2/28/2008 Reds vs Twins

[cumberlandreds]

Lineups are up on Trent's blog. Dusty believes in getting them out early doesn't he? No Griffey or Dunn again today. Another Castro sighting and we get to see Stanton and Mercker pitch. Whoopee! :rolleyes:
The game is on MLB audio with the Twins feed. No Reds broadcast today.




SARASOTA, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn will be waiting another day to play. Jr. walked into Dusty Baker’s office to find out why he wasn’t playing. He’s ready to go, but Dusty wants to give him another day.
Here’s your lineup
Hopper cf
Freel lf
B. Phillips 2b
Encarnacion 3b
Bruce rf
A. Phillips 1b
Castro ss
Valentin c
Votto dh


pitchers
Belisle
Fogg
Lincoln
Weathers
Cordero
Mercker
Stanton

[klw]

Makes sense to hold back on some of the starters at this point to let Dusty see the guys he is less familiar with and the guys with more of a need to prove they belong. I'm curious to see how Mercker does today.

[membengal]

Not only that, it's cold down there (relatively). And no good reason to risk hamstring issues with Dunn or Jr. by playing in the cold when it has been warm up to now. Plenty of time to get them at-bats.

This is one example of Dusty's steady hand at manager being a help to this club. He is more than capable of communicating that to Jr. in a way that Jr. will understand.

[nate]

Dusty on Griffey: "Griff’s wondering why he’s not playing,” Baker said. “He said he was ready. I told him, ‘one more day, dude.’”

"I'm not worried about him hitting. He's going to hit until forever. Forever. It's just a matter of how his legs feel. If his legs are OK, everything else is OK. I'm just giving him time to get his legs underneath him. He's been running good. Him and Dunn, get their work in. It's a short spring from the time they get here to the games. The younger guys are ready. The smaller body type guys get ready earlier. It gives me a chance to see Gil and Dickerson and those guys."

I can't imagine Jerry calling Jr. "dude."

[klw]

Twins lineup per Trent

Twins
Carlos Gomez cf
Brendan Harris 2b
Joe Mauer c
Michael Cuddyer rf
Jason Kubel lf
Craig Monroe H
Mike Lamb 3b
Garrett Jones 1b
Alexi Casilla ss

Scott Baker, rhp

[dabvu2498]

Mercker
Stanton

And afterwards there's an AARP meeting at the nearest buffet in Ft. Myers.

[cumberlandreds]

Is anyone able to get into the MLB.com audio? It's telling me they are undergoing maintenance and check back later.

[hippie07]

Is anyone able to get into the MLB.com audio? It's telling me they are undergoing maintenance and check back later.

Same thing here - is there another source?

[pedro]

I can't imagine Jerry calling Jr. "dude."

I can.

[cumberlandreds]

Same thing here - is there another source?

XM maybe? But I can't get that here in my office.

[BRM]

Fay,



First pitch: 1:09, 57 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Matt Belisle pitching for the Reds.

I'll do play-by-play since this isn't on free radion:

Twins first: Carlos Gomez 3 unassited. Brendam Harris, former Red and much discussed on the blog last year, F9. Nice play by some kid named Jay Bruce on slicing line drive. Joe Mauer bounced a single through the middle. Michael Cuddyer Foul 3.

[Reds Fanatic]

XM maybe? But I can't get that here in my office.
I don't think the game is on XM today.

[Reds Nd2]

Is anyone able to get into the MLB.com audio? It's telling me they are undergoing maintenance and check back later.

Try it again. I was finally able to get on just now.

[klw]

Bottom 1: Hopp shows bunt, pulls back. Strike one. No show on the second pitch. 1-1. A fly into right. 1 out. Freel down 1-2. I see I'm being immitated -- the sincerest for of flattery. But we all know who the original gangsta is. That's right. Solid rap up the middle for Freel for a single. A perfect double play ball at third, but Freel breaks up the DP. Nice work by him. Phillips grounded into 26 double plays last year -- by far the most on the team. EE K. Reds 0, Twins 0

[cumberlandreds]

MLB.com is back up for me. It's nil to nil going to the bottom of the second.

[cumberlandreds]

The great one (Bruce) gets a single to start the 2nd.

[TOBTTReds]

The great one (Bruce) gets a single to start the 2nd.

I think it is officially "The Next Big Thing." Shorten it how you would like.

[cumberlandreds]

Phillips,the Andy variety,singles and the great one goes to third.

[TOBTTReds]

Mine still isn't working...they better be sorry for the inconvienience.

[LincolnparkRed]

Mine still isn't working...they better be sorry for the inconvienience.

They already have your money so I would doubt their sincerity

[cumberlandreds]

Castro pops out to RF. Bruce holds at third not wanting to show his great speed off in ST.

[cumberlandreds]

Valentin grounds into a Casey or what ever we are calling a DP this season. Nil to Nil after two.

