4-24 Finale with the Fish -- no WMP

[Matt700wlw]

That "quad injury" must be keeping him out....

[paintmered]

Lineups?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[LvJ]

CINCINNATI FLORIDA
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Ryan Freel 2B .379 0 1 Juan Pierre CF .315 0 4
Ken Griffey Jr CF .200 0 3 Damion Easley 2B .182 0 1
Sean Casey 1B .258 0 3 Carlos Delgado 1B .333 2 9
Joe Randa 3B .281 4 12 Juan Encarnacion RF .290 3 19
Adam Dunn LF .300 4 9 Paul Lo Duca C .352 1 8
Austin Kearns RF .195 1 5 Mike Lowell 3B .176 2 8
Rich Aurilia SS .217 2 8 Jeff Conine LF .286 0 0
Jason Larue C .238 0 4 Alex Gonzalez SS .218 1 7
Brandon Claussen LHP .000 0 0 Brian Moehler RHP .000 0 0
(0-1, 5.40) (1-0, 2.13)

[OnBaseMachine]

Casey and Griffey still ahead of Dunn. :explode:

Lopez goes 2-3 with a homer yesterday..and is on the bench today.

[BadFundamentals]

should be Dunn batting 2 and Griff batting 5 :cool:

[buckshotrod]

Makes a lot of sense to my managerial mind..Griffey bats 2nd batting .200 and Ks more than my grandma. I like Miley but dag nab it, put his butt on the bench with jimenez so they can play with each other. I would start Cruz over Griff. don't get me wrong, he WAS a great player but you don't win by playing a guy that can't do it anymore and still don't know how to run out a "so called HR" that bounces off the fence!

[BadFundamentals]

I didn't realize it but Miley must subscribe to KRISP and understand that KRISPY hitters make good cleanup and 5 holers. Randa has cooled off but Miley keeping him in 4 hole on strength of his low strikeouts (for this team) and .308 RISP.

[SYCMiniBus]

Miley has the tough job of keeping Casey and Jr happy and also trying to get them rolling. If he drops them to the 5 and 6 hole or the 6 and 7 hole then he is running a risk of hurting their confidence and get them thinking even more. Then again keeping them so high in the order you run the risk of hurting your team. While I dont think Dunn should bat 5 I dont think he should bat 2 either. I would probably go: Freel, Casey, Dunn, Kearns, Jr., Randa, Aurillia, LaRue (with todays players). But normally I would put Pena in the 4 spot instead of Kearns and Lopez instead of Aurillia.

[Walkerforpres]

When it's broke.....don't fix it, I guess. Unbelieveable. Hoping for a solid Claussen performance today......

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel leads off with a hit

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel steals second

[LvJ]

Jr not running hard all the way?

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior grounds out to first, Freel goes to third. 1 out.

[Kc61]

That's exactly why Griffey should not hit second. A typical two hitter beats that out.

[Matt700wlw]

Nice running, Junior...I knew you had it in you :)

[LvJ]

Ok, never mind. He was. Good going Jr.

[Walkerforpres]

Why not? If Freel went to third (Sportsline hasn't gotten that far yet), then Griffey did his job for that AB.

[LvJ]

1-0 Reds

[Reds Fanatic]

Casey gronds out to short and drives in the run 1-0 Reds

[Reds Fanatic]

Randa flies out to end the inning.

[Walkerforpres]

Someone's been listening to George Grande's blather ("get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in). Nice job.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pierre grounds out to 1st. 1 out.

[Trace's Daddy]

Shouldn't the #2 batter lay down a bunt sometimes to advance the #1 guy when he's on? Would Griffey ever bunt?

[Reds Fanatic]

Easley flies out to second. 2 outs.

