Phils at Reds 4/7/08 Hello Castro!

[Joseph]

Phillies

1. Rollins ss
2. Victorino cf
3. Utley 2b
4. Howard 1b
5. Burrell lf
6. Jenkins rf
7. Feliz 3b
8. Ruiz c
9. Hammells p

Reds

1. Freel cf
2. Castro ss
3. Phillips 2b
4. Dunn lf
5. Keppinger 1b
6. Encarnacion 3b
7. Hopper rf
8. Bako c
9. Arroyo p

[TeamBoone]

Don't forget that today's game was changed to 12:35 pm.

[edabbs44]

So much for the aversion to Sunday specials.

I kind of understand the Castro starting thing. Kind of sort of. I'm not in agreement, but I can see where he is coming from. But not hitting 2nd.

[princeton]

sure, Cole Hamels, it's the GAB mound that makes you comfortable facing the Reds.

It's got nothing to do with Juan Castro.

[membengal]

I think it has more to do with Hamels pitching. I am oddly fine with that line-up. Seven right bats and only Dunn from the left side? Makes sense to me.

[cumberlandreds]

If Castro has got to play why bat him 2nd? Hopper would be better 2nd. Interesting too that Keppinger is playing first today.

[Joseph]

Bold prediction, sure to go wrong....Castro goes 2-3 today.

[membengal]

And, we had to know that Juan would play sometime.

[Screwball]

With Hamels on the mound against this group, and Arroyo dealing to a bunch of dangerous lefties, things don't look too promising for our Reds.

[PuffyPig]

It's funny, I was saying to my son last night that it might be a good time to sit out our LH hitting firstbasemen against Hamels, which would put Keppinger at first. Which then meant that Castro would play SS.

Hamels is death to LH hitters, so if you have to ever see Castro (I perfer not to), this would be the game he should play. Castro probbaly has as much chance of hitting Hamels as Hatteberg and Votto do right now, as neither of them are hitting anything.

We got some heavy PH's on the bench tonight.

[coachw513]

that's impressive under any get-away, Sunday special qualifications...wow...

Guaranteed 7 runs+ as a result...

The one nice thing, no pulling of EE yet...Dusty's seemingly giving him every opportunity to get it going offensively and defensively...I thought we'd see either Kepp or Freel at 3B today...

[edabbs44]

I think it has more to do with Hamels pitching. I am oddly fine with that line-up. Seven right bats and only Dunn from the left side? Makes sense to me.

Bako is a lefty.

[RedsManRick]

SS bats 2nd -- who cares if he's among the worst hitters in MLB history? He should get more ABs than Phillips, Dunn, EE, and Keppinger. When the order turns around in the 9th and it's 9-1-2, I sure am glad that Castro will be at the plate to win the game for us.

Can a beat report please just ask Dusty why? You don't have to be snarky, just make the man defend the decision. My god.

[westofyou]

Bako is a lefty.

Javey has a tweaked hammy and bats like crap RH too... it's a wash.

[OnBaseMachine]

Hopefully they can somehow force Hamels to throws a decent amount of pitches and and get a couple atbat off the Philly bullpen.

We need a about 7 innings of one or two run ball from Bronson today. Doubtful against that lefty thick lineup.

[princeton]

Castro's there for educational purposes.

here, this is what I want you to avoid doing..

[westofyou]

SS bats 2nd. Can a beat report please just ask Dusty why. You don't have to be snarky, just make the man defend the position. My god.

The man values bat control and a bat on the ball approach from his 2nd hitter, that's just the way it is.

Except it and fight another dragon.

[Falls City Beer]

At least Dunn's in the lineup.

[edabbs44]

Javey has a tweaked hammy and bats like crap RH too... it's a wash.

Not complaining, just pointing out to the poster who said Dunn was the only lefty.

[membengal]

Javey has a tweaked hammy and bats like crap RH too... it's a wash.


Yup. Bako has to play, which cannot be avoided.

And, that's not a bad thing. He's calling good games right now.

[membengal]

Ya got me edabbs, well done. Except, doesn't Arroyo bat right-handed? So, seven right-handed bats then?

ETA: Should have said only Dunn AND Bako from left side.

