7/5/16 - Reds @ Baby Bears - 2:20pm start

[Tom Servo]

Cozart 6
Hamilton 8
Votto 3
Bruce 9
Duvall 7
Phillips 4
Suarez 5
Cabrera 2
Finnegan LHP


back to the grind

[cumberlandreds]

The beatings continue............................

[Ironman92]

I see no way possible they lose this game.

Reds 6
Cubs 4

[Chuckie]

I'm just glad we have day baseball. I wish we weren't the equivalent of a AAA team going up against the best team in MLB, but at least we have day baseball to watch.

[ScotlandRed]

Good AB by Hamilton. Took some close pitches.

[BenHayes]

The worst team in baseball playing the best team in baseball . A BRUTAL DAY IN THE WINDT CITY . MORE SHAME TO BE HEAPED UPON THIS ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!!!

[BluegrassRedleg]

Wow. Billy Hamilton.


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[ScotlandRed]

Another BB from Votto.

Oh good god BIlly Hamilton that is not normal.

- - - Updated - - -

Lackey all over the place early. Great to see.

[Chuckie]

Billy should have been credited for stealing home. Instead, they give Ross two errors on the play (one for the passed ball, one for the throw)? Should be one error on Ross for the PB, and then a steal of home for Billy.

More dumb official scoring in MLB.

- - - Updated - - -

One pitch, one out for Finnegan.

[Chuckie]

3-pitch K of Bryant. Nice start for Finnegan.

[Chip R]

Billy should have been credited for stealing home. Instead, they give Ross two errors on the play (one for the passed ball, one for the throw)? Should be one error on Ross for the PB, and then a steal of home for Billy.

More dumb official scoring in MLB.

- - - Updated - - -

One pitch, one out for Finnegan.

To be fair, it is Ross.

[klw]

Reading Gameday, did Hamilton score from 2nd on a passed ball?

[Chuckie]

Reading Gameday, did Hamilton score from 2nd on a passed ball?

Yes, it was cool.

[Big Klu]

Billy should have been credited for stealing home. Instead, they give Ross two errors on the play (one for the passed ball, one for the throw)? Should be one error on Ross for the PB, and then a steal of home for Billy.

More dumb official scoring in MLB.

- - - Updated - - -

One pitch, one out for Finnegan.

No, they scored it correctly. Ross committed a passed ball, on which Hamilton advanced two bases (and Votto advanced one). Ross' throw to the plate to attempt to get Hamilton got away, allowing Votto to advance to 3rd on the E2.

Also, a passed ball is not an error. It is a separate category.

[Chuckie]

To be fair, it is Ross.

True. But if anything, it was Lackey's fault for not initially covering the plate. No way that's two errors on Ross. By the time he threw the ball, it wouldn't have mattered how good the throw was because Billy was going to beat it. That's why I say it should have been a steal of home. Even if Ross throws a strike to Lackey, by the time Lackey finally covered the plate, Billy would have beaten it.

[Chuckie]

No, they scored it correctly. Ross committed a passed ball, on which Hamilton advanced two bases (and Votto advanced one). Ross' throw to the plate to attempt to get Hamilton got away, allowing Votto to advance to 3rd on the E2.

Also, a passed ball is not an error. It is a separate category.

So it's just impossible to get a steal of home in that situation? What if Ross would have thrown a perfect throw to Lackey and Billy still beat it? Just a 2-base passed ball? Seems to me it should be a steal of home, but I guess you're saying that's impossible to get in that situation.

[cumberlandreds]

Progress. Reds get through one inning without the Cubs scoring.

[cumberlandreds]

So it's just impossible to get a steal of home in that situation? What if Ross would have thrown a perfect throw to Lackey and Billy still beat it? Just a 2-base passed ball? Seems to me it should be a steal of home, but I guess you're saying that's impossible to get in that situation.

You never get a steal of home in that situation. At best its two bases on a passed ball. IMO they scored it correctly.

[Tom Servo]

Just saw the play. Ross really should have known to pick up the pace with Billy on the bases but still, wow.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Cozy HR. Redlegs lead 4-0 in 2nd.


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[Big Klu]

So it's just impossible to get a steal of home in that situation? What if Ross would have thrown a perfect throw to Lackey and Billy still beat it? Just a 2-base passed ball? Seems to me it should be a steal of home, but I guess you're saying that's impossible to get in that situation.

No, it would never be a steal of home in that situation. If he had been running on the pitch then he would have been credited with a steal of 3rd, and would have advanced to home on the PB.