[RedsBaron]

Miley has the tough job of keeping Casey and Jr happy and also trying to get them rolling. If he drops them to the 5 and 6 hole or the 6 and 7 hole then he is running a risk of hurting their confidence and get them thinking even more. Then again keeping them so high in the order you run the risk of hurting your team. While I dont think Dunn should bat 5 I dont think he should bat 2 either. I would probably go: Freel, Casey, Dunn, Kearns, Jr., Randa, Aurillia, LaRue (with todays players). But normally I would put Pena in the 4 spot instead of Kearns and Lopez instead of Aurillia.
I'm much more interested in the team winning than I am in trying to keep Griffey and Casey "happy."

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm much more interested in the team winning than I am in trying to keep Griffey and Casey "happy."

My thoughts exactly.

Drop them down. If they don't like, oh well. Start hitting is all I can tell you.

[LvJ]

Awesome inning Santa.

[Reds Fanatic]

Delgado strikes out looking. Good inning for Claussen.

[Walkerforpres]

Claussen off to a good start.

[Kc61]

That's the best I've ever seen Claussen throw.

[OnBaseMachine]

Delgado takes strike 3.

Good inning from Claussen.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn grounds out to second. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Kearns lines a hit to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Aurlia strike out looking. 2 outs.

[oneupper]

My thoughts exactly.

Drop them down. If they don't like, oh well. Start hitting is all I can tell you.

Last year Casey was an RBI machine early out of the 5 spot (and the 6 spot). Then they moved him up.
Griffey hit 5th, 6th or cleanup most of the time.

Randa has never been a cleanup hitter.

I don't see why they would mind a switch. I think Miley has that "player sensitivity" stuff in his head and that's what's keeping him back (aside from the fact he's not very bright).

[Reds Fanatic]

Larue strikes out swinging. 1-0 Reds middle of the 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Encarnacion flies out to right. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lo Duca singles

[LvJ]

Dunn is silly.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lowell doubles. Looked like Dunn lost track of the ball.

[savafan]

Lowell doubles. Looked like Dunn lost track of the ball.

Not trying to knock Dunn, but would his defense at first hurt anymore than his defense in the outfield?

[Reds Fanatic]

Conine strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez is intentionally walked to get to the pitcher. Bases loaded with 2 outs.

[oneupper]

Moehler is career O for 32.

Hope he's not due.

[Little Alex]

Dunn's defense is offensive.

[LvJ]

What a play Claussen!

[Reds Fanatic]

Moehler grounds out to the pitcher to end the inning. 1-0 Reds after 2.

[SYCMiniBus]

I'm much more interested in the team winning than I am in trying to keep Griffey and Casey "happy."

With all do respect part of the reason you feel that way is because you are not the manager of the team and do not have to deal with them every day. There is more to being a manager then making out a lineup card. I do not know if a calculator will tell you that, but any actually manger will.

[Hoosier Red]

Conine strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

Just to point out, this strikeout was probably worse for the fish than if he had put a bat on the ball somewhere.

[Reds Fanatic]

Claussen flies out to left. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel gets another hit.

[Matt700wlw]

Again...Ryan Freel makes it tough to take him out of the everyday lineup

[OnBaseMachine]

Great atbat by Claussen! Flyout on the 9th pitch.

[Little Alex]

ahh Freel.

it aint rocket science. Luckily for Freel, Griffey doesn't play in the infield.

[LvJ]

:dancingco Nobody stoppin' Freel

[Matt700wlw]

...wow...Griffey's BA is now under 200 :eek:

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior gets an infield hit. 1st and 2nd with one out.

[LvJ]

Hey, a hit Jr. :)

[Little Alex]

Junior gets a base hit!!!! No hustle, and almost still got thrown out, AS USUAL. But at least he didnt spike himself.

[LvJ]

:bowrofl: :bowrofl: :bowrofl: Easley ..

[Chip R]

Just to point out, this strikeout was probably worse for the fish than if he had put a bat on the ball somewhere.Not if he had hit it back to the pitcher or the 3rd baseman or popped it up on the infield or hit a foul pop up or hit a nubber in front of the plate.

[Reds Fanatic]

Casey drives in a run with an infield hit. 2-0 Reds. 1st and 2nd with one out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Randa fouls out to first. 2 outs.

