6/20/07 - Reds vs. A's Game Thread

[Reds Fanatic]

Starting Lineups:



Reds (28 - 44)
6th in NL Central
Athletics (38 - 32)
2nd in AL West

Starting Lineup

Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. S Hatteberg, 1B .297 7 23 0
2. B Phillips, 2B .275 11 34 15
3. K Griffey Jr., DH .290 19 44 2
4. A Dunn, LF .267 19 46 7
5. E Encarnacion, 3B .271 4 29 2
6. J Hamilton, CF .261 9 20 3
7. A Gonzalez, SS .265 12 32 0
8. D Ross, C .195 9 23 0
9. N Hopper, RF .266 0 1 5

Starting Lineup

Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. M Ellis, 2B .265 7 37 6
2. M Kotsay, CF .254 1 7 0
3. N Swisher, 1B .291 10 40 1
4. E Chavez, 3B .241 12 34 3
5. M Bradley, RF .306 2 7 2
6. J Cust, DH .267 9 25 0
7. S Stewart, LF .271 2 19 6
8. B Crosby, SS .236 6 28 6
9. J Kendall, C .225 1 20 3

Starting Pitcher
Name W L ERA* WHIP K
M Belisle 5 5 4.95 1.35 60

Starting Pitcher
Name W L ERA* WHIP K
D Haren 8 2 1.64 0.88 84

[BRM]

Matt Belisle vs Dan Haren.

[Big Klu]

I like this lineup. Griffey basically gets two days off (DH today and travel day tomorrow), and Hopper is hitting in the #9 spot, which is where he should be.

[BRM]

Do the Reds have the slowest leadoff hitter in baseball? Not that I'm complaining. He's getting on base and that's what matters most.

[Cyclone792]

This is the lineup I wanted Monday night with the given personnel playing. If Hopper is in the outfield, bat him at the bottom of the order.

I'm also wondering with Hopper's .661 OPS now this season if the Hopper Bandwagon is going up in flames too.

BTW, Dan Haren since Oakland acquired him from St. Louis ...

544 innings
64 home runs (1.06 HR/9)
423 strikeouts (7.00 K/9)
122 walks (2.02 BB/9)
3.47 K/BB

3.85 DIPS ERA
3.49 actual ERA

Thank you, Billy Beane, for robbing the Cardinals and stealing Dan Haren from them. I'm not at all disappointed that Haren isn't in the St. Louis rotation.

[Matt700wlw]

Matt Belisle vs Dan Haren.

It may not matter who the Reds run out there offensively....

[BRM]

I'm also wondering with Hopper's .661 OPS now this season if the Hopper Bandwagon is going up in flames too.


Nope. He's Dunn's replacement, remember?

[oneupper]

This is the lineup I wanted Monday night with the given personnel playing. If Hopper is in the outfield, bat him at the bottom of the order.

.

Now...your true motives. :devil:

With Hopper, Hamilton and Dunn in the OF and Griffey as DH, well...

Narron will be unlikely to switch Dunn out in the late innings (he'd lose the DH).

:evil:

[Matt700wlw]

Now...your true motives. :devil:

With Hopper, Hamilton and Dunn in the OF and Griffey as DH, well...

Narron will be unlikely to switch Dunn out in the late innings (he'd lose the DH).

:evil:

Conine for Dunn :p:

[dabvu2498]

Conine for Dunn :p:

I'm sure Castro could give em 3 solid innings in the OF as well. :alien:

[Big Klu]

This is the lineup I wanted Monday night with the given personnel playing. If Hopper is in the outfield, bat him at the bottom of the order.

I'm also wondering with Hopper's .661 OPS now this season if the Hopper Bandwagon is going up in flames too.

I also wanted this batting order. With the DH being used, Hopper is still hitting ahead of Hatteberg-Phillips-Griffey, et.al., but he doesn't get the extra at-bat that he shouldn't have. :thumbup:

I still like Hopper, but it's obvious to me that he is a backup outfielder--nothing wrong with that, but extended playing time (especially vs. RHP) will show why he is exactly that.


A lineup that I was entertaining for today's game would have had Griffey in RF, Dunn at DH, and Conine in LF. That way, when Jerry wanted to make his defensive substitution in LF with Hopper entering the game, Dunn's bat would still be in the lineup. It would look something like this:

Hatteberg 1b
Phillips 2b
Griffey rf
Dunn dh
Encarnacion 3b
Hamilton cf
Conine lf
Gonzalez ss
Ross c


But overall, I like today's lineup.