[BluegrassRedleg]

What's this weird sensation I'm feeling??? Oh, must be a 4-0 lead vs the Cubs. Had forgotten what this felt like.


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[BluegrassRedleg]

Just saw the play. Ross really should have known to pick up the pace with Billy on the bases but still, wow.

Easy to say in hindsight, but that's just the standard approach with a guy on second. You're not even remotely thinking about that as a possibility. That's how insane Hamilton's speed is. Nobody else even attempts that.


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[ScotlandRed]

We all knew Cozarts average would come down a fair bit from the start of the season. But I'm still delighted with the level of offensive production from our SS. Preferably have a slightly higher OBP from lead off but on this team he has been a big positive.

[Chuckie]

Just saw the play. Ross really should have known to pick up the pace with Billy on the bases but still, wow.

Lackey wasn't even covering home though. I'd put it more on him.

Oh well, no need for me to focus on that. What a hell of a play by Billy. He just stole No. 21 on the season. 4-0 Reds.

[klw]

Billy's play
http://m.mlb.com/video/v897288283/cinchc-hamilton-scores-from-second-on-a-passed-ball

[Tom Servo]

Easy to say in hindsight, but that's just the standard approach with a guy on second. You're not even remotely thinking about that as a possibility. That's how insane Hamilton's speed is. Nobody else even attempts that.

True, 99.9% of the time Ross' effort was fine. Just think he could have had a little more urgency.

[OnBaseMachine]

Finnegan's first inning was one of his best this season. Located his pitches, snapped off a nasty breaking ball to Bryant.

[BluegrassRedleg]

It's amazing how good the Cubs have been with Heyward being so bad. Think about what happens if he ever regains form.


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[Big Klu]

True, 99.9% of the time Ross' effort was fine. Just think he could have had a little more urgency.

Maybe so, but the extra base allowing Billy to score was Lackey's fault. It should be instinctive for a pitcher to come toward home plate when a ball gets past the catcher.

[ScotlandRed]

Horrible 3-0ncall on Ross from the ump there, however the previous 2 pitches were strikes so they even themselves out.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Maddon: I'm not gonna sit here all day and watch us lose to these guys!


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[Tom Servo]

I feel like Finnegan has walked Ross every time he's seen him this year.

[Big Klu]

Maddon: I'm not gonna sit here all day and watch us lose to these guys!


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Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!

[Chip R]

Lackey wasn't even covering home though. I'd put it more on him.

Oh well, no need for me to focus on that. What a hell of a play by Billy. He just stole No. 21 on the season. 4-0 Reds.

You can't give errors because someone was supposed to do something. Like if a 1st baseman thinks the pitcher is covering 1st and he forgot to or was super late in getting there and the 1st baseman throw the ball anyway, that's an error on the 1st baseman even though it wouldn't have been an error if the pitcher had done what he was supposed to do.

[Big Klu]

Ross might get tossed if he turns around to question another pitch like that. A veteran like him should know better.

[Tom Servo]

5-0 Redlegs, couldn't happen to a nicer Lackey.

[Tom Servo]

Baez HR. 5-1 game.

[ScotlandRed]

Cubs pitchers seem to be getting a lot of pitches down and away to RH that Finnegan isn't.

Finnegan needs to attack hitters now. Too much nibbling the corners.

[Banshee]

That would be a hanger.

[Tom Servo]

Obviously the defense still needs work (to put it mildly), but it's worth noting Eugenio seems to have done something about his K issue. After bottoming out with his 4th golden sombrero game on 6/14, he's struck out just 14 times to 8 walks in his last 75 PAs (20 games, including today's) so far.

[Banshee]

Fastball's down the pipe to Bryant doesn't seem to be working.

[Tom Servo]

for god's sake just walk Bryant. Another HR. 5-2 game.

[ScotlandRed]

Just about seen enough of Kris Bryan for like, ever. Sad thing is this is going to be happening for years to come.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Beginning of the end.


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[Tom Servo]

9 HRs by Bryant against the Reds this season. Fire Bryan Price for that alone.

[BluegrassRedleg]

The lack of focus this staff collectively shares in its approach to Bryant is staggering. They treat this guy like he's an Average Joe.


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[CySeymour]

The sheer amount of home runs that this pitching staff gives up is maddening.

[Tom Servo]

Welp. 2 run HR Russell. 5-4 game.

Can we bring back Riggins?

[NC Reds]

Truly pathetic.

[RedTeamGo!]

Man. The Kansas City trio has been brutal recently.

[Tom Servo]

Horrible inning continues for Finnegan. Another walk.