[Hoosier Red]

Not if he had hit it back to the pitcher or the 3rd baseman or popped it up on the infield or hit a foul pop up or hit a nubber in front of the plate.
BAH!

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn flies out to deep center. Inning over. 2-0 Reds middle of the 3rd.

[Chip R]

BAH!HUMBUG!

[Reds Fanatic]

Pierre grounds out to first. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Easley grounds out to short. 2 outs.

[LvJ]

That's a real OFer for ya. Good play Kearns.

[Reds Fanatic]

Delgado flies out to right. 1-2-3 inning for Claussen. 2-0 Reds after 3.

[Little Alex]

great catch by Kearns.

[Reds Fanatic]

Kearns with another solid hit to right.

[LvJ]

Kearns 2-2 :beerme:

[Little Alex]

Kearns... nice hit too.

[Reds Fanatic]

Aurilia grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.

[Reds Fanatic]

Larue lines out to second. 2-0 Reds middle of the 4th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Encarnacion leads off with a walk

[Reds Fanatic]

Lo Duca flies out to center. 1 out.

[LvJ]

Good play Jr.

[LvJ]

Earthquake in Fl. ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Lowell walks. 1st and 2nd with one out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Conine strikes out looking on a nice pitch on the outside corner. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez flies out to the warning track in left. 2-0 Reds after 4.

[oneupper]

Conine strikes out looking on a nice pitch on the outside corner. 2 outs.

Good thing Conine is in for Cabrera today. :D

[Reds Fanatic]

Claussen grounds out to the pitcher. 1 out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Claussen has seen 15 pitches in his 2 atbats today. Impressive.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel grounds out to the pitcher. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior flies out to third. 2-0 Reds middle of the 5th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Moehler grounds out to second.

[oneupper]

Moehler grounds out to second.


OH for 34...

[Reds Fanatic]

Easley lines out to third. Nice catch by Randa. Inning over. 2-0 Reds after 5.

[oneupper]

7 pitch inning for Brandon.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice 7 pitch inning for Claussen. 83 pitches through 5.

He can probably go 1 more inning.

[Reds Fanatic]

Casey lines a hit to center.

[Matt700wlw]

Is Sean Casey coming out of his slump?

[OnBaseMachine]

I'd like to see Dunn connect for a HR this inning...

[Reds Fanatic]

Randa lines out to center. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn walks, 1st and 2nd with one out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Kearns strikes out looking. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Aurilia flies out to second. 2-0 Reds middle of the 6th.

[westofyou]

Maybe Claussen can school Aurilia on the advandages of working the count?

The guys saw at most 4-5 pitches in his 3 ab's today, just plain sad.

[Reds Fanatic]

Delgado hit by the pitch to lead off the inning.

[oneupper]

Maybe Claussen can school Aurilia on the advandages of working the count?

The guys saw at most 4-5 pitches in his 3 ab's today, just plain sad.

Absolutely. Claussen 15 pitches in two ABs.

[RFS62]

Claussen at 90 pitches

[Reds Fanatic]

Encarnacion flies out to center. 1 out.

[Kc61]

Absolutely. Claussen 15 pitches in two ABs.

Well, Kearns worked the count just before RA and got called out. Sometimes hitting the first pitch is good. The problem today is that Aurilia isn't hitting it very well.

[oneupper]

Well, Kearns worked the count just before RA and got called out. Sometimes hitting the first pitch is good. The problem today is that Aurilia isn't hitting it very well.

I get your point, but not a good example. Kearns fouled off two pitches before taking strike three.

So he was actually swinging from the start.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lo Duca lines a hit to right. 1st and 2nd with one out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Valentine coming in to pitch.

[oneupper]

Lo Duca lines a hit to right. 1st and 2nd with one out.

Time to yank Brandon...he's done.

[Matt700wlw]

Claussen pitched well today...would have been nice to get him through the sixth, but he pitched 5 solid innings

[Reds Fanatic]

Lowell strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[westofyou]

Sometimes hitting the first pitch is good.