[Matt700wlw]

I'm sure Castro could give em 3 solid innings in the OF as well. :alien:

Maybe we should stop giving them any ideas

[Matt700wlw]

Dan Haren's ERA is just absolutely stupid.

[BRM]

Dan Haren's ERA is just absolutely stupid.

So are the rest of his numbers.

1.64 ERA
0.88 WHIP
.520 OPSA

Just to name a few.

[Danny Serafini]

1-2-3 first. Hatteberg grounder to short, Phillips and Griffey K. MLB Gameday has the enhanced pitch graphics on today, if you haven't seen it it's pretty cool. It tracks the arc of the pitch and gives you how much it breaks, as well as the speed. I don't see it used very often, don't know how they determine what games to do it in.

[CTA513]

Dan Haren's ERA is just absolutely stupid.

104 innings, 64 hits, 24 BB, 84 K, 0.88 whip

[Matt700wlw]

104 innings, 64 hits, 24 BB, 84 K, 0.88 whip

I think the Cardinals got the short end of the stick in that trade...

[Matt700wlw]

Belisle is starting off well....lead off double and a walk

[BRM]

Belisle is starting off well....lead off double and a walk

Actually, it was a one out double followed by a walk.

[Cyclone792]

I think the Cardinals got the short end of the stick in that trade...

Hold your hand up as high as you can. Billy Beane is way up there. Now hold your hand as low as you can. Everybody else is down there.

People used to deride Beane and the A's and claim that their success was due solely to Hudson, Zito, and Mulder.

Those people have long disappeared.

[Eric_Davis]

Let's see if we can be the first team in 13 starts to get more than 2 earned runs off of Haren.

On a positive note, his infield tends to make errors behind him and he can occasionally give up a few walks against Left-handed hitters and homeruns against right-handed hitters.

[Matt700wlw]

Hopper almost screwed that up

[Danny Serafini]

Sounds like Hopper completely garbled that ball, and fortunately still got under it. That was scary.

[oneupper]

Sounds like Hopper completely garbled that ball, and fortunately still got under it. That was scary.

He TOTALLY lost it until he realized it was 30 ft behind him, caught it over his shoulder at the wall.

An awful and great play all in one.

[Eric_Davis]

Hold your hand up as high as you can. Billy Beane is way up there. Now hold your hand as low as you can. Everybody else is down there.

People used to deride Beane and the A's and claim that their success was due solely to Hudson, Zito, and Mulder.

Those people have long disappeared.

There's so much to what Beane accomplishes. Only one person out of 8 who've played outfield for the A's this year has committed an error, and that's their best Outfielder in Milton Bradley. Everybody else has been errorless.

[BRM]

25 pitch inning for Belisle but no runs allowed. 0-0 after 1.

[Danny Serafini]

Well at least he worked out of trouble. Got scary for a minute there.

Ellis 4-3
Kotsay double to right
Swisher BB
Chavez 9
Bradley 4-3

After 1
CIN 0 0 0
OAK 0 1 0

[Eric_Davis]

Nice effort by Belisle on Bradley there with two men on. The A's said Bradley was more than ready to come off the DL and had been stroking the ball well.

[Eric_Davis]

Nice job EE.

From 0-2 to going with the pitch to right.

[Eric_Davis]

We need one of our 3 RH's at the bottom of the order to come through.

That's a tall order.

[NDRed]

Hamilton walks.

[Eric_Davis]

5-4 DP by Gonzo.

[Danny Serafini]

And that opportunity falls apart with the tailor-made DP. Bah!

Dunn 4
Encarnacion single to right
Hamilton BB
Gonzalez DP 5-3

[Eric_Davis]

Junior is not that old. He gets tomorrow off.

He should be in right and Valentin should be coming up next with Ross last instead of the next two outs/hitters being Ross/Hopper. Ross might surprise us though with a HR, but Hopper probably won't get the ball out of the infield.

[Eric_Davis]

Haren has a 110 pitch count and usually doesn't get past the 7th. If Belisle can keep us in this game, maybe we can win it late.

[Eric_Davis]

Sweet 1-2-3.

[Danny Serafini]

Easy inning for Belisle, just 11 pitches. Kept Phillips busy though.

