Reds vs. Indians-5/17/08

[reds44]

Tribe:
Grady Sizemore CF Season .261 7 21
Jhonny Peralta SS Season .222 8 15
David Dellucci LF Season .228 4 14
Victor Martinez C Season .322 0 14
Ben Francisco RF Season .333 0 5
Ryan Garko 1B Season .227 4 18
Asdrubal Cabrera 2B Season .190 1 13
Casey Blake 3B Season .229 3 26
Fausto Carmona P Season --- 0 0

Reds:
Corey Patterson CF Season .235 4 12
Jerry Hairston Jr. SS Season .348 1 6
Ken Griffey Jr. RF Season .252 4 19
Brandon Phillips 2B Season .288 8 21
Joey Votto 1B Season .275 8 20
Edwin Encarnacion 3B Season .253 8 19
Adam Dunn LF Season .210 8 22
Paul Bako C Season .292 4 14
Aaron Harang P Season .263 0 0

[jojo]

If you're not juiced for this one, you've gotta get your priorities straight! :beerme:

[reds44]

I'm missing it for prom.

[jojo]

I'm missing it for prom.

Well I guess your senior prom only happens to ya once..... Tomorrow's pitching match up is intriguing too...

[membengal]

Heh. I read that initially as "missing it for porn", reds44. I was going to suggest you just save it for later...

[reds44]

Heh. I read that initially as "missing it for porn", reds44. I was going to suggest you just save it for later...
:lol:

[reds44]

Well I guess your senior prom only happens to ya once..... Tomorrow's pitching match up is intriguing too...
Missing that for day after prom activities.

:thumbdown

[Tommyjohn25]

I was juiced for this game, then I found out that I am blessed to be able to see the almighty Red Sox instead.

:censored:

[membengal]

You sometimes just have to laugh at MLB's ridiculous rules. We are considered a "Cincinnati market" here in Memphis. Except that we are being fed the Brewers/Red Sox game. So I go ahead and log into mlb.com and attempt to watch it online since I am in the "Cincinnati market". Except, apparently, for today, as all of a sudden I am informed that particular game is blacked out for me. So I guess it is Memphis is NOT a "Cincinnati market", but just for four hours this afternoon.

Seriously, the MLB overlords really blow hard with regard to this stuff.

[jojo]

mlb's blackout rules etc are hostile to the consumer especially given that baseball is making money hand over fist with no end in sight...

Today's a good day for Carmona's bubble to burst..... he's been a bit of a fortunate trainwreck waiting to happen....

[membengal]

Harang got through the first, three up, three down.

Fly out, K, pop out.

[membengal]

Brantley noted in the first that he thinks Harang is working more from the 1b side of the rubber than he has in other starts this season. He guessed it might be because Harang is seeking better angles to get pitches in on right-handers.

[membengal]

Patterson grounds out to 2b on an 0-1 pitch.

One out.

[membengal]

Hairston pops out on the first pitch he sees.

Two out.

That would be two outs on three pitches. Perhaps a little patience would be awesome.

Also awesome? If Jr. were to hit three home runs today in front of a sell-out to get to 600 homeruns...

[membengal]

Jr. grounds to 1b, ball booted by Garko, Jr. on.

Waiting for ruling on hit v. error. Sounds like error.

Yup. Error.

[membengal]

Phillips actually working the count a bit, nice to see (hear). 2-1 pitch forthcoming.

[membengal]

Brantley marveling at how far Carmona gets toward the plate with his stride as he delivers the ball.

Phillips bloops a hit into right-center.

Runners at 1st and 2nd with two outs.

Votto up.

[membengal]

2-0 count on Votto.

Carmona from the Dominican Republic according to Marty, leading him to muse that there may be some familarity among the Reds with regard to Carmona.

3 balls no strikes.

[membengal]

On a 3-1 pitch, Votto grounds at to 1b.

Bummer.

End of first, no score.

[membengal]

The weather here in Memphis is 78 degrees with a light southerly wind. Every window I can get open in my house to open is open, and the yard is freshly mowed.

I have decided to deal with my disappointment over being denied the ability to see the game by making this like Saturday afternoons in my youth (I am now 37), and huddle by my radio (satellite variety nowadays) and listen to the call.

[TeamCasey]

BTW, welcome back GAME THREAD!

[Patrick Bateman]

Who's this Rick Manning dude announcing today with Thom Brenneman? I've never heard him before, but he's really, really good. The best I've heard of any Reds guy this year.

[membengal]

C Trent in the booth this half inning, he and Marty talking about the team looking at video of Carmona before the game and being depressed over the number of sinkers he throws. Hopefully they came up with a gameplan to deal with it.

Victor M grounds out to second base.

One out.

[jojo]

Hopefully the Reds took some patience pills before the game. The should let Carmona get himself into trouble then their lefties should make him pay with men on....

[membengal]

Ben Francisco singles on the first pitch he sees.

One out, man on first.

[membengal]

Garko up. So far C Trent and Marty have not talked about Homer Bailey, and I was thinking there would be some piling on with regard to that. Glad they are ignoring it.

Oops. There it is. They all agree he is struggling.

[membengal]

Any chance they could package Bailey WITH Jr. and get Seattle to bite?

Ball up the gap, runner comes around to score on the double by Garko.

[membengal]

Marty annoyed, notes that Harang seemingly gives up the first run in every start he takes. I don't know if that's right, but he has certainly been behind a bunch this season.

1-0 bad guys.

[jojo]

I love defense.

[membengal]

Marty clarifies, says this is the 7th time in 10 starts Harang has allowed the first run of the game.

