Reds vs. Yankees 6/21/2008

[paintmered]

Reds vs Yankees 6/21/08

Reds
Lineup: Thompson pitching - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8276
BA OBP SLG OPS
Jay Bruce rf - .315 .406 .500 .906
Paul Janish ss - .179 .246 .196 .442
Ken Griffey dh - .244 .354 .388 .743
Brandon Phillips 2b - .264 .313 .483 .796
Joey Votto 1b - .286 .352 .500 .852
Adam Dunn lf - .224 .391 .502 .893
Edwin Encarnacion 3b - .242 .326 .452 .779
Corey Patterson cf - .192 .227 .337 .564
Paul Bako c - .235 .312 .394 .706

Yankees
Lineup: Giese pitching - right hander - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28902

Johnny Damon lf - .330 .392 .489 .881
Derek Jeter ss - .276 .332 .379 .711
Bobby Abreu rf - .274 .336 .438 .773
Alex Rodriguez 3b - .335 .416 .625 1.041
Hikeki Matsui dh - .324 .404 .463 .867
Jason Giambi 1b - .254 .388 .562 .950
Jorge Posada c - .316 .404 .505 .909
Robinson Cano 2b - .232 .277 .332 .609
Melky Cabrera cf - .253 .313 .373 .686

Sorry about the delay, folks.

[Reds Fanatic]

Reds go down 1-2-3 in the top of the 1st.

Then Damon walked. Jeter grounded into a 1-6-3 DP and Abreu popped up.

21 pitches for Thompson in the 1st.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Thompson's MLB debut in the big house reminds me of a 1994 movie...

http://www.qwipster.net/scout.jpg

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grouded out to the pitcher.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto singles to left.

[Kc61]

Votto with a bloop single with one out in the second. Votto is a good all around hitter and the Reds need more like him. Dunn up.

[Reds Fanatic]

Reds are also facing a first time starter today and we all know how well that usually goes.

[reds44]

Guy making his first career start, top 4 in the Reds lineup makes him throw an entire 11 pitches.

[membengal]

Nice first inning for Thompson. In light of his nerves, pumped the fast ball to nice effect.

[reds44]

Dunn could hit one 500 feet of this guy.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn pops out to 1st. 2 outs.

[Kc61]

Guy making his first career start, top 4 in the Reds lineup makes him throw an entire 11 pitches.

Dunn pops to second. Reds impatient, Yanks patient.

[reds44]

Dunn pops to second. Reds impatient, Yanks patient.
Dunn saw 4 pitches that AB, the most of any Reds hitter so far.

[Rounding Third]

Lets show a little patience guys. First MLB start from a 31 year old rookie with 2 pitches, a fastball in high 80's. Make him work.

[Reds Fanatic]

Edwin lines out to left. 0-0 mid 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Giese through 2 innings on only 18 pitches. Pitiful.

[RedsManRick]

Has any body seen data on the Reds P/PA lately? It seems like everybody is going up there hacking.

[reds44]

18 pitches thru 2 innings.

18.

[Kc61]

Yanks pitcher has good control so maybe Reds don't want to fall behind to him. Still, make him work a little.

With all the injuries and slumps, Reds lineup not overly impressive right now.

[RedFanAlways1966]

The "see more pitches, more patience" thing...

should a MLB manager or hitting coach preach this before and/or during the game to the hitters? If they did after the 1st inning, did the REDS ignore them?

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez lines a double to right center.

[reds44]

Thompson is just throwing gas, gas, and more gas.

[reds44]

And a hanging slider gets banged into the gap.

[RedsManRick]

From Gameday, it looks like Thompson is up with everything. Not a good sign.

[Kc61]

ARod doubles on the fifth pitch. Again good Yankee patience pays off.

Regardless of the outcome, Thompson throwing well, seems deceptive to hitters if not overpowering. Very, very tough lineup to face today.

Watching him throw, Volquez throw, Cueto throw, very impressed with Reds young arms and still makes me wonder if Bailey is healthy.

[Reds Fanatic]

A nice stop by Votto but Thompson does not cover 1st. 1st and 3rd.

[Rounding Third]

From Gameday, it looks like Thompson is up with everything. Not a good sign.

Yeah he does look kinda high. Fastball is constant around 94

[reds44]

That was a rookie mistake.

[Kc61]

A nice stop by Votto but Thompson does not cover 1st. 1st and 3rd.

Classic rookie mistake. Let's see what Thompson is made of here. Hope he can escape with little damage.

