5/12/06 - Reds vs. Phillies Game Thread

[toledodan]

maybe losing this game will help white be released. batting practice for philly!

[Reds Fanatic]

The nightmare is finally over.

[edabbs44]

:clap: :party: :clap: :party: :clap: :party: :clap: :party:

[PickOff]

Who commited the error?

[fisch11]

I am watching this game now out of morbid curiosity.

Me too. I want to see if the Reds can lose an out by batting out of order in the bottom.

[saboforthird]

When the commentator said "Four score..." I thought of "Four score and sixteen years ago, the Reds....".

[KYRedsFan]

Went to Wrigley today, 42 degrees and the Cubs sucked, again, and then I get to listen to this game. Major Leage Baseball, catch the fever.

[flyer85]

All right. All signs point to a purging of the bullpen. Wayne's been willing to pull the trigger so far. Will he show that this kind of junk cannot be tolerated at the ML level?the problem is there is no help in AAA

[edabbs44]

Who commited the error?
Whoever signed White.

[Reds Fanatic]

Who commited the error?Dunn back in the 7th comitted an error.

[KYRedsFan]

the problem is there is no help in AAA

Painfully aware of this. Wagner has shown nothing this year amongst others in Louisville.

[THNDRacket]

maybe losing this game will help white be released.

Unfortunately, we've said this before.

[kyred14]

When the commentator said "Four score..." I thought of "Four score and sixteen years ago, the Reds....".

The Reds sucked in 1910;)

They were OK in 1920 :D

[djsauter]

WHITE

HAMMOND

...all need to go retire. Get the heck off of this team.

Go enjoy the sunset in Florida.

[smith288]

6 run rally time!

[reds44]

WHITE

HAMMOND

...all need to go retire. Get the heck off of this team.

Go enjoy the sunset in Florida.
Hammond hasn't been that bad as of late.

[flyer85]

Painfully aware of this. Wagner has shown nothing this year amongst others in Louisville.then where do you go? This is not usually a time of year for much trading

[KronoRed]

Hats on.

[THNDRacket]

Me too. I want to see if the Reds can lose an out by batting out of order in the bottom.

Oh, no, you're not giving up hope are you? You were the only one that stayed optimistic through last night's game!

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips leads off with a walk.

[reds44]

Can somebody hit Dave Williams with a bus tonight/

[edabbs44]

Hammond hasn't been that bad as of late.

He's awful.

[fisch11]

Oh yeah! Rally time!



*Another beer*

[KronoRed]

then where do you go? This is not usually a time of year for much trading
I'd call Wagner up because it's at least something different.

[saboforthird]

Alright, rally time! Tomorrow night the score will be 10-2. :D

[flyer85]

Hammond hasn't been that bad as of late.but he was awful earlier. The problem is even bad pitchers have goodd stretches.

[Reds Fanatic]

Valentin flies out.

[reds44]

but he was awful earlier. The problem is even bad pitchers have goodd stretches.
awful doesn't even begin to describe him earlier.

[flyer85]

Can somebody hit Dave Williams with a bus tonight/heck he needs to pitch 6 or 7 innings tomorrow

[kyred14]

He's awful.

Sadly, right now he's the best left handed option

[edabbs44]

Lidge in the 7th...he's out as closer for now.

[saboforthird]

The Reds sucked in 1910;)

They were OK in 1920 :D

My logic was right, the math was wrong. I meant "four score" as in the number of runs the phillies pushed across the plate, and 16 years ago as in the last time the Reds truely made the playoffs.

[KYRedsFan]

then where do you go? This is not usually a time of year for much trading

Throw the calendar out the door when you have a team putting together a run like this with such a glaring handicap, that shouldn't be that expensive to fix.

[edabbs44]

Sadly, right now he's the best left handed option

That's why Kriv and Co has to get on the phone asap.

[flyer85]

Sadly, right now he's the best left handed optionwith as little as Mercker has pitched the back still has to be bothering him

[KronoRed]

That was low.

Not that it matters

[reds44]

with as little as Mercker has pitched the back still has to be bothering him
I thought he was dead?

Where has Merk been?

[flyer85]

Ump wants the game over. That pitch was not even close

[fisch11]

Wow. The ump wants this to be over too. Terrible call, ball 4.