[Tom Servo]

Cubs have hit 114 HRs this year. 26% of them have come against the Reds.

[NC Reds]

I still consider Finnegan a reliever in the big picture. I don't think he is a starter on a playoff team.

[TheBigLebowski]

Too many baseballs in your ballpark?

Call Lamb, Finnegan and Reed NOW.

Lamb, Finnegan and Reed. Reliable baseball disposal since 2015.

[Banshee]

Wick Terrell ‏@wickterrell 2m2 minutes ago
Kris Bryant has 9 dingers in 12 games against the Reds this year.

Reds catchers - all of them - have 6 dingers total in the last two years


Ouch.

[ScotlandRed]

I've mentioned it already, but how many down and away strikes is Lackey going to get that Finnegan isn't?

[Tom Servo]

I still consider Finnegan a reliever in the big picture. I don't think he is a starter on a playoff team.
I can see where he's a reliever, but keep in mind he's 23 and this is his first full season as a starter since college. We aren't a playoff team anytime soon anyway.

I'm just annoyed because I want to see SOME progress. Instead it's just more and more backsliding.

[OnBaseMachine]

Addison Russell has an OPS of 1.067 against the Reds this season. Against every one else? .620ish.

[Tom Servo]

Addison Russell has an OPS of 1.067 against the Reds this season. Against every one else? .620ish.
5 of his 10 HRs have come against the Reds lol

[Tom Servo]

Cozart double, Billy sac bunt, Votto sac fly. 6-4 Reds.

[Tom Servo]

Mark Sheldon ‏@m_sheldon 3m3 minutes ago
Finnegan 1st #reds pitcher with a 3- HR allowed inning since David Holmberg allowed 4 HRs to Dodgers in top 4th on 8/26/15.

MLB Statistics ‏@MLBRandomStats 8m8 minutes ago
4 NLers have at least 6 HR against a single team this season (Bryant, Story, Espinosa, Rizzo). 3 of the 4 are against the Reds.

[CySeymour]

Cozart double, Billy sac bunt, Votto sac fly. 6-4 Reds.

Was Hamilton bunting for a hit or a straight sacrifice?

[Tom Servo]

Finnegan K's Lackey to start the 4th and now it's time to face the top of the order again. Hold on to your butts.

[Big Klu]

Was Hamilton bunting for a hit or a straight sacrifice?

I think he was probably bunting for a hit, but he got credited with a SAC anyway.

It worked out, as Votto's sac fly plated the run.

[Tom Servo]

Finnegan somehow walks Baez, who never walks. 4 walks today to go with the 3 HRs allowed. Don't think I can watch anymore.

[CarolinaRedleg]

9 HRs by Bryant against the Reds this season. Fire Bryan Price for that alone.

Here's an idea, give him the Barry Bonds treatment and issue the IBB. At this point, one free base is better than his usual at-bat.

[membengal]

Finnegan somehow walks Baez, who never walks. 4 walks today to go with the 3 HRs allowed. Don't think I can watch anymore.

Some of us hold candles for Finnegan, some of us hold candles for Reed (me for sure), some of us have a candle lit for Lamb - and collectively we are all suffering 3rd degree burns at this point from that deal. Hoping against hope the new blood at pitching coach and Power being on the staff as well will help flip a switch with those three. Before our candle holding hands burn to the bone.

[Ron Madden]

Don't give this guy anything to hit

[ScotlandRed]

Hanging curve in the middle of the zone that Bryan luckily gets under.

[Big Klu]

I think Billy lost that one in the sun for a second before making the catch.

[ScotlandRed]

Broken record, 0-1 pitch down and away given strike to Lackey.

[Ron Madden]

Some of us hold candles for Finnegan, some of us hold candles for Reed (me for sure), some of us have a candle lit for Lamb - and collectively we are all suffering 3rd degree burns at this point from that deal. Hoping against hope the new blood at pitching coach and Power being on the staff as well will help flip a switch with those three. Before our candle holding hands burn to the bone.

I keep tellin myself
These guys are young, it's a rebuilding season.
These guys are young, it's a rebuilding season.
I'm going nuts talkin to myself.

[Tom Servo]

Some of us hold candles for Finnegan, some of us hold candles for Reed (me for sure), some of us have a candle lit for Lamb - and collectively we are all suffering 3rd degree burns at this point from that deal. Hoping against hope the new blood at pitching coach and Power being on the staff as well will help flip a switch with those three. Before our candle holding hands burn to the bone.
I still like the deal ye gods, stop the pain already with the HRs. Teach the guys to pitch down in the zone.