Cust 4-3
Stewart 4
Crosby 4-3

After 2
CIN 0 1 0
OAK 0 1 0

[Eric_Davis]

Nice patience by the REDS at the plate so far. Haren already up to 38 pitches. Keep making him work.

[NDRed]

After 2 innings Belisle has 36 pitches.

[Ltlabner]

Dan Haren's ERA is just absolutely stupid.

Ridonkulous even!

[BRM]

And with that hit, Ross gets his BA back to the Mendoza line.

[NDRed]

Ross singles to left.

[Eric_Davis]

Narron trying to remove the 2-Hopper from a possibility. Good move Jerry.

[Eric_Davis]

I'll take an error by the A's here to get this run in.

Holes in the gloves....c'mon.

[Eric_Davis]

Strike!?

It almost hit him.

[Razor Shines]

Swisher saves a double from Phillips. That was a rocket.

[oneupper]

Second straight inning the REDS strand runner(s) in SP with very sharp hit balls to the IF.

[Danny Serafini]

Line shot right at first. Another opportunity slips away.

Ross single to left
Hopper 4-3
Hatteberg 6-3
Phillips 3

[BRM]

Another good inning for Belisle.

[Danny Serafini]

Decent inning for Belisle, though it sounds like he may have dodged one at the end, Hopper had to make a long run to get the out.

Kendall 1-3
Ellis BB
Kotsay 7
Swisher 9

After 3
CIN 0 2 0
OAK 0 1 0

[Eric_Davis]

3 AB's w/ RISP in just 2 innings against Haren with Belisle shutting down the A's. That's encouraging.

[Puffy]

Alex Gonzalez has not walked in 88 at bats. Thats real hard to do.

Congrats Alex, only 12 more non-walk at bats and you reach 100!!

[Eric_Davis]

I swear that Called Strike 1 on Junior was Ball 4.

[Matt700wlw]

:dunn:

:jump:

[jesusfan]

Homer!!!

[BRM]

Alex Gonzalez has not walked in 88 at bats. Thats real hard to do.


Not for Alex. He's avoided walks his entire career.

[Matt700wlw]

Homer!!!

No, Dunn.




:)

[Eric_Davis]

WOW!

That's only the 2nd, maybe 3rd Homerun by a left against Haren all year.

[Eric_Davis]

The way EdE "thinks" at the plate, he looks like he could put together a couple of .300 seasons.

[Danny Serafini]

I swear that Called Strike 1 on Junior was Ball 4.

It was funny, Gameday showed the ball 3 pitch as a strike. Same location on the outside, but the 4th pitch was higher, and it does get called a strike.

[BRM]

If Gameday is accurate, the first called strike to Josh was way outside.

[Eric_Davis]

Is it me or is Haren getting the outside pitch called for a strike?

[Matt700wlw]

:hamilton:

:jump:

[Danny Serafini]

Encarnacion swipes 2nd

[jesusfan]

Ham-Bone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3-0 Redlegs, I get in from work and we go bombs away!

[Danny Serafini]

Guess Encarnacion didn't need to swipe 2nd. :)

[CTA513]

Isn't this one of the few games that Haren gave up more than 2 earned runs this season?

[NDRed]

Haren has 70 pitches.

[jesusfan]

Anywhere I can listen online? WATH AM isnt wanting to work for me...

[Danny Serafini]

Maybe a dumb question but I haven't paid a lot of attention elsewhere, is there anyone out there giving Hamilton a good run for Rookie of the Year?

[Eric_Davis]

If Gameday is accurate, the first called strike to Josh was way outside.

I was watching the pitches and gameday, and I'm seeing the ump giving the outside pitches to Haren. I think Gameday is accurate here.

Who are these guys?

Hamilton!!!! What a blast. I don't know which was more impressive. Dunn turning on an inside fastball and roping a linedrive over the rightfield wall or Hamilton, after getting two outside pitches called for strikes taking an outside pitch deep to the opposite field for a homerun.

[BRM]

Isn't this one of the few games that Haren gave up more than 2 earned runs this season?

This is only the second time this season he's allowed more than 2 earned runs.

[Rojo]

Haren wasn't going to be this good all season. Good time to catch the pendulum's back swing.

[jesusfan]

Ross K's... after 3.5 Reds-3 OAK- 0

[Eric_Davis]

In 4 innings, the REDS have done what the last 12 teams facing Haren couldn't do...score 3 earned runs.

Don't blow it Belisle.