[CTA513]

then where do you go? This is not usually a time of year for much trading

Might as well try AA.

[Falls City Beer]

Shackelford is the opposite of the answer.

[flyer85]

Throw the calendar out the door when you have a team putting together a run like this with such a glaring handicap, that shouldn't be that expensive to fix.the Reds are lacking trading chips

[KronoRed]

Q man up.

He'll deliver

[fisch11]

Hatteberg walks twice. Prediction: Reds lose 8-5.

[reds44]

walk.

[flyer85]

this guy might walk em back into it with some patience

Javy swung at two balls. Q needs to take two strikes

[KronoRed]

That kid needs Ritalin

[edabbs44]

Q man up.

He'll deliver

The game ender?

[saboforthird]

And, there's a girl putting on lipstick in the 9th inning. What's there to celebrate? ;) [EDITED: maybe that was chapstick]

[KYRedsFan]

the Reds are lacking trading chips

Freel

[KronoRed]

And, there's a girl putting on lipstick in the 9th inning. What's there to celebrate? ;)
Even in a loss you can still look good :D

[reds44]

Freel
I could get more in a trade right now then Freel could.

[KronoRed]

Freel still has a lot of value.

Call Oakland

[flyer85]

Freelhis groin is tight

[reds44]

take another Q

[KronoRed]

Bases loaded

[edabbs44]

Thanks DB.

[flyer85]

nobody can catch the ball tonight

[Gallen5862]

Reds44 are we getting a poster to be named later in a trade for you?:)

[reds44]

boots it!!!

[fisch11]

One swing, and this is interesting.

[saboforthird]

Even in a loss you can still look good :D

Not that I wouldn't tag her. :D

On another note, the game is starting to look interesting again. Bases juiced on a bobble at third.

[Matt700wlw]

If they pull this off again, I may pass out...

[KronoRed]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/JoeMolotov/Iwanttobelieve.jpg

[reds44]

Reds44 are we getting a poster to be named later in a trade for you?:)
I could at least get some cash along with the PTBNL.

[KYRedsFan]

Freel is certainly able to pull in bullpen help. We're talking someone better than this junk being fed to the wolves at present.

[edabbs44]

FLo...FLo...

[reds44]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/JoeMolotov/Iwanttobelieve.jpg
Thank God for you tonight Krono.

[fisch11]

Is he aware that there IS a strike zone?

[edabbs44]

Smallest and loudest the crowd has been

[saboforthird]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/JoeMolotov/Iwanttobelieve.jpg

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[KYRedsFan]

If Gordon is brought in, we win

[REDSEER]

If Gordon is brought in, we win
huh??????

[gitrdunn44]

Full count oh boy

[flyer85]

Freel is certainly able to pull in bullpen help. takes two to tango

[edabbs44]

That was ball 4

[KronoRed]

Walks in a run.

[edabbs44]

Walk this Way.

[flyer85]

that will be it

[reds44]

8-3


now we need Junior to get on and we will be talking.

[fisch11]

Wow this guy is terrible. Anybody getting even more frustrated with the bullpen now?

[saboforthird]

I'm getting heartburn. :eek:

[THNDRacket]

Santana was just getting his work in.

[flyer85]

there are moments when being a major league manager has to really suck

[REDSEER]

well.......here comes flash gordon..........it was good while it lasted

[smith288]

Too bad Griffey cant hit a 5 run shot.

[Gallen5862]

The game is getting interesting. Who is coming in to pitch?

[fisch11]

One more time Kid. What? Am I asking too much? ha

[reds44]

The game is getting interesting. Who is coming in to pitch?
Flash Gordon.

[REDSEER]

The game is getting interesting. Who is coming in to pitch?
It's gotta be the closer tom gordon

[gitrdunn44]

Walk! Can Griffey do it again????????

[fisch11]

well.......here comes flash gordon..........it was good while it lasted

I thought that last night with Eischen's .063 avg against lefties.

[reds44]

One more time Kid. What? Am I asking too much? ha
He just needs to get on base without making an out.

He isn't the tieing run.

[snowstorm]

I guess this is a bad time to point out that if White hadn't balked, the tying run would be at the plate now.