Sure it is, but RA's a hacker and has never learned to take a walk yet.

6th inning pitch counts rise, work on that a bit...plus he hacked at the 1st pitch in his last ab.

3.56 pitches per plate apperance for RA in his career, 4440 ab's with an itchy trigger finger.

[Reds Fanatic]

Conine flies out to center. Good job by Valentine to get out of the inning and a good start by Claussen. 2-0 Reds after 6.

[Matt700wlw]

Valentine has come around....he's been pitching well

[Reds Fanatic]

Larue strikes out looking. Pitch looked inside. Cruz pinch hitting for Valentine.

[Little Alex]

LaRue talking smack. Too funny.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cruz grounds out to second. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel strikes out swinging. 2-0 Reds middle of the 7th

[oneupper]

Seven measly singles and two runs off Brian "CY"' Moehler. That's the definition of collective slump.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wagner in to pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez grounds out to third. Castillo pinch hitting for Moehler.

[Reds Fanatic]

Castillo ground out to second. Nice Play by Freel!

[Little Alex]

I sense a Freel benching after today... ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Pierre grounds out to second. 2-0 Reds after 7.

[OnBaseMachine]

9 pitch inning for Wagner. Keep him in for the 8th.

[Caveat Emperor]

Memo to: DANNY GRAVES
Re: How to pitch an effective inning of relief.
Date: 4/24/05

See: Wagner, Ryan.

Love,
Reds Management

[Matt700wlw]

9 pitch inning for Wagner. Keep him in for the 8th.

...and the 9th

[Reds Fanatic]

Perisho in to pitch for Florida. Junior strikes out looking. 1 out.

[Matt700wlw]

Griffey......

....sigh

[Little Alex]

OMJ:K

[oneupper]

Last year Griff took this guy yard for a three run jack...sigh...

[Kc61]

Casey seems to be finding his stroke.

[Matt700wlw]

Casey starting to look like Casey!

[Reds Fanatic]

Casey doubles his 3rd hit of the game. This is the best Casey has looked in a long time.

[Little Alex]

Gotta love Casey.

[oneupper]

Casey has been having a lot of trouble with pitches inside (ground outs).

[Super_Barry11]

It's the birthday boy!!!!!! :)


(I love the guy, but I hope we hit him hard here!) ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Jones in to pitch for the Marlins

[Little Alex]

Smiley Randa... a great pickup to be sure. Even if he did just pop it up.

[oneupper]

So much for "breaking up the righties"' :p:

[Reds Fanatic]

Randa flies out to 1st. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Intentional walk to Dunn.

[Caveat Emperor]

Casey seems to be finding his stroke.

I believe it was WOY that made the excellent point during one of the pirate game threads that contact hitters, like Casey, are prone to horrific types of slumps because they'll go through prolonged periods of making weak contact and routine groundouts that result in double plays and rally-killing moments.

It's especially true with Casey, who lacks to the speed to beat out some of those infield slaps.

It's just something that you have to deal with when you've got a player like him. ..and it is good to see him on the upswing.

[Reds Fanatic]

Kearns grounds out to short. Still 2-0 Reds middle of the 8th.

[Playadlc]

I'm starting to worry just a tad bit about Austin Kearns.

[Reds Fanatic]

Easley walks to lead off the inning

[PuffyPig]

I'm starting to worry just a tad bit about Austin Kearns.

He's looked better today with 2 hard hit singles.

[westofyou]

I'm starting to worry just a tad bit about Austin Kearns.

He has 2 hits today, I'm more worried why Miley keeps batting a guy in the 4th slot who was 3-26 since the Reds played the Cardinals.

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds pitchers always find a way to walk hackers like Easley.

[CincyRedsFan30]

He has 2 hits today, I'm more worried why Miley keeps batting a guy in the 4th slot who was 3-26 since the Reds played the Cardinals.

So am I.