C Patt apparently made a nice play in deep left center to take away extra bases and save a run.

Two outs, man on second.

[jojo]

Any chance they could package Bailey WITH Jr. and get Seattle to bite?

Ball up the gap, runner comes around to score on the double by Garko.

Bailey to take Jr.... yep. :cool:

[Patrick Bateman]

Huge catch by Patterson there. He had to run real far into the LF gap, and caught it in stride. Any other Reds CF and that's extra base trouble.

[membengal]

Reds killer Casey Blake at the plate. Pitcher on deck. I am rather hopeful Harang takes care of Blake and lets the pitcher lead off next inning.

[membengal]

Not a shocker, according to Marty, grumpy Nolan Ryan has been bleating about how horrible it is that pitchers nowadays have pitch counts.

Tool.

They are going head and putting Blake on via intentional walk.

[membengal]

To clarify, in this instance, I am calling Nolan Ryan a tool.

[MrCinatit]

Who's this Rick Manning dude announcing today with Thom Brenneman? I've never heard him before, but he's really, really good. The best I've heard of any Reds guy this year.

Oh man, do I feel old.
Rick was an outfielder with the Indians in the '70s - had kind of a light bat, but hung around with them for a little more than 8 years before moving onto the Brewers (for some reason, I thought he played with the Giants, but I was wrong there). He had a good glove though, winning a GG in '76.
He's the Indians' TV announcer.

[membengal]

Harang now behind Carmona 2-0. Crowd and booth getting restless. In Memphis, my lab is non-plussed. In fact, he's snoring.

[membengal]

Harang goes ahead and throws strikes, Carmona out.

Middle of second, 1-0, Cleveland.

[membengal]

Your commercial break from Bud:

Mr. Overly Competitive Touch Football Game Player

"I still have issues" "Dignity is over-rated"

These commercials still make me laugh.

[membengal]

Random commercial observation:

"We're together again" a little easier to take on the radio. I think that is because I don't have to see that weird look from Arroyo at the end. In fact, I am sure of it.

[reds44]

Who is doing the game on Fox?

Thom?

[Patrick Bateman]

Oh man, do I feel old.
Rick was an outfielder with the Indians in the '70s - had kind of a light bat, but hung around with them for a little more than 8 years before moving onto the Brewers (for some reason, I thought he played with the Giants, but I was wrong there). He had a good glove though, winning a GG in '76.
He's the Indians' TV announcer.

Thanks! I might have to tune into more Indians games.

[membengal]

Yeah, Thom B and Manning, from what I understand. I wouldn't know for certain.

EE, Dunn, Bako up this inning.

[membengal]

Ross Grimsley's baseball card one year in the 70s for Cleveland had showed him with simply outlandish hair. One of the hairiest picures you will ever see. Speaking of 1970's Cleveland players.

EE strikes out on 3 pitches.

Fans in stands starting to pass the hat and see if they can bribe Cleveland into sending Jeremy Sowers out there in the third.

[membengal]

Dunn takes a strike, and then flies out.

Two outs.

It sounds like, from Brantley, that Carmona has his nasty sinker on today.

[membengal]

OK, so they are catching another pitcher who is "on". That has certainly happened plenty this year. But they need to figure out how to deal with that. Step out of the box. Take some pitches, break up his rhythm, something.

Bako grounds out.

Carmona threw about 7 pitches that inning. Just sayin'.

After two innings, 1-0, Cleveland.

[membengal]

Non-commercial but still product-related observation:

The release of Mario Kart for the Wii has enabled me to actually draw a smile or two from my 12-year-old daughter in the last few weeks, and some actual conversations, as we play each other.

Given how grumpy she is nowadays, as I am told will continue through age 13 or so, I am rather greatful to Nintendo at the moment.

[membengal]

Brantley on the mic this inning. I really, really, REALLY yearn for that L'ville guy they brought up to handle a game or two last week. Brantley is really good at analysis, I like what he brings there, but his PBP remains choppy. Although, to his credit, it is worlds better than it was last year.

Top of the order up for Cleveland.

K of Sizemore from Harang to start the inning. Nice.

One out.

[CTA513]

Before todays game Carmona had walked 35 and struck out 18 in 48 innings.

[membengal]

First pitch ground out by Peralta to 3b.

Bless you, Johnny.

Two outs.

[membengal]

Delluci singles on the first pitch he sees.

It would appear that the Indians are shifting their approach to Harang to swing early and often, like they decided to do with Cueto in the 6th last night.

Harang should vary his initial offerings in response.

[Patrick Bateman]

OK, so they are catching another pitcher who is "on". That has certainly happened plenty this year. But they need to figure out how to deal with that. Step out of the box. Take some pitches, break up his rhythm, something.

Bako grounds out.

Carmona threw about 7 pitches that inning. Just sayin'.

After two innings, 1-0, Cleveland.

As Jojo noted, Carmona hasn't been nearly as good as his ERA has indicated this year. Walking twice as many as he's struck out, Carmona has had major command problems. So I agree, the way to beat him, is to be patient, work the count, and let him walk you. He'll do that. If the Reds continue to swing early, they are just going to beat the infield grass to death. You need to be selective to beat Carmona.

[jojo]

They should be able to make Carmona uncomfortable today.

He's some trivia.......can anyone name the worst defensive team in baseball as measured by defensive efficiency (accessible at baseballprospectus.com for those who may need to cheat during the commercial break)?

[membengal]

Grounder by Martinez on the second pitch he saw glances off of Harang's glove to Phillips who throws him out.

Middle of the third, 1-0, Cleveland.