[smith288]

24/6 K/BB ratio

Got to swing the bat

[reds44]

I thought that last night with Eischen's .063 avg against lefties.
He has a 9+ ERA though.

[fisch11]

He just needs to get on base without making an out.

He isn't the tieing run.

Yes, but 8-7 would get you excited wouldn't it?

[fisch11]

He has a 9+ ERA though.

Against righties.

[reds44]

Yes, but 8-7 would get you excited wouldn't it?
Yes and pissed if we still lose.

[KronoRed]

Run scoring ground out.

[smith288]

Wonder why he swung

[flyer85]

wow, at least give the pitcher a chance to get into trouble

[fisch11]

RBI, whoohoo! Ha.

[reds44]

2 outs

[gitrdunn44]

We need you here Austin!

[Hap]

George just mis-spoke again. He said Kearns is the tying run. He is not.

[saboforthird]

Junior grounds into an out, run scores. Still down 8-4 with Ears at the plate.

[KYRedsFan]

Junior seems to never swing at the first pitch, must have liked that one alot for some reason.

[fisch11]

In my head. Kearns and Dunn back to back.

In reality.......reality sucks.

[reds44]

0-2

[fisch11]

Hmmm, interesting.

[KronoRed]

He didn't swing it wasn't a strike

[flyer85]

a break there

[KronoRed]

Game.

[REDSEER]

and its over....

[flyer85]

Gordon still has that nasty curve for an old guy

[fisch11]

Grande: Reds get two homers off young rookie.

Does he even watch the games?

[saboforthird]

They only got doubled up. At least it wasn't "doubled up and then some...". :D Who's the SP tomorrow?

[traderumor]

Well, the bullpen is back to expectations

[fisch11]

Dave then Brandon I believe.

[flyer85]

the pen is still really the soft underbelly of this team. If a team can make the Reds use 3-4 pitchers out of the pen they are likely to do very well.

[CTA513]

It must be nice to have a closer that has an ERA of 1.65 and who has struck out 25 batters in just over 16 innings.

[saboforthird]

It's sad with all the 6-7-8 ERA's in the bullpen.

[Falls City Beer]

The pen, the rotation: plenty of crap.

[reds44]

The pen, the rotation: plenty of crap.
Wow. You gonna blame this one on the Lizard somehow?

[flyer85]

The pen, the rotation: plenty of crap.before the season most felt that 5-6 of the pitchers on the staff were not up to the task. Nothing has happened to change that belief

[Falls City Beer]

Wow. You gonna blame this one on the Lizard somehow?

Not tonight. But if the Reds are serious, they've got to fix three rotation spots and virtually the entire bullpen.

[flyer85]

it could be worse, the Mets ran out Lima and Oliver tonight

[reds44]

Not tonight. But if the Reds are serious, they've got to fix three rotation spots and virtually the entire bullpen.
Or maybe just maybe the Lizard is coming into his own.

You know its not impossible for a 23 year old to improve right?

[CTA513]

The pen, the rotation: plenty of crap.

"The pen, rotation and defense: plenty of crap."

The Reds should use that as a slogan and put it on the tickets.

:devil:

[Falls City Beer]

before the season most felt that 5-6 of the pitchers on the staff were not up to the task. Nothing has happened to change that belief

With one high quality starter and a couple of hard throwers in the pen, they'd be fine. But three pitchers aren't going to be easy to find.

[CTA513]

before the season most felt that 5-6 of the pitchers on the staff were not up to the task. Nothing has happened to change that belief

Nothings changed, yet reporters and other people on TV wonder why nobody goes to watch the Reds. Put in a video of todays game and they will see why.

[reds44]

With one high quality starter and a couple of hard throwers in the pen, they'd be fine. But three pitchers aren't going to be easy to find.
You need 2, not 3.

[edabbs44]

Or maybe just maybe the Lizard is coming into his own.

You know its not impossible for a 23 year old to improve right?

I'll take him as the #5 this year no prob. I will be able to deal with the ups and downs of a 23 yr old. But when #3 and #4 and basically the whole bullpen suck, moves need to be made.

I'll be out there Memorial Day weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if we are 4 games out at that point.

[edabbs44]

Nothings changed, yet reporters and other people on TV wonder why nobody goes to watch the Reds. Put in a video of todays game and they will see why.

