4/25/2013 Reds @ Nationals

[redsfaninbsg]

REDS LINEUP
1. Shin-Soo Choo (L) CF
2. Zack Cozart (R) SS
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
5. Jay Bruce (L) RF
6. Todd Frazier (R) 3B
7. Chris Heisey (R) LF
8. Devin Mesoraco (R) C
9. Bronson Arroyo (R) P

NATIONALS LINEUP
1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Steve Lombardozzi (S) 3B
3. Bryce Harper (L) LF
4. Jayson Werth (R) RF
5. Adam LaRoche (L) 1B
6. Ian Desmond (R) SS
7. Danny Espinosa (S) 2B
8. Kurt Suzuki (R) C
9. Gio Gonzalez (R) P

[redsfaninbsg]

Gio has struggled, hopefully it continues. This series scares me, the Nationals are too good to continue playing like this much longer.

[Kc61]

Gio has struggled, hopefully it continues. This series scares me, the Nationals are too good to continue playing like this much longer.

On the other hand the Reds have won a single game on the road this year. Nats fans should be scared too.

[New York Red]

So the Reds have lost 5 straight road games, while the Nats are riding a 6-game home losing streak. Something has to give. Gio has indeed struggled this year, but he is always tough against the Reds. In three career starts against us, he's 1-0, allowing only two earned runs in 19 innings, while striking out 25 and walking just 5. Choo hits him well though, so hopefully he'll get us off to a good start and ignite some offense. Time to get some road wins.

[redssince75]

Why not Xavier Paul against the right hander?

[NeilHamburger]

I hate playing games with teams that were just swept. I'd much rather face a team that lost or won 2 of 3.

[Puffy]

Why not Xavier Paul against the right hander?

Probably because Gio Gonzalez is left handed......

[MrRedLegger]

Message to send to the Nats tonight: Choo on this!

[NebraskaRed]

Probably because Gio Gonzalez is left handed......

Okay, so obviously the next question is "Why isn't Gio Gonzalez right handed?"

[NebraskaRed]

Gio has struggled, hopefully it continues. This series scares me, the Nationals are too good to continue playing like this much longer.

and the Reds are too good to continue their awful performance on the road.

[Puffy]

Okay, so obviously the next questions is "Why isn't Gio Gonzalez right handed?"

Find and ask Raisor. He won a Nobel Prize on that very subject.

[Puffy]

Oh, and to answer your next question - the other three Nobel Prizes were won for the Drinking Bird, invention of the Lava Lamp, and how to remove your pants with no hands

[malcontent]

Okay, so obviously the next question is "Why isn't Gio Gonzalez right handed?"
His father/coach knew there was good money to be made and forced him to throw lefty?

[R_Webb18]

It's really sad Cozart bats 2nd but o well I guess.

[Joesh]

Bold prediction: Choo batting 0.400 after today

[Red in Chicago]

It's really sad Cozart bats 2nd but o well I guess.

zach's babip shows he's been extremely unlucky thus far.

[malcontent]

It's really sad Cozart bats 2nd but o well I guess.
Choo's always clogging the bases.

Cozart can clear that problem up.

Oh, and SS bats second.

[Kc61]

zach's babip shows he's been extremely unlucky thus far.

Maybe if Zack's line drive rate was higher than 9.7% his BABIP would be higher.

Shows me he isn't hitting.

[redssince75]

Okay, so obviously the next question is "Why isn't Gio Gonzalez right handed?"


Actually, it's "why is Gio Gonzalez listed in the lineup as (R)"?

[Vottomatic]

Cozart is Mr. Fly Ball most of the time.

[1940757690]

Really excited about this series. My ideal is that we take 3 of 4 but they're close and well played. Will be at the next three so can post tonight. The Nats are reeling in all aspects of the game. This is a chance for us to retake first with a bit of distance between us and STL. So let's do it!

[50YrRedsFan]

Votto k's, Reds down in order in the 1st.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow. Don't see that very often. Joey is PISSED. Slammed hit bat & helmet down after the K.

[90reds]

That's the most emotion I've ever seen Votto show

[1940757690]

Wow. Strong reaction from Votto there. Haven't seen that too often from the usually measured Canadian, eh? :)

[Kc61]

Cozart is Mr. Fly Ball most of the time.

This year, after the first inning tonight, Cozart is over 50% ground balls. About 40% fly balls. Under 10% line drives.

