Reds vs. Phillies 6/2/08: No Griffey

[reds44]

From Fay


Ken Griffey Jr. is out. General soreness. I believe it's his knee, although he wouldn't say specifically. He may be able to play tomorrow. "Hopefully," he said.

Jerry Hairston Jr. SS
Ryan Freel CF
Jay Bruce RF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Joey Votto 1B
David Ross C
Bronson Arroyo P
v. RH Kyle Kendrick

[reds44]

So who else isn't getting mlb.tv?

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm tired of Ryan Freel swinging at the first pitch in every atbat. Hairston and Bruce made Kendrick throw a combined 11 pitches and Freel only one. He does it every time.

[jesusfan]

quick 1-2-3 inning for the Phils... Bruce lined hard right at Howard...

[jesusfan]

That Phils line-up is really nasty...

[M2]

I am seriously peeved that this game isn't on ESPN. Two hot teams and Jay Bruce is one of the best stories in the game at the moment.

As for the game all I ask is that the Reds attempt to kill Kyle.

http://animatedtv.about.com/library/graphics/sp703cartmanKyleWiffleBat.jpg

[jesusfan]

good play by Arroyo to get Rollins.. 1 down

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Rollins grounds out to pitcher. 1 down

[Reds Freak]

It looks like Bruce got his ears lowered for the game today. Hopefully it's not like a Samson thing. I don't know though, he's already made an out (even though it was scorched)...

[HumnHilghtFreel]

I am seriously peeved that this game isn't on ESPN. Two hot teams and Jay Bruce is one of the best stories in the game at the moment.

As for the game all I ask is that the Reds attempt to kill Kyle.



Who wants to see good baseball when you can see the Yankees? ;)

[jesusfan]

3-0 to Utley...

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Utley takes Bronson deep.
2-0 Phils

[OnBaseMachine]

Why in the world do you throw a 3-0 pitch right down the middle to Chase Utley? Just bad pitching there.

Looks like Arroyo is going to get rocked by the Phillies again tonight. They are a horrible matchup for him.

[Joseph]

Streaks can't last forever....

[jesusfan]

road trip off to a great start...

[Reds Freak]

Ha, Redszone has already thrown in the towel huh? Two run lead too much to overcome? The guy has 21 doggone home runs this year, he's got a decent stick.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Jenkins pops out to short.

To the second we go

[PuffyPig]

Arroyo wouldn't be the first pitcher to give up 2 runs in the first inning, but go on to pitch well.

And the Reds wouldn't be the first team to come back from a 2 run deficit after 1 inning to win a ballgame.

Just sayin'.

[pahster]

Why in the world do you throw a 3-0 pitch right down the middle to Chase Utley? Just bad pitching there.


I'm sure he didn't mean to.

[M2]

I like that Kendrick's obsessing on Phillips at 1B. Yes, forget all about the giant man at the plate.

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm sure he didn't mean to.

He took something like 5-6 mph off his fastball to throw a strike. IMO as hot as Utley is, you don't throw him a meatball on 3-0.

[jesusfan]

BP at 3rd after the 10 foot dribbler by Edwin...

[Joseph]

Lets hope Votto can plate one here.

[jesusfan]

Votto rips it right at Jenkins.... 2-0 Phils

[OnBaseMachine]

Kendrick is an awful pitcher so the Reds *shouldn't* have a problem scoring runs against him. The key is for Arroyo to hold the Phillies under four runs in six innings.

[gm]

Ha, Redszone has already thrown in the towel huh? Two run lead too much to overcome?


Well, Kendrick did stone the Red's hitters earlier this year...(of course, so did Tim Hudson...)

[NC Reds]

Kendrick isn't really fooling anybody up there. Arroyo just needs to hold them where they are. Bruce, Dunn and Votto all hit the ball well.

[CTA513]

Kendrick at 22 pitches after 2 innings

[PuffyPig]

He took something like 5-6 mph off his fastball to throw a strike. IMO as hot as Utley is, you don't throw him a meatball on 3-0.

Actually, he took about 10 MPH off his fastball. He threw a changeup.

[jesusfan]

Arroyo walks Feliz... shew

[jesusfan]

Arroyo gets out of the 2nd... 2-0 Phils after 2...

[Joseph]

Ross needs to get on here.

[jesusfan]

Ross grounds to Rollins... 1 down

[jesusfan]

2 quick outs...

