4/19/09 - Reds vs Astros

[Team Clark]

Tejada just saved them BIG TIME!

[membengal]

Owings into the on-deck circle.

Now Chris Welsh says Dusty wouldn't ordinarily want Alex G to bunt. But Ramon H should? Chris Welsh may need some sort of mental health professional type of intervention...

[membengal]

HAH!

Ball thrown away on the bunt. Reds SCORE!

[nate]

Hoo-ray for errors!

[WVRedsFan]

it's all about luck today, gang.

[Team Clark]

WOW!!!!!!!! What a break. I imagine Cooper is going to blow his stack!

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez sacrifices and the pitcher throws the ball away. Tie game 1-1.

[Screwball]

Ha, nice defense.

[jojo]

And there was much rejoicing.....

[lollipopcurve]

Christmas.

That was a poor bunt, too.

[Team Clark]

Never know what is going to happen when you put pressure on the defense.

[membengal]

Let me say here, thanks EV, for fighting your demons and keeping the game close. You were not sharp, but you limited the damage. Much appreciated.

[Team Clark]

I predict a laser from Owings

[membengal]

Runners are at 2nd and 3rd. No outs.

Owings up.

Owings kills it.

[Falls City Beer]

Geoff "Anthony" Geary is a lot easier to face than 96 on the outside paint.

[CrackerJack]

Nice sequence of events!

[Reds Fanatic]

Owings doubles off the wall in left. 3-1 Reds!!!

[nate]

Owings with a double!

Can i just say, LOL?

LOL!

[Screwball]

Micah needs to play everyday. Find him a position.

[membengal]

I love Micah Owings' bat being availalble four days a week or so from the bench.

[WVRedsFan]

Owings is amazing. You can tell he learned to hit somewhere else

[Team Clark]

Ha Ha... Micah is AMAZING. Dude takes a RIP!!!!!!!!!!

[flyer85]

Reds really need to put that guy in LF if they want to win

[lollipopcurve]

There's the big boy. Maybe not a great pitcher, maybe not a great hitter, but a great baseball athlete.

[SMcGavin]

Micah's bat is legit. That was a rocket.

[jojo]

3 runs ought to seal the deal?

[Falls City Beer]

Reeeee-gression.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce running for Owings

[Tony Cloninger]

I don't think pitchers take this guy very seriously....they think...sure he has some hits here and there...but no way is he that good. He threw that right down the middle...it was a fastball reserved for lesser type hitters/pitchers.

[flyer85]

I love Micah Owings' bat being availalble four days a week or so from the bench.he is nothing special as a pitcher. Reds, give it up.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras hit by the pitch.

[WVRedsFan]

3 runs ought to seal the deal?

You're forgetting out bullpen, jojo. It's always a crap shoot. Weathers-Burton-whoever is not lights out.

[flyer85]

I don't think pitchers take this guy very seriously....they think...sure he has some hits here and there...but no way is he that good. He threw that right down the middle...it was a fastball reserved for lesser type hitters/pitchers.if was a fastball down and on the outer third and he went and got it with a beautiful swing. He can rake and his numbers prove. With the dearth of actual hitting ability it is a no-brainer.

[HeatherC1212]

Good job Micah!!! :D

[Falls City Beer]

Were I manager of the Stros, I'd have left Paulino in. He had at least one more inning in him.

[Falls City Beer]

You're forgetting out bullpen, jojo. It's always a crap shoot. Weathers-Burton-whoever is not lights out.

As long as it's not Burton, I'll take my chances with the pen.

[membengal]

he is nothing special as a pitcher. Reds, give it up.

Flyer, I don't get this. He's nothing awful, either. If he can turn in a 4.50 or so from the 5th spot in the rotation, he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I think he can do just that.

The bat is a bonus.

[Tony Cloninger]

I agree...he is a good hitter...i just don't think most pitchers around the leauge really believe it...YET.


Please....Rhodes....keep your good pitching going.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[WVRedsFan]

As long as it's not Burton, I'll take my chances with the pen.

Lincoln? seriously?

[OnBaseMachine]

That 2-0 strike call to Dickerson was no where near a strike. Not even close. Awful call by the ump. Bases should be loaded with no outs, instead runners are on first and second with one out.

[MrCinatit]

I might be in the minority, but I love games like this

[Falls City Beer]

Lincoln? seriously?

I think Lincoln will work out the kinks. Burton's velocity has been off, however. He looks terrible.

[mth123]

I'd walk Votto and play for a Phillips DP.

[jojo]

You're forgetting out bullpen, jojo. It's always a crap shoot. Weathers-Burton-whoever is not lights out.

More ducks on the pond....lets not cancel hunting season yet.

[OnBaseMachine]

Are you serious Joey? You swing at a 3-0 pitch and ground into a doubleplay? Really?