[Reds Fanatic]

Giambi walks. Bases loaded with no outs.

[reds44]

Oh boy...

[Kc61]

Giambi walks. Bases loaded with no outs.

Kid got squeezed on the 2-2 pitch to Giambi.

[RedsManRick]

Yeah he does look kinda high. Fastball is constant around 94

That's good. It could be that the pitch f/x system is slightly off, but I've yet to see a pitch at or below the knees. Everything is thigh high or higher.

[reds44]

Thompson has a 95 MPH fastball and a 67 MPH curve.

[Rounding Third]

Hopefully he can pitch like Volquez does. Get in a jam and escaped unharmed.

Thompson looks like he is a tall guy, but is only listed 6-0. I wish they would show the pitch speed on FSN

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice offspeed pitch. Posada strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Nice changeup to K Posada. Now give me a DP.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cano fouls out to Bako. 2 outs.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Yes. Foul popup to Bako for out #2.

[reds44]

Nice change up.

[membengal]

Wow. He's one out away from a heckuva comeback.

[reds44]

Come on Daryl, one more.

[reds44]

Give some credit to Dusty for whatever he said to Thompson.

[Rounding Third]

Hopefully he can pitch like Volquez does. Get in a jam and escaped unharmed.

Thompson looks like he is a tall guy, but is only listed 6-0. I wish they would show the pitch speed on FSN

:cool:

[Reds Fanatic]

Wow. Cabrera strikes out swinging. 0-0 after 2.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Hell yeah!!! Thompson Ks Cabrera to get out of a bases loaded 0 out jam. Nice job, kid, nice job.

[Reds Freak]

Well that was very Reds-like. Reds offense seems to be infecting the Yankees swingers...

[Reds Fanatic]

Great poise there by Thompson. Your first start in Yankee Stadium. Bases loaded no outs and you get out of it.

[kaldaniels]

I can't see the game...what does his stuff look like to anyone watching live.

[membengal]

Wow. He's got major league moxie, that's for sure. Absolutely fantastic pitching to get out of that unscathed.

VERY impressive.

[HokieRed]

We just may have a starting pitcher.

[reds44]

94 MPH gas right by Melky. I don't know who was more pumped up, Thompson or Dusty.

What a job.

[membengal]

I can't see the game...what does his stuff look like to anyone watching live.

Very hard fastball with good location. Welsh says it is between 91 and 94 on the stadium gun, no pitch speed on Fox, for whatever reason.

Nice change-up. Bako just seems to have discovered that Thompson can throw it for strikes.

Decent slider.

[Kc61]

That was one of the best half innings of Reds baseball I've seen this year. Bags full, Thompson with a big mistake not covering, walking Giambi. Dusty comes out and says something to him. He starts to mix in changeup and curveball more, strikes out Posada. Cano a bit impatient fould out.

Now Thompson's confidence is back and he strikes out Cabrera on three pitches, throwing the fastball by him on the last pitch.

Beautiful.

[RedsManRick]

Hopefully he can pitch like Volquez does. Get in a jam and escaped unharmed.

Thompson looks like he is a tall guy, but is only listed 6-0. I wish they would show the pitch speed on FSN

Fastball is working 92-94, touched 95. Changeup is coming in around 82. Haven't seen any other pitches yet.

The walks aren't great, but he's throwing over 60% strikes, so he's in the zone.

[Wheelhouse]

Major league effort there. Dusty was juiced.

[Reds Fanatic]

Patterson pops out to short. 1 out.

[Rounding Third]

Fastball is working 92-94, touched 95. Changeup is coming in around 82. Haven't seen any other pitches yet.

The walks aren't great, but he's throwing over 60% strikes, so he's in the zone.

Yeah I have the Gameday open checking the speeds. The Curve came in at 67mph

[Caveat Emperor]

Damn that was some pitching right there.

Not rookie-like at all.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bako grounds out to 1st. 2 outs.

[membengal]

Patterson pops out to short. 1 out.

If this was 20 years ago, I would swear Patterson was the prototype for Wesley Snipes' character in major league.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce flies out to center. 0-0 mid 3rd.

[RedFanAlways1966]

I guess after that impressive 4-run "outburst" by the potent REDS offense yesterday, we should expect them to be a bit flat. Especially without their star hitter Jolbert Cabrera.

:p:

[Reds Fanatic]

That was an 11 pitch inning so Giese is through 3 on only 29 pitches.