[dabvu2498]

Maybe a dumb question but I haven't paid a lot of attention elsewhere, is there anyone out there giving Hamilton a good run for Rookie of the Year?

Hunter Pence

[CTA513]

Maybe a dumb question but I haven't paid a lot of attention elsewhere, is there anyone out there giving Hamilton a good run for Rookie of the Year?

Astros rookie outfielder Hunter Pence is having a good season.

[Danny Serafini]

Nice inning for the Redlegs:

Griffey 8
Dunn HR to right
Encarnacion single to left, steals 2nd
Hamilton HR to left
Gonzalez 3-1
Ross K

[oneupper]

The "book" on Hamilton seems to be to pitch him outside, since that is what everyone has been doing.

Nice to see him generate some power that way, since he had been producing some lazy flies to LF lately (which is probably why they were pitching him that way).

[BRM]

Nice inning for the Redlegs:

Griffey 8
Dunn HR to right
Encarnacion single to left, steals 2nd
Hamilton HR to left
Gonzalez 3-1
Ross K

Dunn with another solo HR. :rolleyes:

:devil:

[Gallen5862]

Thanks for the updates. Its been storming here. How is Belisle doing?

[Matt700wlw]

The "book" on Hamilton seems to be to pitch him outside, since that is what everyone has been doing.

Nice to see him generate some power that way, since he had been producing some lazy flies to LF lately (which is probably why they were pitching him that way).

I think the "book" is still being written

[jesusfan]

Anywhere online to listen to the game?

[BRM]

Was that a tough play or did Phillips just boot it?

[Danny Serafini]

Thanks for the updates. Its been storming here. How is Belisle doing?

1 hit, 2 walks so far. Sounds pretty decent.

[Eric_Davis]

They gave Phillips an error on that play. That was tough. Bet if it was Ellis, it would have been a hit.

[jesusfan]

Here we go...

[Matt700wlw]

Way to go, Belisle

[Eric_Davis]

Thanks Belisle. Way to give it back.

[Gallen5862]

Thanks Danny Serafina. Sounds like he is doing well.

[BRM]

What a pickup he's been for Oakland.

[oneupper]

I was about to say that the A's had hit some drives at people...

[Danny Serafini]

Could Jack Cust kindly go back to being nobody, please.

Oh well, they've still got a lead.

[pedro]

Thought this game wasn't televised? I'm getting it on mlb.tv

Just in time to see Cust's HR.

[Eric_Davis]

I wouldn't blame Phillips for that error. That was on Belisle as the ball was smashed up the middle.

[Gallen5862]

Come on Reds. Let's keep the leads.

[pedro]

Thanks Belisle. Way to give it back.

You don't honestly expect him to pitch a shut out do you?

[Danny Serafini]

You don't honestly expect him to pitch a shut out do you?

I expect 27 up, 27 down. Hey, it happened once before.

[Eric_Davis]

That's ridiculous. Belisle should have got a calle-strike 3 on Crosby on that 6th pitch. Haren had been getting strikes all day on pitches further away from the plate than that.

[Matt700wlw]

As long as Belisle doesn't go all Lohse on the team now, and blow it open, then all is well.

[Eric_Davis]

You don't honestly expect him to pitch a shut out do you?

No, but not give the 2 runs right back that we scored in the top of the inning.

[Danny Serafini]

Almost as many runs in the 4th as there were total baserunners in the first 3. Guess this broke open a bit.

Chavez E4
Bradley 7
Cust HR to center
Stewart 8
Crosby 8

After 4
CIN 3 5 1
OAK 2 2 0

[pedro]

No, but not give the 2 runs right back that we scored in the top of the inning.

I just figure he's due to give up some runs at some point.

[Eric_Davis]

You don't honestly expect him to pitch a shut out do you?

He relaxed too much after getting a 3-run lead. Everyone, just not Cust, hit the ball hard that inning.

Haren's going to bare down now, but fortunately, he's thrown a lot of pitches.

I hope Belisle bares down himself the next two innings.

[CTA513]

The Reds quickly go down on 9 pitches.

[Eric_Davis]

That first pitch called strike on Phillips was the exact same place as the 6th pitch ball on Crosby. Come on Blue!

[Danny Serafini]

Quick inning for Haren.

Hopper 1-3
Hatteberg 7
Phillips K

[Eric_Davis]

Nice hustle covering first, Matt.