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto grounds into a 4-6-3 DP. 3-1 Reds mid 7th.

[mth123]

Or a Votto DP.

[flyer85]

Flyer, I don't get this. He's nothing awful, either. If he can turn in a 4.50 or so from the 5th spot in the rotation, he is EXACTLY what this team needs. I think he can do just that.

The bat is a bonus.he is nothing special as a pitcher and I am highly skeptical of him having a 4.50 ERA or better as a starter. He has no pitch to handle LHBs. he could be special as a hitter.

[WVRedsFan]

Good grief. 1st and 2nd and no outs and this putrid offense finds a way to let the Astros get out of it.

[Falls City Beer]

As good as Joey was last week, he's been as bad this week.

[Screwball]

That 2-0 strike call to Dickerson was no where near a strike. Not even close. Awful call by the ump. Bases should be loaded with no outs, instead runners are on first and second with one out.

Ump missed that one and it really changed the AB, no doubt. However, he's done a very good job overall, IMO.

[membengal]

He's on a six-game hitting streak.

[HokieRed]

Votto swings 3-0. Maybe need a new 4 hitter.

[OnBaseMachine]

That should have been a huge inning. Dickerson was robbed by the umpire and then Votto grounds into a doubleplay on a 3-0 pitch. Man oh man.

[Tony Cloninger]

Joey...you picked a fine time to stop hitting today. ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Rhodes in to pitch. Hairston stays in to play right.

[Falls City Beer]

Rhodes was a good choice obvs.

[jojo]

So that is what a rally looks like.

[Screwball]

I think Lincoln will work out the kinks. Burton's velocity has been off, however. He looks terrible.

He's been throwing 92, 93 with his heater. His problem has been locating his breaking ball. Far too many are right down broadway.

[membengal]

Now THAT was stupid, Joey.

[Reds Fanatic]

A huge error as Votto bobbles what should have been an easy play.

[Falls City Beer]

He's been throwing 92, 93 with his heater. His problem has been locating his breaking ball. Far too many are right down broadway.

On Gameday, Burton was topping at 92 on his fastball. Last year he was topping at 94, IIRC. But yes, his location has been off too.

[jojo]

The pen is largely vanilla with some potential downside.

[OnBaseMachine]

Awful day by Votto. GIDP on a 3-0 pitch and now he botches an easy play.

[Screwball]

A huge error as Votto bobbles what should have been an easy play.

Wasn't even the bobble. He still had plenty of time to step on the bag, but tossed it instead..

[jojo]

So much for Rhodes being a LOOGY

[Reds Fanatic]

Tejada singles to left. 1st and 2nd.

[Falls City Beer]

The pen is largely vanilla with some potential downside.

That's a fair assessment. But the Astros' 6-9 make vanilla pens look a lot better.

[OnBaseMachine]

Once again, it looks like the Reds inability to add insurance runs will come back to bite them. That, and the defense.

[membengal]

I don't know what you mean, Jojo. Rhodes should stay in through Tejada to deal with Berkman.

This whole inning feels weird.

For those not watching it, all Votto had to do was step on 1st, but he got confused as to where he was and flipped it to Rhodes, who had no chance to beat Bourn to the bag.

[hebroncougar]

Nice rally by the Reds............hope the pen doesn't cough it up. Great play by Encarnacion to help his pitcher out.

[membengal]

There it is. 5-3 DP.

Nice play at third base by EE. Very, very nice play.

[Reds Fanatic]

Berkman grounds into a big 5-3 DP. 2 outs runner on 2nd.

[NC Reds]

Great throw by EdE.

[Team Clark]

Tough play by EE. He shocked me with that one. Glad to see it.

[Screwball]

Just walk Lee.

[membengal]

NOW I would get Rhodes out of the game, before facing Lee. If it were me, managing.

[WVRedsFan]

Good DP by Edwin. I still say we'll rue the day we let that last inning get away without more. Teams like this must score runs when they have the chance, which isn't often

[Falls City Beer]

Yep, had to leave Rhodes in to turn around Berkman.

[OnBaseMachine]

Time to pull Rhodes.

[OUReds]

Credit where credit is due, that was a great play by EE.

[Team Clark]

I pitch to Lee here. Despite his power I think Rhodes has the stuff to get him out.

[Falls City Beer]

Not a fan of pitching to Lee.

[Team Clark]

Nice job Rhodes. Good pitching.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lee chases a high outside pitch and strikes out swinging. 3-1 Reds after 7.

[Screwball]

Holy crap, what was Lee swinging at?

[lollipopcurve]

I've been impressed with Arther R.

[membengal]

Good on ya', Arthur Rhodes. Well done.

As much as Joey V has picked this team up through 10 games this year, it is nice to see EE and Rhodes pick him up in this one. That is good work erasing that mistake and getting through that part of the line-up. And then some.

