Reds vs. Pirates: 5/28/08--Does Bruce Make an Out?

[reds44]

Peglegs
Freddy Sanchez 2b
Jack Wilson ss
Nate McLouth cf
Jason Bay lf
Xavier Nady rf
Adam LaRoche 1b
Doug Mientkiewicz 3b
Ronny Paulino c
Tom Gorzelanny p

Redlegs
Jerry Hairston Jr. ss
Jay Bruce cf
Ken Griffey Jr. rf
Brandon Phillips 2b
Adam Dunn lf
Edwin Encarnacion 3b
Joey Votto 1b
David Ross c
Bronson Arroyo p

[SirFelixCat]

Go Reds...

Is it just me or does anyone else just have a LOT more optimism w/ JB called up and the temptation of Patterson gone?

[Raisor]

Right, the third spot belongs to Junior (Griffey). The fourth spot belong to (Brandon) Phillips. The fifth spot belongs to (Adam) Dunn.

Apparently, the 7th spot belongs to Votto.

ugh

[cumberlandreds]

Nice inning by BA. Just a walk and a couple of K's.

[reds44]

Nice first inning from BA.

[NC Reds]

Jheri gets a single.

[redsrule2500]

At least hairston takes pitches, decent leadoff. Kills patterson.

[NC Reds]

Jay Bruce may not be human.

[cumberlandreds]

Pirates scared to death of The Bruce. ANother walk for him.

[Cyclone792]

Bruce's eye will take care of itself. He satisfied my magic marker of a PA/BB ratio of 12 or better in the minors (Bruce was 11 and change). I expect him to develop into an 80 walk/season hitter quite soon.

[RedsManRick]

If Bruce goes 0 for his next 10 he'll still have a .375 OBP.

[reds44]

He really has a terrible eye at the plate.

OBP still at 1.000.

[reds44]

2nd double steal in two nights by that duo.

[Raisor]

If Bruce goes 0 for his next 10 he'll still have a .375 OBP.

You're assuming he's EVER going to make an out.

[Cyclone792]

My oh my, on-base percentage is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I never knew Dusty could ever field a lineup that could get its first two guys on base in the first inning in back-to-back games.

Dusty must be in denial with the base clogging that's going on.

[reds44]

Sac fly for Junior, Bruce stays at 2nd.

1-0

[Raisor]

2nd double steal in two nights by that duo.

it's the plan to keep Junior from hitting. Hoping for the intentional walk.

I'm for it.

[Red in Chicago]

second night in a row, george says good things about a player moving over a runner from second to third, while making the second out:confused:

[Raisor]

what's happening!!!!

It's like I'm in that episode of the Twilight Zone where everone disapeared.

[NC Reds]

Adam clogs the bases with a good AB.

[RichRed]

what's happening!!!!

It's like I'm in that episode of the Twilight Zone where everone disapeared.

They were all like that.

[NC Reds]

EdE shows some life!! Nice to see.

[reds44]

Hopefully that is the start of EE coming out of it. RBI double.

2-0
2nd and 3rd
2 out

[paintmered]

Joey bloops in another pair. 4-0. :)

[NC Reds]

Votto with a bloop. The energy of this team is so positive now.

[reds44]

Hey, I like this scoring runs thing.

4-0

[NC Reds]

What team am I watching again?? Ross goes yard.

[Cyclone792]

Dusty's so frustrated with all this base clogging that he had to get a new toothpick.

Ross christens the new toothpick with a bomb to right center! 6-0! Gorzelanny's done! Let's get into this bullpen and shred it so they've got nothing left for Dumatrait's start tomorrow night.

[reds44]

3 stolen bases in the first.

[fearofpopvol1]

The Cowboy was talking about it, but I agree. Ross has really looked good offensively this year in his limited playing time.

[reds44]

Touchdown Bengals!

6-0.

[Raisor]

Dusty's so frustrated with all this base clogging that he had to get a new toothpick.