[OnBaseMachine]

Four of the Reds first nine hitters have made first pitch outs.

[Joseph]

Ugly offense showing so far.

EEs bat is so important for offensive consistency. Without it there is only half a line up.

[jesusfan]

Even the balls we hit hard are right at them... what a quick inning... if you got up to make a sandwich you just missed it.

[reds44]

What happens to our offense on the road?

Philly ain't exactly Petco.

[OnBaseMachine]

Kendrick is an awful pitcher so the Reds *shouldn't* have a problem scoring runs against him. The key is for Arroyo to hold the Phillies under four runs in six innings.

Of course he has a one hit shutout through 3 innings on 29 pitches.

Just to show how bad Kendrick is, he's allowed 70 hits in 57.1 innings with a 18 BB/27 K ratio.

[RedsManRick]

Reds are really pushing Kendrick hard... 29 pitches through 3 innings. At least we'll have our 2nd leadoff hitter up in the 4th. :rolleyes:

[Screwball]

What happens to our offense on the road?

Philly ain't exactly Petco.

Well, in their defense the Reds have already hit into about 3 or 4 lineouts, and we've only been through the order once.

[jesusfan]

Utley singles...

[Reds Freak]

Ugly offense showing so far.

EEs bat is so important for offensive consistency. Without it there is only half a line up.

Outside of the weak AB's by Freel and EE, the Reds have stung at least four balls thus far. Just hit right at somebody. Can't do anything about that. If without EE they are only half the lineup, they've been playing with a half lineup all year.

[jesusfan]

Great throw by Phillips and nice job holding on by Ross...

[Reds Freak]

Perfect throw by BP! Raise your hand if you thought Ross was going to hold on to that ball...

[kbrake]

Very nice play by David Ross, doesn't seem like he hangs on to many of those.

[RedsManRick]

Good to see Ross hang on to one at the plate as Freel and BP combine to gun him down.

[reds44]

Nice job running through the sto sign, Chase.

Good job by Ross and BP.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice job by Ross to hold on to that and nice job by Bronson to avoid any damage.

[Cyclone792]

That was very nicely executed all the way around by the Reds. Freel got over to the ball quickly and had a very quick release in getting the ball to Phillips. His throw was dead on accurate to Phillips, and Brandon turned around and fired a strike to Ross at the plate. And Ross did a pretty good job staying in front of the plate and hanging on to the ball.

Ross is a big boy. He shouldn't be afraid of collisions at the plate, especially with that gear on. He's bigger than most guys out there who will try to run him over.

[NC Reds]

Somebody take away Kendrick's lucky rabbit's foot. He isn't sharp at all really.

[Screwball]

My Goodness. Maybe the Reds should try to hit the ball softer.

[TeamBoone]

Ross is a big boy. He shouldn't be afraid of collisions at the plate, especially with that gear on. He's bigger than most guys out there who will try to run him over.

You know, people keep saying that Ross is big. When I saw him at Redsfest, I didn't think he was big at all. In fact, I was thinking that he's kind of small, especially for a catcher.

[NC Reds]

Bruce is a stud.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce opposite field homerun!

[jesusfan]

Brucie Bruce!! He's a bad, bad man!

[Cyclone792]

Bruce homers again!

[Joseph]

Oppo Bruce!!!

Kid can hit.

[guttle11]

For crying out loud.

[kbrake]

Wow.

[Screwball]

BRUUUUUUUUUCE!!

All kinds of power, boy.

[jesusfan]

Guys, we are seeing something unreal... I don't wanna hear that we've seen it before with Kearns or Dunn. We haven't, this is the birth of a superstar, perennial All-Star...

[reds44]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.

Amazing.

2-1

[jesusfan]

Phillips grounds to Rollins... 2 down

[Reds Freak]

Man, where are the holes out there today? I guess you just gotta take Bruce's route and hit it over the fence...

[Screwball]

Phillips hits another rocket but it went right at Rollins. Unreal how fortunate Kendrick is getting right now.

[guttle11]

That's strength. He was trying to pull that ball. His hips flew out big time, and he still hit it out to the opposite field.

Amazing. 97% of big leaguers pop that ball to third, if they make contact.

[Cyclone792]

I'm waiting for the day when Jay Bruce is intentionally walked with the bases loaded.

[gm]

Bruce = Lance Berkman with wheels

[Raisor]

I'm waiting for the day when Jay Bruce is intentionally walked with the bases loaded.


