to the Reds bullpen to score Cairo. Corky Miller blasted a long home run to centerfield.
Logan Ondrusek got the win with 2/3 of an inning to go 5-0 on the year. Francisco Cordero gave up one hit but faced just three batters for his 39th save.
The Reds reached the 90 win mark with the victory a number that Baker says is significant.
"Now we join all the division leaders and playoff teams that have 90-plus. That was big. In spring training, usually that's my goal every year but especially this year. Most of the time if you can get to 90, you'll be somewhere in the playoff hunt. You've usually got a pretty good chance for something between 90-95. Usually 90 is that magic number. Then you start thinking back on things and you're saying, 'Hey, man, this team has the potential next year of achieving that magic 100 even, 10 more games.' You're happy where you are, but as a manager you always want more."
Reds Choosing Post Season Roster With 3 Future No. 1 Pitchers.
The Reds are playing out the schedule, not yet sure who the opponent will be. The most likely candidate will be Philadelphia but as former manager Jerry Narron used to say, "It ain't written in ceement."
At stake are positions on the 25-man roster. Dusty Baker said that the Reds have it pretty much figured out but won't publicly reveal it because he wants to tell his players first. He won't even tell how many pitchers he'll use because, "those guys can all count."
"We want to keep everybody but you can't," Baker said. "That's why its a tough decision picking three out of five."
"I think our pitching has been better than it's ERA," Baker said.
If it is indeed the Phillies, they have three number ones in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, longtime noted Reds killer.
"Roy Hallady wasn't always a number one," Baker reminded. "We have some guys who will be number ones."
Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood and Mike Leake all have number one starter potential. All but Volquez came up through the Reds system, although Leake bypassed it. He is a rare case learning at the Major League level, though he has been shut down after reaching an organization imposed innings limit.
"This system is producing players," Baker said. "That's the only way to sustain excellence."
At stake are positions on the 25-man roster. Dusty Baker said that the Reds have it pretty much figured out but won't publicly reveal it because he wants to tell his players first. He won't even tell how many pitchers he'll use because, "those guys can all count."
"We want to keep everybody but you can't," Baker said. "That's why its a tough decision picking three out of five."
"I think our pitching has been better than it's ERA," Baker said.
If it is indeed the Phillies, they have three number ones in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, longtime noted Reds killer.
"Roy Hallady wasn't always a number one," Baker reminded. "We have some guys who will be number ones."
Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood and Mike Leake all have number one starter potential. All but Volquez came up through the Reds system, although Leake bypassed it. He is a rare case learning at the Major League level, though he has been shut down after reaching an organization imposed innings limit.
"This system is producing players," Baker said. "That's the only way to sustain excellence."
Friday, October 1, 2010
To Philadelphia For the Playoffs With 4-3 Loss
The Reds are going to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the opening round of the playoffs unless San Diego or San Francisco beats out Atlanta for the wild card.
Atlanta lost tonight so their lead over San Diego is a game and a half over San Diego. San Diego must sweep and the Braves must get swept by the Phillies for that to happen.
The Reds had a chance to edge San Francisco for the second best record in the National League but needed to sweep Milwaukee while San Diego sweeps the Giants. San Diego leads 5-0 in the fourth inning as of this writing (11:35 pm).
Travis Wood did not allow a hit for five innings but Rickie Weeks led off th sixth with his 29th home run. With one out in the seventh Casey McGhee doubled and Lorenzo Cain singled him to third. Wood was replaced by Logan Ondrusek, who allowed a pinch hit single to Craig Counsell and a sacrifice fly to Jonathan Lucroy to tie the game.
The Reds had few opportunities with rookie Mark Rogers. Rogers was taken by Milwaukee one pick ahead of Homer Bailey. The Brewers narrowed their choices to those two in the 2004 draft, deciding on Rogers.
Rogers had a good season in Double AA. This was his second start and fourth appearance in September. He started his career with nine hitless innings including tonight.
The Reds scored a run without a hit in the first inning on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly. Drew Stubbs walked, stole second and advanced to third after Brandon Phillips grounded out. The Reds scored one in the fifth on a suicide squeeze play by Paul Janish and in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Phillips.
The game went into the 11th. Sam LeCure gave up a single to Corey Hart and walked Ryan Braun. He was relieved by Jordan Smith, who allowed a single to McGhee. It was a potential double play but Phillips couldn't come up with it. It was ruled an error but changed to a hit because Phillips was screened by the umpire on the play.
Atlanta lost tonight so their lead over San Diego is a game and a half over San Diego. San Diego must sweep and the Braves must get swept by the Phillies for that to happen.
The Reds had a chance to edge San Francisco for the second best record in the National League but needed to sweep Milwaukee while San Diego sweeps the Giants. San Diego leads 5-0 in the fourth inning as of this writing (11:35 pm).
Travis Wood did not allow a hit for five innings but Rickie Weeks led off th sixth with his 29th home run. With one out in the seventh Casey McGhee doubled and Lorenzo Cain singled him to third. Wood was replaced by Logan Ondrusek, who allowed a pinch hit single to Craig Counsell and a sacrifice fly to Jonathan Lucroy to tie the game.
The Reds had few opportunities with rookie Mark Rogers. Rogers was taken by Milwaukee one pick ahead of Homer Bailey. The Brewers narrowed their choices to those two in the 2004 draft, deciding on Rogers.
Rogers had a good season in Double AA. This was his second start and fourth appearance in September. He started his career with nine hitless innings including tonight.
The Reds scored a run without a hit in the first inning on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly. Drew Stubbs walked, stole second and advanced to third after Brandon Phillips grounded out. The Reds scored one in the fifth on a suicide squeeze play by Paul Janish and in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Phillips.
The game went into the 11th. Sam LeCure gave up a single to Corey Hart and walked Ryan Braun. He was relieved by Jordan Smith, who allowed a single to McGhee. It was a potential double play but Phillips couldn't come up with it. It was ruled an error but changed to a hit because Phillips was screened by the umpire on the play.
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