4/9/14 - Reds @ Cardinals - Redszone Freakout Meltdown Edition

[villain612]

My first game thread :beerme:

6931

[Kingspoint]

I have one goal and one goal only for today:

For the REDS to play one game free of mental errors.


If not for the mental errors, we could easily have two more wins. We have a good defense, decent hitting, good starting pitching, and a bullpen that's good enough, especially as players get healthy as the season goes along. But, to have so many bone-headed plays makes this team a sub-.500 team, not worthy of spending time watching them in person or in the media.

The season has just begun, but Spring Training is for getting rid of the bone-headed plays. A combination of 35+ games between Spring Training and the regular season is plenty (it's about the same number of games that makes up a full season in High School) of time to work out the kinks. I expect the mental part to be there now.

So, here's to a game free of mental errors. Win or lose, I don't care, but play sharp, and I'm very happy. The length of the season will work itself out if the team can get this under control.

[villain612]

My main hope today is for a solid outing for Mike Leake.

Interesting to see the Cozart benching. His slump to open the year has reached epic proportions.

[SirFelixCat]

Go Reds.

And sadly, an apropos title for the thread *sigh*

[_Sir_Charles_]

My main hope today is for a solid outing for Mike Leake.

Interesting to see the Cozart benching. His slump to open the year has reached epic proportions.

It makes sense in a way. Put in the anemic batting Santiago because you've got Leake hitting to offset it. Okay, it's a reach...I'm tryin'.

[villain612]

Watching the Cardinal highlights for the TV intro on mlb tv is vomit inducing.

[NebraskaRed]

Hamilton with a triple

[_Sir_Charles_]

And this game is underway. Extra bases for Billy! 3 bagger!

[757690]

Bunt? (JK)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Okay, if Phillips tries to bunt him over now...I'm at a loss. :O)

LOL. Thinking alike 757690. *grin*

[757690]

DejaVu all over again

[_Sir_Charles_]

K.

I loathe the half swings, check swings, one armed flails, etc. Rapidly becoming a team-wide epidemic.

[757690]

It looks like Dale Scott is giving the outside corner to lefties, but not the inside corner.

[kbrake]

Not sure he saw a single strike

[Rijo's Ghost]

#HumanElement

[757690]

None of those called strikes were in the zone. Not a single one.

[Chuckie]

Where have you gone, Joey Votto man? Redleg Nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo woo.

[kbrake]

Wild pitch hits the umpire and stays right at the plate. Of course.

[757690]

Hope Leake is taking notes,

[_Sir_Charles_]

Come on! just a pop up to the outfield. *sigh* back to back K's.

[Chuckie]

None of those called strikes were in the zone. Not a single one.

Two of them were definitely strikes. When are Reds fans going to stop making excuses for Votto underperforming?

[joshua]

This strike zone is some BS. I hope Votto cusses this ump out.

[757690]

That pitch called a ball on Bruce was in the exact location as the one Votto got called out on.

[kbrake]

Two of them were definitely strikes. When are Reds fans going to stop making excuses for Votto underperforming?

Fox trax disagrees. Didn't have a single pitch in the zone.

[757690]

Two of them were definitely strikes. When are Reds fans going to stop making excuses for Votto underperforming?

Not according to GameDay. None of them were.

But I agree that Votto needed to adjust and swing at the last one to protect the plate.

[_Sir_Charles_]

FWIW, game day had 2 of the 3 in the zone to Votto.

[Chuckie]

Embarrassing. Hamilton gets a leadoff triple ... and our three best hitters all fail. What a mess. There is bad baseball. And then there is this Reds team.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Unacceptable boys. Un-freakin-acceptable.

[Crumbley]

Here's the thing: we don't have robot umps. We aren't getting robot umps anytime soon. They were strikes because the umpire called them. You have to adjust for reality. Get the run in.

[malcontent]

Two of them were definitely strikes. When are Reds fans going to stop making excuses for Votto underperforming?
Votto put that AB and run in the hands of the umpire.

[villain612]

Can't take two strike outs there. At least get a bat on the ball and get the run in.
C'mon fellas.

[Redsfansince72]

Yep Dont worry, the past teams sucked in April..blah blah.. thery cant produce when they are supposed too..That 2nd hanging curve ball for strike 2 too Votto should have been swung at!!.. I miss the 2010 version of Votto. and Brandon cant catch up to a fastball and looks like he cares less swinging at a awful pitch in the dirt

[RedsLvr]

Here's the thing: we don't have robot umps. We aren't getting robot umps anytime soon. They were strikes because the umpire called them. You have to adjust for reality. Get the run in.

The umpire doesn't create a strikezone. We've had 3 this year who simply does not know where it is located.