Randa is NOT a cleanup hitter. I'm sure he's pressing there and he's not hitting as a result.

He needs to bat 5th or 6th right now.

[Reds Fanatic]

Delgado grounds into a 4-6-3 double play!

[OnBaseMachine]

Double play!

[KronoRed]

Double play :clap:

[Reds Fanatic]

Encarnacion grounds out to short. 2-0 Reds after 8.

[CincyRedsFan30]

Nice work by Wagner!

[Matt700wlw]

Gotta love Ryan Wagner

[MasonBuzz3]

wags is filthy

[Trace's Daddy]

Need to get an insurance run...I have a feeling that things will be getting exciting in the bottom of the 9th

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

note to reds offense-you are allowed to get more than 2 runs a game

[CincyRedsFan30]

I would really like at least one run in the 9th here. Otherwise we could certainly have a Grave(s) Situation on our hands.

[KronoRed]

Need to get an insurance run...I have a feeling that things will be getting exciting in the bottom of the 9th

2 should be enough, Graves lets one guy in then shuts em down :D

[flyer85]

Everybody ready for Mr Excitement, Full Pack ... Don Sta ... er Danny Graves.

[Reds Fanatic]

Aurilia doubles to lead off the inning

[CincyRedsFan30]

Aurilia doubles!

[Reds Fanatic]

Good bunt by Larue to get Aurilia to third. Jimenez pinch hitting for Wagner.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jimenez with a weak line drive to second. 2 outs. Jimenez now 3 for 36 batting left handed.

[OnBaseMachine]

Why waste an out with LaRue? Dumb move by Miley, imo.

[PuffyPig]

Why waste an out with LaRue? Dumb move by Miley, imo.

Of course, If Jimenez hits a SF, it would have been a good move.

Moving a runner to third with one out is not wasting an out.

We scored in the first by doing that.

[KronoRed]

That looked outside...oh well..Graves time ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel strikes out looking. Reds again strand a runner at third. 2-0 Reds middle of the 9th.

[Super_Barry11]

Happy Birthday, Todd Jones...

Now let's get 3 outs here and WIN!!!

[CincyRedsFan30]

So much for getting that run.

[Matt700wlw]

Hold your breath, everyone....

[RedSchmo2]

Jiminez is a piece of crap. I was all for the bunt until I saw Jiminez pinch hitting. Lopez, as bad as he is was a better option after his showing yesterday.

Anyway... here comes the scare with Graves.

[Raisor]

Jiminez is a piece of crap. .

Easy, killer.

[OnBaseMachine]

Of course, If Jimenez hits a SF, it would have been a good move.

Moving a runner to third with one out is not wasting an out.

We scored in the first by doing that.

I like to play for more than 1 run.

[Little Alex]

Hold your breath, everyone....

:beerme: Yep...

[Caveat Emperor]

They really need a little smiley face that's praying for when Danny Graves comes in to pitch...

[Little Alex]

Woah... go Reds, but that was ball 4

[westofyou]

Danny Graves creates tension like a Tribble creates other Tribbles.

[Matt700wlw]

They really need a little smiley face that's praying for when Danny Graves comes in to pitch...

:pray:

[Little Alex]

there's ball 5 for the walk

[flyer85]

boo yah

[Reds Fanatic]

Lo Duca walks. The Danny Graves rollercoaster ride begins.

[MasonBuzz3]

time for the most exciting 3 outs in baseball....
lead-off walks are always fun :doh:

[KronoRed]

How bout..

Danny loads the bases, beans a run in then gets a triple play ;)

[Caveat Emperor]

Danny Graves creates tension like a Tribble creates other Tribbles.

...and, ironically enough, I wouldn't be too terribly against beaming Danny Graves to a Klingon ship...

[westofyou]

Jiminez is a piece of crap.

Hidy Ho

http://www.opposable-thumbs.com/invite98/images/hanky_animated.gif

[flyer85]

time for the most exciting 3 outs in baseball....
that may be very optimistic

[Little Alex]

ouch.