I like to call that day "Tuesday"

[jesusfan]

Feliz Homers... 4-1 Philly

[CTA513]

The Reds score 1 run and Arroyo quickly gives up 2 runs later in the inning.

[Joseph]

Sad sad sad.

[jesusfan]

Arroyo facing reality...

[redsfaninbsg]

So demoralizing, huge play at the plate to stop a run from scoring, you then get a homer, and then the Phils strike with that 2 run blast. Here is another Homer. Arroyo's slow pitch, breaking stuff just aint cutting it tonight.

[CTA513]

Arroyos not going to win tonight.

[Screwball]

The Reds score 1 run and Arroyo quickly gives up 2 runs later in the inning.

Make that 3. And there's still nobody out here in the 4th.

[reds44]

Ugh Bronson.

[guttle11]

Over/under 60 total runs this series? I'd probably take the over.

[Joseph]

I don't know which is worse, thinking we might turn the corner and getting beat up, or knowing we have no shot.

[OnBaseMachine]

Coste homers. 5-1.

This is a game I was hoping they could win. Thursday's game is going to be very tough to win with Homer going against Hamels. The pitching matchups favor the Reds the next two games but the Phillies offense is among the best in the game so you can just assume a Reds win in those two.

[jesusfan]

I was hoping to get back to .500 on this road trip...

[Falls City Beer]

Bronson vs. the lefty-heavy Phillies. Dead.

[Raisor]

The good news is The Bruce has another 3 or 4 PA's.

[Falls City Beer]

The good news is The Bruce has another 3 or 4 PA's.

So does Utley.

[CTA513]

Perfect game for Majewski to make his 2008 Reds debut.

[cumberlandreds]

Reds are catching the Phils at the worst possible time. They are hotter than hades, averaging 10 runs a game over the last seven. They could put up some ugly numbers against the Reds this week. I especially dread Thursday game. I don't have much hope for Homer to hold them down at all.

[OnBaseMachine]

EdE homers. 5-2.

[jesusfan]

5-2... ed HR

[NC Reds]

EdE goes yard. Nice.

[Joseph]

Home run derby?

[Screwball]

Coste homers. 5-1.

This is a game I was hoping they could win. Thursday's game is going to be very tough to win with Homer going against Hamels. The pitching matchups favor the Reds the next two games but the Phillies offense is among the best in the game so you can just assume a Reds win in those two.

I actually figured Bronson would be getting rocked. Lefties are OPSing .948 against Bronson this year (.818 for his career), and we all know how stacked this Philly team is with lefties (Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Jenkins).

What I find to be a shame is how hard the Reds are hitting Kendrick yet have almost nothing to show for it (although EE just homered!).

[redsfaninbsg]

Difference in this game is that Philly can get men on and then go deep.

[reds44]

And here we go.....

[Joseph]

Over/under 60 total runs this series? I'd probably take the over.

For the Phillies? Absolutely :)

[Cyclone792]

The Reds need Harang to get back to his old self and for Volquez to be Volquez. That way they have a shot to grab a split and get out of Philadelphia without taking a beating.

[jesusfan]

5 runs should not beat us against this guy...

[jesusfan]

Votto bounces hard to short... 1 down

[OnBaseMachine]

Ross with a 405 foot flyout.

[guttle11]

10 runs might not win this thing.

[jesusfan]

Ross almost homers...

[Falls City Beer]

5 runs should not beat us against this guy...

Kendrick's better than Arroyo at this stage in Arroyo's career. And the Phils offense is definitely better than the Reds'.

[reds44]

I can't even be mad at these guys. They are ripping balls but they are right at people.

[OnBaseMachine]

Kendrick's better than Arroyo at this stage in Arroyo's career. And the Phils offense is definitely better than the Reds'.

You couldn't give me Kyle Kendrick. I'll take Bronson Arroyo over Kendrick 10 times out of 10 and it's not even close.

[Falls City Beer]

I can't even be mad at these guys. They are ripping balls but they are right at people.

Oh and the Phils play great D too.

[reds44]

Oh and the Phils play great D too.
It has nothing to do with the D. These balls are right at people.

[Falls City Beer]

It has nothing to do with the D. These balls are right at people.

Sure it has to do with D and alignment.

[jesusfan]

Utley 3-3...

