Game Thread - Reds vs. Cubs - May 31, 2006

[EKURed]

Reds (28 - 24)
2nd in NL Central
Cubs (20 - 31)
5th in NL Central

Starting Lineup

Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. R Freel, 2B .252 1 7 11
2. F Lopez, SS .290 5 19 16
3. K Griffey Jr., CF .248 6 26 0
4. A Dunn, LF .236 17 32 1
5. A Kearns, RF .286 10 32 2
6. S Hatteberg, 1B .282 3 11 0
7. E Encarnacion, 3B .262 6 30 0
8. J LaRue, C .194 3 9 0
9. E Milton, P .222 0 0 0

Starting Lineup

Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. J Pierre, CF .235 0 4 16
2. N Perez, 2B .204 0 11 0
3. M Barrett, C .285 6 24 0
4. A Ramirez, 3B .244 9 25 1
5. T Walker, 1B .317 3 26 0
6. M Murton, LF .287 4 20 2
7. J Jones, RF .279 8 26 0
8. R Cedeno, SS .289 1 14 5
9. C Zambrano, P .048 0 0 0

Starting Pitcher
Name W L ERA* WHIP K
E Milton 2 2 5.52 1.32 24

Starting Pitcher
Name W L ERA* WHIP K
C Zambrano 3 2 3.45 1.36 79

[EKURed]

At least one thing about tonight is better...Freel is leading off instead of batting 8th. How in the world can Ryan Freel be in the lineup like last night and bat 8th with Hatteberg hitting 2nd? Makes no sense, especially since Freel is the Reds' best leadoff hitter (when in the lineup) and Lopez is their best #2 hitter.

[edabbs44]

I like this lineup. Narron should choose one and stick with it. He's like a psychopathic bingo caller.

[TOBTTReds]

I like this lineup. Narron should choose one and stick with it. He's like a psychopathic bingo caller.

I like this lineup too. I think he should have mixed it up a bit before because we had NOTHING going for us. But when that doesn't work, which it didn't, go back to what got us hot.

We need this win bad.

[SeeinRed]

Don't know how many of you saw the starters' ERA for April and May on Real Reds, but it was quite interesting. I can't recall the specific numbers, but the reds starters were 12th in that category in April, and 4th in May. just looking at that, the Reds starters have done enough to win. Numbers can be misleading, especially in baseball, but who'd have thought that the starters' would be doing as well as they are up to this point. Just an interesting piece of information. I'm surprised at the interesting things that come up on Real Reds sometimes.

[GridironGrace]

All you gotta do is get into Zambrano's head a little get him mad and he turns into 2005 Milton/2006 Williams Clone

[Patrick Bateman]

All you gotta do is get into Zambrano's head a little get him mad and he turns into 2005 Milton/2006 Williams Clone

I think that's kind of a over-hyped belief. Zambrano seems pissed off every time he takes the hill, but he's generally an awesome pitcher.

[Gallen5862]

This is the first chance I have been able to see the Reds on tv in well over a month. I hope it brings us luck. Did Yan make it to the game?

[billy117]

I like this lineup. Narron should choose one and stick with it. He's like a psychopathic bingo caller.

I like this line up also, but i like phillips in there when he is healthy.

[Tornon]

Zambrano throws a ball low and we are underway

[Tornon]

Freel lines a leadoff single to right

[Tornon]

Lopez takes three pitches, three strikes. 1 out

[REDSEER]

Freel leads the game off in the right way...I'm pretty optimistic for this game, I don't know why though :confused: I think that our team hits fireballers better than finesse pitchers...

[saboforthird]

This is the first chance I have been able to see the Reds on tv in well over a month. I hope it brings us luck. Did Yan make it to the game?

They said Yan is there and an in uniform. Hey, it's a warm body. :D

[billy117]

he called it there just a pitch ago, what are you looking at

[REDSEER]

And where exactly was Cedeno trying to throw the ball there??