[Kc61]

Major league effort there. Dusty was juiced.

When folks trash Baker's managing, they should keep that last half inning (when Yanks were up) in mind. Dusty goes out to talk to rookie, doesn't send Pole, bags full, suddenly pitcher starts mixing in change up and curve more and gets out of it.

It's the pitcher who did it, not Baker, but still he should get credit for helping there. Dusty just seems to handle pitchers well.

Maybe soon he can start handling some hitters around this team.

[Rounding Third]

I guess after that impressive 4-run "outburst" by the potent REDS offense yesterday, we should expect them to be a bit flat. Especially without their star hitter Jolbert Cabrera.

:p:

We are batting a pitcher in the 8th spot. Tony LaRussa should be impressed

[OnBaseMachine]

Very impressive pitching there by Thompson to escape that jam.

That ball Bruce just hit is gone in nearly every ballpark. LCF in Yankee Stadium is death valley.

[Reds Fanatic]

Damon walks.

[OnBaseMachine]

Both times Thompson got ahead 0-2 on Damon and walked him. Johnny Damon is not a guy you pitch around.

Paul Bako loves fastballs. It's all he calls.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jeter singles to left. 1st and 2nd.

[CTA513]

After 3 innings Giese is at 29 pitches.

[Hoosier Red]

Okay, lets not get the bases loaded in every inning Mr. Thompson.

[OnBaseMachine]

Paul Bako may be the most overrated defensive catcher I've seen. His pitch calling is very baffling at times. Thompson's success last inning came from mixing his pitches up, so what does Bako do in third inning? Fastball, fastball, fastball.

[Reds Fanatic]

Abreu flies out to shallow left. 1 out.

[OnBaseMachine]

1-2 on A-Rod. I'd pull out that slow curveball here.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez flies out to right. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Very impressive. He gets out of another jam as Matsui flies out to center. 0-0 after 3.

[Caveat Emperor]

He's Harry Potter in a Reds uni!

;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Thompson does have a high pitch count. 65 pitches (39 strikes, 26 balls) through 3.

[Kc61]

Okay, lets not get the bases loaded in every inning Mr. Thompson.


Interesting watching Thompson today. Really a murderous lineup for him to face at the Stadium in his first outing.

That inning, he had Damon up 0-2 and then seemed to lose command. The ball started running up high. He fell behind Jeter and then made one too good for a hit.

But Thompson then got his bearings and pitched Abreau well. He pitched ARod just beautifully getting ahead in the count and getting him on a weak fly. And finally he got ahead of Matsui and got him out.

What's impressive is that Thompson seemed to lose control early in the inning but didn't let it destroy his outing. He came right back and pitched some tough hitters very well.

He has a lot of pitches today but this outing has already been a success. Thompson needs to stay in the rotation and could become something.

[Reds Fanatic]

Janish flies out to right. 1 out.

[CTA513]

Another quick out for the Reds.

[RedsManRick]

He seems to be overthrowing a bit, which is perfectly understandable for a 22 year old making his major league debut in Yankee Stadium. But at this pace, he's going to be done after 5 IP. I'm scared to see what the Yankee lineup will do to the likes of Lincoln, Weathers, Affeldt, etc.

A complete aside, Dwyane Wise just hit a 2 run HR for the Chi Sox against the Cubbies. Yes, that Dwyane Wise.

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior strikes out swinging on a low pitch. 2 outs.

[RedsManRick]

This team has been positively hack-tastic the last few weeks. A guy like this who pounds the zone is just eating us up.

[Kc61]

I've spend enough time on this thread complimenting the pitcher and the manager. It's time to start discussing the offense. Where is it?

Yankee pitcher has thrown 35 pitches in the fourth inning and the Reds have one base runner.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips doubles down the left field line.

[membengal]

The Reds offense is a joke, but Thompson is redeeming the day. Murderous line-up against righties, and he has maintained him composure. Very impressive.

If Thompson gets though five innings and allows no runs, it will be a ridiculously successful debut.

[Kc61]

When Keppinger comes back he should play shortstop.

When Hairston comes back he should play centerfield, with Bruce moving to right.

Outfield should be Dunn, Hairston, Bruce.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto strikes out swinging on a low pitch. 0-0 mid 4th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Giese through 4 on only 42 pitches.

[gm]

Very impressive. He gets out of another jam as Matsui flies out to center. 0-0 after 3.

Thompson has done what Richard Pryor could not accomplish in the movie "Brewster's Millions" He got the Yankees out for 3 innings.