[90reds]

The Nationals starting with three lefties in a row against Bronson. Don't they know that's not allowed

[1940757690]

Cozart is Mr. Fly Ball most of the time.

I think way too early to form any read judgment other than realistic optimism about Cozart. I think he may really blossom in the way that Desmond did for DC last year. Not saying you said that of course; has been hitting a lot of fly balls. Just don't think he's a Stubbs-like situation (which the Nats have with their inept 2B).

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, I sure hope THAT'S not called a ball all night. Clearly a strike (2nd pitch).

[1940757690]

The Nationals starting with three lefties in a row against Bronson. Don't they know that's not allowed

One of many things that reflects Davy Johnson's experience. Schott was a moron in many ways and, imho, a disgrace to Reds tradition, but how she handled him was criminal.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Line out to Heisey....he misjudged that one a bit.

[1940757690]

Nice first out with the easy fly. Arroyo's haircut is totally intimidating.

[50YrRedsFan]

Wow. Don't see that very often. Joey is PISSED. Slammed hit bat & helmet down after the K.

I'd be p'd too, Votto is now 4th in NL for most K's. (Bruce is #1). Things just not going JV's way so far this year.

[Gallen5862]

what happened with choo and cozarts at bats?

[50YrRedsFan]

what happened with choo and cozarts at bats?

infield ground outs.

[texasdave]

Wow. Don't see that very often. Joey is PISSED. Slammed hit bat & helmet down after the K.

Someone ask him to play left field? :laugh: JK

[1940757690]

Have to be really careful with Harper. He's been the only one consistently firing this year so far for the Nats.

[1940757690]

I'd be p'd too, Votto is now 4th in NL for most K's. (Bruce is #1). Things just not going JV's way so far this year.

JV had the nice clutch hit to send it into extras in the loss two days ago.

[_Sir_Charles_]

BB to Harper

[texasdave]

Prediction: Arroyo makes Bryce look like Rhoda. Oops. Scratch that prediction.

[1940757690]

Prediction: Arroyo makes Bryce look like Rhoda. Oops. Scratch that prediction.

:confused:

Ah, you're talking haircuts. Kid just turned 20. Hasn't a clue about not looking like an idiot yet.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Werth lines out to Choo. 0-0 after 1

[1940757690]

Very nice first inning for Bronson. Way to strand Harper at 1st. He's always a threat to run. Not then. The the way the Nats are playing now, just 1 or 2 runs can easily be enough and we're great at that if Arroyo keeps locating his pitches.

[texasdave]

:confused:

Ah, you're talking haircuts. Kid just turned 20. Hasn't a clue about not looking like an idiot yet.

When Harper was running to first did he just tell Arroyo that that was a 'clown pitch'?

[Gallen5862]

infield ground outs.

Thanks for the info.

[1940757690]

When Harper was running to first did he just tell Arroyo that that was a 'clown pitch'?

Nah. But he was thinking it. :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

I'd be p'd too, Votto is now 4th in NL for most K's. (Bruce is #1). Things just not going JV's way so far this year.

I agree. Yes his OBP is fantastic. While some of that is the result of Joey's great eye, a good portion of it is also the result of simply being pitched around. Outside of a couple of hot stretches, he hasn't exactly looked like the Votto we've come to know. I know I've used the golf metaphor before, but I really think it's apt. When I find myself over-thinking, I try to force my swing to do certain things...next thing you know and your swing feels like an unfolding lawn chair. I think Joey is simply over thinking. When he was on that hot streak it was when he started being aggressive at the plate. Swinging first pitch and such. I still think a day off would be helpful just to get his head straight.

[Gallen5862]

This game is the free game on mlb.com. I can only get the audio feed on it.

[1940757690]

I'd take another 450 footer from Frazier here.

[1940757690]

This game is the free game on mlb.com. I can only get the audio feed on it.

Not that you'd want to choose DC media over the CIN broadcast but, fwiw, the radio team here (106.7) is way, way better than the TV crew for MASN.

[Kc61]

Reds have an excuse tonight. They are actually facing a top pitcher. The guy on the Cubs yesterday wasn't bad either.

[_Sir_Charles_]

One of these day's they'll do something to address that. Those shattered bats are just soooo dangerous.

[1940757690]

Reds have an excuse tonight. They are actually facing a top pitcher. The guy on the Cubs yesterday wasn't bad either.

Gio hasn't been playing like it this year. Control was always an issue for him in Oakland and that's been a challenge this year.