[Tornon]

Griffey grounds it right through the shift and the cubs decide to play pinball with their park and we end up first and third

[Gandalf the Red]

I'm sure Womack woulda had that ;)

[Tornon]

Double error for Cedeno there

[REDSEER]

:lol: Cedeno with two errors on the play :lol:

[Tornon]

Dunn walks on four pitches

[REDSEER]

How bout some early lightning here...we need a spark.....

[Tornon]

kearns Ks on 3 pitches, 2 out

[saboforthird]

Austin needs a tuneup in his hitting mechanics. K's swinging for the fences on 3 pitches.

[REDSEER]

Kearns K's......gees he looks like a Wily Mo clone out there......

[billy117]

boy blue is giving Z a bit extra on that edge tonight

[Tornon]

Hatteberg grounds to second, if Zambrano keeps getting that outside corner stretched like that there is no way we hit him. No score middle of one

[saboforthird]

THAT was a freaking ball. And, damn, the umpire calls a ball on the same exact pitch. Who's crazier, Zambrano or the plate umpire?

[EKURed]

Looks like a

W I D E

zone tonight....

[REDSEER]

Let's hope for another great outing for Milton

[Tornon]

Pierre singles up the middle

[butlerbulldogs]

for people watchingn the game zambrano had like 4 people love to face, and 1 hates to face

milton had 1 love to face, 3 hate to face
LOL

[Boston Red]

Is it just me, or did mlb.tv switch from the Cubs to the Reds telecast mid-inning?

[billy117]

that's scary i hope it isn't one of those nights for milty

[redsfan4445]

why does LaRue keep getting a start over Ross who even started a rally with a drag bunt? is hitting real good? oh i forgot. LaRue makes more money.. to me.. if i am Narron i start Ross. who cares what LaRue makes

[Tornon]

With Pierre running, Perez flies to Dunn. 1 out

[Patrick Bateman]

It's about their career's, not a handful of games. LaRue has been a far superior hitter in their respective careers. That's why he gets the bulk of the starts.

[billy117]

why does LaRue keep getting a start over Ross who even started a rally with a drag bunt? is hitting real good? oh i forgot. LaRue makes more money.. to me.. if i am Narron i start Ross. who cares what LaRue makes
I agree 100% Ross should definetly start, what does larue do for us over ross?

[REDSEER]

why does LaRue keep getting a start over Ross who even started a rally with a drag bunt? is hitting real good? oh i forgot. LaRue makes more money.. to me.. if i am Narron i start Ross. who cares what LaRue makes
It really confuses me......Although his career numbers might not show it, Ross has been the most impressive catcher this year for the Reds...I don't see why you don't ride the hot hand.

Larue hasn't played well enough to get any starts this year....if this really is about money, then we need to get him out of here.

[Tornon]

Barrett pops to Lopez, 2 out

[Tornon]

Ramirez drives the first pitch to Kearns, No score after 1

[billy117]

It's about their career's, not a handful of games. LaRue has been a far superior hitter in their respective careers. That's why he gets the bulk of the starts.
true but larue is hitting under 200 right now, let ross play a few games and if he doesn't keep hitting then fiine.

[REDSEER]

Ramirez flies to Kearns....Milty is getting his normal fly outs tonight......:help:

[EKURed]

"At the warning track?" Is my TV on the right game???

[redsfan4445]

George Grande drives me crazy.. made that last out like it was going to the wall and he didnt even get to the warning track, but says he catches it at the warning track!!..lol

[redsfan4445]

that pitch was LOW

[Tornon]

Encarnacion grounds to short, 1 out

[Tornon]

LaRue grounds to short, 2 out

[Tornon]

Milton grounds to third, No score middle of 2

[edabbs44]

It's about their career's, not a handful of games. LaRue has been a far superior hitter in their respective careers. That's why he gets the bulk of the starts.
LaRue is a black hole in the lineup right now and Ross should be seeing more time. How long do you give him?

[Tornon]

Walker flies to Dunn, 1 out

[Patrick Bateman]

LaRue is a black hole in the lineup right now and Ross should be seeing more time. How long do you give him?

He's a slow starter. I give him at least another month. In the long run, he will likely be our best catcher this season.

[edabbs44]

Yan is in uniform...look out Waverly Street.