Ross christens the new toothpick with a bomb to right center! 6-0! Gorzelanny's done! Let's get into this bullpen and shred it so they've got nothing left for Dumatrait's start tomorrow night.


"They need to save some of this for the next series".

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Dusty Baker uses: Aura of Jay Bruce

Teammates power' +10

Opposing pitchers' confidence -100

[RedsManRick]

Two walks and both runners score. Amazing how that works out when more than one or two guys are hitting.

[Strikes Out Looking]

Is this the same Gorzelany that shut them down in April?

[reds44]

And Gorzelany doesn't make it out of the first.

[membengal]

Good professional approaches to hitting up and down the line-up all of a sudden. Yes, sometimes it does make that much of a difference, moving an offensive horror out of the top of the line-up and moving true talent in.

[Tommyjohn25]

Dusty Baker uses: Aura of Jay Bruce

Teammates power' +10

Opposing pitchers' confidence -100

That is REALLY funny! Lol!

What a start to this game! Ya gotta love it! Totally different team at home.

[TheBurn]

About as good a first inning so far this season? :D

[OnBaseMachine]

Wow. I am loving this.

That huge inning was made possible by Adam Dunn's walk.

[reds44]

Arroyo K's

6-0 end 1

[NC Reds]

There were nothing but good AB's that inning. What a difference it makes to not have Corey starting the game with an out.

[paintmered]

Let's hope for an easy outing by Arroyo. It's not often that he's found a 6-0 lead prior to throwing a single pitch as a Red.

[Raisor]

Arroyo K's

6-0 end 1



BOOOOOOOOOO!

Long haired hippy boy needs to do some windsprints.

[reds44]

Brantley talking about the amount of cream delivered to Jay's face last night.

LaRoche with a 1 out walk.

[Degenerate39]

Touchdown Bengals!

6-0.

They missed the extra point? I'm not surprised. ;)

[membengal]

Nice first three AAA innings for Thompson as chronicled in the minors forum, by the way. Three innings thusfar, one hit, four Ks.

Really nice to see talent coursing through the system. And, as deeply unhappy as I was with "the trade", Thompson's development the last year and a half has been one more for Krivsky's column...

[reds44]

Another nice play by Junior to hold alphabet soup to a single.

1st and 3rd
1 out

[paintmered]

A DP ball for Bronson would do wonders for his confidence. The last thing the Reds need is another extended bullpen effort.

[TheBurn]

Key K by BA there... :thumbup:

[reds44]

Paulino just doesn't look like a very good hitter.

K

[OnBaseMachine]

Opposing pitchers kill the Reds with the bat. This guy is a relief pitcher man, throw him some junk down and away and the inning is over.

[reds44]

An infield hit for the relief pitcher. Wow.

6-1

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Nice play by Ross. Bronson needed that break

[membengal]

Real real nice play from Ross there to complete the K. Nice to see him playing well again.

[WVRedsFan]

Was it just me or did Edwin not get to that ball for ages?

[reds44]

Nice play on the dropped 3rd strike by Ross.
4 Ks by BA already.

6-1 mid 2

[VR]

Nice play by Ross. Bronson needed that break

what happened?

[Raisor]

So Bruce is on pace for 9 BB tonight.

That's strong.

[reds44]

Hairston grounds out 4-3.

[VR]

Arroyo now w/ 59 K's in 60 2/3 innings. Tied for 10th in the NL w/ Cueto.

He's never been remotely close to that production.


Can Ross become the every day catcher again? Please?

.400 obp in April now.

[Heath]

So Justin Lehr & Tom Shearn are moved to bring a kid like Daryl Thompson up?

Ladies & Gentlemen, the coddling of Minor League pitchers are done. Walter Jocketty is in da house. It's all about performance based.

[OnBaseMachine]

3-1 on Bruce. Swings at a bad ball in. 3-2. That was a nice pitch. He was looking fastball and got a slider. Foul. Sharp lineout to CF as he's retired for the first time in his career.