And people wonder why the owner won't spend money and he'll say that no one shows up for games.

[paintmered]

Elizardo has been more effective than Claussen or Williams. He wasn't spectacular tonight, but he has decent stuff and can spot his low 90's fastball. In a normal rotation, he would be a #5 guy.

Memo to the Reds: Give Elizardo some run support. Kthanks.

[paintmered]

And people wonder why the owner won't spend money and he'll say that no one shows up for games.

To give Bob some credit, he has never said that. It was the previous front office spewing that crap.

[edabbs44]

To give Bob some credit, he has never said that. It was the previous front office spewing that crap.

All I am trying to say is, they are currently in first and the seats are still empty. And for everyone who says, "look at tonight's game", were people sitting at home on a Friday night knowing they were gonna have a crap game? And other than that, who says the only time you can go to a game is b/c the team is a contender? It's a baseball game. Go to have a good time and see a game. Maybe if there were 35k per night showing up while they are in first place Castellini would be a little more motivated.

[paintmered]

All I am trying to say is, they are currently in first and the seats are still empty. And for everyone who says, "look at tonight's game", were people sitting at home on a Friday night knowing they were gonna have a crap game? And other than that, who says the only time you can go to a game is b/c the team is a contender? It's a baseball game. Go to have a good time and see a game. Maybe if there were 35k per night showing up while they are in first place Castellini would be a little more motivated.

Were you there tonight? Of course not. Pot. Kettle. Black.

It was 45 degrees and it rained during half the game. Don't think that didn't have anything to do with it.

[Falls City Beer]

I think the truth of this team has struck both Krivsky and Castellini at this point. It will be interesting to see which direction they take this season. I'm guessing they'll lay on the gas and go for it. I doubt it will be middle of the road wonkiness.

[edabbs44]

Were you there tonight? Of course not. Pot. Kettle. Black.

It was 45 degrees and it rained during half the game. Don't think that didn't have anything to do with it.

I get out of work at 6 pm. And since I work in NYC, it would be tough to get there for the first pitch.

[KronoRed]

I get out of work at 6 pm. And since I work in NYC, it would be tough to get there for the first pitch.
Slacker

;)

[paintmered]

I get out of work at 6 pm. And since I work in NYC, it would be tough to get there for the first pitch.

I'm aware of that. But it's dang easy to call out the fans for not going to the game when you are 400 miles away, isn't it?

It was brutally cold out there tonight.

[CTA513]

All I am trying to say is, they are currently in first and the seats are still empty. And for everyone who says, "look at tonight's game", were people sitting at home on a Friday night knowing they were gonna have a crap game? And other than that, who says the only time you can go to a game is b/c the team is a contender? It's a baseball game. Go to have a good time and see a game. Maybe if there were 35k per night showing up while they are in first place Castellini would be a little more motivated.

They wont be in first place long with only 2 good starters and 1 maybe 2 good relief pitchers. The bullpen is terrible and they probably have the worst defense in the majors. They could atleast try pitchers out from the minors without having to make a trade. Everyone knows this team is going to score runs, if you dont have good pitching and good defense it will catch up with you.

[edabbs44]

I'm aware of that. But it's dang easy to call out the fans for not going to the game when you are 400 miles away, isn't it?

It was brutally cold out there tonight.

Sure it's easy, but it's the truth. I get ripped apart by people out here b/c they see the highlights and tell me "They're in first and they had 14k there last night." How ridiculous is that? It's almost like the fans are taunting the team, telling them they'll start showing up if they're still in it come July.

Owners are business people too and when the fan base doesn't show up when they are in first place, where's the motivation to go out and spend some money? What happens if Bob drops $4 mil into the pitching staff and they don't get much better? No one shows and he just wasted money.

Everyone talks about walk-up ticket sales and when Pujols is in town they had 10k in walk-ups. To me, that sucks. Advance ticket sales is where it's at, b/c it is guaranteed revenue. You look at a lot of these larger market teams and they all have so many season tickets sold and whatever and they know they are going to have revenue coming in. Cincy owners have to be in first place to get attendance, and they won't know how much b/c the advance sales are awful.