[Eric_Davis]

YES!!!

Nice pitch, Belisle.

Low and away, spotted on the corner.

[Danny Serafini]

If Gameday is accurate Haren is definitely getting a bigger strike zone than Belisle. But Belisle is working well enough with what he's got I guess.

[pedro]

YES!!!

Nice pitch, Belisle.

Low and away, spotted on the corner.

gameday or mlb.tv?

I'm watching now and you're right, it was a damn nice pitch.

hopefully he can keep this runner from scoring.

[Eric_Davis]

Now Blue is starting to give Belisle the same strike zone as Haren.

Thank you.

[Matt700wlw]

Wow! Norris Hamilton!!

(yes, I said that on purpose)

[Eric_Davis]

Nice timing by Ross to come out and talk to Belisle as he seems to lost his aggressiveness against Swisher with Kotsay on 2nd.

[Eric_Davis]

...I saw a replay.

[pedro]

That was a great throw by Hopper!

Out at the plate.

[Danny Serafini]

What's more shocking, Hopper gunning someone down at the plate or Ross holding onto the ball?

[Danny Serafini]

Kendall 3-1
Ellis K
Kotsay double to right
Swisher single to right, Kotsay out at home 9-2

After 5
CIN 3 5 1
OAK 2 4 0

[lollipopcurve]

What's more shocking, Hopper gunning someone down at the plate or Ross holding onto the ball?

Ross holding onto the ball. Hopper's a solid outfielder.

[jesusfan]

okay... where is everyone watching this at? lol

[Eric_Davis]

Looks like Narron made the right call giving Hopper the start in Right as he's made two plays that Junior might not have made.

[Matt700wlw]

okay... where is everyone watching this at? lol

Game Cast...with the radio broadcast

[pedro]

okay... where is everyone watching this at? lol

I'm watching on mlb.tv. It's teh stadium feed with mlb.tv announcers.

[jesusfan]

Game Cast...with the radio broadcast

700 WLW I'm guessing... I can't pick it up where I live, it is usually on my hometowns radio but isnt during daygames... I tried WATH AM, but it isnt working... hmm

[jesusfan]

Brewers win again...

[Danny Serafini]

Kiko Calero is up in the pen. Haren stands at 102 pitches right now.

[Razor Shines]

What's more shocking, Hopper gunning someone down at the plate or Ross holding onto the ball?

I say the third base coach sending that guy was the most shocking. Hopper didn't even really have much on that throw it was just accurate and he was out easily.

[NDRed]

104 pitches for Haren

[Danny Serafini]

Haren gets out of the inning unscathed.

Griffey 8
Dunn BB
Encarnacion K
Hamilton 4-3

[Eric_Davis]

Haren now at 103 pitches thanks to that at-bat by Encarnacion. He has a 110-pitch count. He could be done, but with Gonzalez, Ross, and Hopper all quick swingers coming up, he'll probably come out for one more.

[Eric_Davis]

gameday or mlb.tv?

I'm watching now and you're right, it was a damn nice pitch.

hopefully he can keep this runner from scoring.

mlb.tv

[Razor Shines]

I'm watching on mlb.tv. It's teh stadium feed with mlb.tv announcers.

Are you getting it in 700k? It's not working for me, but I figure it is probably because it's the stadium feed.

[Eric_Davis]

Warm up the pen. This is it....

Actually, it could be too late with Cust up.

We need a lefty.

[Eric_Davis]

Go talk to the pitcher....stall.

[Eric_Davis]

That strikeout pitch was so far outside to Cust.

See. Blue has given Belisle the calls that Haren was getting earlier.

Good job, Blue.

[Matt700wlw]

Belisle making his life difficult now...

[Danny Serafini]

Gosling and Coffey are up and throwing.

[pedro]

Are you getting it in 700k? It's not working for me, but I figure it is probably because it's the stadium feed.

I don't think so. It's just what popped up when I logged in but it looks a little grainier than usual.

[Eric_Davis]

That strikeout pitch was so far outside to Cust.

See. Blue has given Belisle the calls that Haren was getting earlier.

Good job, Blue.


Sorry, I thought I saw the ump motion strike, not ball.

We need a reliever (strikeout or ball), we needed one before he pitched to Cust.

[pedro]

mlb.tv

nice perk isn't it?

[Matt700wlw]

Wow...nice job to get out of the inning

[Eric_Davis]

Thanks for proving me wrong, Belisle.