[jojo]

Non-commercial but still product-related observation:

The release of Mario Kart for the Wii has enabled me to actually draw a smile or two from my 12-year-old daughter in the last few weeks, and some actual conversations, as we play each other.

Given how grumpy she is nowadays, as I am told will continue through age 13 or so, I am rather greatful to Nintendo at the moment.

My 10 yo already knows everything. You mean it gets worse? :p:

[Always Red]

Your commercial break from Bud:

Mr. Overly Competitive Touch Football Game Player

"I still have issues" "Dignity is over-rated"

These commercials still make me laugh.

:beerme:

You'll love this, then:

http://www.contemporaryinsanity.org/audio-video/bud-light-real-men-of-genius.html

[membengal]

As Jojo noted, Carmona hasn't been nearly as good as his ERA has indicated this year. Walking twice as many as he's struck out, Carmona has had major command problems. So I agree, the way to beat him, is to be patient, work the count, and let him walk you. He'll do that. If the Reds continue to swing early, they are just going to beat the infield grass to death. You need to be selective to beat Carmona.

I agree (and know) that Carmona was off earlier this year. But he wasn't last start when threw a complete game shutout. And we know from last year that when his stuff is right, he is tough to deal with.

My request for the team is that they be patient, and make him work. Right now, they are not.

Harang up to lead off the bottom of the third.

[membengal]

My 10 yo already knows everything. You mean it gets worse? :p:

It has in my case. She still already knows everything, and is now sullen about it.

[jojo]

I'm sorry but Harang looks like Herman Munster with a batting helmet on.... :)

[membengal]

Harang grounds out, but he did get Carmona to throw five pitches in that at-bat. I wonder if Patterson and Hairston noticed...

[Always Red]

I agree (and know) that Carmona was off earlier this year. But he wasn't last start when threw a complete game shutout. And we know from last year that when his stuff is right, he is tough to deal with.

My request for the team is that they be patient, and make him work. Right now, they are not.

Harang up to lead off the bottom of the third.

On the radio side, Brantley said he was talking today to an NL scout who scouts the AL Central. The scout said Carmona is locked in right now, his ball is sinking hard. Earlier in the year, he couldn't get it to sink.

[membengal]

I don't know where Mr. Wild Guy Carmona from earlier in the season has gone to, but this edition so far today is pounding the strike zone.

[membengal]

On the radio side, Brantley said he was talking today to an NL scout who scouts the AL Central. The scout said Carmona is locked in right now, his ball is sinking hard. Earlier in the year, he couldn't get it to sink.

Yup. That's what I was referring to with my earlier post (I am radio only today, thanks to Fox). He's locking in right now. Which is bad timing for the Reds.

Patterson is working the count too, good for him.

[membengal]

Patterson grounds hard to 2b on a 2-2 pitch. He also made Carmona throw five pitchers.

Moral victory.

Hairston up.

[Always Red]

It has in my case. She still already knows everything, and is now sullen about it.

Hang in there, it gets better. My 20 year old daughter likes me again, and thinks I'm smart, while my 14 year old thinks I'm the dumbest man who ever lived. The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between. I hope. :eek:

[jojo]

Hairston is up......some where Cutler is seriously doubting his sexuality

[Patrick Bateman]

They should be able to make Carmona uncomfortable today.

He's some trivia.......can anyone name the worst defensive team in baseball as measured by defensive efficiency (accessible at baseballprospectus.com for those who may need to cheat during the commercial break)?


I check this every so often, and a few days ago it was the Reds, by a lot. Not hard to imagine when Phillips and sometimes Patterson are the only adept fielders in the line-up.

I'm hopeful that a Bruce-Griffey swap would help that a ton (when Bruce is ready), and at the same time, if Janish can scratch himself some playing time, that too should be a pretty major improvement over what Keppinger has done to date.

Two collosal improvements at pretty important positions would be a great start, and the Reds have the ability to do so.

[membengal]

According to Brantley, Carmona is painting the black on the corners at 93 and 94 mph. Sounds less than ideal for the Reds.

Maybe they will explode for three homeruns in the sixth inning like Cleveland did to the similarly filthy stuff Cueto last night...

[membengal]

Hairston trying to work the count as well, bless him. It's a start.

[jojo]

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." -Mark Twain

[Yachtzee]

Oh man, do I feel old.
Rick was an outfielder with the Indians in the '70s - had kind of a light bat, but hung around with them for a little more than 8 years before moving onto the Brewers (for some reason, I thought he played with the Giants, but I was wrong there). He had a good glove though, winning a GG in '76.
He's the Indians' TV announcer.

It's been said that Dennis Eckersley was traded by the Indians because Manning (Eck's best friend at the time) started shagging Eck's wife while Manning was on the DL. The bad blood it caused in the clubhouse resulted in the Indians deciding that one of them had to be dealt. They dealt Eck, thinking Manning had more potential for greatness.

[membengal]

Hairston grounds out to ss on the sixth pitch.

At least they made Carmona throw around 15 pitches or so that inning.

1-0 Cleveland after three innings.

[Tommyjohn25]

9, 1, and 2 hitters made Carmona work that inning. Well done, they'll get him.

[membengal]

Yachtzee, I had completely forgotten that story about Manning and Eck.

[jojo]

I check this every so often, and a few days ago it was the Reds, by a lot. Not hard to imagine when Phillips and sometimes Patterson are the only adept fielders in the line-up.

I'm hopeful that a Bruce-Griffey swap would help that a ton (when Bruce is ready), and at the same time, if Janish can scratch himself some playing time, that too should be a pretty major improvement over what Keppinger has done to date.