[WVRedsFan]

Arroyo now w/ 59 K's in 60 2/3 innings. Tied for 10th in the NL w/ Cueto.

He's never been remotely close to that production.


Can Ross become the every day catcher again? Please?

.400 obp in April now.


If he could catch the ball around the plate, I'd say yes. If he could hit consistently, I'd say yes. I can't. Out with him.

Jay Bruce makes an out. How unusual

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Jay Bruce allows the Pirates to think he may be human so they underestimate him in the next AB.

[Tommyjohn25]

Send him down!!! He's not ready!! *farrrrttt*

[Raisor]

3-1 on Bruce. Swings at a bad ball in. 3-2. That was a nice pitch. He was looking fastball and got a slider. Foul. Sharp lineout to CF as he's retired for the first time in his career.

Ha ha, very funny.

What really happened?

[reds44]

Bruce got tired of walking, and swung at a ball on 3-1.

He then smashed one right at McLouth.

[Raisor]

Bruce got tired of walking, and swung at a ball on 3-1.

He then smashed one right at McLouth.

No, seriously.

What happened?

[VR]

If he could catch the ball around the plate, I'd say yes. If he could hit consistently, I'd say yes. I can't. Out with him.

Jay Bruce makes an out. How unusual


4th highest CS% in the majors for the last three years. Hoping he can get back to 2006 production w/ the bat...which was outrageously good.

[OnBaseMachine]

Very nice sliding catch by Dunn! He's really looked good in LF this year.

[WVRedsFan]

No, seriously.

What happened?

He hit a grand slam. Seriously. Not. :)

Dunn plays Freel, but in this case, he makes the play.

[OnBaseMachine]

And now Votto makes a nice play to his right. He makes the tough plays look easy.

[membengal]

Wow, the Reds are flashing leather all over the place. Great play by EE to end the inning.

[OnBaseMachine]

And now Edwin makes a brilliant play! Robbed Bay of a double! Awesome, awesome play. Three great plays by the Reds in that inning.

[NC Reds]

EdE makes a great play. Good defense that inning? Really?

[Raisor]

And now Votto makes a nice play to his right. He makes the tough plays look easy.

...and the easy plays look tough.

I think there's a song there.

[Cyclone792]

What the hell just happened this last inning?!?!

That's three web gems on maybe four pitches, if that.

[Screwball]

Nice web gem, Edwin!

[paintmered]

My goodness that was a web gem by EE. Ranged to his right into foul ground, laid out, then fired a laser to Votto for the out. We'll be seeing that one on SportsCenter tomorrow no doubt.

[membengal]

So Justin Lehr & Tom Shearn are moved to bring a kid like Daryl Thompson up?

Ladies & Gentlemen, the coddling of Minor League pitchers are done. Walter Jocketty is in da house. It's all about performance based.

Yup. And Travis Wood was moved from Sarasota to 'Nooga, and has 5 Ks in his first three innings in his first AA start tonight as well.

Jocketty finally announcing his presence with authority...

[reds44]

Holy crap, what a play by Edwin.

A freaking cannon.

[membengal]

What the hell just happened this last inning?!?!

That's three web gems on maybe four pitches, if that.

Good defense, it does make a pitcher's life a bit easier...

[WVRedsFan]

Yup. And Travis Wood was moved from Sarasota to 'Nooga, and has 5 Ks in his first three innings in his first AA start tonight as well.

Jocketty finally announcing his presence with authority...

This is more like it. A GM that's no nonsense and no bull stuff. Just action.

[paintmered]

Good defense, it does make a pitcher's life a bit easier...

Truth.

And BP gets a pitch over and behind his head.

[paintmered]

Pirates are shifting beyond the normal Dunn shift.

[paintmered]

Dunn runs the count to 2-2, then strikes out on a change-up.

[gm]

Bruce...is retired for the first time in his career.

No more "Mr. Perfect" for #32

[WVRedsFan]

6-1 after 3.

We'll probably need more runs, so let's hold them, Bronson

[Chip R]

Brantley talking about the amount of cream delivered to Jay's face last night.