[TRF]

If I were Bronson Arroyo, I'd Gillooly Castro. Then I'd go after Dusty for putting Freel, Hopper and Castro in the same lineup. Like that couldn't wait for a Josh Fogg start.

[medford]

gotta agree w/ others here. While I don't have any problems w/ the players in today's lineup, I'm really scratching my head w/ Castro in the 2 hole. Why move Kepp when he's doing so well? Or if you want to move Kepp down to the 5 hole, hoping he'll drive in some runs, why not put Freel & Hopper 1 & 2?

Although isn't there some big name left that Castro has abused in the past? I can't remember who, and its doubtful that is Coles since he's so young, I'm thinking maybe Randy Johnson or someone along those lines, that Castro has just light up for his career. Sometimes baseball makes no sense, maybe today is one of those days for Castro that he devlievers a couple of base knocks. Of course I guess the better hope for the season is that Castro takes the golden sombraro forcing Dustry & Krivsky to realize Castro needs to be cut when Gonzalez returns

[pahster]

Hopper's such a good bunter I would have thought him a shoe in to bat second in a lineup like this. :D

[Cyclone792]

I hope Hamels is wild today and hits Castro with pitches each time Juan heads to the plate. At least that'd get Castro on base safely.

[oneupper]

I hope Hamels is wild today and hits Castro with pitches each time Juan heads to the plate. At least that'd get Castro on base safely.

Castro has NEVER been HBP.

[BRM]

The man values bat control and a bat on the ball approach from his 2nd hitter, that's just the way it is.

Except it and fight another dragon.

Everyone loved that thought when Kepp was the one hitting 2nd.

[Cyclone792]

Castro has NEVER been HBP.

A true freak of a stat if I've ever seen one.

Per MLB averages, a HBP occurs every 107.47 plate appearances. That means Castro should have 22 HBP in his career rather than zero. To help bring Castro back to the norm, I say each of his next 22 PAs in a Reds uniform should result in a HBP.

Let's avoid those outs and get some baserunners.

[oneupper]

A true freak of a stat if I've ever seen one.

.

Either that or he's terrified of getting hit. Taking from the way he stands at the plate...I'd say the latter.

[medford]

A true freak of a stat if I've ever seen one.

Per MLB averages, a HBP occurs every 107.47 plate appearances. That means Castro should have 22 HBP in his career rather than zero. To help bring Castro back to the norm, I say each of his next 22 PAs in a Reds uniform should result in a HBP.

Let's avoid those outs and get some baserunners.

Wouldn't that clog the bases though?

[princeton]

Coffey had been thinking, who's going to go when Belisle is ready?

but today he's thinking, dang we need a righty bat and this bullpen isn't getting a lot of work...

[NC Reds]

I was disappointed that I would miss the game because of work today.

Then I saw that lineup......ugh.

:arroyo: will need to be on his game today.

[redsmetz]

And, we had to know that Juan would play sometime.

Even Merv Rettemund and Darrel Chaney started games for the Reds - over 40 games each in 1975.

[guttle11]

Punt.

[BRM]

I think there's more angst at his lineup slot than the fact he's playing. Everyone knew he was going to get a start sometime. They just hoped he'd be hitting 8th when it happened.

[smith288]

I think there's more angst at his lineup slot than the fact he's playing. Everyone knew he was going to get a start sometime. They just hoped he'd be hitting 8th when it happened.
I was hoping 9th.

[Falls City Beer]

I'm not particularly worried about the lineup. A little by the book, but whatever.

[BRM]

Dusty on today's lineup.



On the lineup: "(Juan) Castro hadn't played yet. (Norris) Hopper hadn't started yet. (Cole) Hamels today is especially tough on big swingers. We tried to find more speed and defense."

[Cyclone792]

It's 12:27pm, and I'm hearing Bronson on the radio busting out with "We're together again!" in the infamous JTM commercial.

[Joseph]

It's 12:27pm, and I'm hearing Bronson on the radio busting out with "We're together again!" in the infamous JTM commercial.

The wife just loves </sarcasm> the look he gives on the TV commercials at the end.

[cumberlandreds]

Rollins homers to start the game. Barely made it out per Marty.

[OnBaseMachine]

That didn't take long. Jimmy Rollins hits a leadoff HR.

[cumberlandreds]

Victorino flies out to Freel. One away and Freel doesn't injure anyone making the catch.