Two collosal improvements at pretty important positions would be a great start, and the Reds have the ability to do so.

Bruce and Janish would be huge upgrades. If the Reds actually want to win the division this season, those changes are mandatory......

[membengal]

Thinking more on Marty's reading of the grumpy old man qoute from Nolan Ryan about pitch counts and how players today are all sissified and that real men threw 200 pitch outings back in the day and what not, refresh my memory, but didn't Frank Tanana come up with California with Ryan was there? Anyone know? Tanana was a flame-thrower par excellence before shredding his arm.

Ben Francisco singles to RF. His second hit today (and he has scored the lone run of the game). I think I now hate him.

[membengal]

The trivia question is about the show 24. Marty is a huge 24 fan. Brantly has apparently never seen it. There is much discussion about the characters on the show. I assume a game is going on somewhere below them.

[membengal]

Dunn interrupts the audition for Entertainment Weekly and climbs the wall along the line to get an out.

Both in the booth agree it was a very nice play.

One out, one on.

[Patrick Bateman]

Bruce and Janish would be huge upgrades. If the Reds actually want to win the division this season, those changes are mandatory......

And at the same time, a Bruce + Janish swap for Griffey + Keppinger could perhaps even improve the offense. The gap between Keep/Janish could very well be more than offset between Bruce/Griffey.

It's really a win-win situation. Curious what you think Jojo, if the Reds did make those two switches, where do you think the defense would stand there. Do you think a 10 move bump up would be a little on the optimistic side?

[jojo]

Dunn just stole a souvenier....

Thom's casual understatement of the year, "Dunn not known for his defense......."

[membengal]

Asdrubal Cabrera is close to walking.

Because that's what an Asdrubal does...

[membengal]

Random thought: it just feels to me like Jay Bruce to RF would fix so many problems on this team. Frustrating, the delay.

[OldRightHander]

Dunn interrupts the audition for Entertainment Weekly and climbs the wall along the line to get an out.

Both in the booth agree it was a very nice play.

One out, one on.

It was a nice play. A fan almost got a hand on it though.

[membengal]

Asdrubal flies to deep CF.

Runner back to 1b. Two outs.

[CTA513]

If Patterson could get rid of the ball a little quicker it would have probably been a double play.

[jojo]

And at the same time, a Bruce + Janish swap for Griffey + Keppinger could perhaps even improve the offense. The gap between Keep/Janish could very well be more than offset between Bruce/Griffey.

It's really a win-win situation. Curious what you think Jojo, if the Reds did make those two switches, where do you think the defense would stand there. Do you think a 10 move bump up would be a little on the optimistic side?

Bruce could be a 15 run upgrade of Jr defensively over the remainder of the season. I haven't seen as much of Janish but given his reputation he might be that much of an upgrade over Hairston/gimpy Keppy.

That's just guessing of course.

[Falls City Beer]

If Patterson could get rid of the ball a little quicker it would have probably been a double play.

Deepest part of the park. Doubt it.

[membengal]

A 12-year-old daughter update. She has a friend over. The friend gets smiles like I remember she used to give the rest of the family. Ah, nostalgia.

[membengal]

Stolen base on a pitch out. Apparently not a great pitch for the pitch out. And the guy I now hate is really fast.

Pop out to short CF ends the inning.

Middle of the fourth, 1-0, Cleveland.

[Raisor]

A 12-year-old daughter update. She has a friend over. The friend gets smiles like I remember she used to give the rest of the family. Ah, nostalgia.

You should trade her for some prospects. Maybe a couple of six year olds.

[MrCinatit]

Thinking more on Marty's reading of the grumpy old man qoute from Nolan Ryan about pitch counts and how players today are all sissified and that real men threw 200 pitch outings back in the day and what not, refresh my memory, but didn't Frank Tanana come up with California with Ryan was there? Anyone know? Tanana was a flame-thrower par excellence before shredding his arm.

Ben Francisco singles to RF. His second hit today (and he has scored the lone run of the game). I think I now hate him.

Frank did indeed come up through the California system - and he had some unbelievable years with some pretty bad Angels teams which had Tanana, Ryan and some pretty bad pitchers taking up the rest of the spots after that. The offense is even more offensive.
BTW - one of the California starters in '77 was one Wayne Simpson - another flame thrower who tore up his arm, but with much less success.
I am assuming from the mere 18 games he pitched the injury to Tanana took place in '79. He hung around for another 14 and was somewhat efficient, but he's another one of those "What if..." guys.
Imagine how good those California teams could have been had he stayed healthy and Lyman Bostick had not been shot to death.

[vaticanplum]

I call Junior going yard. Just for kicks.

[membengal]

Raisor: I think I made the classic GM mistake, held onto the prospect too long.

Somewhere in Arizona, Chris Burke nods in recognition.

[membengal]

Jr. lines a shot to RF but it is picked off the grass top for an out. By the 2b. On the shift. Blah.

[vaticanplum]

I call Junior going yard. Just for kicks.

I mean later today.

[Raisor]

I think I made the classic mistake, held onto the prospect too long.

Somewhere in Arizona, Chris Burke nods in recognition.


Then you should take her recliner out of her room. Show her who's boss.

[Falls City Beer]

Carmona's like a shorter Kevin Brown out there. Unless he totally loses the strike zone, this game is over.