I spend roughly $2k all in on an annual long weekend trip to go to 2 games with my wife. I bet there aren't that many fans in Ohio who spend that much money all season long, let alone two games.

[indyred]

Did the Indians just ax Graves, not that he is worth picking back up, but it does send a little message.....Reds should ax White....to get some guys rattled..

[edabbs44]

They wont be in first place long with only 2 good starters and 1 maybe 2 good relief pitchers. The bullpen is terrible and they probably have the worst defense in the majors. They could atleast try pitchers out from the minors without having to make a trade. Everyone knows this team is going to score runs, if you dont have good pitching and good defense it will catch up with you.
Everyone knows that, but doesn't anyone realize it is a lot easier for an owner to pump money into a team where fans actually show up? They are in first place. People should be at the park, the place should be rocking. Then Bob has an extra couple of mil in his pocket and now he's ready to go shopping. But when fans are saying "They're going nowhere, that's why I don't go", they are part of the problem and not the solution.

Btw, not accusing you there, just some fans in general.

[edabbs44]

Did the Indians just ax Graves, not that he is worth picking back up, but it does send a little message.....Reds should ax White....to get some guys rattled..

Literally ax him, right in the clubhouse.

[paintmered]

It's almost like the fans are taunting the team, telling them they'll start showing up if they're still in it come July.

I think that's exactly the situation. The fanbase hasn't bought into this team. And why should they? First place in May does not make a team a winner.

[CTA513]

Everyone knows that, but doesn't anyone realize it is a lot easier for an owner to pump money into a team where fans actually show up? They are in first place. People should be at the park, the place should be rocking. Then Bob has an extra couple of mil in his pocket and now he's ready to go shopping. But when fans are saying "They're going nowhere, that's why I don't go", they are part of the problem and not the solution.

Btw, not accusing you there, just some fans in general.

They are now tied for first with the Cardinals and have superstar Dave Williams pitching tomorrow.

:beerme:

[edabbs44]

I think that's exactly the situation. The fanbase hasn't bought into this team. And why should they? First place in May means the beat writers have something to talk about and that's about it.

There's nothing in the rules saying you can't go to a game unless they're in a pennant race. It's still a baseball game. But you are also funding the salaries of the team. I have a lot of faith in the new ownership and I think he will pump money into the team if/when he has a chance. But if they have 10k showing up, it would be a waste of time.

[edabbs44]

They are now tied for first with the Cardinals and have superstar Dave Williams pitching tomorrow.

:beerme:

And there will be 35k there b/c it's Dunn statue night. Then there will be 17k there on Sunday. They should give stuff away every game since that's the biggest draw in town.

[paintmered]

There's nothing in the rules saying you can't go to a game unless they're in a pennant race. It's still a baseball game. But you are also funding the salaries of the team. I have a lot of faith in the new ownership and I think he will pump money into the team if/when he has a chance. But if they have 10k showing up, it would be a waste of time.

I think Castellini realizes he needs to win back this fanbase through whatever means necessary. Asking the fanbase to win over the owner was the byproduct of the previous front office and a losing strategy.

[CTA513]

And there will be 35k there b/c it's Dunn statue night. Then there will be 17k there on Sunday. They should give stuff away every game since that's the biggest draw in town.

While there at the park they should be sure to buy one of thoes $6.50 bottles of beer.

:beerme:

[edabbs44]

I think Castellini realizes he needs to win back this fanbase through whatever means necessary. Asking the fanbase to win over the owner was the byproduct of the previous front office and a losing strategy.

It'd be nice if he had a little motivation though. No one expected this team to do much this year, so people should be enjoying it while it lasts.

[edabbs44]

While there at the park they should be sure to buy one of thoes $6.50 bottles of beer.

:beerme:

Better than $8.50 in the Bronx to wash down the $6.25 hot dog.

[CTA513]

Better than $8.50 in the Bronx to wash down the $6.25 hot dog.

Im surprised they havent started charging people to use the bathroom.

[paintmered]

It'd be nice if he had a little motivation though. No one expected this team to do much this year, so people should be enjoying it while it lasts.

What can he realistically be expected to do the second week of May?

[CTA513]

What can he realistically be expected to do the second week of May?