[Raisor]

Danny Graves creates tension like a Tribble creates other Tribbles.


Tribbles, as far as Dr McCoy can tell, are born pregnent.

Just sayin

[westofyou]

Tribbles, as far as Dr McCoy can tell, are born pregnet.

Just sayin

Hack

[Reds Fanatic]

Lowell with a deep fly out to left. 1 out.

[Gainesville Red]

He's got a thing for getting outs at the warning track.

[PuffyPig]

I like to play for more than 1 run.

With a 2 run lead in the 9th, playing for 1 run is just smart baseball.

[Little Alex]

Danny does make it interesting, doesn't he...

[Reds Fanatic]

Conine flies out to center. Cabrera coming in to pinch hit.

[Chip R]

With a 2 run lead in the 9th, playing for 1 run is just smart baseball.I agree. Especially with Graves pitching.

[OnBaseMachine]

With a 2 run lead in the 9th, playing for 1 run is just smart baseball.

Not in my book. I am playing for the big inning.

[Edskin]

Danny does make it interesting, doesn't he...

Yes, if you find heart attacks interesting :)

[Reds Fanatic]

Lo Duca steals second.

[Little Alex]

wow... I know one umpire that seems to want to go early...

[PuffyPig]

Lo Duca steals second.

Fielder indifference, no SB.

[Little Alex]

ho boy....

[Reds Fanatic]

Broken bat hit for Cabrera 2-1. Lenny Harris coming in to pinch hit.

[Gainesville Red]

C'mon, just give me one more.

[KronoRed]

2-1

Never ever bring Graves in with a 1 run lead ;)

[Trace's Daddy]

Here we go!

[flyer85]

shoulda stayed with the offspeed

[Gainesville Red]

an intresting strike zone today.

[westofyou]

Think Danny is thinking about that Sandwich comment from 97?

[Gainesville Red]

Harris looks like he's better off w/o the sandwich. Walks by the way, c'mon, Graves, one more, pretty please.

[Reds Fanatic]

Harris walks. 1st and 2nd with 2 outs.

[Edskin]

Never ever bring Graves in with a 1 run lead

Take off the "1 run lead" part and I agree 100%

[flyer85]

he may walk in the a run

[OnBaseMachine]

Walks Lenny Harris. Good grief.

[KronoRed]

Harris walks

Casey goes out to let Danny know what a closer is supposed to do :D

[BoydsOfSummer]

Graves makes my chest hurt.

[Walkerforpres]

I don't understand the 'prevent' defense by Dunn on that Cabrera hit. That ball would have been caught with normal depth in the outfield.

[Edskin]

In all seriousness, I truly do question Miley's intelligence by insisting that Graves be the closer. It honestly baffles me.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pierre strikes out. Reds Win 2-1!!!

[Walkerforpres]

Reds win! Whew.

[Raisor]

I wish I could find my ABC picture for Danny.

[flyer85]

he has better command with the curve

[OnBaseMachine]

Ballgame.

Reds win!

[westofyou]

I don't understand the 'prevent' defense by Dunn on that Cabrera hit. That ball would have been caught with normal depth in the outfield.

Coaches set the defense, Knight was good at it. This years crew not so good.

[KronoRed]

Reds win :clap: :clap:

Do the Marlins need a closer? Graves can be had ;)

[Caveat Emperor]

...clear!

...clear!

Alright, I'm back...

[Walkerforpres]

Pierre has now struck out 2 times in 78 ABs. Think Dunn/Griffey/Kearns/Pena/anyone on the Reds could take a hint? :)

[CincyRedsFan30]

Graves is just money! ;)

[flyer85]

In all seriousness, I truly do question Miley's intelligence by insisting that Graves be the closer. It honestly baffles me.I would agree if you could be sure Graves wouldn't be the setup man

[Trace's Daddy]

Good pitching --> up until Graves. :)

[RedSchmo2]

Graves has to go from the Closer's role. He does not have closer's stuff and he has completely lost his control from the pre-Starter days.

