Reds vs Pirates 7/2/08

[Joseph]

Peglegs

1. McLouth cf
2. Rivas 2b
3. Bay lf
4. Doumitc
5. Nady rf
6. LaRoche 1b
7. Bautista 3b
8. Van Benschoten p
9. Wilson ss

Redlegs

1. Bruce cf
2. Keppinger ss
3. Griffey rf
4. Phillips 2b
5. Dunn lf
6. Encarnacion 3b
7. Votto 1b
8. Bako c
9. Thompson p

Game time 7:05 PM

[Screwball]

Thompson struggling already. 1-0 Pirates with nobody out.

[Tom Servo]

I've grown to really hate the Pirates.

[Screwball]

Make that 2-0 with nobody out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Maybe one of these days Paul Bako will realize that all major league hitters can hit a fastball? Especially when you call for it all the time? How about mixing in a breaking ball?

[Tom Servo]

Thompson's having a Dumatrait-looking start.

[Screwball]

Nady with the Pirates' 4th straight hit to lead off the game. The thing is, with the exception of McLouth who hit the first pitch, Thompson's gotten ahead (usually 0-2) on every single batter.

[NC Reds]

Dick Pole's visit to the mound seems to have really helped.

[Red in Chicago]

i didn't think david weathers was starting today;)

[OnBaseMachine]

Thompson doesn't have the regular zip or movement on his fastball tonight. It doesn't help when that's basically the only pitch he's throwing too.

Looks like a long night. It's already 2-0 and maybe more runs to come. Plus the Reds are facing a rookie with an 8.00+ ERA so that's a guaranteed shutout by the Pirates. ;)

[gm]

Thompson's having a Dumatrait-looking start.

Except for when Dumatrait starts against the Reds

So in a few years when Thompson is starting against Cincy, will he shut them out for 6-7 innings, too?

[Red in Chicago]

pirates showing how to get em on, get em over and get em in

[Spring~Fields]

Maybe one of these days Paul Bako will realize that all major league hitters can hit a fastball? Especially when you call for it all the time? How about mixing in a breaking ball?

Something like that always comes to my mind when we see the young guys who are having their pitches called from the bench or by the catcher, if a bad night, is it the pitcher or another reason.

[Screwball]

4-0 Pirates before the Reds get to bat. Yuck.

[OnBaseMachine]

4-0 Pirates after 1/2 inning.

Thompson doesn't have much tonight. Mixing his pitches up better couldn't hurt though.

[gm]

Is Van Benschoten the Pirate's version of Homer Bailey?

(we can hope)

[WVRedsFan]

The kid is a rookie. The debate's been raging over in ORG about The Trade and how it's a win because of Bray and Thompson. We just got reminded that Thompson has some learning to do. Nothing new, but the jury's still out and the runs keep coming in.

[OnBaseMachine]

John Van Benschoten has a 8.72 ERA and 54 BB/53 K ratio in 76.1 career innings. The Reds should crush him.

[Screwball]

Is Van Benschoten the Pirate's version of Homer Bailey?

(we can hope)

It looks like it. Well, if Homer Bailey could hit that is.

[WVRedsFan]

Is Van Benschoten the Pirate's version of Homer Bailey?

(we can hope)

Probably not tonight. He'll be the Pirate's version of Sandy Koufax.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce homers!

[Tom Servo]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce!

[NC Reds]

The Boss goes yard!!

[WVRedsFan]

John Van Benschoten has a 8.72 ERA and 54 BB/53 K ratio in 76.1 career innings. The Reds should crush him.

The Reds crush no one.

Except for Bruce :)

[Screwball]

Bruce homers to RCF!!

4-1 Bucs now.

[Screwball]

Probably not tonight. He'll be the Pirate's version of Sandy Koufax.

Did Koufax usually give up leadoff home runs?

[OnBaseMachine]

I'd like to see Bruce do something special tonight like hit two or three homeruns. :)

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Reds do a good job of not following up Bruce's HR with anything at all

[Screwball]

Another leadoff runner on as Thompson hits Wilson in the arm.

[WVRedsFan]

Geez. Thompson's not fooling anyone. Long fly out and great catch by JB.

[Cyclone792]

Right fielders don't make those catches that Bruce just made.

[OnBaseMachine]

Thompson probably shouldn't be in the majors just yet. He's thrown a total of 89 innings above High-A. Jocketty and co. rushed him.