[membengal]

Frank did indeed come up through the California system - and he had some unbelievable years with some pretty bad Angels teams which had Tanana, Ryan and some pretty bad pitchers taking up the rest of the spots after that. The offense is even more offensive.
BTW - one of the California starters in '77 was one Wayne Simpson - another flame thrower who tore up his arm, but with much less success.
I am assuming from the mere 18 games he pitched the injury to Tanana took place in '79. He hung around for another 14 and was somewhat efficient, but he's another one of those "What if..." guys.
Imagine how good those California teams could have been had he stayed healthy and Lyman Bostick had not been shot to death.

Thanks Mr.

I vote for Tanana and the rest of the guys whose arms were shredded while trying to "men", manly "men", beat Nolan Ryan with their rolled up MRI results.

[membengal]

It does sound grim, FCB. Then again, it is still only 1-0. I think, once or twice in the past, I have seen a team rally from a 1-0 fourth inning deficit...

Raisor: heh. Fantastic.

Ground out from Phillips.

Two outs.

[vaticanplum]

Carmona's like a shorter Kevin Brown out there. Unless he totally loses the strike zone, this game is over.

FCB, have a nice beverage. It's the fourth inning and Aaron Harang is not looking too bad himself.

[membengal]

Votto grounds out to 2b. Only two fly ball outs from the Reds today. Rest of it grounders and Ks. Yuck.

All kidding aside, FCB has a point, Harang would be well-advised to not allow any more runs.

1-0 Cleveland after four innings.

[Falls City Beer]

FCB, have a nice beverage. It's the fourth inning and Aaron Harang is not looking too bad himself.

Not existential angst or anything. Just an observation. And yes, Aaron looks great today.

Basement fridge--stocked with crappy domestics. I'm set.

[membengal]

Memphis weather update.

Fluffy white clouds.

This is it. The one perfect spring day we get. Then straight to 12 million percent humidity.

[membengal]

First pitch ground out starts the Cleveland fifth. Thanks Carmona.

Easy innings from Harang are the order of the day, to keep this thing close and get him late into this one to match Carmona.

[jojo]

Pitcher vs pitcher..... could there be a more glaring bad idea? :cool:

[membengal]

Sizemore singles to CF.

One on, one out.

[membengal]

FCB's mention of Kevin Brown seems apt by the way. At his best, he was next to impossible to beat, just grounder after grounder pounded into grass. Frustrating.

Fly ball to CF retires Peralta.

Two outs, runner still at 1b.

[jojo]

Not existential angst or anything. Just an observation. And yes, Aaron looks great today.

Basement fridge--stocked with crappy domestics. I'm set.

Paul Revere probably just beat you out for the job in your former life.... :beerme:

[membengal]

Cardinals blew an 8-4 lead today against the Rays, but then came off the mat to win it in the bottom of the 10th 9-8 on a walkoff by Ludwick.

Sizemore steals 2b.

[vaticanplum]

I would give a kidney to have Grady Sizemore on this team. (I have two kidneys, right?)

[membengal]

Brantely notes that the issue with the base-running today is that Harang is slow to the plate, putting Bako behind the eight-ball in terms of throwing people out.

3-0 count to Delluci.

Marty shares the opinion of many that Harnag would be well-advised to not allow more runs.

[membengal]

Brantely seems confused by the fact that Kuroda's last name is Kuroda (reds are facing him LA). C'mon, Brantly, the world is a big place. Join us in it.

Fly out to RF ends the inning.

Middle of the 5h, 1-0 Cleveland.

[jojo]

Well Cueto looked unbeatable yesterday early on too...

[membengal]

Random memphis observation, there are very few fireflies here.

Growing up in Cincy (Westwood area), I remember early summer days where the fireflies lit up the neighborhood. Is it still that way there, or are there less fireflies than there used to be?

[membengal]

No question, jojo. Three solo homeruns somewhere around here would be most welcome.

EE to start the inning.

He singles. One on, none out.

Dunn up.

[vaticanplum]

Random memphis observation, there are very few fireflies here.

Growing up in Cincy (Westwood area), I remember early summer days where the fireflies lit up the neighborhood. Is it still that way there, or are there less fireflies than there used to be?

They're all over the place where I live. They call each other lightning bugs here, though.

Enjoying your pbp, by the way.

[Falls City Beer]

Now Dunn needs to have a 46-pitch AB that ends in a homer. :)

[membengal]

Carmona has only one K on the day. Two fly ball outs. Rest ground outs.

[membengal]

Yeah, lightning bugs. Glad to hear it. I have missed going outside at night and seeing them.

I had hoped to share that with my kids.

Dunn chops the ball back to the mound, EE advances to 2b. One out.

Bako up.

[jojo]

This was said in another thread too but how could anyone who works in the industry be astonished/surprised by Tampa?

[membengal]

Pirates finally slowed down the Cubs juggernaut, 7-6 win over the Cubs.

Mets beat Yanks 7-4.

And I mentioned the Cards 10 inning win over Tampa earlier.

Boston up 4-0 on Milwaukee.

[membengal]

They sure shouldn't be, jojo. That's a fantastic team, and anyone with eyes and a knowledge of baseball could see that coming.

[membengal]

On a good note, the Reds have Carmona's pitch count up to 66. Nice work by the Reds hitters to course correct from earlier in the game and work some counts.

[membengal]

Bako grounds out to 2b, EE to 3b.

Harang up to try and tie the game.

[jojo]

Two productive outs will Harang make them pay off?

[membengal]

Harang up their hacking, foul ball.

Hard not to be in this situation and not hear Nuxhall. In fact, I will call up the memory now:

"If you swing the bat, you are dangerous".

But in this case, Harang was not, three strikes and he's out.

After five innings, 1-0, Cleveland.

[Falls City Beer]

At least they got Aaron out of the way for the 6th.

[jojo]

Two productive outs will Harang make them pay off?