I wouldnt mind seeing them bring up some pitchers from AA and see if they can help out with the bullpen. If they are brought up and do poorly then they can be sent back down. But right now they are just sitting around hoping for the bullpen to improve.

[reds44]

I wouldnt mind seeing them bring up some pitchers from AA and see if they can help out with the bullpen. If they are brought up and do poorly then they can be sent back down. But right now they are just sitting around hoping for the bullpen to improve.
This isn't a video game. You can't play with young kids like that. It isn't that easy.

[KronoRed]

Im surprised they havent started charging people to use the bathroom.
Yet.

[edabbs44]

What can he realistically be expected to do the second week of May?

Build up some profit so, when he is able, he isn't worried about taking a bath b/c no one shows up.

[CTA513]

This isn't a video game. You can't play with young kids like that. It isn't that easy.

Young kids? A good portion of these guys in AA are 23-26 years old.
Everyone is ranting and raving about Cole Hamels and hes 23 years old and pitched a whopping 19 innings in AA (all in 2005) and 23 innings in AAA.

If they feel someone from AA can come up and help this team, then try it out. If it doesnt work you can send them back down to keep improving. AA to MLB is not a huge jump, its not like im saying take someone from the rookie league or low A and bring them up.

If theres nobody in AA then they have to go out and get someone, because theres almost nothing in AAA.

[edabbs44]

Young kids? A good portion of these guys in AA are 23-26 years old.
Everyone is ranting and raving about Cole Hamels and hes 23 years old and pitched a whopping 19 innings in AA (all in 2005) and 23 innings in AAA.

If they feel someone from AA can come up and help this team, then try it out. If it doesnt work you can send them back down to keep improving. AA to MLB is not a huge jump, its not like im saying take someone from the rookie league or low A and bring them up.

If theres nobody in AA then they have to go out and get someone, because theres almost nothing in AAA.
I'd call Wagner up tomorrow...he cannot be any worse than White.

[reds44]

I'd call Wagner up tomorrow...he cannot be any worse than White.
Ohhh yes he can be.

[KronoRed]

I doubt it, call him up just for new blood.

[CTA513]

I'd call Wagner up tomorrow...he cannot be any worse than White.

I believe hes got a nice 9.00 ERA in AAA.
The Reds should pay Wagners coach from college to see if he can fix him.

[reds44]

I believe hes got a nice 9.00 ERA in AAA.
The Reds should pay Wagners coach from college to see if he can fix him.
He was destroyed the day he was called up to the majors.

[CTA513]

He was destroyed the day he was called up to the majors.

He was destroyed after the Reds pitching coaches got a hold of him.

[flyer85]

He was destroyed after the Reds pitching coaches got a hold of him.He was a pitcher with very complicated mechanics which when they get out of whack make pitch command almost impossible. He had a hot season in 2003 but until he once again finds a repeatable delivery he won't have any success.

[Caveat Emperor]

This isn't a video game. You can't play with young kids like that. It isn't that easy.

At this point, I find it hard to believe the team isn't better off letting David Shafer take Rick White's innings, even with the given "growing pains" you'll get with a young kid being put into the bullpen.

The bullpen has to get better for this team to stay in it, and if that's where the help is, so be it.

[flyer85]

At this point, I find it hard to believe the team isn't better off letting David Shafer or Guevara or Medlock

[Caveat Emperor]

or Guevara or Medlock

I still think it's moronic that Calvin Medlock isn't starting in AA, but that's a rant for another forum. If I'm running this team, I strongly consider Guevara and Shafer replacing White and Shackleford tomorrow.

Here's the line on Shafer this season (AA):
(NOTE: K/9 of 12.5)

W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO
0 0 1.98 14 0 0 0 12 13.2 10 4 3 1 5 19
Line for Guevera (AA):
(NOTE: K/9 of 12.8, WHIP of just over 1)

W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO
0 1 2.66 13 0 0 0 0 20.1 14 6 6 2 7 29

[flyer85]

This team really needs to consider a DL trip for Mercker if he can't pitch. He has hardly been used and it seems like he would have been used one of the last two nights

[reds44]

I don't think Shack is bad. He had a case of rubber arm tonight because he has pitched alot the last 5 days.