[Tom Servo]

I think it is officially "The Next Big Thing." Shorten it how you would like.
BROOOOOOOCCCCCKKKK LESSSNAAAARRRR

[BRM]

Valentin grounds into a Casey or what ever we are calling a DP this season.

I believe any of these are acceptable: Casey, BP, Bichette

[Reds Fanatic]

Twins 2nd: Jason Kubel singles. Craig Monroe singles. Mike Lamb L6. Garrett Jones grounds into a 3-6-1 DP.

Reds 2nd: Bruce singles. Andy Phillips singles on the hit-and-run. Bruce to third. Juan Castro flies to right -- too shallow to get Bruce in. Javy Valentin hits into a 6-4-3 DP.

[cumberlandreds]

Twins batter K's. I didn't get his name,sorry.

[Reds Nd2]

When I retire, I want to move to Bell Isle.

[cumberlandreds]

Fogg has rolled in. Belisle out after two.

[cumberlandreds]

Gomez of the Twinks K's. Fogg doing his Nolan Ryan imitation. Two batters two K's.

[cumberlandreds]

Harris bounces to the mound. Still Scoreless in the third.

[dabvu2498]

When I retire, I want to move to Bell Isle.

Like this guy?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/65/Fletch_Lives_movie_poster.jpg/200px-Fletch_Lives_movie_poster.jpg

[cumberlandreds]

Unfortunately for me, work will intervene and I am off to a meeting in a few minutes. If anyone else wants to do PBP, go for it.

[hippie07]

Thanks to those who provided play-by-play while MLB.com was down !!!

[cumberlandreds]

Votto bounces out to the mound. A new pitcher for the Twinks of who I have never heard of before.

[cumberlandreds]

Another bounce out to the mound. This is getting boring. Two away.

[Reds Nd2]

Mine still isn't working...they better be sorry for the inconvienience.

Ever get it to work?

[cumberlandreds]

Carlos Gomez make a diving catch on a liner by Freel. Quick inning. I think these guys want to leave early today.

[Chip R]

I think it is officially "The Next Big Thing." Shorten it how you would like.


"Thing", then?

[klw]

Carlos Gomez make a diving catch on a liner by Freel. Quick inning. I think these guys want to leave early today.

Santana couldn't have caught that :D

[Caseyfan21]

"Thing", then?

Or we could use "TNBT"

[klw]

Top 4: Fogg back out there. Hannigan catching for the Reds. Freel does some payback, diving to rob Joe Mauer. The loudest guy int eh stadium finally got an appreciative chuckle, doing the sportscenter jigle after Freel's catch. Then, well, he did it again because he was encouraged. Really people, never encourage that guy. Single to right by Cuddyer.

per Trent
http://www.1530homer.com/pages/ctrent.html

[WMR]

If Castro makes this team I'm going to go bonkers.

[klw]

Top 4: Fogg back out there. Hannigan catching for the Reds. Freel does some payback, diving to rob Joe Mauer. The loudest guy int eh stadium finally got an appreciative chuckle, doing the sportscenter jigle after Freel's catch. Then, well, he did it again because he was encouraged. Really people, never encourage that guy. Single to right-center by Cuddyer. Fly out to center for Kubel. Wild pitch, Cuddyer moves to second. Monroe tops one and Fogg makes a nice play coming off the mound and getting Monroe. Reds 0, Twins 0

Bottom 4: Pat Neshek in for the Twins. BP takes a wave at one up in the zone for strike 3. EE doubles down the left field line.

[BRM]

If Castro makes this team I'm going to go bonkers.

Prepare to go bonkers then.

[klw]

Bottom 4: Pat Neshek in for the Twins. BP takes a wave at one up in the zone for strike 3. EE doubles down the left field line. Pop up to left for Bruce. A Phillips hits one on the screws, but right at short. 6-3. Reds 0, Twins 0

[dabvu2498]

Prepare to go bonkers then.

Do you think he'll go more or less bonkers than he will on Selection Sunday???

[klw]

per Trent
Top 5: Mercker in for the Redlegs.


per Fay
Kent Mercker's pitching, Jolbert Cabrera's at first, Adam Rosales is at second, Andy Green at third, Chris Dickerson in left, Jerry in center, Drew Anderson in right.

[BRM]

Do you think he'll go more or less bonkers than he will on Selection Sunday???

You just keep digging away. I love it. :thumbup:

Oh, to answer the question - Selection Sunday will be a very sad day at WMR's house. :)

[KronoRed]

Looks like Castro is healthy.

[BRM]

Looks like Castro is healthy.

I hope so. He's the backup SS.

[KronoRed]

I hope so. He's the backup SS.

And 2 hitter.

[BRM]

And 2 hitter.

He handles the bat well. He's Golden Hands with the glove and the bat.

[Heath]

Manos De Oro needs to change his name to Manos De Oreo. Looks like Castro's gained a few lbs.