[redsfan4445]

how was that 2nd pitch NOT a strike to murton???

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

i know its only in the second but its already a carbon copy so far of the other games-3 left on in the first-if we havent scored by the 5th here comes another 0 or 1 run performance

[Tornon]

Murton flies to Dunn, 2 out

[Tornon]

Jones GROUNDS to Freel, No score after 2

[Tornon]

Freel lines the first pitch right back to Zambrano, 1 out

[Tornon]

Lopez Ks swinging at a baaaad pitch down, 2 out

[Tornon]

Griffey goes down 0-2, and works it to 3-2 before striking out swinging. No score middle of 3

[redsfan4445]

i sure never expected that the team could go a week without BP and now its like they still havent had BP because they are not hitting.. Lopez is driving me crazy

[Tornon]

Cedeno grounds to Lopez, 1 out

[Tornon]

Zambrano bounces right back to Milton, 2 out

[billy117]

I hope something happens and they start playing and get a win tonight because i don't need another night of sobbing myself to sleep, it's affecting my work.

[Tornon]

Pierre flies to Griffey, no score after 3

[saboforthird]

He's a slow starter. I give him at least another month. In the long run, he will likely be our best catcher this season.

This flies in the face of Narron's "gut feeling" approach to the game. Anymore, I'm not sure that Narron IS making out the lineup card.

[Tornon]

Dunn bloops one to short, 1 out

[billy117]

This flies in the face of Narron's "gut feeling" approach to the game. Anymore, I'm not sure that Narron IS making out the lineup card.
no he is making it out, it's just that he blind folds himself and picks names out of a hat with his toes.

[Tornon]

Kearns grounds to short, 2 out

[redsfan4445]

unless!!! LaRue is being played to be showcased... it doesnt make sense.. what if Ross catching Arroyo hits 3 homers next game.. you cant tell me he sits for .198 LaRue???

[Tornon]

Hatteberg walks on four pitches

[Tornon]

Encarnacion with a grounder down the third base line that he beats out while Hatteberg comes to third

[GOREDSGO32]

Yes! Comeon .. need a score.

Milton is upping that trade value, I love it. Keep it going Milton.

[Tornon]

LaRue Ks swinging, No score middle of 4

[redsfan4445]

yep that LaRue is one heck of a hitter..argggggggggggg

[Tornon]

Perez grounds to Encarnacion, 1 out

[Tornon]

Barrett flies to Griffey in right-center, 2 out

[edabbs44]

LaRue + Hatteberg = nothing all year.

[Tornon]

Ramirez pops to Kearns, no score after 4

[billy117]

LaRue + Hatteberg = nothing all year.
well hatteberg has hit better than i expected him to. I'd be happy if he hit .280-.290 this year, but he may not keep that up.

[Tornon]

Milton bounces back to Zambrano, 1 out

[Tornon]

Freel bounces to second, 2 out

[Tornon]

Lopez lines to short, no score middle of 5

[REDSEER]

Lopez lines to short....0-0 mid 5

[Tornon]

Walker grounds to second, and Freel makes a nice play to get the out. 1 down

[Tornon]

Murton grounds sharply to Encarnacion. 2 out

[billy117]

wow it's like EE forgot who he was two grounders this game perfect throws on both....hopefully he won't remember

[Tornon]

Jones flies to right, no score after 5

[Tornon]

Griffey.. GONE!! 1-0 Reds

[Redhook]

I hate to be a pessimist, but doesn't this game resemble about a half dozen games we've played in the last month? Pitch great, missed opportunities, close game with no runs and we FIND a way to lose. I hope I'm wrong, but I see an error leading to a Cubs victory.....again.

cool...jr homered...I jinxed the Cubbies!! :D

[billy117]

crushed!!

[redsfan4445]

YESSSSSS JRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr HOMER

[redsfan4445]

that looked FAIR!!! on the line on Dunns hit to left

[deltachi8]

wow it's like EE forgot who he was two grounders this game perfect throws on both....hopefully he won't remember



I know its very easy to be frustrated by the E's of EE, but lets not forget his age and ability. The throwing will come with time.