[Joseph]

I think they will crush today.

[PuffyPig]

Arroyo had him struck out on the 2-2 count, but did not get the call. Great pitch but.....

[redsfaninbsg]

Arroyo appeared to have gotten squeezed on the previous pitch before Rollins went yard.

[princeton]

Rollins homers to start the game.

somebody forgot to tell him that he's supposed to hit the ball right at Castro.

[RBA]

2 away. Kepp to Arroyo.

[RBA]

Ump not giving Arroyo inside strike.

[cumberlandreds]

Ground out to Kep for the 2nd out.

[RBA]

Howard doubles.

[cumberlandreds]

Howard doubles into the gap.

[RBA]

3-0 Burrel hammers it out to left.

[fearofpopvol1]

Against a tough lefty in Hamels, Arroyo may have put the game out of reach. Especially against this lineup.

[jesusfan]

well... I guess I can go on with my day now..

[RBA]

Arroyo getting squeezed has caused him to leave his junk right over the plate.

[cumberlandreds]

It's 3-0. Burrell a two run homer. BA ain't got it to say the least.

[princeton]

Coffey's roster spot is secured!

[Always Red]

I just knew it would be like this if Castro got a start!

[jesusfan]

Arroyo is a good #4 and a decent #3, terrible #2 pitcher...

[RedsManRick]

Can we still blame this on Dusty/Castro? Please.... :evil:

[Joseph]

Ugly first.

[RBA]

Hopefully the ump is consistent with his strike zone for the Reds At Bat.

[cumberlandreds]

Inning over,I missed what happened but it's 3-0 Phils. Gonna be tough to come back on Hamels.

[RBA]

Freel gaps for a double.

[fearofpopvol1]

props to freel. that's a good start.

[CrackerJack]

Together agaaain! We're together agaaaiuuuunn!!

[princeton]

Arroyo is a good #4 .

wish I'd said that

[Falls City Beer]

If you're Arroyo, you simply can not afford to let a righthander take you deep.

[top6]

This starting lineup and the top of the 1st have basically undone any good feelings I had about the team from the first 6 games.

This lineup just shows that Dusty hasn't changed. He will always revert to his old ways, and that means ruining young arms.

Castro batting second. There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of Men bad enough for such treachery. (Yes, I am a dork.)

[cumberlandreds]

Freel doubles to start the 1st

[RBA]

Quickly 3-0 count for Castro.

now 3-2 count

[jesusfan]

3-0 to Castro...

[princeton]

3-0 to Castro...

green light?

[fearofpopvol1]

Juan...quit swinging at ball 4. that's 3 times in a row

edit: nice walk

[OnBaseMachine]

I figured today would be a loss with Hamels pitching, and that's OK because I said before the series I'd be happy with a split considering how good the Phillies are, but I didn't expect Arroyo to put us in that big of a hole already.

[RBA]

ball 4

[princeton]

Dusty's a Genius!

[medford]

OK, while not a homer, a walk by castro certainly feels like :jump:

Maybe, just maybe this game isn't over yet.

[edabbs44]

Sadness is having Arroyo on a fantasy team today.

Mitigated happiness is having Rollins and Burrell on another.

[jesusfan]

here we go... something brewing...

[jesusfan]

tie it up BPhil!

[RBA]

Hamel doesn't look sharp at all

[Falls City Beer]

The Phillies' offense is good, but the Phillies aren't that great.

[Always Red]

ball 4

Juan Castro: on base machine.

[BRM]

Hamels threw nothing but fastballs to Juan. Clearly he doesn't respect Castro's power.

[cumberlandreds]

walk by Castro. A very good AB for Castro

[medford]

and now Phillips can't hit into a phillips/casey

[RBA]

double steal. Led by Freel, Castro takes 2nd on the bad throw.

[OnBaseMachine]

Juan Castro: on base machine.

Please, please, don't ever associate my username with Juan Castro ever again. :D;)

[camisadelgolf]

Juan Castro should always have a green light with a 3-0 count.

A couple of us are in chat, by the way.

[RBA]

Ump has small strike zone.

[Always Red]

Please, please, don't ever associate my username with Juan Castro ever again. :D;)

oops! ;)

[Cyclone792]

The Reds absolutely need to score both these runs. Anytime you get an on-base event from Juan Castro, you must capitalize and score.