(vote for "None of the above")

[guttle11]

Through three innings Thompson has shown the ability to get out of a jam. Not just damage control, but complete avoidance. Bailey hasn't done that, and Cueto struggles with it on a start by start basis.

I think he might just be "ready". We'll see for sure as he faces non-video game lineups.

[RedlegJake]

5 innings is fine by me for his first outing.

[RedsManRick]

Giese through 4 on only 42 pitches.

I don't know if it's the players, the hitting coach, or Dusty, but the Reds are quite clearly taking an aggressive approach as of late, and it's correlated quite closely with the offense going in the tank.

I'm very curious what our BABIP and K/9 as a team has been the last two weeks.

[Reds Fanatic]

Giambi bloops a hit to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Posada flies out to left on the first pitch. 1 out.

[Kc61]

Reds runs scored since start of Boston series.

3,4,0,1,1,4,4.

17 runs in 7 games.

[RedsManRick]

Posada out on a fly to LF on the first pitch. A one pitch double play would be really nice here.

[RedlegJake]

He's got a nice pickoff move, too

[Reds Fanatic]

Cano flies out to center. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera grounds out to 3rd. 0-0 after 4.

[Reds Fanatic]

80 pitches (51 strikes, 29 balls) for Thompson through 4.

[Kc61]

One more inning for Thompson. He has about 80 pitches, I wouldn't be upset if he came out now. But one more max.

[RedlegJake]

EE to Votto with a nice pickup and stretch by Joey.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn strikes out looking. 1 out.

[RedlegJake]

Come on lets see some offense here.

[CTA513]

Giese for Cy Young

[Rounding Third]

51 pitches by Giese so far...

[Reds Fanatic]

Edwin fouls out to 3rd. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Patterson flies out to right. 0-0 mid 5th.

[RedlegJake]

Borther. 1-2-3. Making another young guy look like something special and this guy can't even hit 88 on the gun

[Reds Fanatic]

That was an 11 pitch inning. 53 pitches through 5 for Giese. At this rate this kid will throw a complete game shutout.

[Caveat Emperor]

I'd honestly rather watch Bronson Arroyo hit and play CF than ever see Corey Patterson again.

How he continues to have a job while seemingly doing nothing well is beyond me. It's moved from Jason Romano territory to pure absurdity.

[Degenerate39]

Borther. 1-2-3. Making another young guy look like something special and this guy can't even hit 88 on the gun

ESPN will make this guy look like Randy Johnson before the day's out.

[HokieRed]

Can we hope this is CP's last game as a Red? What's the status of Keppinger? Why not bring up Dickerson if Kepp's not ok? Or just jump Cumberland from AA till Kepp's ok? is there anybody who actually thinks CP is a better option than Shaun Cumberland?

[Rounding Third]

ESPN will make this guy look like Randy Johnson before the day's out.

The Reds are already doing that

[Reds Fanatic]

Damon flies out to right. 1 out. That is the first time the leadoff hitter did not reach base for the Yankees.

[RedlegJake]

Damon flies to Bruce. 1 down.

[RedsManRick]

Thompson's fastballs are coming in at 90 now. Was working around 93 earlier in the game.

[VR]

Giese, wow. Turns out he's been playing for 10 years in the minors....with "0" starts before this year....just middle relief.

You would think for no other reason you'd change the lineup around. Perhaps thinking is the problem.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jeter grounds out to short. 2 outs.

[RedlegJake]

Perhaps thinking is the problem.

Or lack of it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Abreu walks.

[MrCinatit]

Am I mistaken, or did Welsh just say Kaat should be in the HOF partially because of his pitching with the Yankees.

If I am not mistaken, Jim Kaat never pitched for the Yankees.

[RedlegJake]

Pole is coming out to talk. Bray is warming up. ARod is probably Thompson's last batter regardless.

[Reds Fanatic]

Great catch by Janish. 0-0 after 5.

[RedlegJake]

Very nice start by Thompson! Maybe the Reds finally have their 5th starter.

[gm]

Does anyone think Rose has been texting A-Rod during this series?

[Reds Fanatic]

That is 96 pitches for Thompson so that should be it for today. That was an excellent first start.

[MrCinatit]

Oh wow, nice diving catch by Janish.
Some rather impressive pitching by Thompson. It would be nice for the Reds to get him some runs for win in his debut.

[OnBaseMachine]

Great play by Janish.