[Kingspoint]

I see no way possible they lose this game.

Reds 6
Cubs 4

Nice prediction.....if GOD could throw a lightening strike about now.

[BluegrassRedleg]

These pitchers are a joke. Fire all the pitching coaches you want. They're working with garbage.

[NC Reds]

Make it stop.

[ScotlandRed]

I'm bored of Finnegan in the rotation. Too much absolute junk and meatballs being tossed up their for batters to tee off on.

[Red Raindog]

ESPN has the Reds pitching staff at 147 HR's allowed --- I'm assuming they're up to 151 now --- that's ugly

[Tom Servo]

These pitchers are a joke. Fire all the pitching coaches you want. They're working with garbage.
Johnny Cueto allowed 29 HRs in his first season.

PS pretty sure we declared a moribund on 'garbage', which I know because it's been hard to avoid using that word of late.

[CySeymour]

These pitchers are a joke. Fire all the pitching coaches you want. They're working with garbage.

You expect everyone to come up and be an ace? Especially when they've had limited time in the minors?

[BluegrassRedleg]

Johnny Cueto allowed 29 HRs in his first season.

PS pretty sure we declared a moribund on 'garbage', which I know because it's been hard to avoid using that word of late.

How 'bout rubbish? :D

[Chuckie]

We play the Cubs far too much for my tastes.

[BluegrassRedleg]

You expect everyone to come up and be an ace? Especially when they've had limited time in the minors?

No. But I'd expect to see some adaptation, learning from mistakes, etc. We watch these guys make start after start with the same horrific approach and location.

They could actually learn a lot from watching Lackey out there today. He doesn't have his good stuff, he's walking a boatload of people, he's laboring... BUT he's not giving in to people.

[NC Reds]

Honestly, Reed and Garrett are the only two lefties I am interested in seeing in this rotation long-term. Tall, hard throwing, athletic dudes.

Complement them with Bailey, Stephenson and Desclafani and we may actually be watchable.

[BluegrassRedleg]

We play the Cubs far too much for my tastes.

Almost shed a tear when they said there's six more games remaining with them.

[Tom Servo]

I know nobody wants to hear it, but again, Finnegan skipped the minors almost entirely. He started in college but only his senior year did he throw a full workload of 100+ innings. He's younger than Robert Stephenson, and should theoretically be in AAA.

That said, the walks + HRs are completely brutal to watch. But don't necessarily throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[CySeymour]

No. But I'd expect to see some adaptation, learning from mistakes, etc. We watch these guys make start after start with the same horrific approach and location.

They could actually learn a lot from watching Lackey out there today. He doesn't have his good stuff, he's walking a boatload of people, he's laboring... BUT he's not giving in to people.

In Lackey's first full season in the big leagues, he gave up 31 homers. Sometimes, there are growing pains.

[ScotlandRed]

Good lord a bunt single to David god damn Ross

[faffy42]

Kind of a shame...this team could of been kinda decent this year if disco was healthy...bailey was healthy...rocco was healthy...iglesias was healthy...lamb was healthy...and we kept chapman for one more year.

[Rantly]

I keep telling myself that the Cubs are just that good offensively, and they are, but in the 7 games prior to the Cubs series in Cin., and the 4 games prior to this series, the Cubs were 1-10 averaging under 3 runs per game.

[Red Raindog]

Johnny Cueto allowed 29 HRs in his first season.

PS pretty sure we declared a moribund on 'garbage', which I know because it's been hard to avoid using that word of late.

Finnegan is on about the same pace --- 18/101 innings -- JC was 29/172

[Kingspoint]

It does remind me of the Little League World Series whenever the Cubs face us.

Maybe we should check their bats (since they think we intentionally throw at them, too).

[Raisor]

I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face:

Stop watching every game. It'll make you crazy.

[Red Raindog]

wow -- that's a nasty welt on the ump's arm -- Ross better be begging forgiveness

[Ironman92]

Not enough blame on Lackey for not covering home in time

[Rantly]

I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face:

Stop watching every game. It'll make you crazy.
I have cut way back in my viewing this year, but it's still making me crazy.

[11larkin11]

Ok that settles it. Iglesias pitches vs Bryant from now on. Do the Maddon thing and stash him in LF for the other batters until Bryant comes back up.


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[Red Raindog]

I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face:

Stop watching every game. It'll make you crazy.

11163


sad to tell you -- but it's too late

[Tom Servo]

Ok that settles it. Iglesias pitches vs Bryant from now on. Do the Maddon thing and stash him in LF for the other batters until Bryant comes back up.