Beyond grabbing these two early runs, the Reds hitters should hope to run Hamels' pitch count up and get him out of the game early. Philadelphia's bullpen stinks, and any offense can tee off their relievers. The problem today may just be getting to that bullpen.

[princeton]

Hamel doesn't look sharp at all

Dusty overconfidented him with the lineup, and by telling BA to throw some meatballs in the first :D

[RBA]

RBI ground out. 3-1

[jesusfan]

BPhil grounds out, Freel scores 3-1

[RBA]

Castro held at 2nd since the play was ahead of him.

[jesusfan]

0-2...

[OnBaseMachine]

Did Castro advance to 3rd?

oops, nm. Thanks RBA.

[RBA]

Pop out for Dunn.

[medford]

keppy!!!

[RedsManRick]

Good to see that the ump is giving Hamels strikes he won't give Arroyo...

[RBA]

Kepp singles. safe at home 3-2 (throw cut off)

[fearofpopvol1]

Keppinger is just ridiculous!!!!

[Cyclone792]

Keppinger singles in Castro!

Both baserunners scored, and that was very necessary.

[jesusfan]

KEPPY!

[redsfaninbsg]

Kepp strikes again.

[jesusfan]

This kid has to be in the line-up!!!!!!!!!!! wow...

[OnBaseMachine]

I love Jeff Keppinger.

Come on Bronson. The guy are hitting Hamels early, you need to settle down and give us about 6 innings.

[redsrule2500]

I love Kepp!

[cumberlandreds]

Kep does again RBI single to make it 3-2. Kep is amazing so far this season!

[Puffy]

I think the worst news we should garner from all this is that when AGon does come back he is, most likely, penciled into the number 2 slot.

That, my friends, is bad.

[Raisor]

Dusty has Dunn all screwed up, he's only K'd 3 times this season.

[RedsManRick]

Is the gameday pitch/fx off or does this ump stink?

[Caveat Emperor]

I think the worst news we should garner from all this is that when AGon does come back he is, most likely, penciled into the number 2 slot.

That, my friends, is bad.

Patterson & A-Gon back to back?

Might as well just pencil two outs in to start the game and let Griffey lead off.

[Joseph]

2 back helps.

[jesusfan]

I'll take it... 3-2 Phils after 1...

[BRM]

I think the worst news we should garner from all this is that when AGon does come back he is, most likely, penciled into the number 2 slot.

That, my friends, is bad.

The SS hits second. It's just the way it is.

[redsfaninbsg]

Good inning, he threw 25 pitches. Need to get him out of the game early.

[Falls City Beer]

Patterson & A-Gon back to back?

Might as well just pencil two outs in to start the game and let Griffey lead off.

So Griffey's been getting on-base? News to me.

[OnBaseMachine]

25 pitches in the first inning for Hamels. Keep on being patient guys.

[jesusfan]

Feliz K's... 1 down

[TRF]

Hamels 25 pitches in the first, and faces a scrappy Hopper when the 2nd inning starts for the Reds. Cole could be in for a tough day.

Plus the Reds bench is overflowing with LH's today. When Hamels comes out, you can bet we'll see some interesting lineup moves. (Kepp to SS, Hatte or Votto at 1B)

[Benihana]

I think I have to admit that I might have been wrong about Jeff Keppinger.

[jesusfan]

Hamels singles... great, J-Roll up...

[jesusfan]

shew... 1st and 2nd after J-Roll's single..

[Caveat Emperor]

So Griffey's been getting on-base? News to me.

Nope, but at least he's managed to keep his OBP above .300 for his career.

Alex Gonzalez and Corey Patterson? Not so much...

[OnBaseMachine]

Come on Bronson. You gotta get the pitcher out.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Arroyo's pitches look very hittable right now.

[jesusfan]

there we go... 3-2 Phils mid 2

[jesusfan]

43 pitches through 2 for Bronson... needs a quick 3rd with Utley, Howard, and Burrell

[cumberlandreds]

44 pitches for BA after two. Gonna see plenty of the pen today.

[TRF]

all part of BA's diabolical plan. he "allowed" Hamels a single to get him to run the bases. the to further tire his opponent, he "allowed" Rollins to hit as well.