[PuffyPig]

Kendrick's better than Arroyo at this stage in Arroyo's career. And the Phils offense is definitely better than the Reds'.

Kendrick's upside (if everything falls into place and he learns to K some guys)is Bronson Arroyo.

[cumberlandreds]

Utley 3-3...

As unbelievable as Bruce has been,this guy is even more so. I wouldn't even pitch to him now. No matter if Howard is behind him.

[OnBaseMachine]

Kendrick's upside (if everything falls into place and he learns to K some guys)is Bronson Arroyo.

And that's being nice.

[reds44]

Majewski warming.

:lol:

[jesusfan]

Utley and Burrell kills us!

[CTA513]

K #80 on the season for Howard.

[jesusfan]

Jenkins and Pedro Feliz a 3 and 4 guy... what? I like Grande, but he has no clue sometimes...

[Falls City Beer]

Kendrick's upside (if everything falls into place and he learns to K some guys)is Bronson Arroyo.

Let's just say that they're meeting each other on the same mountain; Kendrick's climbing up while Arroyo's decidedly tumbling down.

[PuffyPig]

Oh and the Phils play great D too.

The Phillies are slightly below average this year in defensive efficiency, at .700.


But tonight the Philies have caught a ton of line drives as a defensive reflex.

The Reds have hit Kendrick harder than Arroyo has been hit, the Reds have just hit into bad luck.

[reds44]

Coming into a game against the Phillies, you know you are going to have to hit.

2 runs thru 5 isn't awful, but obviously they have to do better.

[jesusfan]

Let's just say that they're meeting each other on the same mountain; Kendrick's climbing up while Arroyo's decidedly tumbling down.

70 hits in 57 innings and opponents hitting .299 against him isn't exactly climbing up a mountain. Maybe a small stump...

[CTA513]

Bases loaded... time for a grand slam?

[PuffyPig]

Let's just say that they're meeting each other on the same mountain; Kendrick's climbing up while Arroyo's decidedly tumbling down.


Kendrick will likely never get that far. Even if Arroyo is falling, Kendrick will likely slip from time to time. He may even fall off completely.

[Cyclone792]

Majewski entering the game with one out and the bases loaded.

It is now officially a "Reds" season.

[reds44]

Majewski coming in with the bases loaded.

Not an ideal situation.

[Kc61]

The Reds have hit Kendrick harder than Arroyo has been hit, the Reds have just hit into bad luck.

Not sure we're watching the same game tonight. Arroyo has been tatooed. Kendrick has given up some hard hit ground balls. Kendrick must keep the ball down to be effective, but he's done it pretty well this evening. Making the best of his ability.

Big step back for Arroyo tonight. Fell behind constantly, didn't seem to have any velocity on his fastball and basically stopped throwing it.

[jesusfan]

this could get ugly real quick...

[PuffyPig]

Majewski coming in with the bases loaded.

Not an ideal situation.

In past seasons, the batter would, in this situation, hit a ground ball single off of Magic. Lets see if his luck is going to change.

[jesusfan]

Great play by Edwin!!! Nice!

[fearofpopvol1]

Majewski for Cy Young

[Kc61]

Maj is the man.

[NC Reds]

Great DP. Let's get back in this thing now.

[OnBaseMachine]

Outstanding double play by EdE. 5-2 after 5.

[Cyclone792]

Edwin Encarnacion makes one heck of a nice play to end the inning!

[RedsManRick]

You know a manager doesn't understand the concept of leverage when he brings in Majewski with the bases loaded and the game essentially on the line.

[reds44]

87 MPH gas.

[RedsManRick]

Blind squirrel in action.

[reds44]

Oh! Edwin and Majewski get the Reds out of a jam!

Top of the order coming up, time to get something going.

[Falls City Beer]

In past seasons, the batter would, in this situation, hit a ground ball single off of Magic. Lets see if his luck is going to change.

You're saying Maj was a victim of luck? Not just bad? Surely you're kidding.

[Cedric]

You know a manager doesn't understand the concept of leverage when he brings in Majewski with the bases loaded and the game essentially on the line.

It's too early to be burning through Burton/Affeldt. If you are on the roster you better be able to get out of tough spots. Looks like the Magic Man just did that.

[Kc61]

You know a manager doesn't understand the concept of leverage when he brings in Majewski with the bases loaded and the game essentially on the line.

Maj is one of the few Reds relievers who throws ground balls. That may have been Dusty's thinking.