[10xWSChamps]

That last called strike to Votto was outside the zone but I think that's one of those places you want Votto to be expanding his zone and protecting the plate/trying to drive the guy in.

[Todd Gack]

Fox trax disagrees. Didn't have a single pitch in the zone.

And that's the problem a lot of us are talking about.

[joshua]

Two of them were definitely strikes. When are Reds fans going to stop making excuses for Votto underperforming?

How the hell is he underperforming? He's by FAR the best hitter on the team, maybe the best in Reds history and at least the last three decades.

Is he supposed to be hitting .400 every year? You know nobody does that, right? Would you rather he hit .260 and hit 30 HR like Bruce?

Why does Votto get so much undeserved BS from know-nothing fans who are too stupid to understand any modern concept of baseball when the rest of he lineup is complete trash?

Walt, if you're reading this, Cincinnati doesn't deserve or appreciate Votto. Trade him to Oakland or Boston and get Dunn or Trumbo so the baseball illiterate idiots who cheer for this team can gaze at the occasional tape measure shot and cheer on worthlessness instead of recognizing the rare greatness that is having a once in a generation hitter in the lineup.

And besides: http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/qe4yga8y.jpg

[Rijo's Ghost]

Here's the thing: we don't have robot umps. We aren't getting robot umps anytime soon. They were strikes because the umpire called them. You have to adjust for reality. Get the run in.

Guys simply can't do that. You're talking about players with tens of thousands of at bats in their lifetime. They can't just re-work what the strikezone is because a random umpire is giving the pitcher 4 inches on a Wednesday afternoon.

[Todd Gack]

That last called strike to Votto was outside the zone but I think that's one of those places you want Votto to be expanding his zone and protecting the plate/trying to drive the guy in.

Of course. But Joey has a 1,034,304, 987 OPS so how can we criticize the guy?

[Redsfansince72]

i wish they focused on offense like they do on defense most of the time

[villain612]

Nice play DatDude

[RollyInRaleigh]

Great play by Brandon Phillips.

[Crumbley]

The umpire doesn't create a strikezone.

And yet Votto was rung up.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Heck of a play by BPHIL! Knocks it down, throws it from his belly. Nice stretch by Votto.

[757690]

Holiday owns Leake. Another hit.

[RedTeamGo!]

Love Votto - but you have to put the bat on the ball there. I don't care if it was a borderline ball, just need a sac fly.

[RollyInRaleigh]

How the hell is he underperforming? He's by FAR the best hitter on the team, maybe the best in Reds history and at least the last three decades.

Is he supposed to be hitting .400 every year? You know nobody does that, right? Would you rather he hit .260 and hit 30 HR like Bruce?

Why does Votto get so much undeserved BS from know-nothing fans who are too stupid to understand any modern concept of baseball when the rest of he lineup is complete trash?

Walt, if you're reading this, Cincinnati doesn't deserve or appreciate Votto. Trade him to Oakland or Boston and get Dunn or Trumbo so the baseball illiterate idiots who cheer for this team can gaze at the occasional tape measure shot and cheer on worthlessness instead of recognizing the rare greatness that is having a once in a generation hitter in the lineup.

Wow

[Stray]

haha these shifts are hilarious

[RadfordVA]

The umpire doesn't create a strikezone. We've had 3 this year who simply does not know where it is located.

No but he enforces it so you better pay attention to his rulings.

[Chuckie]

Leake is getting that outside corner too.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Odd shift

[757690]

One thing to remember about the shift. If a guy beats the shift, he's only getting a single. So it's a victory for both sides against a guy with Adams' power.

[Red Raindog]

Not according to GameDay. None of them were.

But I agree that Votto needed to adjust and swing at the last one to protect the plate.

St. Loo radio heads said the last one was not a strike fwiw

[LewGra]

That last called strike to Votto was outside the zone but I think that's one of those places you want Votto to be expanding his zone and protecting the plate/trying to drive the guy in.

The ump's calling it for both sides so I don't mind that much. It's a pitcher-friendly zone, but my #1 request of umpires is to be consistent.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow

I know. Over-the-top for sure, but underneath is a bunch of truth. A tad harshly worded though.

[757690]

I wouldn't use the shift with Leake pitching. He's easy to take the other way.

[malcontent]

It's called situational baseball. Price supposedly covered it in ST.

[10xWSChamps]

The ump's calling it for both sides so I don't mind that much. It's a pitcher-friendly zone, but my #1 request of umpires is to be consistent.

Agreed, at least he is consistent. I am sure both teams have taken note, I imagine there won't be a ton of offense today

[villain612]

I love seeing Adams strike out.

[RollyInRaleigh]

I think I'll get outta here and just watch the game. This place has turned into........something????