[REDSEER]

Kearns walks

[bottom_feeder]

score check, is anyone here?

[billy117]

I know its very easy to be frustrated by the E's of EE, but lets not forget his age and ability. The throwing will come with time.

I guess but I wouldn't expect my jr. high kids to make some of the stupid mistakes he does....and i understand that he is under a touch more pressure...and if he breaks out of his slump and starts hitting like he did early this year i'll live with the errors (like i was saying in april).

[redsfan4445]

1-0 reds griffey homer

[Tornon]

hatteberg with a single, Kearns goes to third
Encarnacion hit by the pitch

[redsfan4445]

lets see what the great LaRue can do this time with bases loaded!!

[bottom_feeder]

Alright, another run!

[jesusfan]

2-0 on a LaRue nubber!

[Tornon]

LaRue gets sawed off and grounds back to the mound but Zambrano boots it and has to get the out at first, 2-0 Reds

[REDSEER]

A broken bat fielder's choice works for me.......

[bottom_feeder]

thanks for the update 4445

[Tornon]

Milton Ks swinging, 2-0 Reds middle of 6

[jesusfan]

Okay, 2-0... Let's play some D!

[bottom_feeder]

Wow, Milton is pitching great. At times like this, I start to believe that maybe he'll be able to contribute after all.

[redsfan4445]

no prb bottom feeder

[Tornon]

Cedeno flies to right, 1 out

[Tornon]

Womack in to pinch hit for Zambrano

[redsfan4445]

Thanks Tornon for the gameplay by play

[REDSEER]

Milton has been ultra-efficient tonight, just like his last start....I'm really starting to get optimistic about Milton this year

[jesusfan]

He has really put on the weight he had lost due to the leg injury....

[Tornon]

Womack Ks looking, 2 out

[Tornon]

Pierre grounds a single up the middle

[KoryMac5]

I'm liking this Milton guy who is pitching tonight did he just get called up from AAA.

[jesusfan]

Pierre with his 2nd hit and the Cubs 2nd hit!

[billy117]

oh come on milton get him out of there

[Tornon]

Perez grounds the first pitch back to Milton, 2-0 Reds after 6

[jesusfan]

Great Job Milton!!! 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER so far...

[Tornon]

Scott Eyre in to pitch

[jesusfan]

Eyre in to pitch... Let's get all over him!

[KoryMac5]

Milton looking sharp tonight might be the silverlining in this series.

[Tornon]

Freel triples into right-center

[KoryMac5]

Way to go Freel

[jesusfan]

He turned on the jets there!

[jesusfan]

Snap out of it Lopey, right here!

[billy117]

wouldn't mind seeing a squeeze here, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen

[jesusfan]

Never squeeze with 0 outs....

[Tornon]

Lopez Ks swinging, 1 out

[REDSEER]

tough night for Lopez

[KoryMac5]

Darn strike out with a guy at third

[KoryMac5]

Lets go JR

[Tornon]

Griffey singles through the drawn in infield, 3-0 Reds

[jesusfan]

1b Jr! 3-0!

[redsfan4445]

Wtgggggggg Jrrrrrrrr

[KoryMac5]

Nice job Jr profesional hitter.

[REDSEER]

Alright......Jr singles and scores Freel 3-0 Reds

[jesusfan]

My Girlfriend says Adam Dunn is too nervous at the plate...

[redsfan4445]

Dunn watches 2 hittable pitches

[Tornon]

Dunn Ks looking, 2 out

[Tornon]

Cubs going to the bullpen, Roberto Novoa coming in

[KoryMac5]

Darn Dunn K's righthander coming in for Kearns

[edabbs44]

My Girlfriend says Adam Dunn is too nervous at the plate...
My wife asked me on Sunday (at the game) why Griffey doesn't try anymore. I thought it was funny.

[REDSEER]

That pitch that is consistently called on Dunn really doesn't look like a strike on him, at least. That pitch is below his knees, which supposedly is the bottom of the strike zone......

[Tornon]

Novoa wild pitches Griffey to second

[KoryMac5]

I'm looking all the way if I'm Kearns Novoa is very wild.