[50YrRedsFan]

I'm liking these long at bats. Gonzalez with 33 pitches after 2. Still no score.

[Kc61]

Gio hasn't been playing like it this year. Control was always an issue for him in Oakland and that's been a challenge this year.

Gio won 21 games last year and had a 2.89 ERA. He's a top pitcher. Like I said.

[Hillsdale87]

Todd seemed really intent on making an out on that breaking pitch. Seemed like he swung at the same pitch about 5 times in a row... :)

[1940757690]

One of these day's they'll do something to address that. Those shattered bats are just soooo dangerous.

Think MLB is in denial about this like with so many things. When we visited the Louisville Slugger museum a few weeks ago, I asked about this. Our tour guide totally blew off the question saying the data didn't show bats breaking any more frequently now than years ago and a bunch of babble about maple versus ash. At minimum. the trend to narrow the handles while increasing barrel diameter to increase sweet spot is an issue. Agree it's a dangerous situation and fear it's going to take some people getting seriously hurt before they really do something about it.

[1940757690]

Gio won 21 games last year and had a 2.89 ERA. He's a top pitcher. Like I said.

Sure. Was a rock star last year. Just hasn't been so far this year so that may mean we have some good results tonight. Like I said.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Think MLB is in denial about this like with so many things. When we visited the Louisville Slugger museum a few weeks ago, I asked about this. Our tour guide totally blew off the question saying the data didn't show bats breaking any more frequently now than years ago and a bunch of babble about maple versus ash. At minimum. the trend to narrow the handles while increasing barrel diameter to increase sweet spot is an issue. Agree it's a dangerous situation and fear it's going to take some people getting seriously hurt before they really do something about it.

Agreed. I'd also be completely in favor of netting all the way down the lines.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Desmond 1 out single to left.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-0 after an Espinosa double off the wall.

[1940757690]

Arroyo had a gorgeous leg kick on that single Desmond got.

Geez--Espinosa blows. Of all people to get the first RBI. C'mon Arroyo!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Choo looked unsure of the wall. First time in this park?

[1940757690]

Choo looked unsure of the wall. First time in this park?

Yep. Cleveland wasn't here last year for interleague.

[malcontent]

The Nationals starting with three lefties in a row against Bronson. Don't they know that's not allowed
Yeah, Baker should file a protest with the League.

Doesn't Johnson know he's supposed to learn his players' strengths and weaknesses and match them up against the pitcher? Not all those guys should hit Arroyo. It looks like he's just stacking his lineup with LHH simply because Arroyo is RH!

[OGB]

One of many things that reflects Davy Johnson's experience. Schott was a moron in many ways and, imho, a disgrace to Reds tradition, but how she handled him was criminal.

You mean to tell me you're ok with your manager living in sin?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Soft liner up the middle. Single for Suzuki. 1st & 3rd, 1 out 1 in.

[50YrRedsFan]

Arroyo getting hit hard.

[New York Red]

It's mind-boggling how bad our offense is early in games. Starting pitchers must love seeing us come up on the schedule.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Gio bunts....Votto looks the runner back and throws Gio out. 2 down, men at 2nd & 3rd.

[VR]

Death by Suzuki again.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Arroyo really missing his spots. Quite badly acutally.

[1940757690]

Yeah, Baker should file a protest with the League.

Doesn't Johnson know he's supposed to learn his players' strengths and weaknesses and match them up against the pitcher? Not all those guys should hit Arroyo. It looks like he's just stacking his lineup with LHH simply because Arroyo is RH!

Nah. I don't think it's that simple. So far, I'm not liking how Arroyo is throwing. Especially the pitch Espinosa got. Suzuki is a much better hitting catcher than he usually gets credit for and, except for Detwiler, all the Nats pitchers can hit. Bronson needs to regain control here and not allow another run. This is the most offense DC has had in over a week.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Damn, unlucky break there. 2-0 nats. Heck of an effort from both Frazier and Cozart.

If Frazier doesn't go for that, Cozart gets it easily by charging it. He couldn't because Frazier was cutting in front of him. Not a bad play by either guy...just unlucky.

[Red in Chicago]

both zach and joey made nice plays on that

[1940757690]

Lucky hit. Span has enough speed to beat that but barely. Span's been a good addition for the Nats but totally overshadowed by Choo.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice job by Zack to run that one down. 2-0 after 2 full.