[Doc. Scott]

This is the second straight time Dusty has stuck Rhodes in there against some counter-intuitive matchups and the second straight time the old goat has done his job anyway. Good work.

[OnBaseMachine]

Good on ya', Arthur Rhodes. Well done.

As much as Joey V has picked this team up through 10 games this year, it is nice to see EE and Rhodes pick him up in this one. That is good work erasing that mistake and getting through that part of the line-up. And then some.

Yep. Votto has carried the team on his back up until today. He's had a bad day, but it happens to everyone.

[Falls City Beer]

Man if the Reds can take two of first three against Oswalt, Rodriguez, and this flamethrower Paulino, I'd say we'd made out like bandits.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jeff Fulchino in to pitch.

[BCubb2003]

So how come Rhodes has been rambling around all these years and ended up available to the Reds?

[jojo]

I don't know what you mean, Jojo. Rhodes should stay in through Tejada to deal with Berkman.

This whole inning feels weird.

For those not watching it, all Votto had to do was step on 1st, but he got confused as to where he was and flipped it to Rhodes, who had no chance to beat Bourn to the bag.

There is value in making Berkman switch but Rhodes wasn't brought in to force that switch.

He was brought in to pitch the inning-an inning where he'd likely face 4 righties in a row.

This isn't the first time Dusty has done this.

That's the point. Dusty doesn't think of Rhodes as a LOOGY.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips flies out to center. 1 out.

[Screwball]

EE misses a double by about a couple feet, then looks bad while striking out.

[Falls City Beer]

There is value in making Berkman switch but Rhodes wasn't brought in to force that switch.

He was brought in to pitch the inning-an inning where he'd likely face 4 righties in a row.

This isn't the first time Dusty has done this.

That's the point. Dusty doesn't think of Rhodes as a LOOGY.

Berkman really isn't a switch hitter, IMO--he's gelded from the RH side, plus he's really slow out of the batter's box from the RH side. Bourn's a lefty.

Make no mistake, Rhodes was brought in to turn Berkman around. I do agree, he should have been taken out after that AB, however.

[Tony Cloninger]

Rhodes...i do not think is going to be used as a LOOGY.....they probably feel he can go against a left or right handed hitter. Besides...I do not think Baker knows what the word LOOGY even means. Terry Forster....Pablo Torrealba...Steve Howe....they pitched against all hitters when he played...so can Rhodes.

[Reds Fanatic]

Encarnacion strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hairston bloops a single to center.

[HeatherC1212]

Nice hit from JHJ. :)

[Screwball]

Wow, Grande actually (finally) uses the term "bloop" correctly.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez lines out to right. 3-1 Reds mid 8th.

[BCubb2003]

Storm clouds forming.

[jojo]

Just 6 outs left to go and about $17M still left in the pen.

[Screwball]

Just 6 outs left to go and about $17M still left in the pen.

Hopefully we can spend ~$12M of it in the 9th. :thumbup:

[Reds Fanatic]

Infield hit by Pence.

[Screwball]

Pence with a lucky Inf. single.

Meanwhile, Reds' liners (when the actually do hit 'em) are finding leather.

[membengal]

Jojo:

No, he doesn't think of him as a LOOGY. I don't know that anyone on here thinks he does. Dusty is going to use Rhodes as his 7th inning guy. That said, the LOOGY characteristics that Rhodes has were prime against Bourn, obviously, and Berkman.

[jojo]

Just eat that ball EE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reds Fanatic]

Blum walks. 1st and 2nd with no outs.

[Screwball]

Rough, that walk hurts.

[Tony Cloninger]

No kidding.....he has no baseball sense sometimes.


Does Weathers do this on purpose? Don Stanhouse has nothing on Weathers.

[Team Clark]

This is really where Weathers scares me. Forcing the ball to the plate, hoping and praying that someone will swing at his junk out of the zone.

[jojo]

This looks suspiciously like a rally.

[Reds Fanatic]

Smith sacrifices the runners to 2nd and 3rd. 1 out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Weathers. Sheesh. The bottom of the order up too and he still can't get them out. Pull him please before it's to late.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bring in Cordero. This is where the lack of power arms in the pen hurts.

[Reds Fanatic]

Michaels hitting for Quintero

[BCubb2003]

"Just can't get my poor self together ..."

[Screwball]

Quality bunt by Jason Smith gets the job done.

[Team Clark]

Second and third, needing to throw a strike. A single up the middle off of a meatball 2 seamer will doom them.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice catch by Votto on a line drive. 2 outs.

[Screwball]

SHEW! Votto temporarily saves the game with that catch.

[nate]

Nice snag by Votto to save one, if not both runs from scoring.

[Team Clark]

WOW! What a break the Reds just got! Nice atonement for Votto. Weathers puts a bad pitch on Michaels and gets bailed out AGAIN.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez pinch hitting

[jojo]

Votto has saved some canadian bacon this inning with his glove both on EE's throw and the liner snaggage...