Arroyo is fiendish.

[OnBaseMachine]

Two pitch atbat by Hopper.

[Cyclone792]

The Cincy Bell trivia question answer is one.

[jesusfan]

Arroyo walks....

[Falls City Beer]

Norris Plopper

[jesusfan]

quick inning...

[RBA]

Freel slowing down? He should of beat that out.

[RFS62]

Incredible play by the catcher

[jesusfan]

game on tv?

[OnBaseMachine]

1 pitch out from Freel. That's exactly what we don't want.

11 pitch inning for Hamels.

[RedsManRick]

Sure would be nice to see the small ball guys take a pitch or too. Hamels is having control issues and we're swinging/bunting on the first pitch...

[RBA]

Gary Matthews just called Ryan Freel's bunt a "bonehead play"

[Cyclone792]

Arroyo needs an easy inning here.

Utley-Howard-Burrell can get ugly quick. Arroyo needs to make sure that doesn't happen.

And now Utley's gone; good job, so far.

[TRF]

Sure would be nice to see the small ball guys take a pitch or too. Hamels is having control issues and we're swinging/bunting on the first pitch...

I agree, but that was one helluva bunt though. took a spectacular throw from Ruiz to get Freel.

[Az Red]

Hopefully Arroyo settles down. Good play to get the first out.

[jesusfan]

There we go! 2 down with the strikeout of Howard...

[RBA]

homerun 4-2

[OnBaseMachine]

Unreal.

Now he can't even get the righties out.

[fearofpopvol1]

Burrell has just absolutely murdered the Reds this series.

[fearofpopvol1]

Yank Arroyo. Dude sucks today.

[RBA]

homerun 5-2

[jesusfan]

You kidding me???

[TRF]

The next time up, walk Burrell. please.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Arroyo is tossing up grapefruits. He pitches almost as bad as he sings. This guy is not a No. 2 starter by any stretch.

[redsfan30]

Not a good start to the season for Mr. Arroyo.

[OnBaseMachine]

It doesn't look like it's going to matter how many runs the Reds score today because Bronson is just throwing meatballs up there.

[Az Red]

Sad pitching day for Arroyo!

[jesusfan]

So, now we think we have a pitching staff and Arroyo/Fogg goes and ruins that thought...

[Caveat Emperor]

Burrell has just absolutely murdered the Reds this series.

And, knowning Pat, he'll go hitless for 15 games after this series.

[Falls City Beer]

Burrell has just absolutely murdered the Reds this series.

He's easy to K too. I don't get it. You can probably roll up the sidewalks now. If Arroyo's not retiring RHH, the day is over.

[CTA513]

Arroyo making his case to be the Reds #5 starter.

[westofyou]

They're Together Again

The ball and the stands that is...

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

A better swing on that and its back-to-back-to-back HRs

[flyer85]

somewhere out on the prairie gophers are bowing in honor of the balls tossed up by Arroyo.

[jesusfan]

I never feel comfortable with Arroyo pitching... I haven't since probably the 1st of last season...

[NC Reds]

A Miltonesque performance by Arroyo today.

[cumberlandreds]

Batting practice for the Phils. This isn't good. I'm starting to get a little worried about BA.

[RedsManRick]

A tight strike zone is death to Arroyo. His pitches move too much and when he has to be perfect, guys just sit back and wait for it right over the plate. Not pretty.

[jesusfan]

5-2 Phils mid 3...

[Falls City Beer]

Arroyo's unquestionably seen a fall-off in his production.

He's become the Rick Reed of the Reds.

[RBA]

The Reds pitching rotation is not working as designed. The Phillies seen Volquez yesterday and now they are teeing off on Arroyo like they see the ball big and in slow motion.

[Tom Servo]

Bronson always has his struggles in day games...

[OnBaseMachine]

Just when the offense gets us back within one, Arroyo puts us back in a big hole.

[RedsFan75]

They're Together Again

The ball and the stands that is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCUZlQA_zhQ


In case you don't get to see it enough... ;)

[RedsManRick]

In case you don't get to see it enough... ;)

I think I'm the only person who finds those hilarious... though I don't quite get the acoustic guitar...

