8/15/06: Reds @ Cardinals Game Thread (Clayton, LaRue in)

[reds44]

Ryan Freel RF Season .293 7 24
Scott Hatteberg 1B Season .328 11 38
Ken Griffey Jr. CF Season .242 23 64
Edwin Encarnacion 3B Season .302 11 55
Adam Dunn LF Season .251 35 81
Brandon Phillips 2B Season .291 11 57
Royce Clayton SS Season .262 2 35
Jason LaRue C Season .181 5 17
Aaron Harang P Season .160 0 2



David Eckstein SS Season .291 1 21
Chris Duncan LF Season .306 10 23
Albert Pujols 1B Season .329 35 93
Jim Edmonds CF Season .262 18 65
Scott Rolen 3B Season .318 16 73
Juan Encarnacion RF Season .281 16 63
Ronnie Belliard 2B Season .205 0 3
Yadier Molina C Season .220 4 41
Chris Carpenter P Season .091 0 2



Edwin Encarnacion has raised his game at the right time for the Cincinnati Reds. The St. Louis Cardinals are still waiting for one of their players to do the same.

A showdown of the top two teams in the NL Central starts Tuesday when the Reds open a three-game series at Busch Stadium against the front-running yet slumping Cardinals.

Encarnacion was named NL player of the week after going 11-for-25 (.440) with four homers and eight RBIs, raising his batting average 21 points to .302. More importantly, he helped the Reds (61-57) make up three games in the NL Central standings, drawing them within 1 1/2 games of the Cardinals.

The third baseman carries a career-high 10-game hitting streak into this contest and went 5-for-12 with three homers and six RBIs as the Reds took two of three games from the Phillies, including a 7-5, 11-inning victory Sunday. Encarnacion, Adam Dunn and Rich Aurilia hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the sixth inning.

''It was very important to win this series,'' Aurilia said. ''We're going to enjoy the off-day and get back to work. That will be another big series for us. In August, every series becomes important.''

Encarnacion is 1-for-7 with a solo home run lifetime against Cardinals scheduled starter Chris Carpenter.

The Reds lead the NL wild-card race by one game over the San Diego Padres, are 8-4 against the Cardinals heading into their final series of the year versus St. Louis.

Aaron Harang (12-7, 3.66 ERA) has two of those eight victories. The right-hander - whose 2006 wins over the Cardinals both came at Busch Stadium - struggled against them last Wednesday, when he was reached for six runs in six innings.

David Ross, though, bailed out Harang with a two-run ninth-inning homer to give the Reds an 8-7 victory. Harang is 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA in 10 lifetime starts versus St. Louis.

St. Louis (62-55) may have hit its low point of the season after being swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh. The Cardinals were routed 7-0 on Sunday for their 13th loss in 17 games and scored just three runs in the series, stranding 24 runners and leaving the team without momentum heading into this crucial set of games.

''Nothing. What positives can you take out of a sweep? Nothing,'' groused Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols. ''We couldn't get the hits with runners in scoring position all weekend. But that's part of the game.''

Had it not been for Pujols, the Cardinals might not have scored all weekend. He scored the team's lone run Friday while going 4-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in Saturday's 3-2 defeat.

Pujols is hitting .421 (16-for-38) with two homers, six RBIs and 13 runs scored in his last 10 games. He is also batting .321 (10-for-31) with four homers, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored in eight games against the Reds this season.

Like Harang, Carpenter (10-6, 3.27) is coming off a forgettable Thursday outing, giving up six runs and six hits - three homers - in seven innings. Carpenter, who is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Reds this season, lost to Harang on April 14.

Carpenter is 2-3 with a 2.86 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the Reds.

Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein is 9-for-21 (.429) lifetime against Harang, while Pujols is 9-for-24 (.375) with a homer and four RBIs.

[redsrule2500]

clayton in. LaRue in.

And I thought he had finally figured it out!?!

START AURILLA AND ROSS!! This is just plain STUPID. :thumbdown

[SirFelixCat]

Big dark, black hole 7-9. It kinda puts your team in a hole when you start out with 3 near automatic outs outta every 9 AB's *sigh*


Screw it...go give'em hell fellas!!!

[GridironGrace]

Yea this is getting old....why is ross still not playin???

[redsrule2500]

Why is Griffey batting #3? Another black hole.

[flyer85]

clayton in. LaRue in.

And I thought he had finally figured it out!?!

START AURILLA AND ROSS!! This is just plain STUPID. :thumbdown
Reds play better after they lose the first game of a series :help:

[flyer85]

I hope no one is actually surprised that Clayton is back at SS.

[kaldaniels]

I just realized the game is at 8, not 7...what a letdown.

[flyer85]

I just realized the game is at 8, not 7...what a letdown.have a donut and a beer

[WMR]

Disappointing line-up.