[Maker_84]

The offense is gonna have to actually score runs today to win

[VR]

Heisey is dead last in the majors in p/pa.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Heisey K's on a high FB

[_Sir_Charles_]

Gio's fastball has really got some life tonight.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Gift strike call there. Mes K's.

[VR]

Yes, strike 3 was 100% out of the zone.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Tapper back to Gonzales from Bronson. 2-0 as all 9 reds go down in order. He's stuggled thus far this season, But Gonzales is dealing tonight.

[ThatPitchIsDunn]

Gift strike call there. Mes K's.

The Nats announcers were salivating all over it. Why must you give me the MASN feed, MLB network?

[New York Red]

I had a feeling the Reds offense would be just what the doctor ordered for whatever ailed Gio before tonight.

[Kc61]

Sure. Was a rock star last year. Just hasn't been so far this year so that may mean we have some good results tonight. Like I said.

That may also mean Gio is due. He's a top pitcher.

[Maker_84]

Offense definitely keeps doing what it's been doing

[Redsfansince72]

i sure hope somebody in the Of in the minors steps it up so we can see Heisey either a bench player or trade bait.. :(

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bye-bye. Dinger dead center field. Harper. 3-0

[malcontent]

Heisey is dead last in the majors in p/pa.
Incredible.

[reds1869]

Bryce Harper is good at baseball.

[Redsfansince72]

GRRRRRR this dang inconsistent Reds offense is ridiculous.. seing Arroyo getting hit hard and our offense cant buy a hit

[_Sir_Charles_]

With Bronson missing all his spots, this is going to be a short start for him.

Hard liner to left from Werth.

[Red Raindog]

This looks like a laugher coming

:thumbdown:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crap. liner back to Votto...goes for the DP and hits Werth in the back. 2nd and 3rd.

[redsfaninbsg]

Arroyo off his game, Nats getting every break, not good.

[OGB]

Really bad decision by Votto. He doesn't do that often.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Really bad decision by Votto. He doesn't do that often.

Disagree. It was a good decision...just a crappy throw.

[Vottomatic]

Looking like a classic Arroyo meltdown. And Dusty will leave him in for the beatdown so he can rest the bullpen.

Dusty has no problem forfeiting games.

[Maker_84]

Nats on their way to sweet revenge against a hapless/tired Reds team

[_Sir_Charles_]

4-0 Nats on the ground out. 1 out man on 3rd.

[Vottomatic]

Arroyo pining for Hanigan right now. LOL.

[Kc61]

As far as I'm concerned, Arroyo was due for a clunker, the pitching favored the Nats tonight, none of this is shocking.

But if the Reds keep using Heisey, and keep hitting Cozart second, they are wasting a potentially very good offense.

Heisey cannot hit.

Cozart is a low OBP hitter who should probably hit eighth.

[New York Red]

Arroyo continues his up and down history vs the Nats. He either shuts them down or gets killed.

[Red in Chicago]

oy vey

[Joesh]

Dat feast or famine

[Maker_84]

O well arroyo was due for a bad game but no excuse for the offense having like 8 bad games in a row. Cardinals made easy work if this team

[Vottomatic]

Time for the NFL Draft.

I'll check back from time unless it's an embarrassing beatdown. Hehehe.

[Kc61]

Reds pitching was due to slip back.

Reds hitting was due to get hotter.

Well, one out of two isn't bad.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Espinosa hit a dinger btw. 6-0 Nats. Inning mercifully over.

"Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come."

[texasdave]

It's pretty obvious that Mesoraco can't get his breaking pitches over for strikes tonight.

[New York Red]

Honestly, other than a handful of games in which they've exploded, this offense has been mostly terrible the entire month. At what point do we become concerned?

Speaking of which, does anyone know how many runs we've scored against starting pitchers this year, as opposed to how many we've scored against relievers?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Choo had a reason not to like that call. Because is sucked. NOT a strike.

Ground out to second. 1 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Gonzales is really getting a generous strike zone so far.

Cozart grounds out. 2 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Okay Joey...baby steps. Just have a good at bat.

[_Sir_Charles_]

COME ON! What the heck is going on with this zone?!?

[_Sir_Charles_]

BYE BYE! Votto goes oppo! 6-1 Nats. :jump:

[OGB]

Take THAT, Verducci!

[Maker_84]

Yay we scored a run!