Great job by Claussen! That is the good news amongst a lot of bad this weekend.

[Reds Nd2]

Of course, If Jimenez hits a SF, it would have been a good move.

It would have been a miracle. He's had 10 SF's for his career. A career .382 SLG combined with a career 1.31 G/F ratio makes the chances of D'Lo hitting a sac fly rather remote.

[KronoRed]

Pierre has now struck out 2 times in 78 ABs. Think Dunn/Griffey/Kearns/Pena/anyone on the Reds could take a hint? :)

They should ground out instead? ;)

[PuffyPig]

One thing I noticed today was that Graves' stuff was much better. He really didn't throw up much in the way of hittable pitches. Cabrerra's single was on a very good pitch, and Carerra was lucky to get a hit on it.

Who would have thought that Graves could strike out Pierre to end the game. A non- strike -out pitcher gets the leagues hardest batter to K on 3 straight unhittable pitches.

While the results show that Graves gave up his customary 1 run when he could, I think that he got there in a different way.

He looked better than any game this season.

[adampad]

Did Pierre swing at a bad pitch?

[Kc61]

Graves, right now, is not the problem. The offense is.

[ramp101]

It's nearly impossible to strike out JP, that was flat out wicked by Graves

good win for you guys today... kept our bats at bay

that wasnt supposed to rhyme

[SYCMiniBus]

Graves has shown a very good to great curve this season. The problem is he can not locate his "sinker". Not only can he not locate it, but it doesnt move. He is throwing a sinker that doesn't sink. I do not have a super slow mo TV or a good angle so I do not know if he is not getting on top of the ball or what the problem is. But I would imagine that at some point that sinker will start to sink again. That being said it is tough to do better then 7 for 7.

[CincyRedsFan30]

A few things to watch for at Wrigley Field when it comes to this slumping offense breaking out:

# 1: Kearns has hit 4 HR there... his highest non-GABP total

# 2: Dunn has 8 HR in 90 AB there

# 3: Aurilia has hit pretty well there

[Walkerforpres]

One thing I noticed today was that Graves' stuff was much better. He really didn't throw up much in the way of hittable pitches. Cabrerra's single was on a very good pitch, and Carerra was lucky to get a hit on it.

Who would have thought that Graves could strike out Pierre to end the game. A non- strike -out pitcher gets the leagues hardest batter to K on 3 straight unhittable pitches.

He looked better than any game this season.

I agree. I was saying to no one in particular that Graves' stuff looked better than it had at any point this year by miles. He was throwing some nasty stuff to Lowell and Cabrera.

[Puffy]

He looked better than any game this season.

You mean besides the two walks?

[Chip R]

You mean besides the two walks?Wagner walked a couple guys today too, no?

[Mutaman]

Why waste an out with LaRue? Dumb move by Miley, imo.

Yesterday somebody complained about Miley not bunting when he was down 4-0. Today somebody complains when he bunts in an obvious sacrifice situation. In both cases the posters were so adament that they were right that they called Miley stupid and dumb for not following their second guess. No comment.

[KronoRed]

Wagner walked a couple guys today too, no?

Well yeah, but Wagner has those cool socks ;)

[Bobcat J]

Wagner walked a couple guys today too, no?

Wagner walked only 1 in 2 innings. It was his first BB of the season.

[OnBaseMachine]

Yesterday somebody complained about Miley not bunting when he was down 4-0. Today somebody complains when he bunts in an obvious sacrifice situation. In both cases the posters were so adament that they were right that they called Miley stupid and dumb for not following their second guess. No comment.

I would have still disagreed with the move, even if Jimenez hit a sac fly. I would rather play for more than just the one run.

[westofyou]

Wagner walked only 1 in 2 innings.

And he threw a larger percentage of strikes and he had a 6-0 GB-FB ration (pretty good for a K pitcher) Graves on the other hand had 2 FO's and a K

Pitches - K's
R Wagner 20-13;
D Graves 30-16;