[kbrake]

I think I figured Narron out. Sunday I drank more and more as the game went on. As we got into the later innings the more I kept feeling like I was thinking more and more like Narron. In the Bottom of the 9th I thought Edwin should come out. Ha, needless to say I was pretty much hammered by the 9th inning. I almost thought about going out and taking a calligraphy class. Anyways right now I am sober as can be and completely dumbfouned with this lineup.....think I might need to head towards the fridge.

[cumberlandreds]

It would nice if the Reds could jump out and score five runs like the Cards did last week. It could set the tone for the series. But isn't it nice to have meaningful baseball this time of year no matter who is in the lineup.:)

[Joseph]

Reds record with LaRue in is roughly 10 or 11 over 500. Roughly 6 or so under with Ross as the starter.

Whats more important, wins or Home Runs? Oh thats right, I forgot.

:rolleyes:

[kbrake]

Reds record with LaRue in is roughly 10 or 11 over 500. Roughly 6 or so under with Ross as the starter.

Whats more important, wins or Home Runs? Oh thats right, I forgot.

:rolleyes:

Ok now explain Clayton.

[BRM]

I hope no one is actually surprised that Clayton is back at SS.

I certainly am not surprised. He makes all the routine plays therefore he's the starter.

[Joseph]

Ok now explain Clayton.

Narron is pretty well splitting time as best I can tell. I don't have numbers to combat the Clayton dislike. :)

[kbrake]

Narron is pretty well splitting time as best I can tell. I don't have numbers to combat the Clayton dislike. :)

Got ya, very well done with LaRue though. :)

[backbencher]

Ok now explain Clayton.

Milton's an extreme flyball pitcher, and Harang is not? Playing Aurilia at SS during the Milton start was inspired. Playing Aurilia at SS when balls might be hit to his left or right is not.

[Matt700wlw]

LaRue is Harang's pitcher....Yeah, Ross and Valentin provide more of a pop in the lineup, but it is what it is. He's going to play, and he does call a good game, even if he isn't much of an offensive threat...

Clayton is....well.....Clayton. Maybe he'll get a hold of one tonight and we'll all be ok :D

[Joseph]

Got ya, very well done with LaRue though. :)

I'm a self admitted LaRue apologist. I was forced to explain why that blankety blank Ross was playing every night to my wife [her words] so I had to dig a little deeper and find out something she could combat people at work who gave her a hard time.

[DoogMinAmo]

I am over the lineup thing, I think it might have to do with the fact that Narron is actually trying to get EE in the lineup now. This offense is better than most in the league, even with Larue and Clayton in there.

It would be nice to know that the Reds could return the favor to the Cards, scoring early and making them sweat.

[Fullboat]

Who is this Clayton guy and why is he killing us.

Words I like to read on a Cards board and not a Reds board.

[37red]

Here in Central Time it's at 7:00 =)

[DoogMinAmo]

Who is this Clayton guy and why is he killing us.

Words I like to read on a Cards board and not a Reds board.

http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/screenshots/gs/puzzle/10000pyramid/10000pyramid_thumb004.jpg

[Cedric]

Of course Larue has a better record than Ross. He catches the best pitcher on the staff while Ross has more frequently catch the Elizardo and Mays of the world.

[MrCinatit]

Rich is third in the league in average against the Cardinals with a .444 average.
Which makes Narron's lineup all the more mysterious

[Matt700wlw]

Let's get it on! The most important series in a long, long, long time. Win the series, and the Reds sit a-top the Central.


Get it done, boys!

[Falls City Beer]

Let's get it on! The most important series in a long, long, long time.

You mean since last week? :p:

[Matt700wlw]

You mean since last week? :p:

This one has shaped up to be even bigger! :)

[GridironGrace]

Lets Goooooooooo Reds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joseph]

Of course Larue has a better record than Ross. He catches the best pitcher on the staff while Ross has more frequently catch the Elizardo and Mays of the world.


I'd say Arroyo and Harang cancel one another out, especially since Ross caught him early in the season when he was really throwing on all cylinders. There are only 3 wins difference in their totals too, so if you take that away LaRue is still 7 -ish over while Ross is 6-7 under. The margin is too big to be explained away by Harang being caught solely by LaRue. LaRue always caught Claussen when he was around which pulls his numbers down the same as Mays would on Ross' numbers.

I'm not trying to get into a debate, I just care about winning, and right now it looks like a 15+/- game difference in the two catchers leaning towards the one with the lesser bat.

[Falls City Beer]

And since people enjoy applying the lash to EdE when he makes a throwing error, I think it's only fair to use the same level of criticism against Ross when boots all those balls on plays at the plate.

[Joseph]

And since people enjoy applying the lash to EdE when he makes a throwing error, I think it's only fair to use the same level of criticism against Ross when boots all those balls on plays at the plate.

Thank you!

I was begining to wonder if anyone was going to say anything about that, everyone seems to get raked over the coals when they make an error yet this guy has dropped ball after ball at the plate and of course cost us the game in Philly on Friday with that throw to CF.