[OGB]

If this game gets out of hand, the best thing the Reds can do is to keep running up this pitch count. He's at 67 through 4 innings.

[50YrRedsFan]

Reds get 1 on Votto's HR, 6-1 Nats, middle 4th

[_Sir_Charles_]

If nothing else, the Reds are getting extended AB's on Gonzales. He's nearly at 70 pitches already. We'll be in their pen pretty soon.

[Vottomatic]

As predicted, Chiefs pick Eric Fisher with the #1 pick.

[New York Red]

If this game gets out of hand, the best thing the Reds can do is to keep running up this pitch count. He's at 67 through 4 innings.
Yep, we need to try to limit him to six innings. We seem to do most of our damage on offense against other teams' bullpens.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Fly out to left. 2 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Harper with a double down the LF line. Somebody's locked in.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Werth grounds out to Frazier. Nats with a zero on the board. Refreshing.

[Ironman92]

Bryce Harper being up is a joke. He's not ready for this and will be back down in a few weeks.

/multiple people on here early last year

Up and in the gym everyday of the off season at 5:05 am. Hate him if you must.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Marshall is with the team here in DC btw.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bruce K's on a pitch on the black.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Frazier drives Harper to the track. 2 down.

[Ironman92]

Heisey is dead last in the majors in p/pa.

I'll bet my house he's been advised to swing early if he likes it....it's typical Dustyball. Votto and Choo aside.

[New York Red]

A 7-pitch inning. Way to make him work, fellas.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3 go the Reds. 8 pitches. So much for working the count. 6-1 middle of 5.

[New York Red]

Bryce Harper being up is a joke. He's not ready for this and will be back down in a few weeks.

/multiple people on here early last year

Up and in the gym everyday of the off season at 5:05 am. Hate him if you must.
To be fair, most of the rest of the country had the same opinion of him being brought up so soon. It wasn't just a few Reds fans.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I'll bet my house he's been advised to swing early if he likes it....it's typical Dustyball. Votto and Choo aside.

I would hope that every player is advised to swing at a pitch if they like it. Regardless of when it comes in the AB.

[50YrRedsFan]

Honestly, other than a handful of games in which they've exploded, this offense has been mostly terrible the entire month. At what point do we become concerned?

Speaking of which, does anyone know how many runs we've scored against starting pitchers this year, as opposed to how many we've scored against relievers?

Reds with 1 base runner through 5 innings

[_Sir_Charles_]

Outside of Harper, Bronson seems to be settling in. Quickly 2 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3 for Bronson. 6-1 after 5 full.

[Ironman92]

To be fair, most of the rest of the country had the same opinion of him being brought up so soon. It wasn't just a few Reds fans.

But why? I never understood that at all. The super studs (presumed to be) have always been brought up at 18 and 19 years old. He was one of them.

[_Sir_Charles_]

One of the most inconsistent strike zones I've seen in quite a while. Horrible tonight.

Mes with the walk.
Bronson pops up his bunt. Ugh.

[OGB]

Nothing going well for Arroyo tonight. He normally handles the bat well.

[New York Red]

But why? I never understood that at all. The super studs (presumed to be) have always been brought up at 18 and 19 years old. He was one of them.
I think it's more rare for a kid to be brought up that quickly at his age than you believe, so people probably just assume it isn't going to work right away. Throw in some envy as well, since everyone with an opinion has their own favorite team.

[Kc61]

The Reds are taking a potentially explosive offense and destroying it. There are only 8 position players in the NL lineup. You cannot have a LF who can't hit. You cannot have a number 2 hitter who can't hit. I believe these things are killing this offense.

If you look closely, it's obvious that Phillips' numbers and Frazier's numbers are coming back down to earth. That's fine, nobody stays hot forever.

But Heisey hasn't hit since 2011. His hitting suits a backup SS or catcher, not a corner outfielder.

Cozart has a 9.7% LD rate. I assume he'll get better but he is not a good enough hitter for the second spot.

The Reds must change these things. They are wasting guys like Choo and Votto.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Good job by Mesoraco to break up the DP. 2 down, Choo at 1st.

[edabbs44]

The Reds are taking a potentially explosive offense and destroying it. There are only 8 position players in the NL lineup. You cannot have a LF who can't hit. You cannot have a number 2 hitter who can't hit. I believe these things are killing this offense.

If you look closely, it's obvious that Phillips' numbers and Frazier's numbers are coming back down to earth. That's fine, nobody stays hot forever.