Five shutout innings in Yankee Stadium against a great offense in his major league debut. Great job by Thompson. That should be his last inning.

[Caveat Emperor]

5 shutout innings in the House that Ruth Built, against the best lineup money can buy.

Good work, Kid. You can stay.

:clap:

[gm]

Very nice start by Thompson! Maybe the Reds finally have their 5th starter.

Better than Fogg, Bailey or Belisle could've done in their dreams

[Reds Fanatic]

Bako strikes out looking. 1 out.

[HokieRed]

Don't want to take anything away from Giese, but it mostly shows what a pathetic offense this is.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce grounds out to 2nd. 2 outs.

[HokieRed]

Anybody but me starting to think Jay may be up a bit too soon?

[Reds Fanatic]

Janish pops out to short on the first pitch. 0-0 mid 6th. That was a 9 pitch inning. 62 pitches for Giese through 6.

[CTA513]

62 pitches for Giese after 6 innings.
Thompson had about that many after 3 innings.

[Reds Fanatic]

I understand Janish is playing right now because of all the injuries but I don't think you would find another manager that would even think of batting him 2nd.

[oneupper]

Losing Cabrera gutted the offense. Go Figure.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bray in to pitch

[RedlegJake]

62 pitches through 6 is ridiculous. Everyone can't be swinging at the first or 2nd pitch but that's Dusty ball.

[Caveat Emperor]

Anybody but me starting to think Jay may be up a bit too soon?

Welsh made a good point -- they're (the league) making an adjustment to Bruce.

Now it's up to Bruce to go to school on what they're doing and find a way to counter it.

That's baseball: it's a back and forth of constant adjustments. He wouldn't experience that in the minors. The only way he continues to develop is to work and continue to refine his game.

[Reds Fanatic]

Matsui grounds out to 2nd. 1 out.

[RedlegJake]

Welsh made a good point -- they're (the league) making an adjustment to Bruce.

Now it's up to Bruce to go to school on what they're doing and find a way to counter it.

That's baseball: it's a back and forth of constant adjustments. He wouldn't experience that in the minors. The only way he continues to develop is to work and continue to refine his game.

Yep. Low and away for Bruce. High and inside for EE. Both need to adjust and learn to hit the ball there or lay off of it. They'll both keep seeing it until they make the adjustment.

[Kc61]

Anybody but me starting to think Jay may be up a bit too soon?

Nope. Jay belongs.

He slumped occasionally in the minors and always came back strong. He will here too.

But you can't underestimate the impact on some hitters this pathetic offense has. Hitters do best when batting between good hitters. Hitting improves exponentially when good hitters are back to back. And even better when back to back to back.

Bruce is now hitting between Bako and Janish. And he's not a lead off hitter. I don't think it's helping him.

Is it possible for the Reds to have no lead off hitter and start right off with the second guy?

[Reds Fanatic]

Giambi pops out to short. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Great leaping catch by Edwin! 0-0 after 6.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice leaping catch by EdE!

[OnBaseMachine]

Anybody but me starting to think Jay may be up a bit too soon?

No. I don't think anybody here expected him to hit .450 all year.

[Caveat Emperor]

Edwin = Hops.

[RedlegJake]

That's why I can have patience with EE.

[RedlegJake]

No. I don't think anybody here expected him to hit .450 all year.

I was expecting .500. What a let down.

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior singles to center.

[RedlegJake]

Junior starts out by whacking the first pitch for a single

[Reds Fanatic]

Brandon grounds back to Giese who throws the ball away. 1st and 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto grounds out to 3rd on the first pitch. Junior is able to avoid the tag. 2nd and 3rd. 1 out.

[Kc61]

Shocked that Yanks didn't go to a lefty pitcher against Votto and Dunn.

[mth123]

Dunn looks bad up there

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn looks really lost right now. Dunn strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[Caveat Emperor]

Jeeze -- I don't think he topped 80 MPH with any throw there.

[CTA513]

Another horrible at bat by Dunn.

[Kc61]

Dunn doesn't seem right up there. This rookie had him tied up in knots all day. As Mark Jackson says on the NBA games, Adam "you're better than that."

[Edskin]

I have a better chance of getting the run home with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs than Dunn does.

[Wheelhouse]

Dunn's strikeout hurt my feelings

[Reds Fanatic]

Edwin singles to left. 2-0 Reds!

[RedsManRick]

You can tell when Dunn goes up there thinking that he has to put the ball in play. Not a doubt in my mind that he was pressing to put wood on something there. He is NOT an RBI guy -- needs to be in a spot where his OBP matters more and his crappy contact skills matter less.