Make that just two plain old outs and the stupid spectacle of having to watch a pitcher-pitcher matchup....

[membengal]

Good point, FCB. Carmona is at 70 pitches now. Hopefully the Reds can measure him a little better in the 6th. Harang has to hold the line.

[membengal]

Victor M to start the 6th for Cleveland.

And then Francisco. Whom I now hate.

And then Garko.

[jojo]

Martinez would look good in a Reds uni too

[membengal]

Victor M starts the 6th with a double to rf.

Bummer.

Not what the team needed.

[membengal]

Fly out to deep Cf, one out.

[membengal]

I've lost the flow of the game because the booth is flogging some upcoming events. My mind is drifting. I assume a game is happening. Must be cool to see it and stuff.

[membengal]

The runner is at 3b? Did he tag up on the fly out? Was it even a fly out?

[membengal]

Harang Ks Garko.

Well done, Aaron Harang. Well done.

Marty confirms it is indeed two outs.

[jojo]

Harang is fun to watch pitch.

[membengal]

Asdrubal up.

Trying to do whatever it is Asdrubal does.

Hopefully that would be making an out.

[vaticanplum]

Nice!

[membengal]

Asdrubal grounds out to Harang.

Bless him.

Middle of the 6th, 1-0 Cleveland.

[Falls City Beer]

Ass-dribble dribbles into a third out. Nice, H-Dog.

[membengal]

Things to think about talking about over on ORG this week:

Offense is very markedly down across baseball, read whatever reason you want to into that.

Whatever reason that might be, does that change how teams scout players and field teams in the post-PED testing era?

Has the value shifted back at least a little in the direction of the go-go 70s and 80s? (although it will never be that again, as AstroTurf is blessedly extinct)

[jojo]

Corey is no Norris.

[membengal]

First pitch. FIRST PITCH. FIRST pitch.

C Patterson out.

FIRST pitch.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[jojo]

Things to think about talking about over on ORG this week:

Offense is very markedly down across baseball, read whatever reason you want to into that.

It's early.

[membengal]

sorry.

snapped there.

i'm back.

nice try, corey!

Hairston, bless him, doubles.

Man on second, one out for jr.

[membengal]

wild pitch, hariston to 3b.

One out. Man on third.

c'mon, Jr.

[jojo]

The perils of offensive catchers not named Bench or Pudge.

[Falls City Beer]

It's early.

Hasn't it also been an uncharacteristically cool spring, too?

[membengal]

After this half inning, I will have to hand the play by play off to someone. The 12-year-old has talked me into taking her and her friend to get an ice cream. She even hugged me.

As it turns out, I can be bought for that. Simple communiction without grunting.

[membengal]

Jr. pulls the ball to 1b. Runner forced to stay at 3b.

Blah.

[Falls City Beer]

Bruce drives in that run. :p:

[membengal]

Marty pretty grumpy about that. Banging on how bad the corner outfielders have been. In fairness, he probably needs to limit that to Jr.

Phillips SINGLES!

Tie game, 1-1.

[WMR]

Great job Brandon!!! :party:

[Buckeye33]

Griffey owes Phillips whatever he wants for dinner.

That was a horrible AB by Jr., and that seems to be the case most of the time when someone is on 3rd with less than 2 outs.

[membengal]

Bruce drives in that run. :p:

Ya know, the thing is, he probably does. The Reds are hurting this team by not having him up and in the line-up. Puzzling.

[membengal]

Votto flies out to left CF.

After six innings, 1-1.

[Tommyjohn25]

Alright. New ballgame. Hold em' now big Aaron!





























Oh yeah. Bring me Jay Bruce. :D

[membengal]

It has been a pleasure hanging out with you all this afternoon. Thanks for indulging my play by play. I rarely get to sit down uninterrupted at the computer to do this.

I hope to check back into the thread for the finish.

[Patrick Bateman]

Ass-dribble dribbles into a third out. Nice, H-Dog.

I'm partial to "Ass-Gerbil"

[Buckeye33]

Pop up to Jr for out #1.

[Buckeye33]

Ground ball to Phillips on the 1st pitch to Carmona.

2 down.

[Tommyjohn25]

2 down already. Niiiiiiccceeeee....

[jojo]

I'm partial to "Ass-Gerbil"

Hey if Bavasi traded him, he can't be all that.... :eek:

[Buckeye33]

A rope up the middle by Sizemore. Expect him to be running soon.

[jojo]

We need a shortstop.

[Buckeye33]

An 0-2 single up the middle by Peralta.

1st and 2nd with Delluci up.

[Buckeye33]

K CHAIR!

PEACE!

1-1 going into the bottom of the 7th.

[Tommyjohn25]

I love the fact that Aaron Harang is a Red.

[Falls City Beer]

GREAT start by Aaron. Seriously. Wasn't pitching with his best 92-93 MPH stuff, but he made it work. Found ways out of trouble instead of laying in a meatball when he got flustered.

[Tommyjohn25]

GREAT start by Aaron. Seriously. Wasn't pitching with his best 92-93 MPH stuff, but he made it work. Found ways out of trouble instead of laying in a meatball when he got flustered.

That's what separates the men from the boys, my friend.

[PuffyPig]

We need a shortstop.

The type of hit (catchable by every other team) that has killed us this year.

It`s been the fielding more so than the pitching or the hitting this year. I`m becoming more and more comvinced of it.

[guttle11]

We need a shortstop.

We have one...on the bench.

On the flip side though, without Hairston on the field we're probably still scoreless.

[WMR]

I'm partial to "Ass-Gerbil"

I didn't know Richard Gere was posting on RZ!!!