[Falls City Beer]

You know a manager doesn't understand the concept of leverage when he brings in Majewski with the bases loaded and the game essentially on the line.

The Reds have no way of winning this. I see it as a manager bringing in the "long" guy.

I'd have brought him in too. Protected my real pen for a game they might win.

[Screwball]

Not sure we're watching the same game tonight. Arroyo has been tatooed. Kendrick has given up some hard hit ground balls. Kendrick must keep the ball down to be effective, but he's done it pretty well this evening. Making the best of his ability.



We must be watching a different game. Kendrick's given up tatooed ground balls, several lineouts, and a couple warning track flyouts. At best, he's pitched as badly as Arroyo has, and without his really good luck, is probably trailing right now.

[Cyclone792]

Let's get Hairston and Freel on base so Bruce can tie this puppy up.

[jesusfan]

c'mon... lets get Hairston and Freel on for Bruce...

[PuffyPig]

You're saying Maj was a victim of luck? Not just bad? Surely you're kidding.


I'm not saying he pitched well. But he also had his fair share of bad luck mixed in. His BABIP last year was .422. If he could get off to a better start, he might just be servicable like he was with the Nationals.

[jesusfan]

Hairston singles... could've been a double...

[OnBaseMachine]

Lead off single by Hairston. Need to get a run or two here.

[Tony Cloninger]

Burton is not going to pitch today based on Sunday's action....so who else do you have? Hard to do anything when your starter cannot go at least 6...let alone 5.

[paintmered]

Hairston starts off the 6th with a base hit.

[Cyclone792]

Hairston reaches base with a single to left. Step one accomplished.

Freel, you're next. Get on base.

[jesusfan]

I'd bunt here... for a hit that is...

[OnBaseMachine]

Don't steal here. No use in taking a risk with Bruce/Phillips/Dunn coming up.

[Kc61]

We must be watching the different game. Kendrick's given up tatooed ground balls, several lineouts, and a couple warning track flyouts. At best, he's pitched as badly as Arroyo has, and without his really good luck, is probably trailing right now.

I think you've pretty accurately described Kendrick's pitching.

I think it's fair to say that Arroyo was worse, giving up several bombs, several "rocket shot" gappers, and a number of singles and walks.

As the score indicates.

Now if Kendrick folds up here in the sixth, then maybe they can pull even.

[jesusfan]

Freel grounds to Howard.. FC at second... C'mon Bruce, need ya again...

[Screwball]

I think it's fair to say that Arroyo was worse, giving up several bombs, several "rocket shot" gappers, and a number of singles and walks.

As the score indicates.


Good point. The difference in the game right now seems to be the fact that the fans have been the only ones who've had a chance to catch a couple of the Philly hits.

[Raisor]

THe Bruce Awaits

[jesusfan]

Bruce lines to left... wow

[NC Reds]

Jay Bruce dominates.

[paintmered]

BRUUUUUUUUCE!!! (goes the other way for a single)

It's not smart to pitch to him. Ever.

[reds44]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.

BP up as the tieing run.

[Raisor]

Marion Hossa scores, Pens 1, RW 0 1st Period.

[reds44]

Wow, and Kendrick is done.

[Cyclone792]

The sign of a hitter: Bruce is 2-3 and his on-base percentage has gone down for the season.

[OnBaseMachine]

Five multi-hit games in seven games for Bruce.

[M2]

I want to file a protest with the league office. If the Phillies are going to get me all excited by starting the mediocrity known as Kyle Kendrick, then he should be forced to go through the lineup at least three times.

[reds44]

Phillips, no Phillips' here.

[Screwball]

I think it's safe to say Phillips is gonna try to go yard right here.

[jesusfan]

1st and 3rd with Dunn up and 2 down...

[OnBaseMachine]

Phillips got a hanger and flied out.

[paintmered]

Now would be a really great time for a big fly from Dunner....

[jesusfan]

3-1 to Dunn..

[reds44]

Now would be a really great time for a big fly from Dunner....
I'll take a single.

[jesusfan]

3-2 now...

[Screwball]

Now would be a really great time for a big fly from Dunner....

I'm surprised they're actually pitching to him in this situation.

ETA: way to make 'em pay, Dunner.

[OnBaseMachine]

Two run double by Dunn!

5-4!