[mth123]

EdE! EdE! EdE!

[Kc61]

I have a better chance of getting the run home with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs than Dunn does.

Do you have warning track power?

Ok, EE, I take it back. You're good.

[RedlegJake]

Up to EE now. Check swing foul. Another foul. Nothing even 80 to Dunn or EE. Throws a fastball at 86 and EE lines a single.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pitching change.

[VR]

Giese should be cut immediately for giving up 2 runs to this club?

[camisadelgolf]

Has anyone changed her/his mind about The Trade yet? I was always a fan of the trade, but I didn't expect it to pay any dividends so soon.

Ryan Wagner = career-threatening injury and already arbitration eligible
Austin Kearns = easily one of the worst performers in 2008 and on a very big contract following a solid 2007
Felipe Lopez = getting paid several million to play mediocre defense and consistently OPS in the mid-.600s
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brendan Harris = solid utility type but putting up below average levels for a regular player
Royce Clayton = retired
Gary Majewski = very poor in 2007 but has possibly returned to form
Bill Bray = looking very promising and has been excellent in 2008
Daryl Thompson = exciting, young pitcher who is projected to be a solid #3 starter in MLB

[hebroncougar]

I can't believe he got a fastball anywhere near the plate 0-2. Good for us. :)

[Kc61]

You can tell when Dunn goes up there thinking that he has to put the ball in play. Not a doubt in my mind that he was pressing to put wood on something there. He is NOT an RBI guy -- needs to be in a spot where his OBP matters more and his crappy contact skills matter less.

Nobody is going to pay Dunn $75 million for five years to be a table setter.

[Kc61]

Has anyone changed her/his mind about The Trade yet? I was always a fan of the trade, but I didn't expect it to pay any dividends so soon.

Ryan Wagner = career-threatening injury and already arbitration eligible
Austin Kearns = easily one of the worst performers in 2008 and on a very big contract following a solid 2007
Felipe Lopez = getting paid several million to play mediocre defense and consistently OPS in the mid-.600s
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brendan Harris = solid utility type but putting up below average levels for a regular player
Royce Clayton = retired
Gary Majewski = very poor in 2007 but has possibly returned to form
Bill Bray = looking very promising and has been excellent in 2008
Daryl Thompson = exciting, young pitcher who is projected to be a solid #3 starter in MLB


Just started a thread on that in the main forum. Three of the Reds eleven pitchers come from the trade.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jose Veras in to pitch

[OnBaseMachine]

Wow. Patterson with a long homerun! 4-0 Reds.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wow. Patterson with a homer off the upper deck. 4-0 Reds!

[mth123]

OK Corey. Close your eyes and swing. Maybe we'll get lucky.

And there you go. HR.

[Kc61]

100th career homer for Patterson. He's been trashed so much by the Reds fans, those two runs shouldn't count.

[edabbs44]

Nobody is going to pay Dunn $75 million for five years to be a table setter.

Exactly....there are other OFers who can get on base at a decent clip, not be a minus defender and cost a hell of a lot less than Adam might get.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bako flies out to left. 4-0 Reds mid 7th.

[VR]

Has anyone changed her/his mind about The Trade yet? I was always a fan of the trade, but I didn't expect it to pay any dividends so soon.

Ryan Wagner = career-threatening injury and already arbitration eligible
Austin Kearns = easily one of the worst performers in 2008 and on a very big contract following a solid 2007
Felipe Lopez = getting paid several million to play mediocre defense and consistently OPS in the mid-.600s
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brendan Harris = solid utility type but putting up below average levels for a regular player
Royce Clayton = retired
Gary Majewski = very poor in 2007 but has possibly returned to form
Bill Bray = looking very promising and has been excellent in 2008
Daryl Thompson = exciting, young pitcher who is projected to be a solid #3 starter in MLB

I will never change my mind. I thought it was good at the time, looking back it just continue to look better.

[mth123]

100th career homer for Patterson. He's been trashed so much by the Reds fans, those two runs shouldn't count.

I have a feeling we'll need them some how.

[Caveat Emperor]

That was like 30 games of crummy baseball jammed into one swing by Patterson right there.

[Edskin]

Patterson just bought himself 3 weeks of batting leadoff........

[Kc61]

50,000 plus fans every game. What a franchise.

[RedsManRick]

Nobody is going to pay Dunn $75 million for five years to be a table setter.