:eek:

[gm]

Pirates are shifting beyond the normal Dunn shift.

Do they have an outfielder in the sun deck?

[OnBaseMachine]

Edwin grounded out to end the inning.

Nady lines out to Dunn to begin the 4th.

[OnBaseMachine]

LaRoche flies out to the wall in LF. Two outs. That ball really carried.

[paintmered]

Dunn records the first two outs of the 4th.

[Tommyjohn25]

Looks like the ball is really carrying tonight. I thought that was a routine can o' corn.

[OnBaseMachine]

Arroyo with a two out walk to "Doug".

[HumnHilghtFreel]

:eek:

:lol: I was going to comment, but I decided it would not be wise :)

[Tom Servo]

Please stop walking guys, Bronson.

[Chip R]

No more "Mr. Perfect" for #32


Curt Hennig rests in peace once again.

Good God, Bronson. Throw strikes.

[Tommyjohn25]

Arroyo having problems finding his release point tonight.

[OnBaseMachine]

Arroyo walks Paulino. Come on Bronson, you have a 6-1 lead. Throw strikes. Their only run come from a one out walk IIRC.

[OnBaseMachine]

Osario K's.

6-1 Reds after 3 1/2.

[Tom Servo]

Damn city slickers.

[NC Reds]

You don't have to be lonely at farmersonly.com. That commercial never gets old for me. :)

[HumnHilghtFreel]

72 pitches for Arroyo and working on 3 days rest, hopefully he isn't strung out too long tonight with a big lead

[blumj]

Arroyo with a two out walk to "Doug".
It's Mientkiewicz. Just felt like showing off.

[membengal]

Interesting note from Grande that the rumors are the Yankees have their eyes on Arroyo.

That can be arranged.

Hughes. Done and done.

[Tom Servo]

Take that, Xavier Nady.

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto doubles to begin the 4th inning.

[Tom Servo]

Ross brought his bat tonight.

[Tommyjohn25]

Ross looking like V. 2006. Good for him.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Ross keeps hitting. Singles in Votto. 7-1 Reds

[membengal]

This is a much better offensive team when Ross is hitting. Nice to have his stick late in the line-up.

[Heath]

Ross looking like V. 2006. Good for him.

Add that to Bako V. 2008 and there's something going on.

[Tom Servo]

Bruuuuuuuuce

[NC Reds]

That Bruce guy is really good. Double.

[membengal]

Gracious but Bruce can rake.

[Tommyjohn25]

Jay Bruce just destroys the ball. Everything he hits is on the barrel.

[Screwball]

Bruuuuuuuuce

Bruuuuuuuuce indeed. I encourage everyone on this board to get down to a game sometime and chant that. You'll thank yourself later. :)

[reds44]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.

Stud.

[RedsManRick]

Ross runs in to out 3 at home on a ball that bounced 10 feet from the catcher... I sure hope he was sent and didn't decide to do that on his own.

[OnBaseMachine]

The bad base running continues. Ross tries to score on a wild pitch that rolled about 10 feet from the catcher and was out by a mile. 7-1 Reds after 4.

[Tommyjohn25]

Bruuuuuuuuce indeed. I encourage everyone on this board to get down to a game sometime and chant that. You'll thank yourself later. :)

I'll be making the trip north to do just that next month. Possibly for one of the Red Sox games. :beerme:

[redsrule2500]

Ross looked safe to me.

[reds44]

Ross looked safe to me.
When you get beat by that much, you're going to be called out.

[Heath]

Ross looked safe to me.

Ross for a fleeting moment thought he was Rickey Henderson with the A's. The first Rickey.

Rickey would have been out.

[PuffyPig]

The bad base running continues. Ross tries to score on a wild pitch that rolled about 10 feet from the catcher and was out by a mile. 7-1 Reds after 4.

Firstly, I thought it was close.

Secondly, the cathcher couldn't see it for the longest time.

He was out, but it wasn't a bad chance to take with 2 outs.