[GridironGrace]

Important games 2nite.

Update:
Nats lead Braves 4-0 in the top of the 4th
Brewers lead the Pirates 2-1 in the Bot of the 3rd
Phillies lead the Mets 6-2 in the Bot of the 3rd
Cubs and Astros are Warming up to play.
Colorado and Arizona play at 9PM
Giants and Padres play at 10
Marlins and Dodgers play at 10

[Matt700wlw]

Quick inning for Carpenter

[reds44]

That was fast.

[SirFelixCat]

A request for quality pbp tonight. PLEASE!!! :)

[GridironGrace]

Freel Flew out on 4 Pitches.
Hatte Grounds out on 1st pitch
and Jr flew out on 5 pitches.

Nice AB's by Freel and JR..


harang starts out getting Eckstien down 0-2

[George Foster]

And since people enjoy applying the lash to EdE when he makes a throwing error, I think it's only fair to use the same level of criticism against Ross when boots all those balls on plays at the plate.

Agreed but Ross's offense trumps LaRue's Defense. I'll take Mike Piazza in his prime anyday

[GridironGrace]

Grids Record doing PBP in the Game thread 1-0.


Eckstien pops out on 4 Pitches to Edwin in Foul terratory

[reds44]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060815/capt.fa7a14d4d964433e8a96b3c80af3cc08.reds_cardina ls_baseball_mojf101.jpg
:lol:

[GridironGrace]

Harang K's Duncan on 5 pitches

2 down

[GridironGrace]

Puljos to the plate takes Ball one
Fouls off pitch 2

[Mario-Rijo]

It looks like a medium to big zone tonight look for a pitching gem for at least one of 'em. I know, I know they both could but just watch the zone.

[George Foster]

What is the over and under for the Reds concerning hits tonight? I say 6, especially when a 0-8 is in the bag for Clayton and LaRue.

[VR]

And since people enjoy applying the lash to EdE when he makes a throwing error, I think it's only fair to use the same level of criticism against Ross when boots all those balls on plays at the plate.

Trust me, Ross has been appropriately mocked for his defensive gaffs.

LaRue in tonight....I'm actually ok w/ that. No one wants to see him go more than I. But in what looks to be a low scoring game....I do like his D in this spot.

[Mario-Rijo]

Pujols bounces to EE, Hatte scoops. 1-2-3 inning.

[Joseph]

Nice reply from Harang.

[GridironGrace]

Fouls off pitch 3
Takes ball 2
2-2 Count

5 pitch Ground out for Harang baby!! Ground out to Edwin.

Inning over

Headed to the 2nd till 0-0

[reds44]

Harang answers with a 1,2,3 inning of his own.

Thank God Hatte is playing 1st and not Rich.

[SirFelixCat]

Awesome pbp Grid. Many many thanks!!!

[GridironGrace]

due up:
Edwin
Dunn
Phillips

[Cyclone792]

Harang had a very nice first inning. Eckstein did nothing, fouling off a pitch early in the PA before finally fouling out to EE. Duncan looked silly striking out on a beautiful pitch down and in. Pujols only got one pitch to hit - the 1-0 pitch he fouled back - and proceeded to ground out weakly to EE.

Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Harang.

[VR]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060815/capt.fa7a14d4d964433e8a96b3c80af3cc08.reds_cardina ls_baseball_mojf101.jpg
:lol:

I always that was tabacky bulging in Freel's cheek. Perhaps it's Farney trying to fight his way out of Ryan's head? ;)

[GridironGrace]

Awesome pbp Grid. Many many thanks!!!
NP i got this for a bit 2nite :)

[GridironGrace]

Edwin bats:
Takes ball 1
Grounds out to Rolen
1 down

[VR]

EE needs to get rid of that banana hitch in his throws, sheesh. He still looks like he has no confidence in his own arm.....especially when he has time to think about it.

[GridironGrace]

Dunner up:

Fouls off pitch 1 0-1
Takes ball 1 1-1
Takes ball 2 inside 2-1
Called Strike 2-2
Ball 3 3-2 count :)

Dunn grounds out to 2B

2 down 0 on
Phillips up

[George Foster]

This could be a 2 hour game....

[GridironGrace]

Phillps:

Takes strike one
Grounds out to 2B

3 Dwon headed to the Bot Half

[Mario-Rijo]

Looks as though both have come in with an emphasis on playing good defense. Although both EE's and Rolen's 1st throws to 1st have been low. It looks like it's going to be a duel. I can live with that, assuming we win. :)

[GridironGrace]

Due up for STL:
Edmonds
Rolen
Encarnacion

get em Harang

[GridironGrace]

Edmonds:

Takes ball 1
Swinning Strike 1-1
Takes ball 2
Called Strike 2-2
Fouls one off stays 2-2
Fouls off another
Takes ball 3 full count 8th pitch coming
Takes ball 4

Edmonds WALKS

1 on 1 out

[Wheelhouse]

Low throw by "plays the game right" Clayton. I REALLY dislike him being in the lineup.