[Raisor]

Adam Hall, goal
Pens 2, RW 0, 1st period

[jesusfan]

Dunn Doubles in 2!!! 5-4 now! Clutch!

[NC Reds]

Dunn clears the bases. Re-sign that man!

[Kc61]

I'll take a single.

Sorry.

[RedsManRick]

The Reds have no way of winning this. I see it as a manager bringing in the "long" guy.

I'd have brought him in too. Protected my real pen for a game they might win.

Doesn't seem quite so unreasonable now. 5-4. Glad Majewksi got the grounder.

[jesusfan]

39 RBI now for Dunner...

[reds44]

That a boy Dunner!

5-4.

[GoReds]

I wonder what Dunn is going through right now, having runners actually on base when he hits.

[reds44]

Sorry.
Would you believe a double?

[Screwball]

5.1 IP, 4 ER for Kendrick tonight. I think he pitched worse than that too.

[jesusfan]

Edwin K's... 5-4 Phils mid 6...

[reds44]

That was a good pitch by Durbin.

Lets see what Majewski can do.

[Falls City Beer]

Doesn't seem quite so unreasonable now. 5-4. Glad Majewksi got the grounder.

Just wait.

[OnBaseMachine]

Hold the Phillies to six runs or less and the Reds win this game IMO.

[Kc61]

Reds need to hold them now. Maj should have some confidence, if he's still out there. But when the Utley/Howard part of the lineup comes up, a lefty will probably come in.

[jesusfan]

we need Majewski to step up...

[jesusfan]

grounder to Hairston... 1 down

[reds44]

Majewski in and Bray warming.

Krivsky just crapped out a brick somewhere.

[reds44]

Majewski isn't even hitting 90 with his heat.

[NC Reds]

Do you believe in Majik?

I don't, but he's doing well so far.

[GoReds]

Majewski isn't even hitting 90 with his heat.

How's his location?

[reds44]

How's his location?
Good. Everything he throws has some movement on it too. He hasn't looked bad.

Just hit 92.

[jesusfan]

nice job by Freel to hold Rollins to a single...

[Cyclone792]

Majewski does look a little better, though given how awful he's been that's not real hard to do. Of course, Rollins hits a line drive to left center as soon as I say this.

Maybe someone should ask Wayne how that grievance is coming along.

[reds44]

I hate pitching out to Victorino with Howard on deck. Just go after him.

[Cyclone792]

Now Majewski is screwing around by running up a three ball count to Victorino.

[Kc61]

Good outing by Maj. Who won The Trade?

[Joseph]

Majik getting it done.

[NC Reds]

Majik looked a little like Kendrick there. Let them hit it hard at someone.

[fearofpopvol1]

Majik for CY Young

[jesusfan]

5-4 Phils after 6...

[OnBaseMachine]

Here is a nice time for a Votto double or homerun.

[reds44]

Wow. A real, live, good outing from Gary Majewski.

I am stunned.

[Screwball]

Here is a nice time for a Votto double or homerun.

I'd prefer the double. A homerun would just kill the rally.

[Kc61]

Majik looked ok. Thing is that he throws a lot of grounders, which is uncommon among Reds pitchers. If he can continue to pitch well he can really add something. Of course, we all have the memories of those previous stints. . . .

[fearofpopvol1]

That's the best Majik has looked since coming over. I don't really think the Reds should count on him for much, but as a backend bullpen guy, you could do worse.

[fearofpopvol1]

Chase Utley is the NL MVP.

[Kc61]

Chase Utley is the NL MVP.

I don't think anyone is even close this year.

[Screwball]

I don't think anyone is even close this year.

Berkman maybe, but yeah, Utley's a consensus MVP right now.

[fearofpopvol1]

I don't think anyone is even close this year.

Seriously. I mean, the guy does it all. And he plays 2B for crying out loud!

[reds44]

If Phillips has any speed at all, I am sending him here.

[OnBaseMachine]

Utley robbed Votto of a possible double.

Andy Phillips PH single.

[smith288]

Seriously. I mean, the guy does it all. And he plays 2B for crying out loud!
I dont know why 2nd base would be a detriment to his abilities with a bat. That's Dusty type of thinkin' ;)

[fearofpopvol1]

I dont know why 2nd base would be a detriment to his abilities with a bat. That's Dusty type of thinkin' ;)

I just mean relative to position, the leap from Utley to the next best 2B isn't even close. If he were an outfielde or 1B, I think he'd be viewed differently.