[malcontent]

One thing to remember about the shift. If a guy beats the shift, he's only getting a single. So it's a victory for both sides against a guy with Adams' power.
Not when he's hitting 0.800 against it.

[_Sir_Charles_]

One thing to remember about the shift. If a guy beats the shift, he's only getting a single. So it's a victory for both sides against a guy with Adams' power.

Actually, the thing I've noticed thus far this season is that when the Reds have a shift on...either the catcher or the pitcher is NOT on the same page as the person who positioned the infield. They're not pitching TO the shift. They're pitching in a way that's counter-intuitive to the shift. That AB...they did it right. Play the guy to pull, pitch him inside to FORCE him to pull.

[cincrazy]

The power isn't there. And it hasn't been since the knee injury. He's not the player he was four years ago. Still a wonderful player, but to pretend he's performing per his usual standards is not reality.

And your Fox Trax graph can show the strike zone as it sees fit, but I had my eyes on the tv and at the very least those first two pitches were CLEARLY strikes. Even if he disagreed with the calls, why would you not swing at the third when you know the first two were called similar?

No one is saying Votto's trash or that we don't appreciate him as fans.

[10xWSChamps]

I thought for sure that was getting down when it was hit.

[Gallen5862]

Thanks for the pbp.

[Cedric]

Votto has almost zero power and is completely over thinking it At the plate.

[Wonderful Monds]

Did they switch up the feeds by accident on FSO? That's the only reason I can guess why the Reds announcers won't stop gushing over Yadier Molina.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Did they switch up the feeds by accident on FSO? That's the only reason I can guess why the Reds announcers won't stop gushing over Yadier Molina.

If they did switch it...they switched it about 3 years ago. :O) I've been hearing that Cardinals fawning rhetoric for years now. And I missed the Grande years.

[villain612]

I think I'll get outta here and just watch the game. This place has turned into........something????

The current Civil War on Redszone is this:

- one side is not happy with the bad start, thinks the team sucks, and is ready to call the season now
- the other side is not happy with the bad start, but does not think 8 games is enough of a sample size to know anything conclusively about the entire season yet

[RedTeamGo!]

Can someone that is watching this on tv or radio please provide updates?

Thanks in advance!

[kbrake]

The second Votto lunges at a pitch off the plate and pops out and doesn't drive in the run he will catch a ton of crap from all the same people who are complaining that he won't expand the zone. Some people are so bitter over the money the man makes that they will give him a ton of crap no matter what he does. Just can't win with some fans.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Can someone that is watching this on tv or radio please provide updates?

Thanks in advance!

Sure. Right now they're relating the Votto-nibbles story. :O)

[Wonderful Monds]

St. Loo radio heads said the last one was not a strike fwiw

http://www.rollogrady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/radiohead_.jpg

?????

[Chip R]

The power isn't there. And it hasn't been since the knee injury. He's not the player he was four years ago. Still a wonderful player, but to pretend he's performing per his usual standards is not reality.

And your Fox Trax graph can show the strike zone as it sees fit, but I had my eyes on the tv and at the very least those first two pitches were CLEARLY strikes. Even if he disagreed with the calls, why would you not swing at the third when you know the first two were called similar?

No one is saying Votto's trash or that we don't appreciate him as fans.

Hey, c'mon. It's only 9 games.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Fly out to the LCF track by Molina. 1 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Peralta flies out to Hamilton. Ball is flying today. Both he and Jay ended up drifting back an extra 5 steps.

1-2-3 for Leake after a 1st pitch grounder to Phillips by Jon Jay.

0-0 after 2 full

[RedTeamGo!]

The second Votto lunges at a pitch off the plate and pops out and doesn't drive in the run he will catch a ton of crap from all the same people who are complaining that he won't expand the zone. Some people are so bitter over the money the man makes that they will give him a ton of crap no matter what he does. Just can't win with some fans.

I wasn't even thinking about money in this instance - runner on third with 1 out - you need to get that runner in. Striking out looking is the absolute worst thing you can do in that situation. If you pop the ball straight up to the pitcher at least you swung the bat.

[Cedric]

Hey, c'mon. It's only 9 games.

The power hasn't been there for over 250 games now. He's still the best player on the team and it is very early. He seems to be tight early this year and that's actually normal for him to start years. He will get really comfortable soon I'm sure.

[joshua]

The power isn't there. And it hasn't been since the knee injury. He's not the player he was four years ago. Still a wonderful player, but to pretend he's performing per his usual standards is not reality.

And your Fox Trax graph can show the strike zone as it sees fit, but I had my eyes on the tv and at the very least those first two pitches were CLEARLY strikes. Even if he disagreed with the calls, why would you not swing at the third when you know the first two were called similar?

No one is saying Votto's trash or that we don't appreciate him as fans.