[GridironGrace]

rolen: edmonds on 1st

Called Strike
Called strike 0-2
Ball

Rolen- Grounds into force out... Edmonds out at 2nd Rolen to first

[flyer85]

Low throw by "plays the game right" Clayton. I REALLY dislike him being in the lineup.he does make the routine play ...



look difficult

[George Foster]

Clayton with 2 decent plays...

[GridironGrace]

Encarnacion- Rolen on 1st

Called Strike
Ball
Ball
Foul 2-2


Encarnacion- grounds out softly to SS to 1B 2 Down Rolen to 2nd

[SirFelixCat]

So Harang is showing no ill effects of pitching in the marathon game the other night? Good to hear.

Keep it coming and let's get some runs!

[Edskin]

Bad luck there

[TheBurn]

Crap!

[reds44]

Why did Freel lay up?

[GridironGrace]

Belliard- Rolen on 2nd

First pitch: Single, Rolen Scores

1-0 Cards 2 outs Belliard on 1st

[George Foster]

they blooped in a run...they have yet to hit the ball hard.:thumbdown

[NJReds]

I swear that the Reds give up more bloop hits and ground balls through the infield then any other team.

[George Foster]

Belliard- Rolen on 2nd

First pitch: Single, Rolen Scores

1-0 Cards 2 outs Belliard on 1st

Bad jump...keep the runner at first.

[CTA513]

they blooped in a run...they have yet to hit the ball hard.:thumbdown

The walk to Edmonds came back to hurt them.

[Edskin]

Bad luck, BUT....you set yourself up for that when you walk the lead-off guy.

[GridironGrace]

Molina- Belliard on first

Foul
Foul 0-2


Harang gets K #2 as Molina Strikes out Swining

Inning over heading to the 3rd Cards Lead 1-0

[GridironGrace]

due up:
Clayton
Larue
Harang

Come on 789 surprise us!

[George Foster]

who is the first guy to get a hit for the Reds? Place your bets!!!

[Mario-Rijo]

who is the first guy to get a hit for the Reds? Place your bets!!!

I'm going with Larue to tie it.

[GridironGrace]

Clayton:

Called Strike
Swinging Strike 0-2

Clayton Grounds out to SS boooooooooo poor AB man

1 down

[Wheelhouse]

Weakest stick at 7,8, and 9 of any lineup all year.

[GridironGrace]

Larue:

Called Strike
Ball 1-1
Swinging Strike 1-2

Larue Grounds out to SS

2 Down Harang up

[Mario-Rijo]

I'm going with Larue to tie it.

Ok I was trying to get Jason on a roll. Going with the greater reward on the greater risk.

[George Foster]

I'm going with Larue to tie it.

LaWho??? Pass the bong baby...

[Wheelhouse]

3 auto-outs at 7,8 and 9. UGGGGGGH...

[GridironGrace]

Harang:

Swinging Strike
Foul
Foul

Harang Strikes out Swinging

heading to the bot of the 3rd Cards lead 1-0

[GullyFoyle]

Awful 7-9

[GridironGrace]

Carpentar due up for the Cards
Eckstien 0-1
Duncan 0-1

[RollyInRaleigh]

With those three, it's like you're giving up a third of the game offensively. Almost no chance.

[George Foster]

This line-up has to have Aurilla and Ross's bats. With Dunn and Griffey not really hitting....we might not get a hit. i'm serious.

[GridironGrace]

Carpentar through 3

31 pitches 23 strikes 6 ground outs 2 fly outs 1 strike out

faced 9 batters no hits no BB's

[George Foster]

Blow this guy away...come on

[GridironGrace]

Carpenter:

Called Strike
Called Strike
Ball
Ball 2-2? grrrrr
Foul
Foul.....punch him out for goodness sake

Harang gets K #3 Carpenter STrikes out Swinging.

[GridironGrace]

Eckstien 0-1: 1 out 0 on

Eckstein HBP

[SirFelixCat]

With those three, it's like you're giving up a third of the game offensively. Almost no chance.

See my post on the first page. I said that very thing.

[Blimpie]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060815/capt.fa7a14d4d964433e8a96b3c80af3cc08.reds_cardina ls_baseball_mojf101.jpg
This is who I thought of when I first saw the picture of Freel...

http://www.rhino.com/fun/henrydiltz/jan/8big_jan.jpg

[George Foster]

pitch around him...there are 2 outs

[GridironGrace]

Duncan 0-1: Eckstien on 1st 1 out

Blocked BALL in Dirt 1-0
Ball
Foul 2-1
Ball 3-1 Harang all over on purpose i hope
Foul 3-2

Duncan lines out to Dunn, Eckstien stays at 1B

2 outs Puljos up

[George Foster]

singles won't beat you. 2 outs, lets get this guy.