Can I have your autograph?

[jojo]

Is Dusty gonna bunt Dunn?

[Buckeye33]

Is Dusty gonna bunt Dunn?

That would be a no. If they did not have to keep Blake close to 3rd he may have...

Full count to Dunn...

[guttle11]

That was a nasty, ballsy 3-2 pitch. Dunn Ks on a great sinker.

[Buckeye33]

Horrible swing to K Dunn and NOT move Edwin to 3rd....

[Buckeye33]

And now Bako is instantly behind 0-2...uggg

[Buckeye33]

Swinging K into the mit for Bako... 2 down and Hatteberg up.

[jojo]

No shame for Bako on that last pitch....

[jojo]

Hey...who's that guy?

[Buckeye33]

Weak grounder by Hatt...

Wasted chance...

[guttle11]

Keep this game tied until the Indians go to their pen and the Reds will win.

[Tommyjohn25]

Can we just call up Bruce and let him bat like 5 times every time through the lineup? He can have ghost runners. :cool:

[coachw513]

Oh man, do I feel old.
Rick was an outfielder with the Indians in the '70s - had kind of a light bat, but hung around with them for a little more than 8 years before moving onto the Brewers (for some reason, I thought he played with the Giants, but I was wrong there). He had a good glove though, winning a GG in '76.
He's the Indians' TV announcer.

In order to catch the game last night in HD, I listened to the CLEV call of the game...Manning's good...

He pointed out his thought that possibly Cueto's bunt attempt in the 5th last night might have contributed to his 6th inning demise...(he didn't necessarily buy it, but threw it out there)...was there a sense of that amongst you guys last night??

[jojo]

I'm not that enthused about seeing Weathers.

[redsrule2500]

I'm not that enthused about seeing Weathers.

neither am I. But who else?

[Buckeye33]

Lets throw a guy who CRUSHES fastballs a 87 MPH 3-1 fastball right down the middle...

Wow.

2-1 Indians.

[redsrule2500]

Welp, there's why I wasn't enthused about Weathers. :( UGHHHHHHHh

[guttle11]

HR for Francisco.

Unfortunately, that will probably do it.

[Falls City Beer]

So much for that "good bullpen" theory.

[coachw513]

A 12-year-old daughter update. She has a friend over. The friend gets smiles like I remember she used to give the rest of the family. Ah, nostalgia.

I thank you in advance for preparing me for the changes my 7/10 year old daughters will be going through...super, just super...

Though reading this and commenting relieves me of some of the pain of the top of the 8th...

What exactly was that record for the Reds in sellouts at home??...I know it was well under .500...man...

[Tommyjohn25]

So much for that "good bullpen" theory.

It's half good IMO.

[jojo]

David is pretty much done IMHO. It's running on fumes time in his career IMHO.

[Falls City Beer]

How badly would the Indians have beaten the Reds in both games so far if not for Cabrera? He looks like Christian Guzman fused with Castro with the bat.

[coachw513]

You should trade her for some prospects. Maybe a couple of six year olds.

ROFLMAO :thumbup:

[fearofpopvol1]

There should be no reason the Reds can't produce 1 run with 6 outs. It sucks Weathers gave up the dinger, but it's not like the offense has done much of anything today to help the cause.

[Falls City Beer]

It's half good IMO.

The other half can't afford to be virtually unusable. I don't mind having only three electric arms in a 7 man pen, but the other 4 can't be turds.

[jojo]

Down to 6 outs.... and the firs two opportunities are Patterson and Hairston....

[Tommyjohn25]

We want Bruce! We want Bruce! We want Bruce!

[Falls City Beer]

Down to 6 outs.... and the firs two opportunities are Patterson and Hairston....

Don't forget Griffey....:eek: Frankly, that's an insult to Hairston.

[jojo]

Well at least where Hairston was hit won't affect his range any.... :cool:

[membengal]

I'm back.

Re: The dinger

I told you I hated that guy.

That was a horrible sports update on foxsportsradio when that came across.

On a good note, the ice cream was good and I got a "thank you" from the 12-year-old.

[jojo]

Don't forget Griffey....:eek: Frankly, that's an insult to Hairston.

Maybe we'll get to see 598....it was called earlier in the thread.

[Falls City Beer]

Maybe we'll get to see 598....it was called earlier in the thread.

I won't be placing my bets on it.

[coachw513]

Big Brown again...easy...very easy...

[membengal]

I am not sure we will see 600 even if Jr. is here all year. Even when he turns on the ball nowadays, it goes nowhere.

That pose he did at Shea and the ball merely reached the fence was just sad.

[membengal]

Why is Marty saying Brown fails to win the Preakness? I thought he won the race.

[Buckeye33]

Wow, Griffey looks simply lost at the plate.

Sad.

[jojo]

The Kid against lefties this season: .171/.292/.244

[GoReds]

All four hits so far have been by RH batters.

[membengal]

In order to catch the game last night in HD, I listened to the CLEV call of the game...Manning's good...

He pointed out his thought that possibly Cueto's bunt attempt in the 5th last night might have contributed to his 6th inning demise...(he didn't necessarily buy it, but threw it out there)...was there a sense of that amongst you guys last night??

Bump.

Interesting thought. I wasn't thrilled to see him do that, but my main concern was him pulling a muscle tearing down the line.

[coachw513]

Maybe we'll get to see 598....it was called earlier in the thread.

Of course we will...


Might not be today though...

[membengal]

The Kid against lefties this season: .171/.292/.244

Staggering.

