5/27/06- Reds vs. D'Backs Game Thread (We're getting hammered)

[reds44]

vs.

vs.
Cruz (1-3, 5.61 ERA) vs. Harang (5-2, 3.82 ERA)

After dropping Friday's opener, the Reds will play the second of a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds will start right-hander Aaron Harang against Diamondbacks righty Juan Cruz.

Harang pitched a complete-game gem on Sunday against the Tigers. He allowed just one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and one walk, but took the loss in a 1-0 defeat. He will try to break a three-game winless streak.

Cruz has not won any of his last three starts dating back to May 12. His last start against the Reds came back on Sept. 13, 2003, when he allowed 10 runs on six hits over five innings in a no-decision.

In the first game, Reds starter Eric Milton allowed one run over eight innings but was outdueled by Brandon Webb's seven-hitter in a 3-0 loss.

Pitching matchup
ARI: RHP Juan Cruz (1-3, 5.61 ERA)
Cruz, a relief pitcher for most of his career, is 0-2 with a 5.35 ERA against Cincinnati and will be making his 15th lifetime appearance against the Reds, including his fifth start.

CIN: RHP Aaron Harang (5-3, 3.82 ERA)
Harang will be making his fifth career start against Arizona. He has had good success lifetime against them, going 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA.

Player to watch
Reds right fielder Austin Kearns has a four-game hitting streak, batting 6-for-15 (.400) with two home runs and three RBIs. Lifetime against Cruz, Kearns is 3-for-7 (.428) with two home runs and two RBIs.

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN Ohio

On radio
• 700 WLW

Up next
• Sunday: Diamondbacks (RHP Enrique Gonzalez, 0-0, 0.00) at Reds (RHP Bronson Arroyo, 6-2, 2.29), 1:15 p.m. ET
• Monday: Reds (RHP Elizardo Ramirez, 2-3, 3.72) at Cubs (RHP Kerry Wood, 0-1, 6.30), 2:20 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Reds (LHP Brandon Claussen, 3-5, 5.25) at Cubs (RHP Greg Maddux, 5-4, 4.28), 8:05 p.m. ET

William S. Hupp is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Lineups

Arizona Diamondbacks 

C Counsell SS .307 .366 .380 
E Byrnes CF 324 .377 .568 
C Tracy 3B 301 .360 .519 
L Gonzalez LF .286 .382 .476 
S Green RF 333 .391 .463 
T Clark 1B .169 .310 .390 
O Hudson 2B .232 .310 .299 
C Snyder C .227 .327 .432 
J Cruz P 375 .000 


Cincinnati Reds 

F Lopez SS .296 .376 .418 
B Phillips 2B  .310 .344 .458 
K Griffey Jr. CF  .244 .293 .500 
A Dunn LF .239 .388 .577 
R Aurilia 3B .271 .333 .510 
S Hatteberg 1B.294 .407 .429 
A Kearns RF  .294 .371 .539 
J LaRue C  .212 .312 .379 
A Harang P  .217 .217 .217
__________________

[Matt700wlw]

you beat me to it.

[reds44]

I hate having RA and Hatteberg playing at the same time. If EE needed a day off I would have rather had Freel start at 3rd. Freel hasn't got a start in awhile.

[Gallen5862]

Is Freel hurt or has he got into Narrons doghouse? He has not been playing much lately.

[pedro]

I think Freel's got a pulled groin.

[reds44]

I think Freel's got a pulled groin.

Then put him on the DL and get Olmedo or Deno back up here.

[OnBaseMachine]

Good to see EE on the bench after going 1-for-3 with a double last night and another hard out that was almost a double.

Need to get those two scrappy vets in there.

[GAC]

Lets try and get a good size crew in chat tonight.

[reds44]

Good to see EE on the bench after going 1-for-3 with a double last night and another hard out that was almost a double.

Need to get those two scrappy vets in there.

That really got to me.

EE has been struggling lately, but it appeared that he was starting to get going last night.

Why bench him today?

[deltachi8]

I think Freel's got a pulled groin.

his own i hope.

[GAC]

I think Freel's got a pulled groin.

yep

[cumberlandreds]

For those of you who get MLBEI and depend on it,like myself, to watch the Reds,they won't be on it tonight. The game falls into the 1 to 7pm range that Fox has exclusive rights. So that means these home games that start at 6:10pm won't be on EI most of the season. I knew that would be the case when I heard back in the Winter the Reds said they were moving the start times up one hour for Saturday games. I wish they hadn't have done that.

[GAC]

That really got to me.

EE has been struggling lately, but it appeared that he was starting to get going last night.

Why bench him today?

He is still available though if need be.

Look on the bright side - we've got some solid PHers if needed tonight.

[reds44]

For those of you who get MLBEI and depend on it,like myself, to watch the Reds,they won't be on it tonight. The game falls into the 1 to 7pm range that Fox has exclusive rights. So that means these home games that start at 6:10pm won't be on EI most of the season. I knew that would be the case when I heard back in the Winter the Reds said they were moving the start times up one hour for Saturday games. I wish they hadn't have done that.

Omg you're right. Same goes for mlb.tv. Will I not be able to watch the entire game or just until 7?

[cumberlandreds]

Omg you're right. Same goes for mlb.tv. Will I not be able to watch the entire game or just until 7?

The entire game.