[GridironGrace]

Puljos: Eckstien on 1st 2 outs

Ball
Swinging Strike 1-1
Ball


BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Puljos Singles Eckstien to 3rd
2 outs
Edmonds up

[NJReds]

Cardinals announcer: "The Cardinals will take the extra base on Griffey every single time."

[reds44]

That was one heck of a swing by Mrs. Grande.


:lol:

[George Foster]

Cardinals announcer: "The Cardinals will take the extra base on Griffey every single time."

Fax this to Jerry Narron's office...

[GridironGrace]

Edmonds: Walk- Eckstien on 3rd Puljos on 1st

Swinging Strike
Ball
Foul 1-2
Ball 2-2

STRIKE 3

Edmonds K's #4 for Harang gets outta it

headed to the 4th Reds Trail 1-0
Freel to lead off

[GridironGrace]

Harang after 3

2 hits 1 run 1 ER 1 BB 4 K's
59 pitches 38 strikes 3 ground outs 2 fly outs 4 k's
13 batters faced and a hit batsman

Due up
Freel 0-1
Hatte 0-1
Jr 0-1

[Cedric]

Harang is lucky the Cardinals have such a weak lineup. He has nothing tonight.

[GridironGrace]

brb

[GullyFoyle]

Freel - HBP

[George Foster]

That really hurt Freel...make them pay..

[GridironGrace]

Freel: Leading off 0-1 Trailing 1-0

swinging strike
Ball


Freel Hit by a Pitch Freel to 1st :)

Hatte up

[37red]

yeah, he looks bad. I'd have a couple talking in the pen just so they'll be ready if he has to be pulled. He's good and may come out of this funk in the next inning but we should put everything into winning this game

[GridironGrace]

Hatte: 0-1 Freel on first 0 outs

.....pickoff attempt
Called Strike
Foul 0-2
Called Strike

Hatte out on Strikes

1 down 1 on jr batting

[SirFelixCat]

Harang is lucky the Cardinals have such a weak lineup. He has nothing tonight.

So he IS showing ill effects of pitching the other night in relief?

[George Foster]

that was a horrible call...a horrible call...

[GullyFoyle]

Bad call... inside

[Falls City Beer]

Harang is lucky the Cardinals have such a weak lineup. He has nothing tonight.

He's been miserably pitch-inefficient for about a month; for Arroyo, even longer.

Neither pitcher is having any easy time overcoming their early season workloads.

[George Foster]

So he IS showing ill effects of pitching the other night in relief?

I think he's doing pretty good. Good breaking ball, only one walk.

[Matt700wlw]

Molina's got a gun.

Freel caught stealing.

[GullyFoyle]

Ughhhh...

[reds44]

He's been miserably pitch-inefficient for about a month; for Arroyo, even longer.

Neither pitcher is having any easy time overcoming their early season workloads.
Harang and Arroyo are 2-3 in pitches thrown in MLB this year.

That's not good.

[NJReds]

Freel out stealing, but it looked like the second baseman missed the tag on the sweep. But the ball beat Freel by a mile.

[GridironGrace]

Griffey: 0-1 Freel on 1st 1 out

Score Alert
nats 5 braves 0 bot 8
phills 11 mets 2 bot 6


pitch 1 Called strike
........pickoff attempt
Ball
Ball 2-1
...............Freel Caught Stealing at 2B

2 outs 0 on Jr batting 2-1 pitch coming.

[Wheelhouse]

Embarrasing for Cards--Molina thought it was 3 outs

[VR]

I guess the umps are going expanda-zone against the Reds. Common theme lately.

[Falls City Beer]

I simply have NO idea why this team tries to steal on Molina.

[George Foster]

Still no hits....:(

[GridironGrace]

Called Strike


Griffey lines out to RF heading to the bot of the 4th

Cards still lead 1-0

[reds44]

Embarrasing for Cards--Molina thought it was 3 outs
Taguchi did the same thing when they were in Cincy.


Talk about being undisiplined.

[reds44]

We don't have a hit.

[GullyFoyle]

Just noticed that the Cardinal TV feed includes LOB in the score box... nice.

[GridironGrace]

Time to tuck in my little girl i'll catch up when i get back.......

Come on Harang.. we need you tonight!!!! Buckle down!!!!!!!!

[CTA513]

Molina's got a gun.

Freel caught stealing.

The Reds seem to give up alot of outs and give other teams extra outs.

:help:

[Falls City Beer]

Right now, one team's sending a message. And it ain't the Reds.

[George Foster]

I guess the umps are going expanda-zone against the Reds. Common theme lately.

Yep...Cards are a better TV draw for the post season. I'm not being sarcastic

[reds44]

Right now, one team's sending a message. And it ain't the Reds.
It's 1-0.

[GullyFoyle]

Right now, one team's sending a message. And it ain't the Reds.