[Screwball]

3 (long) fly outs after the leadoff HBP keeps the score at 4-1 Pirates after 1 and a half.

Dunn, EE, Votto due up. I predict we'll see a run or two this inning.

[WVRedsFan]

Right fielders don't make those catches that Bruce just made.

You can say that again!

[Spring~Fields]

The kid is a rookie. The debate's been raging over in ORG about The Trade and how it's a win because of Bray and Thompson. We just got reminded that Thompson has some learning to do. Nothing new, but the jury's still out and the runs keep coming in.

Pirates have a better lineup and theirs is more optimized than the Reds, while Bako and the bench is calling the pitches for Thompson.

[OnBaseMachine]

Dunn with a long homer!

[Spring~Fields]

Dunnnnnnnnnnnn downtown.

[Tom Servo]

Dunn and gone.

[Big Klu]

Updated Reds HR list (players in italics are active):

Reds All-Time Home Run Leaders
1. Johnny Bench - 389
2. Frank Robinson - 324
3. Tony Perez - 287
4. Adam Dunn - 259
5. Ted Kluszewski - 251
6. George Foster - 244
7. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 205
8. Eric Davis - 203
9. Barry Larkin - 198
10. Vada Pinson - 186
11. Wally Post - 172
12. Gus Bell - 160
13. Joe Morgan - 152
13. Pete Rose - 152
15. Lee May - 147
16. Dan Driessen - 133
17. Reggie Sanders - 125
18. Ernie Lombardi - 120
19. Sean Casey - 118
20. Frank McCormick - 110
21. Dave Parker - 107
22. Chris Sabo - 104
23. Dave Concepcion - 101
24. Gordy Coleman - 98
25. Paul O'Neill - 96

[Screwball]

In the hole 0-2, EE gets HBP.

Votto digs in.

[NC Reds]

Votto rakes. Four runs won't win this game.

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto lines a single to RF, EdE to 3B.

[Screwball]

Votto ropes one into RCF for a single. EE advances to 3rd.

1st and 3rd, nobody out, and Bako now up.

[WVRedsFan]

Funny. Here in WV, we always have FS Ohio's Reds coverage, but since the Reds are playing the Pirates, we're getting the Pirates announcers. It really upsets me. Why didn't the Reds claim Southern WV? I'd like to know.

[Cyclone792]

Votto rakes. Four runs won't win this game.

Nah, it'll be a race to double digits tonight probably. Unfortunately it's also the type of game where Majewski will be getting hammered and giving up runs in the middle innings too.

[OnBaseMachine]

Funny. Here in WV, we always have FS Ohio's Reds coverage, but since the Reds are playing the Pirates, we're getting the Pirates announcers. It really upsets me. Why didn't the Reds claim Southern WV? I'd like to know.

I've got the Reds announcers.

[WVRedsFan]

Really stupid baserunning upsets me

[NC Reds]

Bad baserunning by EdE. We run into a lot of outs.

[OnBaseMachine]

The bad baserunning continues. Groundball to third, EdE hesitates and then runs home and is thrown out by a mile.

[WVRedsFan]

I've got the Reds announcers. Where are you?

[Tom Servo]

Well this inning's gone down the tubes.

[OnBaseMachine]

Thompson bunts into a FC, runner out at 3B. We're seeing this inning why the Reds can't beat bad teams.

[OnBaseMachine]

Where are you?

Cedar Grove, 15 miles east of Charleston.

[Kc61]

Cincinnati Reds. Can score with homers. Can't score with men on base. Prove me wrong, Jay Bruce.

[Screwball]

1st and 3rd nobody out quickly turns into 1st and 2nd with 2 outs despite nobody scoring.

Excuse me while I :bang:.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce homers again!!!!

5-4 Reds!

[NC Reds]

Bruce rules.

[Tom Servo]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!

[Big Klu]

Funny. Here in WV, we always have FS Ohio's Reds coverage, but since the Reds are playing the Pirates, we're getting the Pirates announcers. It really upsets me. Why didn't the Reds claim Southern WV? I'd like to know.

I think it is because the only thing the national sports media knows about West Virginia is that WVU has a big rivalry with Pitt. Ergo, West-by-God-Virginia must be Pirates/Steelers territory. (Well, I might concede the Steelers part--I don't think I've met a West Virginian who wasn't a Steelers fan.)