It's performances like Bailey's and Belisle's and the hitters of the REDS today that rallies a team and gets them thinking they can win anytime.

[Danny Serafini]

Nice time for the DP there.

Chavez 2
Bradley BB
Cust BB
Stewart DP 6-4-3

After 6
CIN 3 5 1
OAK 2 4 0

[oneupper]

Belisle is gassed. Narron should bring someone else to start the 7th.

[jojo]

I bet Beane would've preferred Stewart to strike out there....

:evil:

[jesusfan]

104 pitches for Belisle...

nice start- 6 IP 4 Hits 1 ER 4 BB 1 K...

[Danny Serafini]

Now it's McBeth warming up.

[Eric_Davis]

This is the most pitches Haren's thrown all season and the most earned runs he's given up.

[Eric_Davis]

Make him pay, Hatte.

[oneupper]

This is the most pitches Haren's thrown all season and the most earned runs he's given up.

ASZONE.COM having a fit.

[KronoRed]

Nice to finally see Hopper in the proper spot

[Eric_Davis]

Damn it, Narron!

Let Hatteberg hit. Haren's arm was tired.

[jesusfan]

Hopper caught stealing.. after 6.5 Reds 3 Oak 0

[Danny Serafini]

Gonzalez 8
Ross 8
Hopper single to center
Hatteberg up, Hopper CS

Time to stretch everyone.

[Matt700wlw]

ASZONE.COM having a fit.

www.aszone.com

[Razor Shines]

Damn it, Narron!

Let Hatteberg hit. Haren's arm was tired.

Well Hopper really Freeled us that inning. I'm not sure if he had the steal sign, because Berry was giving him a stern talking to as he took his gloves and helmet.

[jesusfan]

McBeth in to pitch against his former team...

[KronoRed]

I should change my sig, Hopper is a little Freel and a little Taylor

[jesusfan]

here we go...

[Eric_Davis]

Dang, it, Macbeth....get the heck out of the way. You're not a fielder.

They should give him an error on that for getting in Phillip's way. Phillips had that easily.

[jesusfan]

line out to Hop... 1 down

[Eric_Davis]

Well Hopper really Freeled us that inning. I'm not sure if he had the steal sign, because Berry was giving him a stern talking to as he took his gloves and helmet.


Hopper's dumb if that's the case.

[Razor Shines]

Hopper's dumb if that's the case.

I agree. Obviously I don't know if he had the steal sign or not, I was just going on what I saw at the end of the inning.

[Matt700wlw]

Oh boy....here we go

[CTA513]

The Reds are getting killed by bloop hits again.

[Eric_Davis]

Can 'o corn will kill ya.

[jesusfan]

Ellis singles... Crosby to 3rd... dang

[Matt700wlw]

Coutlanges coming in...

[CTA513]

Coutlangus replaces McBeth.

[Aronchis]

Why is it, the righty gets in a bit of trouble, Narron always goes to Couter? The guy is a:p:

[Eric_Davis]

When Macbeth got in the way of Phillips making a routine (for him) play to get Crosby out, Hatteberg at first just dropped his head. He wouldn't even look at McBeth. He just got done watching two rookies, Hopper and McBeth, do stupid things.

[toledodan]

is anyone elso having a hard time following brantly's play by play?

[BRM]

There goes a chance at a DP.

[Matt700wlw]

Walk.

[CTA513]

Grandslam time coming up for Swisher.

[BRM]

Bases loaded with one out for Swisher.

[oneupper]

Swisher hitting .377 vs. lefites

[Matt700wlw]

Swisher a better hitter from the right side...

[BRM]

Gameday has Couter throwing 85-86. I thought he threw harder than that?

[Matt700wlw]

Coutlanges can't find the strike zone with a map

[CTA513]

Coutlangus will walk him.

[Matt700wlw]

Ball 4...tie game...


Pole comes out, and Narron stays with him.....

[KronoRed]

Why is he still in to face Swisher?

[toledodan]

pathetic

[CTA513]

Reds deserve to lose this game when you walk as many batters as they have.

[Eric_Davis]

Swisher ties the game without lifting the bat off his shoulders.

[oneupper]

Why is he still in to face Swisher?

Why did they bring him?


McBeth wasn't getting slammed.

[Matt700wlw]

A's with the lead.

[Matt700wlw]

Another brilliant performance by the Reds blowpen

[jesusfan]

ballgame...