Career years are called as much for a reason. I doubt Padres fans in '98 were trashing Gwynn for hitting .321/.364. .501 four years after he hit .396 because he wasn't performing near his "usual standards".

From what I see, Votto's usual standards are hitting .300/.400/.500. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. If you're going to complain about Joey not chasing a pitch out of the zone, then it better be literally the very last thing on your list to complain about this team. Exhaust all of your complaints about the entire rest of the lineup, bench, front office, rotation, managing, pitching coach and bullpen before nagging about Votto, otherwise you look like a complete idiot.

[Kingspoint]

Guys simply can't do that. You're talking about players with tens of thousands of at bats in their lifetime. They can't just re-work what the strikezone is because a random umpire is giving the pitcher 4 inches on a Wednesday afternoon.

Tony Gwynn said that this is exactly what he did every at-bat, so I really don't know what you're talking about.

[Wonderful Monds]

Who the hell is this?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Santiago, Leake and Hamilton due up.

Ramon showing bunt...ends up flailing away to K. 1 down.

[malcontent]

That was Jocketty's "undead" bat.

[10xWSChamps]

This umpires zone is the oddest thing, I swear he calls everything outside and yet I've seen a few pitches seemingly right down the middle that are called balls.

Heck of a play by Carpenter, Freese wouldn't have made that.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leake with a rocket down the 3rd base line. Carpenter stabs it. Nice play. Reds players should watch that Leake AB. Lays off a pitch just outside, then takes a FULL SWING at one he liked. No attempt to swat a fly like Santiago had.

[Redsfansince72]

i wanted Negron to make the team, he can HIT!! but Walt likes those backup SS that field and cant hit for some reason

[Cedric]

Leake with a rocket down the 3rd base line. Carpenter stabs it. Nice play. Reds players should watch that Leake AB. Lays off a pitch just outside, then takes a FULL SWING at one he liked. No attempt to swat a fly like Santiago had.

How sad is that? You are dead on btw.

[Wonderful Monds]

Might as well run.

[osuceltic]

The second Votto lunges at a pitch off the plate and pops out and doesn't drive in the run he will catch a ton of crap from all the same people who are complaining that he won't expand the zone. Some people are so bitter over the money the man makes that they will give him a ton of crap no matter what he does. Just can't win with some fans.

He struck out looking. That's not asking him to expand the zone -- that's asking him to swing at a strike (actually, three strikes).


Guys simply can't do that. You're talking about players with tens of thousands of at bats in their lifetime. They can't just re-work what the strikezone is because a random umpire is giving the pitcher 4 inches on a Wednesday afternoon.


You couldn't be more wrong. Different umpires have different zones. Always have, always will. Players adjust or spend their (probably short) career spitting into the wind.

[Chip R]

The power hasn't been there for over 250 games now. He's still the best player on the team and it is very early. He seems to be tight early this year and that's actually normal for him to start years. He will get really comfortable soon I'm sure.

It's only been 250 games. It's not like it's been two seasons yet.

[_Sir_Charles_]

i wanted Negron to make the team, he can HIT!! but Walt likes those backup SS that field and cant hit for some reason

WHAT!?! When did Negron learn to hit? I didn't get that memo. (.610 ops lifetime in AAA)

Hamilton reaches first on a 4 pitch...double? :O)

[joshua]

Tony Gwynn said that this is exactly what he did every at-bat, so I really don't know what you're talking about.

Today on RedsZone we are going to talk about Reds who are guilty of not being enough like Tony Gwynn...starting with Joey Votto. Makes complete sense.

[_Sir_Charles_]

There we go. 2 out rally. Single up the middle from Phillips. Meatball he jumps on. Hamilton effect?

[kbrake]

I wasn't even thinking about money in this instance - runner on third with 1 out - you need to get that runner in. Striking out looking is the absolute worst thing you can do in that situation. If you pop the ball straight up to the pitcher at least you swung the bat.

The pitch wasn't even borderline. What is the limit? If the pitch had been all the way outside the other batter's box but called a strike would Votto still get blamed? The umpire didn't do his job I'm not going to get on Votto over that particular AB.

[Crumbley]

Fox Trax called that one a homer.

[Redsfansince72]

i think 2010 thats a homerun.. Joey isnt driving the bal like he use too.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Votto flies out to Holliday at the warning track to end the mini-threat. Still 0-0 heading to the bottom of 3.

[RedTeamGo!]

The pitch wasn't even borderline. What is the limit? If the pitch had been all the way outside the other batter's box but called a strike would Votto still get blamed? The umpire didn't do his job I'm not going to get on Votto over that particular AB.

Im not watching the game, so I don't know how far off the plate was or not - but with the fastest player in professional sports standing on third base - put the ball in play.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Am I the only one who's already forgotten those Votto & Bruce called strikes? That was 2 innings ago, let it go fellas.