[Reds Nd2]

Jerry Gill goes yard with a wind aided shot. 3-0 Reds

[Reds Nd2]

Dickerson doubles.
Rosalas, who hit his first HR of spring training yesterday, grounds out.

Andy Green(?) pinch hits for Encarnacion.

[Kc61]

This poor guy, Castro. If he only knew how badly we treat him.

[Reds Nd2]

Green K's. After 5 complete it's the Reds 3 the Twins 0.

David Weathers on to pitch.

[Reds Nd2]

E8 Jerry Gil collides with Freel and drops the ball.
Runners at 1st and 2nd. Two down.

Ground ball to the mound. Weathers knocks it down a proceeds to throw it away.
Runner scores from 2nd. Runner thrown out at the plate trying to score from 1st.

[Reds Nd2]

Three errors in the top half of the 6th for the Reds. Ouch!

[KronoRed]

Is that Freel's first take down of the year?

[lollipopcurve]

Jerry Gil collides with Freel and drops the ball.

Pure self-defense on Freel's part, I'm sure.

[BRM]

Fay says it was Dickerson who collided with Gil.



The Twins scored an unearned run. Really unearned. Jeff Keppinger mzde an error at shortstop. Gil and Chris Dickerson collided on a ball in center. And David Weathers threw wilding to first.

[traderumor]

I just tried to listen to the game and got the same message everyone else is getting

[Reds Nd2]

Fay says it was Dickerson who collided with Gil.

Yep, he replaced Freel in LF earlier. The Twins announcers got it wrong and I passed it along. :(

Coco Puffs on to pitch.

[Reds Nd2]

Coco gets out of the inning which had Dickerson making the 4th error of the game.

The Peoples Champion grounds out to lead off the bottom of the 7th.

[Reds Nd2]

Gil robbed by the 3B.

Dickerson works a 6 pitch strike out.

On to the 8th.

[Reds Nd2]

Janish at SS.
Keppinger in LF.
Mike Stanton in to pitch.

[Matt700wlw]

I hope so. He's the backup SS.

That's unfortunate.

[LincolnparkRed]

Coco gets out of the inning which had Dickerson making the 4th error of the game.



I thought dickerson was known for his glove?? Maybe the run in with Gil shook him up, or is it that windy today?

[cumberlandreds]

I thought dickerson was known for his glove?? Maybe the run in with Gil shook him up, or is it that windy today?

The Twins anouncers have said it's pretty windy.

[Reds Nd2]

I thought dickerson was known for his glove?? Maybe the run in with Gil shook him up, or is it that windy today?

It's pretty windy according to the announcers.

[cumberlandreds]

Stanton sets the Twins down in order. That could be good or bad news depending on how you look at it.

[Reds Nd2]

Stanton gets a couple of pop outs and a nice play by Janish ranging to the right side of 2nd base to retire three Twin batter in a row.

[redsmetz]

Did we lose the feed?

[cumberlandreds]

Cabrera drove in two runs to make it 5-1 and then Reds got another run via an error by the Twins 3B. It's 6-1 Reds in the 8th.

[cumberlandreds]

Going to the ninth. Reds 6 Twins 1

[Reds Nd2]

Hot Rod Lincoln retires the side in order to preserve the first Reds win of this spring training.

[pedro]

Prepare to go bonkers then.

nah, he ain't making the team. i refuse to believe it.

[Raisor]

nah, he ain't making the team. i refuse to believe it.

only because you don't want to lose that 40 million dollars you bet me. Krono is covering my losses if he doesn't make the team.

[BRM]

Raisor will be VERY upset if Castro isn't on the squad. His opportunities to mock drop significantly without Castro around.

[Raisor]

Raisor will be VERY upset if Castro isn't on the squad. His opportunities to mock drop significantly without Castro around.

I'm willing to bite the bullet on snarking if it means that Castro goes away.

I will miss the mocking, but I'm willing to put the team above myself.

[BRM]

I'm willing to bite the bullet on snarking if it means that Castro goes away.

I will miss the mocking, but I'm willing to put the team above myself.

You always were a 'team first' kind of guy. I nominate you for team captain due to your selflessness.

[redsmetz]

Hot Rod Lincoln retires the side in order to preserve the first Reds win of this spring training.

Best nickname all spring! Did you say it like in the song?

[corkedbat]

Stanton sets the Twins down in order. That could be good or bad news depending on how you look at it.

He and Manos in the same game this early in the spring? They must be showcasing them! :thumbup:

Besides, it is the Twinkies turn at enduring the Castro isn't it?

[Reds Nd2]

Best nickname all spring! Did you say it like in the song?

Nice catch.

"Dusty, you're gonna' drive me to drinkin'
If you don't stop callin' that Hot Rod Lincoln"

[cumberlandreds]

Nice catch.

"Dusty, you're gonna' drive me to drinkin'
If you don't stop callin' that Hot Rod Lincoln"

They just played that on XM 70's channel. This may mean good Karma for him. :)