[Cyclone792]

This is where Bray, Affeldt, and Mercker are going to have to come up huge in this series. They'll see a lot of work against the Phillies if the Reds can hang close.

[PuffyPig]

I just mean relative to position, the leap from Utley to the next best 2B isn't even close. If he were an outfielde or 1B, I think he'd be viewed differently.

A player who hits like Utley playing secondbase is way more valuable than a similiar hiter who plays a non-skill position.

Assuming Berkman/Pujols are similiar hitters to Utley, having Utley playing secondbase allows them the luxury of having a Ryan Howard at first, as opposed to Kennedy/Matsui.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Thank goodness Utley is not in the NL Central. Not so much b/c he'd play the REDS 16 to 19 times a year, but I'd have to hear George Grande's man-love that many times a year. It is Edmonds-esque. Ugh!

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice job by Bray so far. Utley flies out to shallow RF and Howard grounds out to Phillips.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bray had a 1-2 count on Burrell and then missed with three straight pitches to walk him.

[Cyclone792]

Seven straight balls out of the strike zone for Bray.

[OnBaseMachine]

And now he walks Jenkins on four pitches. Goodness. He retired Utley and Howard easily and then walked Burrell and Jenkins.

[CrackerJack]

Weathers...ugh

[NC Reds]

Tackleberry time. This could be the game right here.

[Kc61]

Bray's lost it, walks two, now is leaving for Weathers who hopefully will throw better tonight. I didn't mind the walk to the righty, Burrell, with two outs but then Bray really lost the plate.

Burton's two innings yesterday gave the pen some rest and they are all back in action tonight.

Big hitter for Stormy here.

[OnBaseMachine]

I hope this isn't one of those famous innings by a Reds pitcher where they get within one strike from a 1-2-3 inning and then end up allowing two or three runs.

Oh boy, here comes Weathers.

[fearofpopvol1]

Blame Bray for this Weathers appearence. He walked 2 straight batters.

[Falls City Beer]

Blame Bray for this Weathers appearence. He walked 2 straight batters.

Yep. If you can't retire Jenkins with ease at this point in Jenkins' career, well....

[Kc61]

Wonder if Bray was so focused on Utley and Howard that he lost his concentration after those two hitters.

[PuffyPig]

Yep. If you can't retire Jenkins with ease at this point in Jenkins' career, well....

Yep. Pitching around Burrell made sense. Jenkins can't hit leties at all.

[Cyclone792]

Feliz is a rather lousy hitter. Weathers should be able to retire him, otherwise he should stop pitching in high leverage situations.

[Kc61]

Nice outing by Stormy to get out of it.

[NC Reds]

Nice job Weathers!

[Joseph]

Weathers got it done too.

Nice showing by the 'pen.

[CrackerJack]

Phewwww...for now...

[OnBaseMachine]

Feliz bounces in front of the plate as Ross nails him at first.

6-5 after 7.

[Screwball]

Great pitch on 2-1 to even up the count. Threaded the needle there to set up the slider away. Weathers induces a tapper in front of home and Ross throws out Feliz easily.

[Falls City Beer]

Feliz is a rather lousy hitter. Weathers should be able to retire him, otherwise he should stop pitching in high leverage situations.

Dusty has been shying away from using Weathers in high leverage situations lately.

Trouble is, Burton can't go tonight.

[Kc61]

Dusty has been shying away from using Weathers in high leverage situations lately.

Trouble is, Burton can't go tonight.

Hope Weathers can get it going. He looks like a different pitcher this year. Eventually, he will turn into Josh Roenicke.

[Degenerate39]

Here we go Bruce. Get it done.

[jesusfan]

1 pitch, 1 out... Freel, who woulda thunk it?

[OnBaseMachine]

Another first pitch out by Freel. I'm tired of him, hopefully Jocketty can deal him.

[Screwball]

I have no idea how Freel is averaging ~3.7 P/PA. It seems like he's first pitch hacking every time up.

[Raisor]

The Bruce Awaits

[jesusfan]

who said Bruce has no patience....

[toledodan]

Another first pitch out by Freel. I'm tired of him, hopefully Jocketty can deal him.



i agree. he adds value to the team but makes more bone head plays than any player we have.

[OnBaseMachine]

3-1 on Bruce. Swung at ball 4. 3-2. Foul. Flyout.