[SlimJim11]

Im not watching the game, so I don't know how far off the plate was or not - but with the fastest player in professional sports standing on third base - put the ball in play.

he did that the other day and Hamilton got caught in a run down. Votto caught hell for that too.

[Rijo's Ghost]

Tony Gwynn said that this is exactly what he did every at-bat, so I really don't know what you're talking about.

And yet Votto has been better than Gwynn in regards to making fewer outs and hitting for more power. He's also averaged more RBI per 162 than Gwynn, and in the almighty RISP split, Votto has hit .339 for his career and Gwynn hit .349.

Here's a good read on what guys say versus what they actually did.

http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/baseball/hitting/rethinkinghitting/Essays/DoAsTheyDid.html

[Kingspoint]

Hey, c'mon. It's only 9 games.

Lose today and it's a TRIPLE BOGEY on the 1st Hole. Win and it's a DOUBLE BOGEY. Rough starts, but tournaments have been one with an opening hole like this.

[malcontent]

i think 2010 thats a homerun.. Joey isnt driving the bal like he use too.
Deep enough to score Hamilton. In the first.

[RedTeamGo!]

he did that the other day and Hamilton got caught in a run down. Votto caught hell for that too.

I did not give him hell for that

[_Sir_Charles_]

Oooh. Where did THAT miss blue?!? Pretty breaker.

[Kingspoint]

And yet Votto has been better than Gwynn in regards to making fewer outs and hitting for more power. He's also averaged more RBI per 162 than Gwynn, and in the almighty RISP split, Votto has hit .339 for his career and Gwynn hit .349.

Here's a good read on what guys say versus what they actually did.

http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/baseball/hitting/rethinkinghitting/Essays/DoAsTheyDid.html

Votto has played in tiny parks, while Gwynn played in spacious Padre parks.

And, ya think a #3 hitter is going to get more RBI's than a leadoff hitter? What a surprise.

[Chuckie]

Well, "He never gets a chance to hit with runners in scoring position" sure won't be an excuse for Votto this year.

[_Sir_Charles_]

DOWN GOES FRAZIER! Nice play. He was playing very shallow protecting against the Bourjos bunt. 1 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KK

Miller whiffs. 2 down.

[NebraskaRed]

Leake is looking much better than he did last time.

[Chuckie]

Leake is dealing. That's one huge positive thus far today.

[villain612]

Leake pitching well.

[Kingspoint]

Mike Leake may once again be the forgotten pitcher of all the Starters, yet be a consistent producer.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Comebacker to Mike. Great snag off the shoetops. 1-2-3 again.

- - - Updated - - -


Mike Leake may once again be the forgotten pitcher of all the Starters, yet be a consistent producer.

Constantly overlooked. I just don't get it. You don't have to be a flamethrower to be a great MLB starter.

[Rijo's Ghost]

Votto has played in tiny parks, while Gwynn played in spacious Padre parks.

And, ya think a #3 hitter is going to get more RBI's than a leadoff hitter? What a surprise.

Fine, park adjust it. Votto has been a more valuable hitter.

Gwynn had 5417 PA as a #3 hitter. 512 PA as a leadoff hitter. What a surprise.

[Redsfansince72]

you would think MLB players have played enough baseball as a kid that the first rule is if a pitcher throws 4 straight balls to walk a hitter, why would you swing at the very first pitch????

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bruce BB on 4 pitches. Frazier quickly grounds into a DP to clear the bases. Heisey up with 2 down bases empty

- - - Updated - - -

Heisey with a rope to left. Nice swing.

[faffy42]

Everything going wrong, and right. But never just right so far in this young season.

[NebraskaRed]

Rocco!!

[Chuckie]

MESORACO!

[Wonderful Monds]

ROCCO.

[Crumbley]

Devin!

[Rijo's Ghost]

Mesoraco is on fire.

[Red Raindog]

MEZ (not Rocco) !! put him in the five hole

[Redsfansince72]

yess.. HR.. i hope Price will bat him in front of the wreak hitting Shortstops!!! and not 8th!!

[villain612]

Mez! Back with a bang.

[alloverjr]

How the hell is he underperforming? He's by FAR the best hitter on the team, maybe the best in Reds history and at least the last three decades.

Is he supposed to be hitting .400 every year? You know nobody does that, right? Would you rather he hit .260 and hit 30 HR like Bruce?

Why does Votto get so much undeserved BS from know-nothing fans who are too stupid to understand any modern concept of baseball when the rest of he lineup is complete trash?