[Heath]

The Pirates are hackers. Wow. I thought the Reds were bad and impatient.

[membengal]

Ross runs in to out 3 at home on a ball that bounced 10 feet from the catcher... I sure hope he was sent and didn't decide to do that on his own.

Looked to me like Jr. gave Ross a half-hearted wave to c'mon. The motion Jr. should have been signaling was "o my, no".

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce has made only one out in eight plate appearances, and that lone out was a sharp line drive on a 3-2 count.

BTW, Hairston makes every play at SS look tough. He fielded a routine groundball and ran halfway to first base before making a throw in the dirt that Votto did a nice job of picking.

[OnBaseMachine]

Easy 1-2-3 5th inning for Bronson. 7-1 Reds after 4 1/2.

[paintmered]

Easy 5th inning for Bronson Arroyo. Life's a little easier when up by 6 runs.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

I didn't even recognize Keppinger with that beard.

[WVRedsFan]

Looked to me like Jr. gave Ross a half-hearted wave to c'mon. The motion Jr. should have been signaling was "o my, no".

Yep. Had to be Junior's fault. I should have known. Isn't everything? :)

[membengal]

Has there been any word on how Kepp's healing is going? Is there a chance the team gets him back by the All-Star break?

[OnBaseMachine]

I didn't even recognize Keppinger with that beard.

No kidding. He looks like Scott Williamson with that beard.

[membengal]

Yep. Had to be Junior's fauolt. I should have known. Isn't everything? :)

Um, I wasn't faulting Jr. Just relaying what I saw.

But, whatever.

[OnBaseMachine]

Has there been any word on how Kepp's healing is going? Is there a chance the team gets him back by the All-Star break?

Fay says he's doing very well and may just miss four weeks.

[Screwball]

BTW, Hairston makes every play at SS look tough. He fielded a routine groundball and ran halfway to first base before making a throw in the dirt that Votto did a nice job of picking.

Yeah I noticed that too. Luckily it won't matter much tonight, but he's a serious defensive liability at a very important defensive position on the field.

At least he's hitting a bit, though.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Has there been any word on how Kepp's healing is going? Is there a chance the team gets him back by the All-Star break?

Grande said he's been putting pressure on it and doing baseball acivities.

Reports I read on Yahoo and Roto say hes starting running soon and say they expect him out about 2 more weeks.

[membengal]

Thanks OBM and Humn, really good news.

[OnBaseMachine]

Sanchez robs Griff of a single.

[paintmered]

Junior is really struggling to make contact. It's getting difficult to watch. :(

He manages to make contact this time, and hits a bullet right to the shifted 2nd baseman. 1 out.

[paintmered]

Phillips strokes a single.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Phillips singles wih 1 out. He then tries to blind the pitcher with a humongous smile.

I love that guy.

[OnBaseMachine]

Dunn K's and Edwin flies out to end the inning.

7-1 Reds after five.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce makes a running catch as the crowd chants Brruuuuce. One out.

[NC Reds]

Bruce uses GPS technology and tracks down flyball to center.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nady doubles.

[reds44]

Bruce looks freaking huge in CF compared to Patterson and Freel.

[OnBaseMachine]

LaRoche breaks his bat and flies out to Bruce. Two outs.

[Tom Servo]

Can't keep the Creeper out of the park.

[Chip R]

Can't keep the Creeper out of the park.


Unfortunately.

[OnBaseMachine]

Doug K's to end the inning.

7-1 Reds after 5 1/2.

[reds44]

CW couldn't get better seats than that?

[KittyDuran]

CW couldn't get better seats than that?He's with the Knothole kids - they probably got a block of seats...

[OnBaseMachine]

I really wish the Reds had been able to hang on and win those two games they blew on the west coast (game one in LA when Hairston made the throwing error) and Sunday when Cordero and Fogg blew the saves. Win those two games and the Reds are 26-26 with a chance to get over .500 tonight.

[Screwball]

CW couldn't get better seats than that?