[flyer85]

I don't think Shack is bad. He had a case of rubber arm tonight because he has pitched alot the last 5 days.Shack should be used strictly as a LOOGY

[TeamBoone]

05/13/2006 12:28 AM ET

Notes: Dunn leaves left for a game
Reds slugger makes first start of the season at first base
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Manager Jerry Narron called the move a "spot start," and said left fielder Adam Dunn would play first base once in a while. (David Kohl/AP)
Related Links


CINCINNATI -- One of the more scrutinized plans from this past offseason finally came to fruition on Friday -- at least temporarily.
Instead of playing left field, Adam Dunn started at first base in place of Scott Hatteberg against the Phillies.

"I thought you all would like that," manager Jerry Narron joked with reporters.

When former general manager Dan O'Brien traded longtime first baseman Sean Casey to the Pirates for pitcher Dave Williams in December, the Reds planned to shift Dunn to first so slugger Wily Mo Pena could play every day in left field.

The 26-year-old Dunn played several Spring Training games at first base.

"I thought that definitely was going to happen," Dunn said.

But the whole scenario ultimately went out the window once Pena was traded to the Red Sox for starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo in March. Dunn has continued to occasionally take ground balls at first base before games.

Don't read too much into this shift. With left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels starting for Philadelphia, Narron wanted to get utilityman Ryan Freel in the lineup. Freel, who batted lead off and played left field Friday, entered the night with a .429 batting average vs. lefties. The other first-base option, right-handed-hitting Rich Aurilia, is still on the disabled list.

"It's definitely not going to be an everyday thing," Narron said. "It's basically a spot start at first for Dunner. It's something we'll do once in a while to make sure we get guys on the field and keep them sharp and get our best glove out there."

The Reds will likely face a pair of lefties in the next series at Pittsburgh, and Narron didn't rule out using Dunn at first base in one of the games.

Some players chafe over changes to their regular routine. Not Dunn, who played 33 games at first base last season in place of Casey and has appeared in a handful of times there over the years.

"I don't mind it at all," Dunn said. "It gives me something else to do. It kind of takes your mind off everything and you can concentrate on something different."

It all didn't go smoothly. Dunn committed a costly fielding error on a Jimmy Rollins grounder in the seventh inning that led to the go-ahead run scoring.

Freel hurting: Freel left Friday night's game before the top of the sixth inning, reporting a tight left groin. He will be re-evaluated Saturday. Quinton McCracken replaced Freel, who went 0-for-3.

Staying with Stormy: Closer David Weathers was unsuccessful in converting save opportunities in Wednesday's and Thursday's wins over the Nationals, and he had a close call on Sunday at Arizona. Even though Todd Coffey has been the club's best reliever to this point, Narron had no plans to make adjustments with his bullpen.

Weathers has saved nine of 12 games and has a 3.86 ERA overall. Called on to protect a tight 1-0 lead Thursday, he almost got out of a jam in the ninth inning before pinch-runner Damian Jackson scored on a sacrifice fly. Austin Kearns' throw home was perfect, but catcher David Ross dropped the ball.

"The last couple of nights, David Weathers has not done a bad job," Narron said. "Last night, we could have very easily got out of that game. If Weathers was throwing poorly, it'd be another thing, but it's not."

In a setup role, Coffey entered the night with an 0.86 ERA and had allowed only 25 percent (2-of-8) of inherited runners to score.

"One thing about Todd Coffey is he's given us a chance to get to the ninth inning quite a few times this year," Narron said. "To move him out of that seventh-, eighth-[inning] role ... he's been spectacular there."

Junior plays: One day after his 11th-inning, three-run game-winning homer that beat the Nationals, Ken Griffey Jr. was back in the Reds' lineup despite even chillier and wetter conditions than Thursday. The game-time temperature was an unseasonable 50 degrees.

Narron had no plans to sit Griffey or tell him to go easy on what could be a slippery field.

"You play hard and you play all out," Narron said. "If you try and protect yourself against injuries, that's when you usually get hurt. Just play the game right. You can't worry about it."


http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060512&content_id=1450574&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[reds44]

"I don't mind it at all," Dunn said. "It gives me something else to do. It kind of takes your mind off everything and you can concentrate on something different."

Wow. "It gives me something else to do"

How about working on your fielding skills in left field?