Walt, if you're reading this, Cincinnati doesn't deserve or appreciate Votto. Trade him to Oakland or Boston and get Dunn or Trumbo so the baseball illiterate idiots who cheer for this team can gaze at the occasional tape measure shot and cheer on worthlessness instead of recognizing the rare greatness that is having a once in a generation hitter in the lineup.



Why?

[_Sir_Charles_]

DEVIN! :jump: 2-0 reds!

~edit~ anybody else want to take the pbp. I've got quite a lag apparently.

[RedTeamGo!]

Say It Ain't So Frazia

[Chuckie]

And a shortstop got a hit for us!

[Red Raindog]

Santiago is now our hitting SS

[NebraskaRed]

Santiago ties Cozart in number of hits.

[Chuckie]

Say It Ain't So Frazia

You need to catch up. Hehe.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bloop to left for Santiago. Cheap, but I'll take it.

[RedTeamGo!]

Nice! Would love a breakout season by The DEVeloper

[wheels]

I'm late to the party, but...


Rocco.

[757690]

Looks like Matheny was on to something by not starting Miller in the playoffs.

[Beltway]

So much complaining during a game where the Reds are up 2 and have outhit the Cardinals by 4.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leake flies out to short right to Wong. But the Reds strike first. 2-0 on the Rocco dinger.

[Wonderful Monds]

If FSO insists on showing Fox News commercials during the game, I'm going to stop watching, straight up. Want no part of that in my viewing experience.

[Kingspoint]

The RH bats have performed admirably this year...Ludwick, Frazier, Heisey, and now Mesoraco. They can't all produce, but if three of them do, then it's a win-win for the REDS. Cozart is the only one who hasn't produced. You can throw Phillips into that mix, too, but he's batting .273 right now, so it's not exactly ugly like the RH'er's from last season.

[HeatherC1212]

HAHA. Kudos to whoever came up with the awesome thread title today. Go Reds!! :D

[RedTeamGo!]

So much complaining during a game where the Reds are up 2 and have outhit the Cardinals by 4.

The complaining was before the 2-0 lead. That 2 run homer happened like 4 minutes ago.

[Chuckie]

That should have been an error on Votto. What in the heck?

[757690]

Leake starting to do his Bailey impression this inning. Offense scores a few, time to give some back.

[villain612]

Go home Joey, you're drunk.

[Tom Servo]

Should've had that one, Joey.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Sharp grounder past Votto from Wong. Leadoff single. Joey with some poor form there. Never moved his feet, instead leaned for the ball and it scoots past him. Almost looked like he wasn't ready for it. It WAS sharply hit to be fair though.

And he's erased. YESSIRREE! 6-4-3

[Chuckie]

Nice DP.

[757690]

Impressive turn for the DP by BP

[kbrake]

Votto deserves all the grief in the world for that kind of stuff. Not the silly RBI stuff.

[Tom Servo]

Yesiree!

[villain612]

Great job BP

[_Sir_Charles_]

Clean, hard take out slide by Wong. Nothing dirty about that one.

[malcontent]

Nice DP by Santiago and Phillips.

But how was that not another error on Votto?

[villain612]

Brandon Phillips' defensive play today is a reminder that I am glad they didn't trade him in the offseason.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leake starting to do his Bailey impression this inning. Offense scores a few, time to give some back.

Disagree. 2 groundballs. That's what you WANT from Leake. Make that 3 grounders to end the inning.

[faffy42]

To joey... get in FRONT of the ball.

[Chuckie]

Votto deserves all the grief in the world for that kind of stuff. Not the silly RBI stuff.

He deserves flak for his shoddy defense AND for underperforming at the plate. I don't buy into RBIs because the batter can't control how many guys are on base when he's at the plate. But if anyone thinks this kind of production is what was expected out of Votto, I don't know what to say. It's a very small sample size, but he's been disappointing through the first nine games. Does he not workout enough in the offseason? How long are people going to use a relatively minor knee injury two years ago as an excuse for his lack of power? How about hit the weight room hard if you've lost some power? Bottom line: Votto is not the same hitter as he used to be, IMO. And that's not good because he used to be arguably the best in the game.

[NebraskaRed]

Hamilton on fire today!

[757690]

Billy turning it around.

- - - Updated - - -

First steal of the season????

[Stray]

Billy has looked good today

[757690]

Love the pitch out on the first pitch.

[villain612]

Cmon BHam...get your first stolen base of the year

[NebraskaRed]

And his first stolen base.

[Kingspoint]

Who is this Billy Hamilton guy? He seems to always be on base recently (but, has yet to score).

[_Sir_Charles_]

Time to fly Billy. LOL. No throw.

[Beltway]

The complaining was before the 2-0 lead. That 2 run homer happened like 4 minutes ago.
People complain before there's anything to complain about.

[757690]

Wow, Molina didn't even try to throw out Hamilton. Lol

[villain612]

"No one steals on Molina" :thumbup:

[757690]

Havoc!!!!