[HeatherC1212]

Nice catch by Votto! :)

[OnBaseMachine]

Why does Dusty refuse to use Cordero for four out saves? This is the perfect time to bring him in.

[jojo]

Aren't HOFers supposed to get those calls? (i.e. the appeal on Pudges swing)

[Team Clark]

Wow...an 89mph fastball that was just swung through....

[Screwball]

I think the 1b ump missed that call on Pudge. Didn't look like he went there.

[Team Clark]

I think the 1b ump missed that call on Pudge. Didn't look like he went there.

I agree. Didn't even look that close. :thumbdown

[Team Clark]

Geez...Pudge bailed him out big time.

[HeatherC1212]

Wow, nice K there by Stormy! :eek:

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez strikes out swinging. 3-1 Reds after 8.

[membengal]

Man does Weathers ever love to walk the tightrope.

That said, as long as his slider continues to have that kind of bite this season, he's going to be effective. Maddening, perhaps, but effective.

[Falls City Beer]

Stormy goes fishin' and catches a K to end the inning.

[jojo]

Some insurance runs would be nice.

[lollipopcurve]

Weathers was fine that inning -- Pence got lucky, and the pitch to Michaels was a decent pitch off the plate, with a good take-it-to-RF swing. Then he Ks IRod. Nothing to complain about, IMO.

[SMcGavin]

That inning was the perfect summary of Weathers' time as a Red. Pure smoke and mirrors, multiple guys let on base, but when it's over no runs have scored.

[jojo]

Few realize that Weathers can't actually fly with the team because he can't make it past the security devices that detect explosives....he's a tick, tick, ticking.

[Kc61]

Few realize that Weathers can't actually fly with the team because he can't make it past the security devices that detect explosives....he's a tick, tick, ticking.

He's been ticking for the last four years and just keeps on going.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sampson in to pitch.

Gonzalez grounds out to 3rd. 1 out.

[SMcGavin]

Weathers was fine that inning -- Pence got lucky, and the pitch to Michaels was a decent pitch off the plate, with a good take-it-to-RF swing. Then he Ks IRod. Nothing to complain about, IMO.

And what about the smashed line drive that would have scored two runs had Votto not made a great play?

Nobody scored so I'm not complaining, but lets not pretend Weathers was cruising along out there.

[Team Clark]

That inning was the perfect summary of Weathers' time as a Red. Pure smoke and mirrors, multiple guys let on base, but when it's over no runs have scored.

Mitch Williams without the good fastaball and sharp slider! :thumbup:

[Reds Fanatic]

McDonald hitting for Weathers.

[alloverjr]

wow.

[nate]

Old McDonald hits the ball
Stand up triple, yo

[Reds Fanatic]

McDonald triples to center.

[Team Clark]

Dusty's boy looking good there...

[SMcGavin]

Darnell McDonald triple!

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice triple by McDonald. Can they get him in and add an insurance run?

[Kc61]

I was just about to post that I wish Rosales was up with the team to hit, rather than MacDonald. MacDonald, to make me eat crow, triples. Well hit ball.

[membengal]

Really nice pinch hit work from McDonald there.

[Team Clark]

I agree that a squeeze could work except that they would be LOOKING for it here

[Tony Cloninger]

I was never happy about DM batting 2nd on opening day or being here over Gomes...but for what he has been asked to do.,...he has done it better than expected.

Of course...as soon as he SO afain on 3 pitches...he can go back to being sucky and please send him to AAA messages.

[dougdirt]

Small ball!

[nate]

OMG, a SAC FLY!

[membengal]

Good good good at-bat from Willy T to get them the insurance run.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sac fly to center for Taveras. 4-1 Reds. A big insurance run.

[Team Clark]

Nice over 50 softball league throw from Bourn

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice job by Taveras to get the run in. 4-1 Reds.

[Tony Cloninger]

IF Rosales could play SS...on a semi-regular basis...then maybe he is here and Gonzo is gone....but since that is no the case....well then you are stuck with McDonald for now or until Hairston is hurt.

[nate]

Nice over 50 softball league throw from Bourn

Seriously...that was a pop gun.

[dougdirt]

Nice over 50 softball league throw from Bourn
Haha. I saw a throw like that a few days ago.... at a practice for 12 year old girls. It was impressive then. Not so much by a grown man in the major leagues.

[jojo]

He's been ticking for the last four years and just keeps on going.

If by ticking you mean he's basically just been roughly an average bullpen arm....ya, I guess that's ticking.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson grounds out to 1st. 4-1 Reds mid 9th.

Bourn, Tejada and Berkman in the 9th to face Cordero.

[HeatherC1212]

That throw from Bourn was hilarious! How high did that thing fly?! :laugh:

[BCubb2003]

Triple A hitter hits a triple off a Triple A pitcher.

