9/2/12 - Reds at Astros

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by George Foster

We need to put the hammer down the next 2 weeks. Play our "a" team. You can rest players once we clinch

I go back to Cincy for a couple weeks next Friday. Was hoping to have a chance to see them clinch while I'm there, but now it's looking like they may take care of that before I even get there!

[KittyDuran]

I luv "bi-polar" game threads!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Looks like I picked the right 2 games to go to this weekend. :O) I must say, I chose to go out the right way at Minute Maid. 2 wins this weekend and today I got my very first foul ball. Yea me! I gave it to the little kid next to me wearing reds gear. :O) Fun weekend.

[redhawkfish]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

Looks like I picked the right 2 games to go to this weekend. :O) I must say, I chose to go out the right way at Minute Maid. 2 wins this weekend and today I got my very first foul ball. Yea me! I gave it to the little kid next to me wearing reds gear. :O) Fun weekend.

Souns like a great time! Congrats on the foul ball! Who hit it?

How impressive was Bruce's HR in person?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

Stubbs is the most-overrated defensive player EVER. Anyone else see him give up on that ball because he's afraid of the wall? Typical.

No, sorry. I disagree. Are you forgetting that moronic Tal's Hill in center that he had to climb and negotiate before reaching the wall. The only way a centerfielder gets that ball is if he's had quite a bit of experience in that ballpark. I agree with you that he seems to shy away from the wall, but that play was all about that freaking hill.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by Brutus

Bud Norris has a 3.68 ERA at home in his career and 2.09 this year.

Don't go throwing in facts Brutus. It's the Astros and everyone on the team must be a AAA hack.

No, I'm not surprised that Norris and Harrell threw good games. Not at all. They've both thrown quite well in stretches this season. Norris' have all come at home I think though. Harrell's been pretty darned solid all year long.

That being said, if we just put the ball in play against their defense, good things (and down-right funny things) will happen. The swing and misses just kill us sometimes.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by RedsfaninMT

No, he's on first. Broxton is pitching.

Nobody picked up on it? I liked it Montana. :O)

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by cincrazy

This game thread got a lot more quiet after the Reds took a lead.

There was the same effect on the board when the Reds started to figure things out. Now the criticizing is so much nitpicking, so it rings hollow.

A three run dinger made everything all right today. During the commercial, I was explaining to my father in law and sons how Bruce's success will depend on if the guy can get him to chase away, but that when Bruce has success against lefties, they usually leave it in and he turns on it.

Of course, I let them know how smart I really am when it happened on the first pitch.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by WebScorpion

Scott Moore, pinch hitting for Brandon Backe. and he struck him out.

Brandon Barnes. Backe's been long gone. I don't think he's pitched since '09...anywhere.

[traderumor]

Another in game tidbit. This is a little known fact. Before the game, they were promoting Fantasy Camp 2013, with lots of video of out of shape fat guys. I commented that those are the only 3X Reds uniforms known to man.

So, before the Reds completed the deal with Broxton, they had one of the Arizona equipment guys check to make sure they had home, away, and Red jerseys in his size in stock for next year's camp. Must have had some 5X, I guess.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by redhawkfish

Souns like a great time! Congrats on the foul ball! Who hit it?

How impressive was Bruce's HR in person?

It just sounded like a bomb off the bat. It got out of there in a hurry that's for sure. I'm not sure how Jay acts in GABP, but he has an absolute blast here in MM park. All of his friends and family taking up all of the RF seats (I mean just about ALL of them)...he's chatting it up with them all game long. Love seeing a grin on that kids face.

As for the foul ball, it was one of the Astros hitters near the bottom of the order. Dominguez or Martinez, not sure. I see the Astros more than most here, and even I can't keep 'em straight. One hopper into the stands that I snagged with my glove. :O) I've been to close to 100 games I think, that's the first one I've ever even touched much less caught.

Besides the early inning struggles to score, the most disappointing thing about today's game...somehow Arredondo got the win. The one guy who least deserved it. I hate that.

[Big Klu]

Updated Reds HR list (players in italics are active):

Reds 100-Home Run Club
1. Johnny Bench - 389
2. Frank Robinson - 324
3. Tony Perez - 287
4. Adam Dunn - 270
5. Ted Kluszewski - 251
6. George Foster - 244
7. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 210
8. Eric Davis - 203
9. Barry Larkin - 198
10. Vada Pinson - 186
11. Wally Post - 172
12. Gus Bell - 160
13. Joe Morgan - 152
13. Pete Rose - 152
15. Lee May - 147
16. Brandon Phillips - 139
17. Dan Driessen - 133
17. Joey Votto - 133
19. Jay Bruce - 129
20. Reggie Sanders - 125
21. Ernie Lombardi - 120
22. Sean Casey - 118
23. Frank McCormick - 110
24. Dave Parker - 107
25. Chris Sabo - 104
26. Dave Concepcion - 101

[traderumor]

Votto better get back quick just so Bruce doesn't catch him.