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Buddy, you just convinced me you should be the Reds next manager.

[Ironman92]

If there was a metric for speed induced excitement...Billy would dominate it.

[Ron Madden]

Hahaha Billy gets a double on a flair just over the infield and then steals third

[Kingspoint]

Screw Jeremy Piven. He's a terrible actor. He wears that silly stubble beard in every role. He ruined a good story in the PBS series.

[Ron Madden]

Votto doubles
7-5 Reds

[BluegrassRedleg]

Classic Votto double.

[Tom Servo]

Votto looked terrible the other day against lefty Wood. Now comes back and hits an RBI double off him.

[Rantly]

Screw Jeremy Piven. He's a terrible actor. He wears that silly stubble beard in every role. He ruined a good story in the PBS series.
I don't know how he is in others roles but thought he was damn good in Entourage.

[BluegrassRedleg]

In Lackey's first full season in the big leagues, he gave up 31 homers. Sometimes, there are growing pains.

Fair enough. But we have a staff full of young Lackeys. That becomes a problem if some of them don't start learning from mistakes.

[Raisor]

11164
11163


sad to tell you -- but it's too late

[Big Klu]

I don't know how he is in others roles but thought he was damn good in Entourage.

He plays the same part in every film he's in.

[Raisor]

Fair enough. But we have a staff full of young Lackeys. That becomes a problem if some of them don't start learning from mistakes.

Han will have that shield down, but we gotta give him more time.

[ScotlandRed]

Screw Jeremy Piven. He's a terrible actor. He wears that silly stubble beard in every role. He ruined a good story in the PBS series.

But, Entourage man.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Han will have that shield down, but we gotta give him more time.

Cubs will just build another one.

[NC Reds]

I do like Iggy out of the pen. Good job.

[Banshee]

Iggy is bueno.

[RedTeamGo!]

Hopefully Bruce will get a hit next inning to avoid another 0'fer

[Kingspoint]

But, Entourage man.

His only way of acting happened to fit that role.

- - - Updated - - -

Would like to see a win here.

[Tom Servo]

Iggy is still our best starter lol

[BluegrassRedleg]

Iggy is still our best starter lol

Competes. Rarely flirts with the heart of the plate.

[Banshee]

Bruuuce oppage HR!

[ScotlandRed]

Oppo field HR for Jay. Really good to see that.

[NC Reds]

Bruuuuuuce

[Chuckie]

Kaaboom!

Shake it off, Cubbies.

[RedTeamGo!]

Hopefully Bruce will get a hit next inning to avoid another 0'fer

That'll do, pig. That'll do.

[Chuckie]

Look at Duvall working that walk. Impressive.

[Banshee]

Duvall BB. Is Haley's Comet due?:)

[11larkin11]

DuvWalk! Sound the alarms!


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[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. Jay Bruce - 226
8. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 210
9. Joey Votto - 206
10. Eric Davis - 203
11. Barry Larkin - 198
12. Vada Pinson - 186
12. Brandon Phillips - 186
14. Wally Post - 172
15. Gus Bell - 160
16. Joe Morgan - 152
16. Pete Rose - 152
18. Lee May - 147
19. Dan Driessen - 133
20. Reggie Sanders - 125
21. Ernie Lombardi - 120
22. Sean Casey - 118
23. Frank McCormick - 110
24. Todd Frazier - 108
25. Dave Parker - 107
26. Chris Sabo - 104
27. Dave Concepcion - 101

[BluegrassRedleg]

Pretty much the same names every time, but I love when Big Klu's list pops up. :)

[Chuckie]

Watching Billy and Iggy clown in the dugout is hilarious.

[Kingspoint]

Happy Birthday, Tony!

[NC Reds]

Any win over the Cubs is extra sweet.

[Big Klu]

http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CubsLFlag.jpg

https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/goat.jpg

[MikeS21]

You know, if the Reds could have some decent pitching, these games would be a whole lot more interesting.

[BLEEDS]

Cubs have hit 114 HRs this year. 26% of them have come against the Reds.

WHOA!! That's cray cray...

[Big Klu]

On pace for 59-103.

[Big Klu]

Now 5-6 on Bow Tie Tuesday!

[Wonderful Monds]

Cubs have hit 114 HRs this year. 26% of them have come against the Reds.

20% have come at the hands of JJ Hoover

[cumberlandreds]

Looks like the key to beating the Cubs is to hold them under 10 runs. If Reds pitching can do that they have a chance. Not sure its in them to do that the rest of this series.