[villain612]

Wow. How many guys in MLB could've tagged on that?

[Tom Servo]

Wow. Didn't think Billy had a chance getting to third on that shallow of a fly ball.

[LewGra]

Wow, Molina didn't even try to throw out Hamilton. Lol

Hamilton was already at 2nd before the ball got to him. Hamilton stole that on Miller

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice. Shallow RF, and he STILL advances. Wowsers.

[RedTeamGo!]

Curious - Does that count as a stolen base without a throw or is that defensive indifference?

Asking for a friend.

[Kingspoint]

10-1 Joey knocks him in.

[Stray]

That was barely out of the infield and he tagged and advanced easily

[LewGra]

Wow. How many guys in MLB could've tagged on that?

With Jay's arm? Lots

[kbrake]

He deserves flak for his shoddy defense AND for underperforming at the plate. I don't buy into RBIs because the batter can't control how many guys are on base when he's at the plate. But if anyone thinks this kind of production is what was expected out of Votto, I don't know what to say. It's a very small sample size, but he's been disappointing through the first nine games. Does he not workout enough in the offseason? How long are people going to use a relatively minor knee injury two years ago as an excuse for his lack of power? How about hit the weight room hard if you've lost some power? Bottom line: Votto is not the same hitter as he used to be, IMO. And that's not good because he used to be arguably the best in the game.

I think Votto is historically a slow starter. Some guys are like that. I guess I thought most the criticism was just a continuation of last season's nonsense towards him. I think he will be just fine.

[Chuckie]

Complete pitch-around of Votto this time.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Curious - Does that count as a stolen base without a throw or is that defensive indifference?

Asking for a friend.

SB...and now a BB

Defensive indifference only comes into play if the runner eventually scoring doesn't even tie the game.

[Tom Servo]

OMG

[WildcatFan]

Hahaha are you serious???

[Chuckie]

WOW! How about Billy Hamilton!

[LewGra]

LOL Jay's arm is so bad.

[Red Raindog]

speed kills

[NebraskaRed]

Guys, this Billy Hamilton character is pretty fast.

[757690]

That's Bugs Bunny material,

[Kingspoint]

Complete pitch-around of Votto this time.

mlb's gameday is completely useless. All season long, they've showed a million strikes to be balls, with dozens and dozens right down the middle of the plate, yet are still called balls by the various umps.

[villain612]

WOOOOOOOW

[Stray]

Un-freaking-real

[_Sir_Charles_]

WOW! How do you score from there!?! Good throw too. Just nuts.

[RedTeamGo!]

What happened?!?!

[Red Raindog]

Bruce gets a RBI and no official AB

[LewGra]

That's where Cardinals will miss Beltran

[kbrake]

That is absolutely unbelievable.

[wheels]

what happened?!!!!

[Red Raindog]

What happened?!?!

Pop up to deep 2b -- Jay comes in calls him off -- BH scores

[OldRightHander]

Speed kills.

[Kingspoint]

Love Votto getting to 2nd on that throw. Haven't seen enough of that.

[Rijo's Ghost]

Jon Jay is so bad. Horribly played.

[wheels]

From where?

[LewGra]

From where?

Judging by the reactions, 1st.

[villain612]

That Billy Hamilton tag to score from short right field has been the best and most exciting Reds play all year.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Very shallow right field. Nearly played by the 2b, to tell you how shallow it was. The throw was a one hopper right to home. Not off line or anything. Yes, Jay may have a poor arm...but it was still a good throw...just unreal how fast he is.

[Kingspoint]

Our third three-run lead over the Cardinals this season. Can we win one this time?

[malcontent]

Today's game shows why you don't drop Hamilton lower.

[Crumbley]

Hamilton is historic.

[wheels]

Was Hamilton really on first when he scored? That sounds impossible.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Molina with a single past Santiago. Cozart I think knocks that down.

[Rijo's Ghost]

Very shallow right field. Nearly played by the 2b, to tell you how shallow it was. The throw was a one hopper right to home. Not off line or anything. Yes, Jay may have a poor arm...but it was still a good throw...just unreal how fast he is.

Unreal fast, but a lot had to come together to score there. One of the weakest arms in the league, and he caught it flat footed. More often than not, that's going to be an out at the plate.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Was Hamilton really on first when he scored? That sounds impossible.

Hamilton swiped 2nd without a throw. He advanced to third on a shallow pop out to right and easily beat the throw from Jay. Then he scored from an even MORE shallow pop out to right on a good throw from Jay.

[WrongVerb]

I'm still laughing in amazement. This is going to be a fun, fun guy to watch. Wow!

[swaisuc]

Was Hamilton really on first when he scored? That sounds impossible.