[Screwball]

BRUUUUUUUCE!

5-4 Reds. OBM called it!!

[WVRedsFan]

Cedar Grove, 15 miles east of Charleston.

That makes no sense whatsover.

Bruce is back.

[Tommyjohn25]

Ahhhh...The Bruce is loose once again. Ya gotta love it.

[Spring~Fields]

:jump:

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccccccce
:jump:

I need to write negatively about him more often.

[Screwball]

Kepp's lined out twice tonight. Still, Reds score 4 to take the lead 5-4 after 2.

[Big Klu]

Cincinnati Reds. Can score with homers. Can't score with men on base. Prove me wrong, Jay Bruce.

You have been proven both right and wrong.

[WVRedsFan]

Cedar Grove, 15 miles east of Charleston.

Ha! Recently got a speeding ticket there. I was on my way to Charleston and thought I'd skip I64. Never again unless I slow down.:)

[Degenerate39]

Funny. Here in WV, we always have FS Ohio's Reds coverage, but since the Reds are playing the Pirates, we're getting the Pirates announcers. It really upsets me. Why didn't the Reds claim Southern WV? I'd like to know.

I don't live that far from you so the samething is happening to me. Stuck with the Pirates announcers.

[Big Klu]

Screwball,

I love your quote by Rich Donnelly. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on three occasions. What a great guy!

[OnBaseMachine]

That makes no sense whatsover.

Bruce is back.

I think you're just about 90 miles up the road from me eh?

[Tom Servo]

I love that here in North Carolina near Charlotte the Reds are televised every night so I don't have to get Extra Innings but now I don't get JTM or FarmersOnly.com commercials.

[WVRedsFan]

I think it is because the only thing the national sports media knows about West Virginia is that WVU has a big rivalry with Pitt. Ergo, West-by-God-Virginia must be Pirates/Steelers territory. (Well, I might concede the Steelers part--I don't think I've met a West Virginian who wasn't a Steelers fan.)

You haven't met many southern West Virginians. OBM will agree, I think that there are zero Pirate fans in the area. It's either the stupidity of the Reds for not claiming this area or the stpidity of MLB for assigning this area to Pittsburgh

[Screwball]

Screwball,

I love your quote by Rich Donnelly. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on three occasions. What a great guy!

Haha, nice. I figured it was relevant with the way the Reds have been struggling to score runs. Well, until tonight that is. :thumbup:

[Cyclone792]

Maybe it's been some scouting and preparation, maybe it's been some small adjustments, maybe it's just a Reds-like Pirates pitcher, maybe it's all the above and something else ... but it sure is nice to see Bruce coming around a bit now and rebounding after the slump he's had.

[Spring~Fields]

Bruce homers again!!!!

5-4 Reds!

Pirate pitchers ERA must be the real deal.

[Tom Servo]

D'oh.

[OnBaseMachine]

Ha! Recently got a speeding ticket there. I was on my way to Charleston and thought I'd skip I64. Never again unless I slow down.:)

You got pulled over by Barney Fife?

[Cyclone792]

Meanwhile Daryl Thompson can't hold a lead.

This game has Gary Majewski written all over it. Ugh.

[WVRedsFan]

I think you're just about 90 miles up the road from me eh? Try 40. We're almost neighbors. Scary, huh?:D

I taught at Gauley Bridge HS back in the 80's for about 6 months and drove it every day. I went to school at WVU tech.

[Big Klu]

You haven't met many southern West Virginians. OBM will agree, I think that there are zero Pirate fans in the area. It's either the stupidity of the Reds for not claiming this area or the stpidity of MLB for assigning this area to Pittsburgh

True. Most West Virginians I have met are from the Wheeling/Moundsville/Weirton area, with a few from Parkersburg.

But I wouldn't be surprised that MLB assigned the area to the Pirates because of the WVU/Pitt rivalry. (Stupid reason, I know.)

[Cyclone792]

Daryl Thompson owes Jay Bruce a steak dinner or something for all run support and the nice catches Bruce has made on the warning track already tonight.

[OnBaseMachine]

You haven't met many southern West Virginians. OBM will agree, I think that there are zero Pirate fans in the area. It's either the stupidity of the Reds for not claiming this area or the stpidity of MLB for assigning this area to Pittsburgh

I think I know of just one Pirate fan in this whole area. The majority are Reds fans...I have a few cousins in the area that like the Braves, a neighbor that likes the Yankees and his brother is a Mets fan. But the majority are Reds fans.