[LincolnparkRed]

Why did they bring him?


McBeth wasn't getting slammed.

It's like asking why the sky is blue or why the clouds are white.

Jerry just runs off his own special playbook that no one but him understands.

[BRM]

Both runs charded to McBeth. Reds relievers are pretty good at allowing inherited runners to score.

[penantboundreds]

how many pitchers warm up in an average game? that is a problem.

[CTA513]

That walk to Swisher was the 16th walk that Coutlangus has given up.

[oneupper]

Coutlangus the beneficiary of an awful strike three call.

Today's ump is pretty bad.

[Aronchis]

Instead of giving McBeth the chance to get out of a problem, that was frankly, pretty much avoidable with some good luck, he(once again) brings in no control Couter and coughs up the lead.

Narron is comedy gold:)

[Rojo]

Why did they bring him?


McBeth wasn't getting slammed.

One possible explanation: Narron's an idiot.

[Danny Serafini]

Well, that sucked.

Crosby single to 2nd
Kendall 9
Ellis single to right, 2nd on WP
Kotsay BB
Swisher BB, run scores
Chavez 8SF
Bradley K

After 7
CIN 3 6 1
OAK 4 6 0

[pedro]

That walk to Swisher was the 16th walk that Coutlangus has given up.

He threw a couple of pretty decent pitches to swisher that could have gone either way IMO.

[PuffyPig]

It's like asking why the sky is blue or why the clouds are white.

Jerry just runs off his own special playbook that no one but him understands.

It's not that unusual for a manager to take out a rookie pitcher to bring in a LH pitcher to face a LH batter who seldoms faces them (and even more seldom hits them).

Cout. didn't do the job. Narron made the obvious move.

[Eric_Davis]

pathetic

Unbelievable. The REDS relievers lost this game between the ears. Dumb play by McBeth, and walks and a SacFly given up by Coutlangus.

[BRM]

Alan Embree in for the A's.

[Danny Serafini]

Alan Embree in to pitch.

[Eric_Davis]

If the REDS' hitters aren't too down, maybe they can come back.

[Matt700wlw]

They better pinch hit for Coutlanges ;)

[Danny Serafini]

Conine PH for Hatteberg, flies out.

[oneupper]

Its foolish to think that relief pitchers don't worry about their ERAs. They do.

They want to get out of their own little messes. If they're gonna be charged with runs...better be their own.

Narron never gives them a chance to do so.

I'll bet they're all pissed.

[BRM]

Two quick outs. Conine and BP both first pitch swinging.

[edabbs44]

One possible explanation: Narron's an idiot.

FYI...the Reds bullpen is awful. No matter what Narron does, it doesn't work. At some point, everyone will have to accept the fact that it's not Narron.

[PuffyPig]

Embree in for a 2 inning save, so make sure you work him early.

2 pitches, 2 outs.....

[Matt700wlw]

It's not that unusual for a manager to take out a rookie pitcher to bring in a LH pitcher to face a LH batter who seldoms faces them (and even more seldom hits them).

Cout. didn't do the job. Narron made the obvious move.

Coutlanges is also a rookie, isn't he?

I'm not sure there was a better option, but I'm just saying.

[Aronchis]

FYI...the Reds bullpen is awful. No matter what Narron does, it doesn't work. At some point, everyone will have to accept the fact that it's not Narron.

True, but today Narron was a idiot and may have caused his own demise.

[Danny Serafini]

Embree needs all of 5 pitches to get through the inning. That's how you rally!

Conine 9
Phillips 5-3
Griffey K

[oneupper]

Embree in for a 2 inning save, so make sure you work him early.

2 pitches, 2 outs.....

Mailing it in...

[Eric_Davis]

Whatever momentum the REDS had was erased by Hopper, McBeth, and Coutlangus all playing losing baseball between their ears.

[Kc61]

FWIW, I would have used Salmon there, or maybe even Coffey. McBeth hasn't pitched in awhile, didn't see him in a close game there.

As for Cout, his performance has deteriorated with the overuse.

[Rojo]

FYI...the Reds bullpen is awful. No matter what Narron does, it doesn't work. At some point, everyone will have to accept the fact that it's not Narron.

He makes the worst of a bad situation. Finding four or five decent bullpenners -- kind of hard. Firing an inept manager -- liking falling off a log.