[Raisor]

Seriously...that was a pop gun.

that's no pop gun, that's my..well, nevermind.

[Kc61]

Dickerson with a check swing out. Chris hasn't had the best cuts today. He struck out with men on base in the seventh and the last two strikes were late swings -- looked like he was taking then decided it was over so he weakly swung too late. That time a check swing.

Coaches should tell him not to be tentative, he has excellent power and should trust his judgment.

[lollipopcurve]

And what about the smashed line drive that would have scored two runs had Votto not made a great play?

He already had 2 strikes on MIchaels and threw a ball off the outside corner. Michaels did a good job of taking the ball to RF -- a good swing on a decent pitch.

Weathers was fine that inning.

[alloverjr]

I was just about to post that I wish Rosales was up with the team to hit, rather than MacDonald. MacDonald, to make me eat crow, triples. Well hit ball.

I was thinking the same thing (and still do) and looked at Rosales' numbers to date - .387 Avg and an OPS north of 1.200 with 4 HR's. Can we find a spot on the 25 man for that?

[Kc61]

If by ticking you mean he's basically just been roughly an average bullpen arm....ya, I guess that's ticking.

No, that's not what I meant. I think he has been above average.

[jojo]

Why does Dusty refuse to use Cordero for four out saves? This is the perfect time to bring him in.

Dude....ya need Cordero to protect three run leads in the 9th!

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn walks

[HeatherC1212]

Did the K zone just shrink a bit?! :eek:

[RedsManRick]

Good to see Willy get the run in, but unless the defense was playing in, I'd rather see him work on getting that ball on the ground up the middle. He's been hitting way too many fly balls thus far (.67 GB/FB)

[OnBaseMachine]

Great time for the umpire to start shrinking the strikezone. Cordero threw two strikes to Bourn and both were called balls. Those were strikes on Dickerson in the 7th inning. Umpires are getting worse each year.

[jojo]

No, that's not what I meant. I think he has been above average.

But he hasn't.

[RedsManRick]

It is funny how many managers will talk how about players need to put the team first and not worry about stats and then go out and manage their bullpen based on the allocation of a stat.

[Reds Fanatic]

Tejada singles to left. 1st and 3rd.

[Kc61]

Cordero walks the leadoff man. Many closers seem to have more trouble with a bigger lead. Maybe it's a lack of concentration. Now Tejada with a hit, and the game is in the balance.

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm not sure how that ball fell in. Do the Reds ever make it easy? Good grief.

[alloverjr]

Good to see Willy get the run in, but unless the defense was playing in, I'd rather see him work on getting that ball on the ground up the middle. He's been hitting way too many fly balls thus far (.67 GB/FB)

I would agree that his GB/FB ratio stinks for one with his speed, but his job in that situation was indeed to get the ball into the outfield.

Good job Coco.

[HeatherC1212]

I am not a fan of this K zone. Bourn should have never gotten on base in the first place. :thumbdown

[lollipopcurve]

My suspicion last year was that Dickerson is an OK outfielder, but lacks instincts. My suspicions are being confirmed. He just does not play the ball in the air very well.

[HeatherC1212]

Yikes! Lee probably never saw that bat coming, LOL :laugh:

[Kc61]

Berkman throws his bat and almost decapitates Lee in the ODC.

C'mon Coco.

[Team Clark]

I would say that could have been a bad injury. I.e. Juan Encarnacion

[Reds Fanatic]

Berkman strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[HeatherC1212]

Good K of Berkman there. Now let's get a DP to get this one OVER. :)

[nate]

Cordero threw some heat to Berkman.

[alloverjr]

My suspicion last year was that Dickerson is an OK outfielder, but lacks instincts. My suspicions are being confirmed. He just does not play the ball in the air very well.


He's not alone in this outfield.

[Kc61]

Berkman fans. Lee up. Big batter here.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sac fly to left for Lee. 2 outs. 4-2 Reds.

[Kc61]

One more to go. Outfielders may be having some trouble with the outfield sun/shade situation.

[membengal]

That extra run for the 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th has made this save situation less stressful on this particular fan.

But if he loses Pence to bring the winning run to the plate that will bring on some stress...

[membengal]

Stress.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence walks. 1st and 2nd.

[HeatherC1212]

OK Coco, let's get this final out now please. :eek:

[reds44]

I can't handle this.

[Kc61]

Pence walks. Tying runs on base for Matsui.

[membengal]

Course, Kax Matsui shouldn't be a walk-off threat. Shouldn't. Throw hard strikes Coco. Nothing breaking.

[SMcGavin]

That's the eighth walk given by the Reds today.

[membengal]

That 1-1 pitch to Matsui sure looked like it should have been strike two.

Instead, 3-1 count now on Matsui...