[jojo]

I'd kill to see a pitch out here.....:D

[membengal]

How badly would the Indians have beaten the Reds in both games so far if not for Cabrera? He looks like Christian Guzman fused with Castro with the bat.

Bump. Quality.

[redsrule2500]

Wow didn't see that coming from miles away! Griffey swinging at a low and away pitch, all too common!....

[membengal]

Why can't this team run the bases?

And why is Jr. still batting 3rd in this line-up? Or even in this line-up at all?

ETA: I mean, this has crossed over to just plain said at this point. It is miserable having to watch him regress to this.

[jojo]

Wow that absolutely could've been disaster....

Jr whiffs on ball four with Hairston running...Martinez could've thrown him out by 15 feet..Cabrera gets Hairston in a rundown and luckily hits him in the noggin' so Hairston ends up being safe at first.

[coachw513]

Bump.

Interesting thought. I wasn't thrilled to see him do that, but my main concern was him pulling a muscle tearing down the line.

I'd love to see a stat measuring the effectiveness of a pitcher the inning after he had to be on base...seems like trouble more often than not...

It seems like a LONG year since Griffey was crushing the ball last year about this time...

[redsrule2500]

Yeah, even the biggest Griffey fans have to admit he's terrible this year. Defense or Offense, he's just plain bad.

He needs to be batting where Dunn is.

[membengal]

Apparently Hairston was running on the 3-2 pitch, but for some reason stopped between first and second. He would have been dead, but the throw to 1b hit him in the back.

One out, one still on (with extreme luck), and a pitching change to deal with Phillips.

[Tommyjohn25]

This cannot continue much longer with Griffey. It just simply can't.

[membengal]

Kobyashi in the game for Cleveland.

[coachw513]

The Kid against lefties this season: .171/.292/.244

Some numbers tend to speak loudly...wow...:thumbdown

[VR]

I don't know where to find it...but if you could locate a split for Dunn/ Griff stats vs. left handed relievers over the last 3 years, I'm guessing it would be uglier than ugly.

[membengal]

This cannot continue much longer with Griffey. It just simply can't.

Nope. It sure can't.

Not if they are serious about winning. He's simply killing this team both in the field and at the plate. He's bringing nothing to the team at this point. Absolutely one of the saddest sporting things I have seen.

[membengal]

Hairston steals second.

See, good things happen when you keep running...

[membengal]

2 balls and one strike on phillips.

Two outs.

Man on second.

Down by one.

8th inning...

[membengal]

Ball 3.

[coachw513]

When you see catchers like Martinez behind the dish, doesn't enhancing the running game and making it a priority seem like a good thing??...

Unless it's Freel of course...or Farney, I guess...

[jojo]

All things considered, it's still a sit on the edge of your seat inning

[membengal]

Foul ball.

Full count.

[GoReds]

Kobayashi - isn't that the guy who wins all of the hot dog eating contests?

[jojo]

I think Phillips has a GPS tracking unit on his arse.... what's that all about?

[membengal]

High fly ball to CF. Caught short of the warning track.

2-1 Cleveland after 8.

[Tommyjohn25]

Kobayashi - isn't that the guy who wins all of the hot dog eating contests?

Yes it is. And somehow, that guy is buff.

[membengal]

Looking ahead to the Reds 9th, we get to see Votto, EE, and Dunn.

Cleveland has yanked Raffy Betencourt from the closer's role he was inhabiting in Borowski's absence after he yakked on himself and the team yet again earlier this week against Oakland.

I would expect that Kobyashi would come out to try and close it in the 9th.

Imperative to hold Cleveland off the board here, obviously.

[coachw513]

Yes it is. And somehow, that guy is buff.

This is slightly disturbing :eek:

[Falls City Beer]

Kobayashi - isn't that the guy who wins all of the hot dog eating contests?

The Indians used to have an Asian pitcher who ate *other* kinds of hot dogs.

[membengal]

Well, perhaps not. Kobyashi due up this inning.

Bray in for the Reds.

[membengal]

The Indians used to have an Asian pitcher who ate *other* kinds of hot dogs.

Which answered the question about how far he would go for money. WAY farther than I would.

[membengal]

Bray Ks Blake.

Apparently there was a double switch I missed during the ice cream run, so Kobyashi's spot is not up.

[coachw513]

Did any of you guys see the replay they just showed of the Preakness from above the horses...Big Brown just abused the field...when he decided to take off, it was a man playing with kids...

I know nothing about horse racing, but that was "Secretariat-like"...

We need Bray to kick it up a notch...

[membengal]

Bloop to short CF, Phillips apparently with a rather nice play.

Two outs.

[jojo]

me bad, me bad, me bad.....

But I'm sorry Thom, you're full of hooey about Phillips and the gold glove last season.

[Tommyjohn25]

This is slightly disturbing :eek:

Haha! It just boggles my mind! I'm a big workout guy, I lift 5 days a week, and I have to watch almost everything I eat on top of that to keep myself looking decent. This guy gorges himself for a living with hot dogs and he could be in muscle magazines...actually it makes me angry! ;)

[membengal]

I will need to see a replay of that, coach.

The one thing worth tucking away is that Brown was a 1:2 favorite, and the field against him rather lacking.

I hope a better field goes to the Belmont, just to give him one more chance to be measured. But he looks like a spectacular horse.

[coachw513]

Haha! It just boggles my mind! I'm a big workout guy, I lift 5 days a week, and I have to watch almost everything I eat on top of that to keep myself looking decent. This guy gorges himself for a living with hot dogs and he could be in muscle magazines...actually it makes me angry! ;)

That's what you get for working out so hard...it doesn't make me quite so upset...