An elite table-setter who also drives himself in 40 times? Dunn would easily be a more productive lead off hitter than Alfonso Soriano, and he got himself quite the deal. That said, you're right, the teams who would actually value his skill set and use it properly don't really have the opening. It will be very interesting to see where he signs, for what, and how that team uses him.

Wow, CPat with the bomb. Save that job, Corey.

[edabbs44]

50,000 plus fans every game. What a franchise.

What a city.

[chicoruiz]

That Patterson HR could be the worst thing that could happen in the long term...he'll be taking that horrible long, from-the-ankles swing of his even more now...

[VR]

100th career homer for Patterson. He's been trashed so much by the Reds fans, those two runs shouldn't count.

He had more RBI's with that swing than he's had in over 100 at bats. Trust me, it should have been trashier.

[oregonred]

Patterson's 2008 road OPS went from .395 to .500 with one Ruthian swing :)

[Caveat Emperor]

50,000 plus fans every game. What a franchise.

Well, in their defense, they do have a couple more people living in the area to draw from. ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Cano grounds out to Bray. Nice play by Bray. 1 out.

[mth123]

Nice play Bray.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera singles to left.

[mth123]

Cabrera singles to left.

The Melk man Delivers.;)

[Kc61]

Well, in their defense, they do have a couple more people living in the area to draw from. ;)

Not comparing to Cincy or other places. Just great fan interest. Makes the game more exciting.

Let's hope the pen holds up now. C'mon Bray.

[oregonred]

Dunn's market value is an enigma right now. I still think someone will pony up 5/70+ for him in the offseason and as much as I like Dunner you'd have to take the draft picks and not consider matching the offer.

4/45-50 = Heck Yes (unrealistic)
5/70+ = Draft picks

[Always Red]

That Patterson HR could be the worst thing that could happen in the long term...he'll be taking that horrible long, from-the-ankles swing of his even more now...

Frankly (I know, I know, don't call me Frank...), I'd rather see him do that than take that crappy, chopping stroke just trying to get on base. Because his onbase skills are awful. All he has is power and defense- he needs to play to his strengths at this point in his career, not hope to improve his weaknesses.

If this guy could figure out ANYWAY to OPS .750 he'd be a valuable addition to any team (not necessarily as a starter, and certainly not in the leadoff position), as long as he can keep running down flyballs in CF.

I have some sympathy for CP. He looks like Willie Mays Hayes, he plays the best defensive CF the Reds have had since Mike Cameron, and it's not his fault that his manager misuses him.

[Reds Fanatic]

Damon walks. 1st and 2nd.

[BCubb2003]

50,000 plus fans every game. What a franchise.

You can compete against that, if you're sharp enough. It's the orders of magnitude gap in the media contracts that is out of this world.

[OnBaseMachine]

I can't stand inconsistent umpires. Bray threw four pitches to Damon in the same exact location. Two were called strike and two were balls. Damon should have struckout but walked thanks to some inconsistency.

[Falls City Beer]

Bray will not be an important part of any bullpen until he learns to improve his control.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bray will not be an important part of any bullpen until he learns to improve his control.

Chalk that walk up to a horrible strikezone.

[Kc61]

Decent outing by Bray but disappointed that he couldn't go two innings. Some of these relievers have to work multiple innings. Lincoln can't. Affeldt is best in short stints. Burton's arm will fall off eventually.

[Reds Fanatic]

David Weathers in to pitch

[CTA513]

David Weathers in to pitch

Hes in to face Jeter, Abreu and maybe Rodriguez.

[mth123]

David Weathers in to pitch

Here we go.:scared:

[Reds Fanatic]

Jeter strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[mth123]

Big K by Weathers.

[TheBurn]

Weather Ks Jeter!

[CTA513]

Weathers blows a fastball by Jeter for the 2nd out.

[Kc61]

Weathers pitched great to Jeter there.

[Caveat Emperor]

Big time by Weathers -- that's what he was expected to be all season right there.

[Kc61]

Patterson a homer. Weathers with a great relief outing.

Redemption day for the Reds.

[Reds Fanatic]

Good job by Weathers. Abreu flies out to left. 4-0 Reds after 7.

[Reds Fanatic]

Billy Traber in to pitch.

Bruce grounds out to 2nd. 1 out.

[oregonred]

50,000 plus fans every game. What a franchise.