No. He stole 2nd and then got to 3rd for Bruce. Bruce hit a pop fly that barely left infield and outfielder called off 2b, made decent throw home and hamilton just beat it tagging from 3rd. Was crazy to even try it, but nobody else makes it safely on that.

[cincrazy]

He stole second without a throw, moved to third on a pop to very shallow right, and then scored on an absurd pop-up that barely left the infield.

[kbrake]

For those who are not watching...

http://instagram.com/p/mlHTxySkvl/

[Tom Servo]

Was Hamilton really on first when he scored? That sounds impossible.
Yes, and then the Earth started moving backwards.

[WrongVerb]

Unreal fast, but a lot had to come together to score there. One of the weakest arms in the league, and he caught it flat footed. More often than not, that's going to be an out at the plate.

Agreed. As long as the advancements were made due to the scouting report on Jay's arm, I'm good. If he was just being reckless, well, let's hope that's not the case.

[Tom Servo]

Yesiree!

[villain612]

Don't want to jinx anything but so far this has been the most complete game of the season for the Reds.

Good pitching and defense.

Bats have been decent too.

Halfway there.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Yessiree! 6-4-3 again. 3-0 Reds after 5 full.

[PepperJack]

Was Hamilton really on first when he scored? That sounds impossible.

No, Cards fans just have poor senses of humor.

Hamilton, reached first with a single, stole second without a throw, advanced to third on a shallow fly to RF, and then scored on a VERY shallow fly to 2B/RF.

It was beautiful.

[wheels]

Hamilton swiped 2nd without a throw. He advanced to third on a shallow pop out to right and easily beat the throw from Jay. Then he scored from an even MORE shallow pop out to right on a good throw from Jay.

Thanks!

[Chuckie]

Ha, Holliday looking rough as usual defensively. Should have been an out. Heisey will take that single.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Straighten that baby out Chris. HR swing he just pulls foul.

He did...and Holliday gift wraps a single for him.

Another SB without a throw from Molina. Hi-C SB. Yadi bobbled it.

[Chuckie]

Heisey with a stolen bag.

[wheels]

No, Cards fans just have poor senses of humor.

Hamilton, reached first with a single, stole second without a throw, advanced to third on a shallow fly to RF, and then scored on a VERY shallow fly to 2B/RF.

It was beautiful.

Boo hoo for them!

[malcontent]

Gotta take the crowd out of these games.

[Tom Servo]

Let's put some more points™ on the board.


™ Bob Boone

[Chuckie]

Oh, Mez is feeling it. Love the cuts he takes up there.

[kaldaniels]

No, Cards fans just have poor senses of humor.

Hamilton, reached first with a single, stole second without a throw, advanced to third on a shallow fly to RF, and then scored on a VERY shallow fly to 2B/RF.

It was beautiful.

Now that's a Billy Run!

[Kingspoint]

He stole second without a throw, moved to third on a pop to very shallow right, and then scored on an absurd pop-up that barely left the infield.

...proving that one needs to barely make contact to move him up a base (or not swing at all!).

[Chuckie]

Mez on with error on Peralta. First and third no outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Oh, Mez is feeling it. Love the cuts he takes up there.

Agreed. FULL swings. Spread that disease like a virus through the clubhouse please.

[kaldaniels]

Oh, Mez is feeling it. Love the cuts he takes up there.

It is probably meaningless but Mes and Cingrani are the two young guys on the team who just have that eye of the tiger.

[villain612]

2014 Cardinals defense strikes again!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Mez on with error on Peralta. First and third no outs.

Tough play. Heisey blocked the vision of Peralta a bit I think.

[Chuckie]

Did Santiago think he was playing slow-pitch softball there? It was like he stepped up in the box as he was swinging. Weakly "lines" out to short.

[Tom Servo]

Professional AB by Santiago.

[Kingspoint]

Santiago seeing if Peralta can do it again.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1st and 3rd for Santiago. Soft flair to short. 1 down.

[WrongVerb]

Flare to Peralta. Hamilton would have scored. :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

1st & 3rd with 1 down for Leake. I like our odds.

[Chuckie]

Bunting with two strikes? WHAT?

[Crumbley]

More bunting.

[hebroncougar]

WTH?

[Kingspoint]

Why did Leake try to bunt twice, and with two strikes? No visual here. Was it a squeeze play gone bad?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bunting with two strikes? WHAT?

Yeah, I don't get that.

[Chuckie]

And Leake DEFINITELY got the sign from the third base coach. Wow. I can't believe that just happened. It's equally shocking as Hamilton's tag-up. Seriously.

[hebroncougar]

Why did Leake try to bunt twice, and with two strikes? No visual here. Was it a squeeze play gone bad?

Nope. Runner was not going.