Those JTM checks ain't what they used to be, brother.

[NC Reds]

Votto rakes.

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto lines a single to center off lefty Sean Burnett. He's 3-for-3 tonight.

[reds44]

Oh Joey and Jay are going to be fun to watch.

[Screwball]

They're scared of The Boss.

[reds44]

Keep talking about his defense, but Hairston is raking right now.

8-1

[Tom Servo]

Pitchers fear Bruce.

[NC Reds]

Bruce has a good eye.

[Tommyjohn25]

Bruce walks again. The word is already out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce walks again! On base eight of nine times.

[RedsManRick]

Is Bruce being pitched around? This is pretty crazy.

[Reds Fanatic]

4 walks in 2 nights and he has been on base 8 out of 9 plate appearances.

[Degenerate39]

They're acting like Bruce is Barry Bonds

[OnBaseMachine]

I would love to see Griffey top this off with #599 here.

[reds44]

On base 8 of the 9 times he's stepped to the dish.

Not bad

[OnBaseMachine]

Griff ahead 3-0. Called strike. Foul. 3-2. One hopper to short.

8-1 Reds after 6.

[reds44]

Bruce walked 12 times in 184 ABs in AAA this year.

[Degenerate39]

Griffey double switced out and Bruce is now playing right field.

[Chip R]

Farney in CF

[Reds Fanatic]

Freel in to play center.

[Tom Servo]

Cookies and brownies

[guttle11]

He made an out? Is that allowed?

[Screwball]

Arroyo's final line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 5.29 ERA

[Tommyjohn25]

Good Lincoln showed up tonight. Nice...

[Chip R]

Dear Jay,

If a ball comes between you and Freel, do not, I repeat, do not come within 50 feet of him.

Love,
Reds Fans everywhere

[OnBaseMachine]

Easy 1-2-3 7th inning by Lincoln.

8-1 Reds after 7 1/2.

[membengal]

Dear Jay,

If a ball comes between you and Freel, do not, I repeat, do not come within 50 feet of him.

Love,
Reds Fans everywhere

Word.

Funniest part of that last inning was when the cameras showed Bruce in RF and he was looking over at CF. You could almost see him processing just that thought...

[PuffyPig]

Arroyo's final line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 5.29 ERA

But Pittsburg stinks, so those stats don't count.

Didn't happen.

[membengal]

Nice easy night from Arroyo. Really good to see again.

The continued avalance of Ks from him is also good to see. I believe he is still averaging right at a K an inning this year? Most unusual for him.

[OnBaseMachine]

Arroyo has been very good lately. This is a solid rotation when Arroyo is pitching like he is capable. I know Cueto is struggling some but he's capable of shutting down an offense when he's going right. The Reds currently have four starters I am comfortable with.

[Screwball]

Reds with an 8 game home winning streak. About to be 9 after tonight. If only they were a little better than awful on the road.

[NC Reds]

Dunn is such a judy hitter.

[Tom Servo]

Can we have a mulligan on all the pre-Bruce games.

[Chip R]

Reds with an 8 game home winning streak. About to be 9 after tonight. If only they were a little better than awful on the road.


It would help but before that last homestand they were below .500 at home.

[reds44]

One interesting and one funny tidbit from Trent.

First, on Keppinger.

Top 4: If you weren't listening to Marty and Thom, I told them that I talked to Jeff Keppinger before the game today. He took batting practice on the field before the game, did some agility work and thinks he could be ready for a rehab assignment in a week. He's walking around and showing no signs of slowing down. Two fly outs for Arroyo before walking Doug Mientkiewicz and Ronny Paulino. Then a K of Osoria. Redlegs 6, Peglegs 1

And on Bruce:


Bottom 6: Lefty Sean Burnett in for the Peglegs. Osoria's 4.1 innings were a career high. Talked to Jay Bruce before the game today, and apparently even the young guys are picking on him. Joey Votto asked Paul Janish what his first big league hit was. "Walk-off RBI single," Janish said. Votto then asked Bruce what his first big league hit was, "a plain old single," Bruce answered, and dutifilly asked what Votto's first hit was. Votto just held his hand over his eyes as if surveying the land where his home run went. Leadoff single for Votto. After a Ross flyout, Arroyo's sac bunt moves Votto into scoring position with two outs. Hairston singles Votto in and here comes Bruce, still looking for his first home run. His OPS is back over 2.000, so that's good. He was slumming it there for a while. Seriously, dude had 13 walks in AAA all season, he now has four. Redlegs 8, Peglegs 1

[RedsManRick]

But Pittsburg stinks, so those stats don't count.

Didn't happen.

Word. Arroyo is horrible.

[NC Reds]

We need to save some for tomorrow. Ross with a BB and an RBI.

[reds44]

We need to save some for tomorrow. Ross with a BB and an RBI.
That's what we said yesterday.

[RedlegJake]

Freel hits into DP. 9-1

[Spring~Fields]

M. Salas relieved S. Burnett
- B. Phillips hit by pitch
- A. Dunn singled to right, B. Phillips to third
- E. Encarnacion struck out swinging
- J. Votto walked, A. Dunn to second
- D. Ross walked, B. Phillips scored, A. Dunn to third, J. Votto to second
- R. Freel grounded into double play second to shortstop to first, D. Ross out at second
- End of Inning (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

[OnBaseMachine]

David Weathers in.

[RedlegJake]

Valentin in to catch

[Cyclone792]

This finally better be a night when both Cordero and Burton can get some rest and not even pick up a baseball down in the bullpen.

[OnBaseMachine]

Weathers K's Jack Wilson to begin the 8th. One out.

[RedlegJake]

Wilson Ks.

[membengal]

This finally better be a night when both Cordero and Burton can get some rest and not even pick up a baseball down in the bullpen.

No doubt.

I kinda hope that Dusty realizes that eight run leads late are an ideal situation to get Josh Fogg into the game.

[OnBaseMachine]

Groundball to Votto, he makes a perfect flip to Weathers who drops the ball.

[RedlegJake]

Weathers uncouth on McLouth.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bay flies out to Freel. Two outs.

[RedlegJake]

Michaels flies to Freel 2 down (pinch hitting for Bay)

[Tornon]

Matt Belisle throwing in the bullpen?

[OnBaseMachine]

Matt Belisle is warming up in the bullpen. Interesting. Might we see Matt Maloney on Saturday?

[membengal]

Very interesting. Very.

I have wondered aloud several times of late about Fogg DFA, Belisle to pen, and Maloney up.

Hmmmmm.

[Tornon]

Matt Belisle is warming up in the bullpen. Interesting. Might we see Matt Maloney on Saturday?

Perhaps we will get "lucky" and see Josh Fogg

[RedlegJake]

Yesssssssss. I hope so. I want to see what Maloney can do. The younger generation keeps arriving.

[reds44]

Matt Belisle is warming up in the bullpen. Interesting. Might we see Matt Maloney on Saturday?
Woah, now that is interesting. Keep the young guys coming as far as I am concerned.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nady flies out to Bruce.

9-1 Reds after 7 1/2.

[redsrule2500]

Weather clearly was very lucky in that inning.

[Spring~Fields]

J. Valentin catching
- D. Weathers relieved M. Lincoln
- J. Wilson struck out swinging
- N. McLouth safe at first on pitcher D. Weathers' fielding error
- J. Michaels hit for J. Bay
- J. Michaels flied out to deep center
- X. Nady lined out to right
- End of Inning (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error)

[Tommyjohn25]

The plot continues to thicken.

[Spring~Fields]

Matt Belisle is warming up in the bullpen. Interesting. Might we see Matt Maloney on Saturday?

That is interesting, is he just getting work or is another move on the way?

[Cyclone792]

I think the pitcher's spot is due up third this inning, which would be Weathers batting in Griffey's original spot. We'll see if Weathers hits for himself or not.