The Cardinals haven't impressed me much yet.... just a little luckier than us so far..

[Mario-Rijo]

So he IS showing ill effects of pitching the other night in relief?

Sorry I don't agree. He is not necc. at his 100% best but he is pitching pretty well tonight. Except for a couple of gaffs.

[GridironGrace]

Aight

Rolen pops out to Phllips

1 Down Encarnacion batting

[Falls City Beer]

It's 1-0.

Yeah, but psychologically, it's a skunk job so far: CS, no-hit, Harang scheduled for a 6 inning exit....

[George Foster]

Right now, one team's sending a message. And it ain't the Reds.

Cards: "we got a bloop single with 2 outs...and you didn't... na,na,na,na na":p:

[GridironGrace]

Encarnacion


Ball
Doulbes to LF

[reds44]

Sorry I don't agree. He is not necc. at his 100% best but he is pitching pretty well tonight. Except for a couple of gaffs.
He hasn't hit 90 on a fastball yet.

He has a fatigued arm right now.

[VR]

It's 1-0.

Their 4-0 message last week didn't faze the boys, I would worry too much.

[Matt700wlw]

He hasn't hit 90 on a fastball yet.



He struck out Edmonds on a 93 mph fastball

[Wheelhouse]

Cardinals announcer: "Dunn pretty casual out there in left...they're only playing the Cards for first place in the Central"

[GullyFoyle]

I feel OK about the game until I remember our 7, 8, 9

[George Foster]

nice angle Dunn... a double anyway

[reds44]

Wtf Dunn?

[Matt700wlw]

It's the Ronnie Belliard show....

:bang:

[GridironGrace]

Belliard: 1-1 RBI, Encarnacion on 2B 1 out

Ball
Called Strike 1-1
Blocked ball in Dirt 2-1

Belliard Doubles Encarnacion Scores

Cards lead 2-0 1 Out man on 2nd Molina Batting

[Falls City Beer]

Aaron's in trouble. It's the 4th inning. Here we go again.

[Mario-Rijo]

Both hits bye Belliard on breaking balls. Apparently it's not just FB's he can hit, like someone exclaimed in the last series.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Giving up hits to Ronnie Belliard really sting.

[Falls City Beer]

Giving up hits to Ronnie Belliard really sting.

Belliard's killed the Reds for years.

[Cedric]

I said at the time that the Ronnie Belliard deal would somehow kill the Reds. The guy is a terrible hack but somehow Reds pitching or advance scouts never learned. The guy has gotten two great pitches to hit tonight and that just can't happen when Carpenter is pitching and Molina is behind him.

For a manager that talks about doing all the little things it's quite pathetic how his team does none of them right.

[Kc61]

Giving up hits to Ronnie Belliard really sting.

Haven't checked the numbers, but it seems that Belliard has killed the Reds with about 3 different teams.

[Cedric]

Haven't checked the numbers, but it seems that Belliard has killed the Reds with about 3 different teams.

Who hasn't killed the Reds though? They always get hammered by hack hitters. I remember Randall Simon and others like him just destroying the Reds. They have either a huge problem with advance scouting or just tremendously dumb pitching.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Belliard's killed the Reds for years.

I know. It stings each and every time.

[George Foster]

That will make sports center tonight

[GullyFoyle]

Impressive catch in a sad way...

[Falls City Beer]

And then Aaron proceeds to get into a million pitch AB with Molina. :rolleyes:

This game's a goner, kids.

[reds44]

Harang is struggling out there.

[PickOff]

Joe is laughing at Harang throwing behind Molina, LOL.

[Cyclone792]

Coming into tonight, Belliard has a career .827 OPS vs. the Reds.

[Matt700wlw]

This game's a goner, kids.

See you tomorrow, then

[CTA513]

And then Aaron proceeds to get into a million pitch AB with Molina. :rolleyes:

This game's a goner, kids.

It took him 7 or 8 pitches to get Carpenter out in his first atbat.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

I still say we give BP some $$ at the end of the year for a LTC. He is my favorite 06 Red.

[GridironGrace]

Molina: 0-1 Belliard on 2B 1 out

Foul
Swinging Strike
Blocked ball in Dirt 1-2
Foul
Ball 2-2
Foul 2-2
..........Larue out to talk
Foul
Ball behind molina 3-2 9th pitch coming
....harang calls Larue to mound


Molina pops out to Phillips

2 outs Belliard on 2B
Carpenter batting

[GridironGrace]

Carpentar Flys out to Freel on first pitch

Ining over headed to the 5th Cards lead 2-0

[Falls City Beer]

See you tomorrow, then

Like any good pathologist, I like to study the corpse.

[reds44]

78 pitches thru 4 for Harang.

I don't let him go past the 5th, but we all know Jerry will leave him out there for 110 pitches.

[GullyFoyle]

This game's a goner, kids.