[Danny Serafini]

Coutlangus gets a ground out, now a pitching change. Don't know who yet.

[oneupper]

Coutlangus gets out without being charged with an ER.

[Matt700wlw]

Salmon in

[Matt700wlw]

Yay.

Stewart Home Run

[pedro]

Salmon ain't the answer either.

[Danny Serafini]

I've stopped being surprised by shoddy relief pitching, it's become so routine at this point.

[Eric_Davis]

I am so bummed. I'm out of here.

[Matt700wlw]

The Reds bullpen are the ones not ready for the big leagues....not Homer Bailey

:)

[BRM]

At least they are losing with younger guys today...

[vaticanplum]

This team is revolting.

[Danny Serafini]

Marty just called for Ricky Stone. We've officially hit rock bottom.

[BRM]

Marty just called for Ricky Stone. We've officially hit rock bottom.

:laugh:

Sorry. I just had to laugh at that.

[Danny Serafini]

Bottom 8:

Cust 4-3
Stewart HR to left center
Crosby 7
Kendall 9

After 8:
CIN 3 6 1
OAK 5 7 0

[oneupper]

Narron has tried the vets, he's tried the rookies..power guys, crafty guys...

nothing has worked.

[Danny Serafini]

Marco Scutaro in to play 3rd for those scoring at home. How many people actually do score at home?

[Matt700wlw]

I guess I'd rather lose with the young guys....in fact, I've said that....


It still doesn't feel any better

[BRM]

Narron has tried the vets, he's tried the rookies..power guys, crafty guys...

nothing has worked.

Maybe Wayne should get him some talented guys?

[pedro]

This team is revolting.

I don't mind the team as a whole so much. The BP on the other hand is beyond belief. The thing that gets me is that all the youngsters that we had on hand that supposedly negated the need for the vets (who have failed miserably as well) have done poorly too. So in the end I guess Krivsky was correct that the guys they had on hand weren't going to cut it, it's just that the guys he brought in have been equally bad.

[oneupper]

Marco Scutaro in to play 3rd for those scoring at home. How many people actually do score at home?

I used to...when I was 12!

[BRM]

I guess I'd rather lose with the young guys....in fact, I've said that....


It still doesn't feel any better

Same here. At least we'll find out who's a keeper for 2008 and beyond.

[Aronchis]

Maybe Wayne should get him some talented guys?

Maybe they already do and just need some polish? Today's game wasn't that bad. Some bad luck, Narron throwing the hook to quick. Salmon giving up a fluke shot. It is the outright implosions that are scary.

[pedro]

Maybe Wayne should get him some talented guys?

not a lot of those moved over the last off season and the two that did (one of whom is out for the season) went to Atlanta.

[Danny Serafini]

According to Gameday Embree has the strike zone of a postage stamp to work with. Not that I'm complaining.

[BRM]

Maybe they already do and just need some polish? Today's game wasn't that bad. Some bad luck, Narron throwing the hook to quick. Salmon giving up a fluke shot. It is the outright implosions that are scary.

I actually think there is some hope for guys like Salmon, McBeth, and even Coutlangus. Today wasn't all that bad a day for Salmon and McBeth.

[Danny Serafini]

There are few things more frustrating than watching a hitter go up 3-0 and K. Down to the last out.

[oneupper]

Maybe Wayne should get him some talented guys?

Just about everyone makes do with the same slop. Franklin is with the Cards,
Rick White is with the Astros...etc. etc.

Embree could have been had...no one here wanted him.

I don't know at this point. It may not be Narron, but you have to try something else.

[jesusfan]

Castro for Hamilton??????

[919191]

DId I just hear Castro in hitting for Hamilton?

[oneupper]

Castro for Hamilton....

Incredible.

[Chip R]

Marty just called for Ricky Stone. We've officially hit rock bottom.

Nope. Castro's pinch hitting for Hamilton. Now we've hit rock bottom.

[Kc61]

Question:

Is it so hard to find two capable eighth inning relievers? Weathers is ok at closer for now, the Reds would be much better with a couple of guys to be available for the eighth inning who are reasonably good. Like Embree now pitching for Oakland.

I just don't see why the team continues to struggle with the same problem game after game.

[Matt700wlw]

Castro hitting for Hamilton.


I have seen it all.

I'm throwing up my hands, and my lunch.

My lunch was good, too...

[Danny Serafini]

Can someone please explain Castro PH for Hamilton please? That defies belief.