But Heisey hasn't hit since 2011. His hitting suits a backup SS or catcher, not a corner outfielder.

Cozart has a 9.7% LD rate. I assume he'll get better but he is not a good enough hitter for the second spot.

The Reds must change these things. They are wasting guys like Choo and Votto.

Tough to make up for an injury to your 4 hitter in the first week.

The guy who needs to do something is Jay. He needs to start hitting. Soon.

[_Sir_Charles_]

The Reds are taking a potentially explosive offense and destroying it. There are only 8 position players in the NL lineup. You cannot have a LF who can't hit. You cannot have a number 2 hitter who can't hit. I believe these things are killing this offense.

If you look closely, it's obvious that Phillips' numbers and Frazier's numbers are coming back down to earth. That's fine, nobody stays hot forever.

But Heisey hasn't hit since 2011. His hitting suits a backup SS or catcher, not a corner outfielder.

Cozart has a 9.7% LD rate. I assume he'll get better but he is not a good enough hitter for the second spot.

The Reds must change these things. They are wasting guys like Choo and Votto.

Fair points. But who do you play in LF? Paul? His career hasn't shown him to be starter material either. We don't have good options in AAA either.

Cozart, yeah I'd prefer him lower in the lineup, but with 2 guys struggling I can understand Dusty not wanting to bunch them together too. It was clear from the beginning of the year that Dusty's plan was to have Phillips hitting 2nd. The injury changed things.

[50YrRedsFan]

The Reds are taking a potentially explosive offense and destroying it. There are only 8 position players in the NL lineup. You cannot have a LF who can't hit. You cannot have a number 2 hitter who can't hit. I believe these things are killing this offense.

If you look closely, it's obvious that Phillips' numbers and Frazier's numbers are coming back down to earth. That's fine, nobody stays hot forever.

But Heisey hasn't hit since 2011. His hitting suits a backup SS or catcher, not a corner outfielder.

Cozart has a 9.7% LD rate. I assume he'll get better but he is not a good enough hitter for the second spot.

The Reds must change these things. They are wasting guys like Choo and Votto.

Cozart now hitting .198. Reds with only 1 hit through 6 innings.

[Brutus]

Yay we scored a run!

"we"

[Kc61]

Tough to make up for an injury to your 4 hitter in the first week.

The guy who needs to do something is Jay. He needs to start hitting. Soon.

I was thinking of a comeback, but I think I'll refrain. Because your post is a very fair comment.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Line out to Heisey. Hard hit. Chris has misjudged quite a few balls tonight. Overran that one a bit.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Span with a bloop single to left. 2 down, 1 on.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Span swipes 2nd. Mesoracos' throw wide of 2nd on 1st base side. Into CF and Span heads to 3rd. Really frustrated with Mesoraco's throws. He's got a great arm and he's accurate outside of game action....but during the game...not so much.

Fly out to end the inning.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Votto grounds out to 2nd. Looked very slow going to 1st.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Phillips with a moon-ball to first. 2 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jay k's swinging. 6-1 it stays.

Somebody can take over PBP. Gotta give the kiddos a bath. Maybe somebody else can bring better luck.

[50YrRedsFan]

Reds with only 1 hit and only 2 base runners through 7 innings.

[1940757690]

Had to step away for a dinner break (while still watching). Just caught up on the posts. Few thoughts.

- this game sucks for us because Arroyo didn't do what he can do and to many bats aren't producing. obvious points already made.

- best game of the year for Gio so far. this is what he was last year but hasn't been until tonight this year. Getting into the 8th is huge for any Nats starter this year. Rare thing.

- BP, JV and JB. All three of these guys feel like they've been on the edge of breaking out like they normally do but not quite yet. I'm not worried about any of them.

- Agree with others about Cozart and Heisey. Personally, I'm more bullish on Cozart than Heisey but I'd like to see one (not both) benched in favor of something better. But not sure what we have that would be better.

- The Nats need this game more than we do. We're a half game out of first. Nats have been sucking royally, below 500 (back to 500 after this game), behind the Mets along with the Braves.

- Reds will win the next three. Why? Because I'll be in the park to will it from the stands. Count on it. :)

[50YrRedsFan]

Reds should have phoned this one in. Offense just bad. 4 runs in the last 3 games.

[50YrRedsFan]

1 hit thru 8 innings. Pathetic

[1940757690]

Reds should have phoned this one in. Offense just bad. 4 runs in the last 3 games.