[OnBaseMachine]

I like Arroyo and still think he's going to be a solid starter, not a #2 but more of a solid #3 or 4, but sometimes I find myself wishing Krivsky had pulled the trigger on that Yunel Escobar/JoJo Reyes for Arroyo deal last July.

[RBA]

base hit for Phillips

[jesusfan]

BPhil singles...

[RBA]

Phillips steals 2nd easy

[TheBurn]

SB for BP

[klw]

I think I'm the only person who finds those hilarious... though I don't quite get the acoustic guitar...

That is pretty good but that is likely the only time I will ever see that. I'm guessing by viewing 10 it will get somewhat annoying.

[RBA]

Dunn needs to convert here.

[jesusfan]

SB for BPhil

[fearofpopvol1]

Okay, this ump seriously sucks. His zone is not consistent and he's making a lot of bad calls.

[RBA]

Dunn K's.

[NC Reds]

Hamels makes a kick save. Inning over.

[Falls City Beer]

I like Arroyo and still think he's going to be a solid starter, not a #2 but more of a solid #3 or 4, but sometimes I find myself wishing Krivsky had pulled the trigger on that Yunel Escobar/JoJo Reyes for Arroyo deal last July.

Counterintuitively, soft tossers (like Arroyo) collapse before the hardthrowers.

[RedsFan75]

That is pretty good but that is likely the only time I will ever see that. I'm guessing by viewing 10 it will get somewhat annoying.

My family thinks they are pretty funny, but figure by this time next month we'll be very sick of them... Wife can't stand Arroyo's voice!

[OnBaseMachine]

48 pitches thru 3 for Hamels.

[membengal]

I like the pitch count situation, they need to force him to a 20 pitch inning in the fourth, and he might have to be lifted after the sixth.

[OnBaseMachine]

I can't really say I'm surprised by Arroyo today. I sort of figured he'd get hit hard today...like someone mentioned, he always struggles during day games plus the Phillies have a boatload of lefty hitters and lefties crush Bronson.

[Az Red]

Amazing 1,2,3...

[membengal]

Three up, three down for the Phils in their half of the fourth.

[RBA]

Reds will win this game.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice inning there by Bronson.

[cumberlandreds]

Easy inning fro BA in the fourth. 5-2 Phils

[membengal]

I can forgive him the lefties teeing off on him, the homeruns by Burrell are a little harder to take.

[Falls City Beer]

Phils just wanna finish this one and get on the plane. "Cole, just throw strikes, and we'll be in the air by 4:00."

[Tom Servo]

We just need the power of Bako to win this one.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bronson's problem today has been the inability to finish an inning. After the Rollins homerun in the first inning he retired the next two but then allowed a double and homerun. Same thing in the third inning, he retires the first two but then allows back-to-back solo homeruns, so four of the Phillies five runs today have come with two outs. He's throwing a gem right now if he records those two final outs...

[cumberlandreds]

EdE k's and Hopper pops out to RF.

[RBA]

Who said Bako?

[cumberlandreds]

We just need the power of Bako to win this one.

Bako doubles. :D

[jesusfan]

hit one out Bronson!

[Falls City Beer]

This game's an object lesson in this team's need for RH power. Hamels is cruising because he can.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bako is on fire.

[cumberlandreds]

Bako's double is wasted as BA dribbles out to the catcher. 5-2 Phils after four.

[Cedric]

I like Arroyo and still think he's going to be a solid starter, not a #2 but more of a solid #3 or 4, but sometimes I find myself wishing Krivsky had pulled the trigger on that Yunel Escobar/JoJo Reyes for Arroyo deal last July.

Sometimes? With Cueto, Volquez, and Bailey I wish I had a time machine.

[membengal]

Reds didn't see enough pitches that inning.

[Az Red]

A Bronson Bunt? Missed sign? Loss of concentration? What is going on?

[Tom Servo]

Paul Bako is the greatest baseball player ever.

[RedsFan75]

Bronson bunts??

[OnBaseMachine]

Why in the world in Bronson swinging on the first pitch? So much for working the count. Hamels at 57 pitches through 4. He can probably go 7 or 8 innings now thanks to recent hacking.

[Tom Servo]

Hole Camels can't be stopped.