[membengal]

Now what looked like ball four called strike two from the ump...

Counts full to Matsui...

[Kc61]

Coco getting squeezed, but then gets a fortunate call. Full count.

[jojo]

What a battle between Coco and MAtsui

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds win 4-2.

[Kc61]

Reds win on fly out. Coco threw more pitches than Volquez, I think.

[Reds Fanatic]

Matsui flies out to right. Reds win 4-2. :beerme:

[HeatherC1212]

FINALLY, out #3 and the Reds win!! :D

[membengal]

Nice win for Cincy. Very nice win. Would love to see them steal one from Hampton tomorrow night and get out of Houston winning three of four.

[reds44]

4-2 on the road trip.

Not bad at all.

[HeatherC1212]

Yikes, we had almost as many errors as runs scored today. :eek:

[lollipopcurve]

Reds middle relief beats the Astros middle relief.

[SMcGavin]

Yikes, we had almost as many errors as runs scored today. :eek:

Really amazing actually... Reds gave up 7 hits and 8 walks, plus made 3 errors, but still only gave up two runs. That's pitching out of trouble.

[Gallen5862]

"And This One Belongs To The Reds"

[Puffy]

Man, reading thru this game thread there is no way that you would guess the Reds won. The Reds are over .500 right now and 80% of the people are acting like they are 2-9.

[OUReds]

Man, reading thru this game thread there is no way that you would guess the Reds won. The Reds are over .500 right now and 80% of the people are acting like they are 2-9.

*shrug* I'm sure everyone is pleased with the win and a nice start, but lets not pretend that the Reds looked good today either.

[PuffyPig]

Man, reading thru this game thread there is no way that you would guess the Reds won. The Reds are over .500 right now and 80% of the people are acting like they are 2-9.


And many wonder why most long time posters avoid the game thread.....

[reds44]

Man, reading thru this game thread there is no way that you would guess the Reds won. The Reds are over .500 right now and 80% of the people are acting like they are 2-9.

Yeah it was painful to read.

[PuffyPig]

*shrug* I'm sure everyone is pleased with the win and a nice start, but lets not pretend that the Reds looked good today either.


That's the exact point.

Are the Reds so talented that we can't be satisfied with a win. We have to look good too?

[Tony Cloninger]

I am happy with the win....just looks a lot like the mirages of some previous years also.

Another LHP starter? Please start Dickerson over Nix.... Dusty. Thanks

[OUReds]

That's the exact point.

Are the Reds so talented that we can't be satisfied with a win. We have to look good too?

Sure, but I think everyone is satisfied with the win. Can we not be satisfied with a win without being all pollyanna when they play poorly?

*shrug* (again) just IMHO of course.

[CTA513]

I was looking at box scores and see that Josh Hamilton is off to a rough start this season.

.229 average after going 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and 3 LOB today.

[OnBaseMachine]

I was looking at box scores and see that Josh Hamilton is off to a rough start this season.

.229 average after going 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and 3 LOB today.

Yep. And his OPS is only .637.

[WVRedsFan]

Chris Welsh called this win lucky and I agree. I'll also say I'll take it and be happy with it. This team will walk a tightrope every game. I suppose we'd better get used to it because what you see is what you get.

[jojo]

Chris Welsh called this win lucky and I agree. I'll also say I'll take it and be happy with it. This team will walk a tightrope every game. I suppose we'd better get used to it because what you see is what you get.

It was a stew of luck and good and bad and thats why they play the games....

There was the phantom tag by Phillips but there was also the nasty, nasty pitch to punk Pence with ducks on.....

There was Votto flubbing then flashing leather the next inning.

There was Weathers going farther into debt to his rabbits foot and Cordero blasting Berkman and then battling Matsui.

An epic battle between two of the worst performing offenses in the majors.... and an epic battle against two flame throwers.....

It was the best of times and the worst of times.... and no one went to the fridge during the last inning.

[Red in Chicago]

Man, reading thru this game thread there is no way that you would guess the Reds won. The Reds are over .500 right now and 80% of the people are acting like they are 2-9.

Exactly right Puffy. I wasn't home today, but just read through the thread. Had I not already known the score, I definitely would have thought the Reds got pounded.

I can only speak for myself, but some of the exchanges in this thread are really not acceptable. The lack of respect shown to one another and the unreasonable desire to be "right", simply make it impossible to enjoy.

I won't call anyone out today, but can tell you that the back and forth banter that went on over a couple of subjects is not acceptable and only brings down the spirit of the game threads.

#5 from the rules states that:
"Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines" will not be tolerated.

General nuisance is generic enough to start giving some of you some unexpected vacations from the game thread. We are less than a dozen games into the year. It's time some of you made some fast changes.

Just my two cents. Thanks for reading.

[_Sir_Charles_]

And yet again, despite the white flag being waved on Redszone, the Reds get out of it without allowing any runs.