To be fair, Gio's having an outstanding game. Very tough to hit. There was a piece on one of the Nats blogs recently about how the Nats haven't won a home Friday night game in a year or something. So we'll get that one. I'm most looking forward to Sunday's Cingrani v. Detwiler. Detwiler has been the surest thing for DC so far this year I love what I'm seeing from Cingrani so far. So that just leaves Saturday. Haren's been a freakin' disaster for DC so we'll get that one. I'm still optimistic we can take (or worst case split) this series.

[1940757690]

Two DC truisms:

1. Espinosa has had an excellent night
2. Espinosa sucks. Really sucks as in shouldn't be on the roster, Stubbs-like sucking.

[1940757690]

Man. Two hard hits including the 2-run double by Span. What is up with Ondrusek?!?!

Guess this is some kind of payback for that 15-0 drubbing a few weeks ago. Wish we had some of those runs now.

Just a really bad day. Will be a good weekend.

[WVRedsFan]

Man. Two hard hits including the 2-run double by Span. What is up with Ondrusek?!?!

Typical Logan. You never know you're going to get. Hello third or fourth place :).

[malcontent]

Cozart unclogs the bases. Again.

[ProfessorTofty]

Eee. Well, that was a rough one. Here's hoping we do a lot better tomorrow.

[Red Raindog]

Eee. Well, that was a rough one. Here's hoping we do a lot better tomorrow.

difficult not to

[Maker_84]

1 fricking hit LOL, this offense has been god awful lately. Inexcusable

[_Sir_Charles_]

1 fricking hit LOL, this offense has been god awful lately.

To be fair, the defense sucked and so did the pitching...so we got that going for us. :O)

Some credit should go to Gio. He pitched an excellent game, albeit with quite a bit of help from the HP ump. One of the worst strike zones this year. Unbalanced from the first pitch. Changed from hitter to hitter, pitcher to pitcher and multiple times during at bats. Whether we were on the good side of the W or the bad side, I would've been pissed about the strike calling.

[TSJ55]

That was a brutal listen tonight. Ouch!

[OnBaseMachine]

That was a lot less frustrating than losing 2-1 and stranding tons of runners.

[Tom Servo]

We're bad again.

[New York Red]

So far it seems our starting pitching has been good 90% of the time and our bullpen has been good 80% of the time ... but our offense has been good only about 25% of the time. Throw out a few abnormal extremes -- like the 15-0 win against the Nats and the 9-run 9th at STL -- and this offense has been pretty bad.

[Ironman92]

Tonight felt like a playoff performance.

[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 - 146
17. Joey Votto - 137
18. Jay Bruce - 135
19. Dan Driessen - 133
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

[TSJ55]

That was a lot less frustrating than losing 2-1 and stranding tons of runners.

It was less stressful. I'll give'em that.

[_Sir_Charles_]

So far it seems our starting pitching has been good 90% of the time and our bullpen has been good 80% of the time ... but our offense has been good only about 25% of the time. Throw out a few abnormal extremes -- like the 15-0 win against the Nats and the 9-run 9th at STL -- and this offense has been pretty bad.

I don't get this. If you are going to throw out the extremes, why not toss the 0 run extremes too? Oh, because it doesn't support your argument? :p I kid.

[New York Red]

I don't get this. If you are going to throw out the extremes, why not toss the 0 run extremes too? Oh, because it doesn't support your argument? :p I kid.
Because I think the lower scoring games are more the norm for this team than the higher scoring games are. I think we've only been shut out twice, right? I'm more concerned with how we seem to struggle to get any offense going against the opposing teams' starting pitchers. It puts a lot of pressure on our starters.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Because I think the lower scoring games are more the norm for this team than the higher scoring games are. I think we've only been shut out twice, right? I'm more concerned with how we seem to struggle to get any offense going against the opposing teams' starting pitchers. It puts a lot of pressure on our starters.

Okay then, dump the 0 run and 1 run games along with the high scoring games. Over the course of the season, things balance out. I don't expect Choo to hit like this all year, but by the same token, I don't expect Bruce to sit on 1 dinger all year either.

As the season progresses, it gets warmer, the bats begin to take over the game more. I'm as concerned about this offense as I am about Joey Votto being near the league lead in strikeouts. It won't continue for long.

And I'd think most all teams would struggle more against a teams starting pitchers...they're the best pitchers on a team generally.