[KoryMac5]

45bb in 85 career innings pitched

[Tornon]

Kearns takes a walk

[Tornon]

Hatteberg grounds to first, 3-0 Reds middle of 7

[Handofdeath]

Great Job Milton!!! 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER so far...

If he gets out of this game unscathed that is 4 quality starts out of six games pitched. The other two were the Tigers, which was his first game back, and the game against the Marlins right before he went on the DL. He might finally be earning his salary.

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

now please dont take milton out just for the sake of being managerial

[REDSEER]

now please dont take milton out just for the sake of being managerial
Narron would.....................

[Tornon]

Barrett flies to right, 1 out

[Tornon]

Ramirez flies to Kearns, 2 out

[KoryMac5]

Cubs announcers saying very good things about Milton comparing him to Al Leiter

[Tornon]

Walker flies to Griffey on the first pitch, 6 pitch inning for Milton. 3-0 Reds after 7

[KoryMac5]

Got to love this first pitch swinging

[REDSEER]

Milton's delivery has seemed a lot smoother this year than last.....there is no funny leg kick after the pitch, and much better results.......as I speak he gets three straigh fly outs in the 7th......man I'm amazed at the improvement of Milton.....

[edabbs44]

Cubs announcers saying very good things about Milton comparing him to Al Leiter
Oxymoron, anyone?

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

if he would need to be taken out thats fine but it kills me when reds managers(and boone was bad about it) will take a pitcher out who is sailing along then bring in the dreck from the bullpen to blow it in 5 minutes all for the sake of thinking he has to do something managerial..cant leave well enough alone

[SirFelixCat]

Wow, cruisin'. WTG Eric! :beerme:

[Tornon]

Howry in to pitch for Chicago

[Tornon]

Encarnacion flies to center, 1 out

[billy117]

larue with a shot to center and robbed of a hit by pierre

[Tornon]

LaRue flies to center, 2 out

[Tornon]

Milton lines a single up the middle after battling to 3-2

[REDSEER]

Milton> Larue

[KoryMac5]

Milton adds to a great night with a hit

[KoryMac5]

Somebody tell me why Freel was hitting 8th last night again

[Tornon]

Freel Ks looking, 3-0 Reds middle of 8

[KoryMac5]

Freel K's

[REDSEER]

Somebody tell me why Freel was hitting 8th last night again
that's why :lol:......no, I am wondering the same thing, he is a very streaky player just like most of our lineup

[Tornon]

Murton doubles off the wall

[KoryMac5]

Cubs announcers jinxed us talking about how good Milton looks

[Tornon]

Jones goes yard into left-center, 3-2 Reds

[KoryMac5]

Looks like we left Eric in their 2 batters too long

[Matt700wlw]

:rant:

Well...crap

[billy117]

todd coffey...1.2 inning save

[KoryMac5]

Bullpen should have been up by now

[KoryMac5]

Warming up some Coffey

[Tornon]

Cedeno grounds to short but Lopez cannot make the play, single.

[NastyBoy]

wheels falling off.

[billy117]

well i was counting on milty getting cedeno out

[Tornon]

Bynum in to pinch hit

[Tornon]

Bad bunt to third, Encarnacion gets the out at second. 1 out

[billy117]

wow lopez almost threw that away and he had no chance of getting him at first

[KoryMac5]

Nice job Edwin

[NastyBoy]

Nearly DP = Miltons best friend.

[KoryMac5]

This is Miltons last inning

[Outshined_One]

Small ball fever.

CATCH IT...or trap it and get the runner at second.

[Tornon]

Pierre flies to Griffey in the gap, 2 out

[KoryMac5]

Good job JR

[NastyBoy]

Even these light hitters are making me nervous.

[edabbs44]

Does Coffey need an hour to warm up or something?

[Tornon]

Perez grounds it into hole at short, Lopez gets it but no out and Milton is done

[edabbs44]

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coffee/images/coffee.gif

[Tornon]

Coffey sprinting in

[REDSEER]

Time to drink some Coffee......GREAT JOB MILTON :clap: :clap: :clap:

[billy117]

all right well this is what we've all been wanting to see for the last month

[KoryMac5]

infield singles killing us

[NastyBoy]

The hook. Nice job by Milton.. lets go Coffey.