[Falls City Beer]

Why in the world in Bronson swinging on the first pitch? So much for working the count. Hamels at 57 pitches through 4. He can probably go 7 or 8 innings now thanks to recent hacking.

I deeply dislike how teams seem like they collude in these afternoon games to coast through it.

It gives the game an NBA atmosphere.

[cumberlandreds]

Bronson bunts??

He swung and made enough contact for the ball to go just in front of the plate.

[OnBaseMachine]

It gives the game an NBA atmosphere.

NBA...yuck. Can't stand it.

[RedsFan75]

He swung and made enough contact for the ball to go just in front of the plate.

Ahh... Gameday listed it as a bunt

[CrackerJack]

I think I'm the only person who finds those hilarious... though I don't quite get the acoustic guitar...

Off-key corporate rock singing by cheesey athlete with metrosexually carved facial hair, meant to be on-key...just...isn't...humorous. :)

[membengal]

He is handling Howard now, maybe he needs to put one in Burrell's earhole to start this at-bat...

[cumberlandreds]

finally got Burrell on a K. Inning over,still 5-2 Phils in the 5th.

[Cedric]

Off-key corporate rock singing by cheesey athlete with metrosexually carved facial hair, meant to be on-key...just...isn't...humorous. :)

Bronson listens to complete corporate cheese rock also. It's sad how out of touch jocks are with the real world. I bet Bronson can't wait for the Creed reunion.

[OnBaseMachine]

0 BB/6 K through five for Bronson.

[Tom Servo]

Remember when Ryan Freel was actually a plus player?

[RedsManRick]

Is it wrong that I chuckle upon seeing the Castro/Hamels matchup? It's like watching a journalist step in against Randy Johnson for a story.

[RedsFan75]

Is it wrong that I chuckle upon seeing the Castro/Hamels matchup? It's like watching a journalist step in against Randy Johnson for a story.

Perfect description! :D

[cumberlandreds]

1 2 3 inning for Hamels. He's settled in and it's gonna be tough to win this one now.

[OnBaseMachine]

Is Matt Murton still available? I'd like to see Krivsky trade one of Freel/Hopper and acquire Murton for the bench.

[OnBaseMachine]

10 pitch inning for Hamels...67 pitches thru 5. He's got at least 2-3 more innings left now thanks to the impatience.

[BCubb2003]

I wonder what we're going to do when Cueto or Volquez have a game like this?

[jesusfan]

we have to get out of this or its game, set, match...

[Cedric]

I wonder what we're going to do when Cueto or Volquez have a game like this?

They won't. :)

[cumberlandreds]

BA out and Affeldt in. Phils have two on base waiting for Affeldt.

[Tom Servo]

BA out and Affeldt in. Phils have two on base waiting for Affeldt.
We've got them right where we want them.

[jesusfan]

I wonder what we're going to do when Cueto or Volquez have a game like this?

Having a game like this isn't what I am worried/freaking out about... It's the fact that his stuff is not what it was before and he looks very, very hittable... Cueto and Volquez having a game like this will not have that type of effect on me because they will still be throwing 94-97 with devastating change ups and sliders...

[OnBaseMachine]

Arroyo retired Jenkins to begin the inning but then gave up a double to RH scrub Pedro Feliz and hit Ruiz with a pitch.

[flyer85]

the game may already be over but to have a chance they have to get out of this inning with no runs being scored.

[OnBaseMachine]

Affeldt scares the crap out of me.

[Falls City Beer]

the game may already be over but to have a chance they have to get out of this inning with no runs being scored.

Unless Hamels pulls up lame, I simply do not see a single threat against him. I'd say the chances of the Reds pulling this game out are less than 1%. That's how vulnerable they are to LH pitching.

[cumberlandreds]

Rollins walks. Victorino up.

[Falls City Beer]

Rollins walks. Victorino up.

How many are out?

[Matt700wlw]

See, I'm late today, and look what happens :D

[jesusfan]

5-2 Phils mid 6...

[OnBaseMachine]

2 outs.

[danforsman]

Victorino's 2007 and career splits indicate that bringing in a LHP is bad strategy.

[Highlifeman21]

At least Dunn's in the lineup.

It figures, we finally get Dunn hitting clean-up, and he's surrounded by a collection of suck.

[cumberlandreds]

Victorino GO to 3rd to end the inning.