The cardinals BP is worse than ours...

We will have one inning to make hay...

Until then if we are under 4-5 I think we have a chance

[CTA513]

After 4 innings Carpenter has given up 0 hits and thrown 36 less pitches than Harang.


:eek:

[reds44]

I still say we give BP some $$ at the end of the year for a LTC. He is my favorite 06 Red.
Why? There is no need.

[VR]

The Reds have hit Carpenter well all year. They'll be OK here.

[Falls City Beer]

The cardinals BP is worse than ours...



I hear this A LOT.

But the numbers just don't support it.

[reds44]

The Reds have hit Carpenter well all year. They'll be OK here.
We have? I remember winning a game 1-0 vs. him.

[Matt700wlw]

Trainer and LaRussa visiting Edmonds....

[reds44]

Edmonds is hurt.

I'm shocked.

[George Foster]

Is Grande's husband hurt"

[GridironGrace]

We need to get some hits and force Carp to throw some pitches or its gonna be a long night

We GOTTA Get them in thier bullpen by the 8th inning! Rather get them there in the 7th but that would mean doing a little something NOW!!!!!!!

Edwin Batting Reds trail 2-0 in the top of the 5th

[Matt700wlw]

Edmonds is leaving....

Taguchi coming in

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Jim Edmonds is my LEAST favorite movie star playing major league baseball right now.

[captainmorgan07]

bye bye jimmy couldn't happen to a nicer guy

[GridironGrace]

Edmonds taken out.. So Taguchi in CF Batting 4th

[guttle11]

Edmonds taken out.. So Taguchi in CF Batting 4th

If George can make it through this, he can make it through anything.

[Matt700wlw]

Eddie...

tough break.

[GridironGrace]

Edwin: 0-1 - 0 outs 0 on- Trailing 2-0 ^5
Riegning NL Player of the Week!!! Lets Go EdE

Ball
Ball
Foul

Edwin Lines out sharply to Puljos 1 out

[Matt700wlw]

Dunn breaks the no hitter.

[GridironGrace]

Dunn: 0-1 - 1 out 0 on

First pitch Swinging for a hit *phew*

Singles to RF

[Falls City Beer]

Dunn breaks the no hitter.

Thank god.

[George Foster]

If Goerge can make it through this, he can make it through anything.

:laugh: best post of the night...you got your points!!!

[flyer85]

get a runner on, nice to know clayton and Larue are on the way

[VR]

We have? I remember winning a game 1-0 vs. him.

0-2 in three starts.....5 IP, 9H......6IP 6 Runs

[GridironGrace]

Phillips: 0-1 - Dunn on 1st 1 out

Ball
Foul
Ball

Phillips Flys out to RF 2 outs dunn on first

Nationals Beat the Braves 5-0

[Matt700wlw]

Clayton! :lol:

[flyer85]

make a liar out of me Jason

[GridironGrace]

Clayton: 0-1 - Dunn on first - 2 Outs

First pitch Swining :)

Singles on line drive to RF Dunn to 2B 2 outs

[PickOff]

Now's your chance Jason.

[GullyFoyle]

I hear this A LOT.

But the numbers just don't support it.

Your correct overall... but you hear it a lot because against the REDs it has stunk...

No Saves yet this year and an ERA of 5.16 for the whole pitching staff

[Wheelhouse]

Cards announcer: "Dunn not in any great hurry to get to second, is he?" Ack...they're on to him...

[George Foster]

do you pinch hit for Harang?

[Matt700wlw]

Edmonds leaves the game with dizziness...

[flyer85]

I would PH for Harang if needed

[Matt700wlw]

LaRue's BA continues to fall into the Abyss...

[flyer85]

I don't think Carpenter even threw a strike in that AB

[GridironGrace]

Larue: 0 for last 22 2 out 2 outs

Swinging Strike
Ball
Ball
Ball 3-1 Pitch ........ comon Larue dont be worthless
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrr

Larue grounds into force out at 2B

booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Cards still lead 2-0 headed to bot half of the 5th

[George Foster]

do you pinch hit for Harang?

nevermind. I did not think it was possible to pull a ball 5 inches off the plate, but LaRue can....how many soft weak ground balls has he hit to the left side this year? The guy has no clue. He will not make ANY adjustments...none.

[GridironGrace]

I double switch in the top of the 6th.. Ross in Larue out.. bring in the Pen

Total waste of a Batter 0-23.. let him break that as a PH then let him start again.


Wasted Oppurtunity there.

[George Foster]

Edmonds leaves the game with dizziness...

Grande's a daddy....Edmonds has morning sickness!:laugh:

[GridironGrace]

Carpenter Through 5:

5 IP 2 Hits
57 Pitches 38 Strikes
7 Ground outs 5 Fly outs 2 Strike outs
0 BB 2 Hits and a Hit Batsmen
and dont forget a 2 run lead

[GridironGrace]

Eckstien:

First pitch Swinging

Singles to CF

[Virginia Beach Reds]

The nat is one.