[saboforthird]

Does Coffey need an hour to warm up or something?

Yeah. He sprints to the mound to relieve stiffness from all that warming up. :D

[captainmorgan07]

he's much better than rocker who used to sprint to the mound

[edabbs44]

Nice pitch by Coffey...going to the 9th.

[Tornon]

Barrett decides to try and throw his bat at the ball when he swings and strikes out. 3-2 Reds after 8

[KoryMac5]

Nice hot Coffey there

[captainmorgan07]

barret strikes out he needs to stay for the 9th

[REDSEER]

Great job by Coffey....he couldn't even hit it when he threw the bat

[NastyBoy]

Thanks Coffey...

[Tornon]

Will Ohman in to pitch

[billy117]

nice to have a solid stopper to come in there.

[Tornon]

Lopez flies to right on the first pitch, 1 out

[REDSEER]

Lopez first pitch swinging flies out to right

[Tornon]

Griffey grounds into the shift, ends up being the second baseman. 2 out

[NastyBoy]

Who bout an "insurance" run!

[Tornon]

Dunn doubles the other way

[jesusfan]

C'mon Kearns we need this one!

[Tornon]

Cubs going to the bullpen

David Aardsma in to pitch

[KoryMac5]

Dunn lumbers in to second. I always love it when announcwers say that.

[REDSEER]

Ohman is done, here comes Aardsma

[jesusfan]

Ugly Aardsma coming in... He definitely hit every branch on the way down.

[NastyBoy]

I wonder why Dunn doesnt try to go to left more.

[THNDRacket]

Griffey grounds into the shift, ends up being the second baseman. 2 out

Grande said that was a 4-3 putout, but actually it was 4-1. Just in case you are scoring at home, or merely holding hands on the street.

[Tornon]

Kearns grounds to short, 3-2 Reds middle of 9

[jesusfan]

Please Leave in Coffey!

[jesusfan]

YES!!! he stays in!

[Tornon]

Coffey remains in to do his job

[REDSEER]

Narron plays it smart and puts Phillips in at 2nd, Freel to left.

[captainmorgan07]

good move by jerry all around

[jesusfan]

Nice Scoop!

[Tornon]

Ramirez chops one to third, great scoop by Hatty, 1 out

[REDSEER]

WHEW!!!!!! What a scoop by Hatte......

[billy117]

huh no errors (so far) and we're winning a one run game....amazing

[Tornon]

Walker grounds to short, 2 out

[REDSEER]

GO to lopez, 2 down

[REDSEER]

And this one belongs to the Reds!!!!!!!

[Tornon]

Murton grounds to short and this one belongs to the reds!! 3-2 Final Score

WP Eric Milton
LP Carlos Zambrano
SV Todd Coffey

Keep the winning ways going Friday

[captainmorgan07]

amen we dind't get swept by the cubs coffey for closer get the point darn it jerry

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

has anyone else's backside orifice been puckered shut the last 5 minutes???

[billy117]

i love it!!....defense and pitching

[captainmorgan07]

heck of a nite for milton jsut caught the end of the game but it sounded like he pitched well

[David Cubbedge]

Very big night turned in by Milton again. Anyone think he is not legit? Yeah is Ks were not there, but he had it going. He mixed his pitches well and I have no doubt that he can pitch even better than he did tonight. He may have had some luck on his side, but it was still an amazing performance.
Freel did ignite the offense a few times tonight which is always a huge factor in a Reds win. And Griffey came up big twice.
Very good defense tonight as Milton only had 1 K and the Reds had no errors. I liked the performance, but would still expect a little more from our offense.

MVP: Milton

[NastyBoy]

what make the happiest is...

NO ERRORS! (but we came close) :angry:

[NastyBoy]

AND :milton: has his velocity back... :jump:

[TeamCasey]

EKURed has to start the next game thread. :thumbup: