3/16/08 - Reds vs Phillies

[Reds Fanatic]

Lineups from John Fay:


Reds v. Phillies, 1:05 p.m.

Norris Hopper CF
Juan Castro SS
Ken Griffey Jr. RF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Joey Votto 1B
Javier Valentin C
Edinson Volquez P

No DH today. Volquez will hit for the first time as a professional. He'll also face the Phillies A lineup.

Jimmy Rollins SS
Shane Victorino 2B
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Jayson Werth LF
Geoff Jenkins RF
Greg Dobbs 3B
Jason Jaramillo C
Brett Myers C

[NC Reds]

Allow me to be the first to lament a 1-2 pop of Hopper and Castro to lead off. Yippee.

[Matt700wlw]

spring training or not, Castro batting second (I was going to say "in the lineup" but I thought I'd be nice) is disturbing.

[OnBaseMachine]

No matter what happens today, Edinson Volquez is in my starting rotation. I hope Dusty Baker feels the same.

[Matt700wlw]

I wish this game was a visual one....his junk was pretty nice to look at last time..:eek:

[edabbs44]

I wish this game was a visual one....his junk was pretty nice to look at last time..:eek:

Um...do you have access to the locker room? :)

[*BaseClogger*]

Victorino is playing CF and Myers is P...

[Matt700wlw]

I'm predicting that Bruce and Votto start to show their stuff in the next 2 weeks....

Well, they probably kind of have to...

[Matt700wlw]

In other news....today is HUGE for Volquez.

[Matt700wlw]

In my world...Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez, and Fogg are your starters based on current situations.

Cueto could slot himself into the 2 hole if he keeps doing what he's doing.

[Matt700wlw]

He tied Rollins in knots after battling with him....I love it! Got him with a change-up

[Matt700wlw]

Since I'm talking to myself, I'll tell myself that Volquez got Howard, and it seems it was a pretty nasty ordeal.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez: 1 IP, 1 H (single), 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Struckout Rollins and Howard, the past two MVP's...

[Matt700wlw]

I think I'm going to like this guy :)

[Chip R]

Jr gets a 2 out hit. Brandon flies out. No score after 1.

[BoydsOfSummer]

I wish this game was a visual one....his junk was pretty nice to look at last time..:eek:

I too like looking at his junk. That don't make me gay, right?:p:

[Matt700wlw]

The little B's have shown up for a visit in the booth....

[BoydsOfSummer]

Luke Brennaman auditioning early for a broadcaster job when granpa retires.;)

[Matt700wlw]

Ella Mae for American Idol....:)

[Chip R]

I wish this game was a visual one....his junk was pretty nice to look at last time..:eek:


I too like looking at his junk. That don't make me gay, right?:p:


Uh, why don't you guys get your own chat room. :eek: ;)

[Matt700wlw]

According to the eyeballs, Volquez is making people look foolish

[Tom Servo]

According to the eyeballs, Volquez is making people look foolish
Like the Rangers?

[Gainesville Red]

I like the, "Luke, Zip it up."

[Matt700wlw]

Like the Rangers?

Considering what they got...I don't know - of course they've had sluggers before and haven't won anything.....

[BoydsOfSummer]

Rangers are plenty happy with hammy so far I'm sure. Dude's been raking last I looked. Solid deal on both sides. I thought so then and still do.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez fires a 1-2-3 2nd inning with two strikeouts and a groundout.

2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

[Matt700wlw]

Rangers are plenty happy with hammy so far I'm sure. Dude's been raking last I looked. Solid deal on both sides. I thought so then and still do.



It looks that way...he's only batting .600

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez has 17 strikeouts in 10 innings this spring.

[Matt700wlw]

According to the eyeballs, Volquez and Cueto are just mind blowing right now....

I look forward to seeing Cueto tomorrow.


These guys are going to be BIG LEAGUE

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez has gone through the 9.....struck out 5 and only gave up 1 hit....

These ain't the scrubs either

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Victorino/Utley/Howard due up in the 4th.

[redsfan30]

As Thom said, it's awfully hard to temper any enthusiasm when it comes to Volquez and Cueto so far this spring. They have been in a word, impressive.

At this point, it's hard not to be optimistic entering the season with Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez and Fogg as your starting five.

[flyer85]

EV - looking great

[Kc61]

As Thom said, it's awfully hard to temper any enthusiasm when it comes to Volquez and Cueto so far this spring. They have been in a word, impressive.

At this point, it's hard not to be optimistic entering the season with Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez and Fogg as your starting five.


If you are right, what happens to Belisle?

[Matt700wlw]

If you are right, what happens to Belisle?

Bullpen. He's better there.

[Matt700wlw]

According to the eyeballs, Volquez's fastball is, at times, unhittable.

[OnBaseMachine]

BTW, six of Philly's hitter are left handed today, making Volquez's outing so far more impressive.

[Matt700wlw]

Soto-esque.

He's been working with Volquez and Cueto...

Make him pitching coach immediately :D

[hippie07]

In my world...Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez, and Fogg are your starters based on current situations.

Cueto could slot himself into the 2 hole if he keeps doing what he's doing.

This is my rotation too :beerme:

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez has just fallen behind his first hitter of the game...and then smokes a fastball by Howard for a strike....

Then it's a full count, on strike 2 that grazes the outside of the plate...and then howard makes contact with the change for a soft single.

Nice battle.

[BoydsOfSummer]

I'd much rather see Belisle in the pen and Fogg in the rotation. I think Belisle is better there and it would strengthen the pen and the whole staff.

[Falls City Beer]

This is why you trade Hamilton. I'd guess about the only thing standing in the way of Volquez's success is his own will. The parts are all there.

[flyer85]

BTW, six of Philly's hitter are left handed today, making Volquez's outing so far more impressive.with his nasty changeup I would think he would be just as effective against LHBs as RHBs.

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez's first pitch breaking ball is buckling guys

[redsfan30]

Two on, two outs....let's see if he can get himself out of this jam.

[Matt700wlw]

gone. done. inning over.

[redsfan30]

He does....he strikes out Jenkins to end the inning.

Six strikeouts through four innings.

[mth123]

Impressive K with 2 on and 2 out.

[Spring~Fields]

Volquez = Impressive. After the long drought, talk about giddy.

[Matt700wlw]

I'm giggly like a school boy over a pitcher.

Is that normal?

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice. It's good to see him face a little adversity there and get out of it. It's not always going to be that easy.

[dougdirt]

So far, I really enjoy this Thomas Edison kid.

[KoryMac5]

Volquez would be a 35-40 save guy if he wasn't starting.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K

All three hits have been singles.

[Chip R]

So far, I really enjoy this Thomas Edison kid.


I understand he's pretty inventive out there.

[mth123]

I understand he's pretty inventive out there.

He struggled early in his career, but the light finally went on last year.

[redsfan30]

If Johnny Cueto is able to match tomorrow what Volquez has done today......

Oh boy.....

[Matt700wlw]

Phillips botches a rare one...

[OnBaseMachine]

Cueto and Volquez are like that song...Anything you can do I can do better....

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez now 3-1 on the hitter.....this is his first stint into the 5th inning...

Walk. 2 on, 0 out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Errors and walk will haunt...especially to the 7 and 8 hitters.

[redsfan30]

This isn't the worst thing in the world....let's see how he pitches under pressure.

[Matt700wlw]

Pitcher tries to bunt....and pops it up....1 out.

[Matt700wlw]

Let's see what this kid can do against Rollins for third time

[Matt700wlw]

Almost doubled him up...which is tough to do, but they get 1 out.

[redsfan30]

Very, very nicely done.

[Matt700wlw]

Inning over.

[Spring~Fields]

Volquez handled it well when the heat was on and things did not go his way, he worked his way out of it. Good sign.

I really like this guy.

[Matt700wlw]

Will he go a sixth?

[icehole3]

Hamilton still hitting like an MVP, Volquez still throwing like a Cy Young candidate.

[Matt700wlw]

Marty discussing bodies again :eek:

[paintmered]

Hamilton still hitting like an MVP, Volquez still throwing like a Cy Young candidate.

Michael Scott would call that a win-win-win.

[Matt700wlw]

Umpire injury

[Matt700wlw]

Eddie done...Coutlanges in.

I would say Eddie did himself some good today, and in my book...secured a spot in my rotation

[icehole3]

Eddie done...Coutlanges in.

I would say Eddie did himself some good today

Marty said Volquez first start would be the first Saturday against the Phillies

[Spring~Fields]

Eddie done...Coutlanges in.

I would say Eddie did himself some good today, and in my book...secured a spot in my rotation

Oh yes! Plus I think it was a good move to take the young man out when he is riding high with confidence to build on the future.

[icehole3]

if he makes the team

[OnBaseMachine]

Updated spring stats for Volquez:

13 IP, 15 H, 3 BB, 19 K, 3.46 ERA

[Matt700wlw]

Updated spring stats for Volquez:

13 IP, 15 H, 3 BB, 19 K, 3.46 ERA

Um...that'll work. :)

[icehole3]

sounded like he threw some curves today that had Thom blushing

[Matt700wlw]

Ray Olmedo sighting....playing second for the Phillies.

[Matt700wlw]

Jay Bruce sighting....he's pinch-hitting for Coutlanges.

[mth123]

Colina with a hit. I think he should get some consideration for a Catcher job.

[Matt700wlw]

Griffey knocks in 2

[Screwball]

Griffey knocks in 2

What's the score?

[Chip R]

What's the score?


2-0 Reds.

[Matt700wlw]

Bruce in....Freel playing second (odd) and the not so Magic Man pitching

[jojo]

I noticed Howard has only struck out twice....is he not taking the Reds seriously or is he just pacing himself?

[Matt700wlw]

Since Volquez is out, I'm bored :D

[Chip R]

We have a Rey Olmedo sighting.

[Matt700wlw]

The longest inning ever.

[Chip R]

The longest inning ever.


Incorrect. I'm going over my scorebook from last year, basically checking it against the play by play for the games and the second game I came across was the 1st Kirk Sarloos Special against PIT.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2007/B05270CIN2007.htm

That 1st inning was looooong.

[Spring~Fields]

I am for sending Maj to the minors while hoping that he looks great and sending him on to another organization in some kind of deal.

[flyer85]

I am for sending Maj to the minors while hoping that he looks great and sending him on to another organization in some kind of deal.long as you realize he won't bring much more than a bag of used balls.

[Spring~Fields]

long as you realize he won't bring much more than a bag of used balls.

Works for me and wish him the best.

He's a picture of the past that we have had to live with, 2 run lead in a ballgame, and he can't hold it. Only one game, yet x 8 the Reds end up eight games out.

[paintmered]

long as you realize he won't bring much more than a bag of used balls.

That's not a deal-breaker. They don't even have to be Rawlings.

[Matt700wlw]

Salmon not helping himself today....

[Matt700wlw]

That's that...Reds lose, but who cares...Volquez was Soto-esque, and frankly, that's all that matters!

[Chip R]

6-2 is the final.

[OnBaseMachine]

Hopefully our other Dominican dandy can come out tomorrow and match Mad Dog Volquez's performance. Or perhaps out do it.

[flyer85]

catching and the bullpen would seem to be concerns heading into the season

[*BaseClogger*]

Marty said Volquez first start would be the first Saturday against the Phillies

and I'll be there! :jump:

[Redhook]

Good day to be a Reds fan.

Volquez pitched himself into the rotation and Majic pitched himself to AAA. Fantastic on both fronts.

[Superdude]

Volquez pitched himself into the rotation and Majic pitched himself to AAA. Fantastic on both fronts.

That's the one great part of spring training. You can cheer when guys like Majewski get rocked and not feel like a bad fan.

[Sea Ray]

Updated spring stats for Volquez:

13 IP, 15 H, 3 BB, 19 K, 3.46 ERA


The Press in Texas say that he wasn't even a candidate to make their rotation. I gotta see their starting 5 to believe that. If that's the case then the Rangers out to be picked to win the West

[Gainesville Red]

The Press in Texas say that he wasn't even a candidate to make their rotation.

That's gotta be coming from the office of the Texas Rangers PR firm.

[Sea Ray]

That's gotta be coming from the office of the Texas Rangers PR firm.

You could be right but it sounds like it's a sportswriter's opinion:


The Reds got pitcher Edinson Volquez for Hamilton; Volquez wasn't a serious contender for even the Rangers' rotation. In other words, the price wasn't high for Josh.


http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/randy_galloway//story/512051.html

[reds44]

God bless scouts.