It looks like the Cards should have given dollar dogs tonight to its patrons.

[George Foster]

Ball game....night all!

[Falls City Beer]

I guess the upside to Harang getting his pitches up in the zone and allowing a hit to Eckstein is that it only took one pitch to allow that hit.

[Matt700wlw]

Oh boy...

[CrackerJack]

I'd say Harang is done tonight

[dsmith421]

Another absolutely frigging pathetic performance in a 'statement' game. I just don't get these guys.

[GridironGrace]

Duncan: 0-2 K Eckstien on 1st 0 outs

Ball


Duncan Homers to RF

Eckstien Scores Duncan Scores

4-0 Cards.. still no oouts in the bot of the 5th

[CTA513]

Harang must be taking tips from Arroyo.

[Edskin]

Harang has been a real disappointment in these last two starts.

[reds44]

Saw this one coming.

Jerry didn't.

[Falls City Beer]

Harang and Arroyo are shot.

And it is ALL Jerry Narron's fault.

[PickOff]

Not good. May as well take out Harang now, see if you can keep his pitch count down tonight, maybe he'll be better next week?

[VR]

nevermind. I did not think it was possible to pull a ball 5 inches off the plate, but LaRue can....how many soft weak ground balls has he hit to the left side this year? The guy has no clue. He will not make ANY adjustments...none.


groundhog day. Pounds the outside corner four times. Catcher set up outside. Jason has a great stroke to right, with power. But now, let's open up, try to pull and top the ball to third.....for the 3,123rd time in his career. I don't know him personally....but in a hitter's world, he's about as sharp as a bag of wet mice.

[GridironGrace]

Puljos:

Doubles on 1st pitch

0 outs Puljos on 2B.. Taguchi batting 0-0

[Joseph]

Ball game....night all!

I hate to agree.....but I don't know if I don't.

[GridironGrace]

Taguchi:

Sac Bunt

Puljos to 3B... 1 outs.. Rolen Batting

[Edskin]

FCB-- C'mon, Arroyo was performing WAY over his head for the first few months. Logic and history told us he'd come back down to earth.

[reds44]

FCB-- C'mon, Arroyo was performing WAY over his head for the first few months. Logic and history told us he'd come back down to earth.
Overusing them didn't help.

[Falls City Beer]

FCB-- C'mon, Arroyo was performing WAY over his head for the first few months. Logic and history told us he'd come back down to earth.

Should Harang too? Who was similarly abused by Narron in the early going?

[CTA513]

Another absolutely frigging pathetic performance in a 'statement' game. I just don't get these guys.

They get close to first place and cant seem to pass them no matter how bad the Cardinals play.

:help:

[Edskin]

BTW, Cards announcers laughing at Dunn's "effort" on the field. I must say, he is pretty darn lackadisacal-- he was almost walking to 2nd on that hit by Clayton.

[GullyFoyle]

Booooo!

[reds44]

Is there anyone warming?

[GridironGrace]

Rolen: Puljos at 3B, 1 Out

Blocked ball in Dirt 1-0
Foul
Blocked Ball in Dirt 2-1
Swinging Strike 2-2
Ball

Wild Pitch.... Puljos scores

5-0 Cards

3-2 pitch coming to Rolen with 1 out

[GridironGrace]

Ball 4 and Rolen Walks

[redsfan30]

Folks, we got beat by 12 runs last Monday and came back and won the next two nights.

No need to fold up the tent for the winter just yet.....

[Matt700wlw]

Perhaps this will be like last week....they clobber the Reds tonight, the Reds clobber them tomorrow, and then the 3rd one's up for grabs.


Hopefully the bats wake up, and make this interesting again.

[Edskin]

I'm just not sure I buy the "overuse" thing. Honest question here-- are athletes today more prone to arm injuries--why were old timers able to throw so much more w/ so much less damage?

[PickOff]

Come on Jerry, take him out.

[Kc61]

Very disappointing outing by Harang.

Why is he still pitching?

Why is Larue still with the Reds?

[GridironGrace]

FINALLY Coaching visit to mound.

Pull him Damage done

[REDREAD]

Harang and Arroyo are 2-3 in pitches thrown in MLB this year.

That's not good.

Just out of curiousity, who is first in pitches thrown this year?

[Matt700wlw]

Folks, we got beat by 12 runs last Monday and came back and won the next two nights.

No need to fold up the tent for the winter just yet.....

I heard this season was over 2 months ago, so there's no way I'm giving up on anything until it's truely over, because obviously it's far from over.

[Falls City Beer]

I'm just not sure I buy the "overuse" thing. Honest question here-- are athletes today more prone to arm injuries--why were old timers able to throw so much more w/ so much less damage?

You should buy it.

[reds44]

You won't win many games with Clayon/LaRue/pitcher anyway.