I just got home from the game, and after reading just the first few pages...I'm kinda glad I went and didn't subject myself to the game thread. Cincrazy is spot on guys. The pessimism and giving up and calling it quits is getting really tiresome.

While Edinson certainly didn't have his best stuff in terms of control, he still pitched a fine game. The bullpen delivered yet again (despite the usual shaky inning from Stormy & Coco). The bats, while not potent and obviously struggling, did enough to provide the runs.

There are days that I think if the Reds were scoring 5-6 runs a game and getting excellent starts, this game thread would STILL be doom & gloom. Despite our starters not being sharp yet, despite the occasional glitch defensively, despite several of our hitters struggling at the plate....this team is STILL above .500 and a game out of first place. Doesn't it show you guys something about this team that even with all that stuff...they're still managing to figure out how to win games? Once things DO sort themselves out... :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Paulino throws 96 and fans here are calling him a terrible pitcher?

Exactly. He was VERY close to making the rotation for the Astros and while he's been very inconsistant in the past, this game shows that when he's throwing under control...he's got solid potential. Definitely one of his better games.

[_Sir_Charles_]

One more to go. Outfielders may be having some trouble with the outfield sun/shade situation.

It was right about that time of the game when the wind started gusting like CRAZY in from left field towards the plate. It was playing havoc with the ball out there. That's why that hit fell in between Dickerson & Taveras, the wind just killed it. It was hardly blowing at all prior to that inning.

[Razor Shines]

I just got home from the game, and after reading just the first few pages...I'm kinda glad I went and didn't subject myself to the game thread. Cincrazy is spot on guys. The pessimism and giving up and calling it quits is getting really tiresome.

While Edinson certainly didn't have his best stuff in terms of control, he still pitched a fine game. The bullpen delivered yet again (despite the usual shaky inning from Stormy & Coco). The bats, while not potent and obviously struggling, did enough to provide the runs.

There are days that I think if the Reds were scoring 5-6 runs a game and getting excellent starts, this game thread would STILL be doom & gloom. Despite our starters not being sharp yet, despite the occasional glitch defensively, despite several of our hitters struggling at the plate....this team is STILL above .500 and a game out of first place. Doesn't it show you guys something about this team that even with all that stuff...they're still managing to figure out how to win games? Once things DO sort themselves out... :O)

I just watched the game on DVR and read through the game thread as I watched. I agreed with a lot of what was said. The Reds did win, but they didn't look very good doing it. Volquez had a decent outing; too many walks, could have ended worse than it did for him. Owings seemed to be the only real bright spot on offense.

I'm thrilled that they won. Maybe they can go through a season pulling games out of their collective butts like today and finish above .500. We'll see I suppose.

[Razor Shines]

As good as Joey was last week, he's been as bad this week.

.318/.400/.455 this week. I guess Sunday is the beginning of a new week so if you meant "this week" as in one game, then yeah, you're spot on.

[PuffyPig]

.318/.400/.455 this week. I guess Sunday is the beginning of a new week so if you meant "this week" as in one game, then yeah, you're spot on.


FCB never let facts get in the way of a negative Red's comment.....

[_Sir_Charles_]

I agree that they looked sloppy today. I agree that the offense has looked bad. But the thing I'm talking about is the fact that people in this thread seem to think that's going to be a constant all season long. I mean, come ON.

How many here really think Phillips is going to hit .176 for the season?
Or Hernandez? Or Bruce? Or Edwin? Or Dickerson, Hairston & Agon? Of that bunch, Dickerson has the highest BA right now at .217. Does the offense look bad right now, HECK YES! But I'd say that several players in early slumps is a very logical reason. I don't think anyone here is dumb enough to think that those players aren't going to improve...DRAMATICALLY....over the course of the season. Just like Joey's due to come back down to earth, the rest of the club is going to get going.

How about this for doom & gloom. Everybody's been VERY happy with Joey's performance so far...and rightly so. But everyone's also been just as equally blasting Bruce's struggles at the plate. Most notably his penchant for striking out. How about this stat...34 ab's in...Bruce has 10 k's. 43 ab's in, and Vottomatic has 12. Bruce isn't being patient at the plate either apparently. Well, he's drawn 3 walks to Vottos....FOUR.

I'm not slamming Votto here, or over-praising Bruce. Just trying to say that this game thread needs to put things into proper perspective and not jumping off a freaking cliff everytime something non-optimal happens.

Like when Brandon hits into a double play...he had a poor year in regards to that stat back in '07 when he grounded into 26 of them. But he only hit into 13 "brandon's" last season. This season, he's hit into a whopping...TWO. But it's Brandon, so of course he's regressed back into his old style of hitting into DP's every at bat. The kid's drawn 9 walks already this year when he's only been getting 30 or so every year for the past 3. I don't care that his average is low right now because he's driving the ball hard when he hits it and he's being MUCH more patient at the plate...but hit one DP ball...all those steps forward are erased for one step backwards. And of course it's all Dusty's fault for batting him in the wrong place in the order. *sigh*

Same goes for Edwin. He's gotten 11 walks already and is showing the willingness to hit the ball the other way or at least up the middle instead of always trying to pull the ball. Sure, his average is low right now, but he's driving the ball hard as well...just finding leather instead of open grass unfortunately. But if he makes a throwing error...good grief...he should be demoted to the minors, or benched. Despite all the worries...he's only made ONE error this season. I'm still concerned about his defense just like everyone else, just not going to go crazy over ONE.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. It's just that this sort of thing has really been bugging me lately about the game threads. And I'd hate to see the game threads shut down because I really do enjoy reading the PbP's and the comments from fans who get to watch every game (unlike some of us who are stuck with just listening). I'd just love to see more PbP and less debbie downers. Okay, I'm done. :O)

[Falls City Beer]

.318/.400/.455 this week. I guess Sunday is the beginning of a new week so if you meant "this week" as in one game, then yeah, you're spot on.

Last five games he's had two doubles, no homers, and two walks. He's not been horrible I guess, but he's had a fair size drop off. Admittedly, he had far to fall.

Not ultimately worried about him.

[cincrazy]

Exactly right Puffy. I wasn't home today, but just read through the thread. Had I not already known the score, I definitely would have thought the Reds got pounded.

I can only speak for myself, but some of the exchanges in this thread are really not acceptable. The lack of respect shown to one another and the unreasonable desire to be "right", simply make it impossible to enjoy.

I won't call anyone out today, but can tell you that the back and forth banter that went on over a couple of subjects is not acceptable and only brings down the spirit of the game threads.

#5 from the rules states that:
"Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines" will not be tolerated.

General nuisance is generic enough to start giving some of you some unexpected vacations from the game thread. We are less than a dozen games into the year. It's time some of you made some fast changes.

Just my two cents. Thanks for reading.

Exactly right.

We could be up 10-0 with 2 outs in the 9th and walk someone and you'd inevitably hear whoever the pitcher is get torched as unworthy and a piece of crap that Dusty and Jocketty should have known better than to bring aboard.

We are 6-5. We are 4-2 on a very, very tough opening season road trip. Call me crazy, but I'll take that.

[PuffyPig]

Last five games he's had two doubles, no homers, and two walks. He's not been horrible I guess, but he's had a fair size drop off. Admittedly, he had far to fall.



He's also had 5 singles during those 5 games, and they also count.

I'm not sure what I would call a .901 OPS over a 5 game period, but "horrible" isn't it. Nothing wrong with a .428 OBA.

Complaining about an .901 OPS over a 5 day period for any player is exactly what these comments refer to.

[Falls City Beer]

He's also had 5 singles during those 5 games, and they also count.

I'm not sure what I would call a .901 OPS over a 5 game period, but "horrible" isn't it. Nothing wrong with a .428 OBA.

Complaining about an .901 OPS over a 5 day period for any player is exactly what these comments refer to.

Since the start of the road trip, Joey's OB .360 and SLG .390. Don't know where you're getting your numbers. My point still stands. He was great, he's been mediocre on this road trip. I'm not worried overall.

Strikes me as calling it correctly on my part. But you're pretty well ready to tear into me no matter what I say, observation or whatever. You join the ranks I suppose of Felix or whoever, who called me a troll in this thread.

[Razor Shines]

Had to redo my post because I left today's game out of the raodtrip.

Anyway going into today's game Joey had put up this line on the road trip: .368/.429/.474. So he hasn't looked bad this "week" as you said. He's looked bad for 1 game in the last week. He had an 0fer last Sunday as well, so he's had exactly two bad games out of 11. So this:

As good as Joey was last week, he's been as bad this week.
doesn't seem accurate.

[PuffyPig]

Since the start of the road trip, Joey's OB .360 and SLG .390. Don't know where you're getting your numbers. My point still stands. He was great, he's been mediocre on this road trip. I'm not worried overall.

Strikes me as calling it correctly on my part. But you're pretty well ready to tear into me no matter what I say, observation or whatever. You join the ranks I suppose of Felix or whoever, who called me a troll in this thread.

That's a pretty good club to belong to.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I think we should stick to discussing the Reds instead of picking on one person or another. While some people complain about cherry picking stats...some in this thread tend to cherry pick posts. FCB was far from "all negative" in this thread. He had some very astute and POSITIVE observations in it. Personality clashes aside, that sort of stuff belongs in PM's don't you all think?

[jojo]

The odds of the ORG having a gamethread in June don't look good right now.

[_Sir_Charles_]

The odds of the ORG having a gamethread in June don't look good right now.

Exactly. Let's try to keep things civil.