Yeah, NY fans are great -- they are with you win or lose... Well except the only stretch of time since the mid 60s the Yankees had a stretch of consecutive losing seasons, they weren't even drawing 25K a game. It's as bandwagon a place as your small/mid market with 1/10th the local fanbase.

NY Yankees
Yr Record Attendance AL Rank
1989 74-87 2,170,485 (8th)
1990 67-85 2,006,436 (9th)
1991 71-91 1,863,733 (11th)
1992 76-86 1,748,737 (11th)

The lowly Reds franchise outdrew the Yankees each of the years 1990-1993

[Reds Fanatic]

Janish with a bloop single to center.

[mth123]

Patterson a homer. Weathers with a great relief outing.

Redemption day for the Reds.

Now a hit by Janish. Maybe a JR HR is coming next.

[VR]

Weathers now with a 1.80 earnie in June, 3.85 for the year.

He's fine as the middle relief guy. He may actually have some decent trade value if he can keep it under 4.

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior singles to right. 1st and 2nd.

[oregonred]

Just checked, the Reds also outdrew the Yankees in 1994 and 1995. Something good must have started happening beginning in 1996 to finally make those with you win or lose Yankees fans to start coming out to the game in bigger numbers :)

[RedlegJake]

Janish with a dumb running play stopped at second when he could easily have had third.

[Always Red]

Just checked, the Reds also outdrew the Yankees in 1994 and 1995. Something good must have started happening beginning in 1996 to finally make those with you win or lose Yankees fans to start coming out to the game in bigger numbers :)

Greater New York finally surpassed Greater Cincinnati in population?? ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Ross Ohlendorf in to pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wild pitch moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd.

[mth123]

The Passed Ball really helps with one out and Phillips at bat.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips singles to left. 6-0 Reds. Phillips is thrown out at 2nd. 2 outs.

[mth123]

Big Hit for Phillips 6-0.

[RedlegJake]

Damon made a great throw and got to that ball quickly...that was good play on Damon not a bad decision by BP

[mth123]

I'll say this now. Let Weathers finish if possible. Save Burton and Cordero. Use Lincoln and Affeldt if need be.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto lines a single to left. 4 straight hits by the Reds.

[RedlegJake]

Votto just keeps hitting.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn flies out to left. 6-0 Reds mid 8th.

[Falls City Beer]

I'll say this now. Let Weathers finish if possible. Save Burton and Cordero. Use Lincoln and Affeldt if need be.

I seriously doubt we see Cordero, since he pitched last night. Burton, maybe. But I kind of doubt it. I think Weathers will face ARod, and if he stumbles, Affeldt then Lincoln.

Edit: oops I thought they were going to the bottom of the 9th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hopper in to play left. Burton in to pitch. I would never use Burton in a 6-0 game.

[mth123]

Welsh questioning the use of Burton. Me too.

[OnBaseMachine]

Hopper in to play left. Burton in to pitch. I would never use Burton in a 6-0 game.

Agreed. Dusty never thinks ahead. Should have saved him in case they need him tomorrow.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez pops out to 1st. 1 out.

[SMcGavin]

What is Baker doing? Watch it be a close game tomorrow and Burton isn't available... just like Cordero wasn't available vs the Red Sox two days after being used in a 6-2 game.

[mth123]

Misuse of company assets is a firing offense where I work. I think using Burton here qualifies.

[Kc61]

Hopper in to play left. Burton in to pitch. I would never use Burton in a 6-0 game.

I agree, wouldn't use Burton here. And can we project that Cordero will pitch again in the ninth, probably.

On the other hand, Weathers shouldn't pitch long stints, glad he didn't come out there again. Wouldn't use Affeldt in an inning to be started by ARod.

That leaves Lincoln or Maj. I guess Lincoln would have been ok, he pitches well in one inning stints.

Point is, the Reds could use another guy capable of holding leads in the late innings regularly. I think Roenicke needs to come up soon.

[Reds Fanatic]

Matsui walks.

[gm]

Hopper in to play left. Burton in to pitch. I would never use Burton in a 6-0 game.

Reminds me of when Dusty brought Coco in with a 5 run lead at San Diego, bcause he hadn't pitched in 4 days...then two days later Cordero blew a save because he was pitching three days in a row...this led the Harang/Volquez extra-inning quagmire

[Always Red]

Misuse of company assets is a firing offense where I work. I think using Burton here qualifies.

When you are managing to save your job, every single victory is important??

Maybe Dusty is feeling some heat from above?

I think he is safe until next All Star break, but...