[Screwball]

Man, Hairston just keeps on hitting.

[RedlegJake]

Valentin 3rd. Weathers 8th.

[NC Reds]

Jheri is raking right now. I don't expect him to keep it up, but I'll take it.

[Cyclone792]

Fogg DFA

I'd love it. Let's keep on working to get those square pegs out of those round holes.

[guttle11]

They had to cheat to get him out.

[Cyclone792]

The only way Bruce can be retired is when a foul ball dribbler is ruled fair.

[RedlegJake]

Bruce grounds out. Two outs in one night, a game to mark for the ages.

[OnBaseMachine]

The only way Bruce can be retired is when a foul ball dribbler is ruled fair.

Yep. That looked foul.

[Cyclone792]

I was wrong on Weathers going into Griffey's slot; he went into Ross' slot batting 8th instead. So we'll likely have to wait until the top of the 9th to see if Weathers returns, if it's Belisle, or if it's somebody else.

[RedlegJake]

Valentin Ks. Yates has pretty decent stuff.

[OnBaseMachine]

Phillips pops out to end the inning.

9-1 Reds after 8.

[RedlegJake]

BP pops out.

[Chip R]

Matt Belisle throwing in the bullpen?


Just in case the Bucs tie it and the game goes into extra innings. We may need him to pitch to a right handed hitter.

[guttle11]

Bruce has an .800 OBP.

What went wrong today?

[Screwball]

Leadoff double for Hairston but he doesn't advance past 2nd base. If we weren't up by 8 I'd be a little upset.

[Spring~Fields]

L. Rivas at second
- C. Gomez at third
- T. Yates relieved M. Salas
- J. Hairston Jr. doubled to left
- J. Bruce grounded out to catcher No way !!!!!! ;)
- J. Valentin struck out swinging
- B. Phillips popped out to first
- End of Inning (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)

[Cyclone792]

Bruce's rate stats collapsed tonight. He's only hitting .667/.800/1.000/1.800 now after his 1-3, 2B, 2 BB performance.

An 1.800 OPS and reaching base eight out of 10 times is overrated. Too much base clogging for Dusty's taste; back to Louisville Jay goes. ;)

[OnBaseMachine]

Bray in to pitch the 9th. Janish in at SS.

[OnBaseMachine]

LaRoche grounds out to Phillips. One out.

[Cyclone792]

Bray's in the game so ... well ok.

What I don't get is this is the opportune time to actually pitch Fogg. I don't want Fogg pitching in close games; if he's going to ever pitch, it needs to be in eight run games like tonight.

Then again if Fogg never pitches to another batter while in a Reds uniform, I'll be excited.

[RedlegJake]

Put Ross or Bako back behind the dish and I'd love to se this very team every night. Freel CF, Janish SS, Bruce RF, Hairston available as the super sub

[reds44]

Votto is...active...at 1st base.

[RedlegJake]

Bray's in the game so ... well ok.

What I don't get is this is the opportune time to actually pitch Fogg. I don't want Fogg pitching in close games; if he's going to ever pitch, it needs to be in eight run games like tonight.

Then again if Fogg never pitches to another batter while in a Reds uniform, I'll be excited.

I'll take the later option thank you kindly. ;)

[NC Reds]

He got it!

Grande makes the night complete.

[OnBaseMachine]

Freel takes a bad route but ends up making a diving catch to rob Gomez of a single. Two outs.

[RedsManRick]

That was positively Edmondsesque!

[Chip R]

Jay, what did I tell you about Freel? That was too darn close.

[guttle11]

Stay away from him, Jay.

Nice to see Freel actually hold on to a diving catch attempt for once.

[Cyclone792]

Freel breaks the wrong way on a fly ball running laterally toward right field initially rather than in toward the ball, then he makes a diving catch.

[reds44]

I thought the Cubs signed Jim Edmonds?

[OnBaseMachine]

First pitch ground out to Edwin. Easy 1-2-3 inning for Bray!

Reds win 9-1.