[WVRedsFan]

You got pulled over by Barney Fife?

Yeah, I saw him but thought the speed limit on the four lane was 55 all the way through. Silly me. They were nice and didn't report it to the DMKV so I got no points.

[Kc61]

Thompson needs to learn to throw some pitches out of the zone. Too many pitches right in there, even when ahead of the count. If you walk a guy, the world won't end. Make them chase it once in awhile.

[Degenerate39]

You haven't met many southern West Virginians. OBM will agree, I think that there are zero Pirate fans in the area. It's either the stupidity of the Reds for not claiming this area or the stpidity of MLB for assigning this area to Pittsburgh

That's very true. In Fayette County it's mostly Braves fans and Reds fans. I know a few Pirates fans but not many at all.

[Bob Borkowski]

5-5 middle of the 3rd.

[OnBaseMachine]

Try 40. We're almost neighbors. Scary, huh?:D

I taught at Gauley Bridge HS back in the 80's for about 6 months and drove it every day. I went to school at WVU tech.

Sheesh, I didn't realize it was that close.

[Spring~Fields]

I taught at Gauley Bridge HS back in the 80's for about 6 months and drove it every day. I went to school at WVU tech.

I thought that was so, your understanding approach in response, comes through in your words.

[OnBaseMachine]

I had a feeling Bruce was going to do something special tonight. How about adding a third homerun and joining his buddy Votto in the rare three homerun game by a rookie department?

[Spring~Fields]

J. Van Benschoten 2.1 4 5 5 0 0 3 10.64


Kid needs more work down in the minors.

No wonder Bruce and Dunn was hitting him :)

[Screwball]

Van Benschoten taken out in favor of Denny Bautista after Phillips hits a 1 out double.

Phillips promptly swiped 3rd. Runner on 3rd and 1 out with Dunn up.

Dunn pops out to shallow center and Phillips has to hold.

[OnBaseMachine]

The Reds again strand a runner on third with less than two outs. How many times has that happened this series?

[WVRedsFan]

All that work for nothing (on Phillips' part).

Oh well, 5-5.

[Spring~Fields]

K. Griffey Jr. lined out to center
- B. Phillips doubled to left center
- D. Bautista relieved J. Van Benschoten
- B. Phillips stole third
- A. Dunn flied out to shallow center
- E. Encarnacion popped out to first
- End of Inning (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)

[Screwball]

EE pops out to 1st.

Once again, the Reds get a runner to 3rd with less than 2 out but fail to score. It wouldn't be so maddening if they didn't do it so damn often.

5-5 after 3.

[Kc61]

EE pops out to 1st.

Once again, the Reds get a runner to 3rd with less than 2 out but fail to score. It wouldn't be so maddening if they didn't do it so damn often.

5-5 after 3.

It's uncanny. If the Reds were trying to strand runners on second or on third, they couldn't be better at it.

[redsfaninbsg]

WVU Tech? We play them in football every year, they just got a new football coach right?

[OnBaseMachine]

WVU Tech? We play them in football every year, they just got a new football coach right?

Yeah. They just hired a local high school coach who runs the run and shoot offense. His HS teams usually pass about 60 times a game.

[Tom Servo]

Can someone please tell George to stop calling pop-ups "bloops".

[WVRedsFan]

WVU Tech? We play them in football every year, they just got a new football coach right?Both West Virginia University (Morgantown, #5 in the polls) and WVU Tech (Montgomery, WV) have new coaches.

Football season is just something to pass time from October to February when spring training starts!

[Big Klu]

AFLAC Trivia Question: Who was the first player in Reds history to hit 30 homers in a season.

My guess: Hank Sauer

[OnBaseMachine]

Both West Virginia University (Morgantown, #5 in the polls) and WVU Tech (Montgomery, WV) have new coaches.

Football season is just something to pass time from October to February when spring training starts!

Yep. I've said it before..I'd rather watch the two worst teams in baseball plan an exhibition game rather than watch the Super Bowl.

[WVRedsFan]

Yep. I've said it before..I'd rather watch the two worst teams in baseball plan an exhibition game rather than watch the Super Bowl.

Amen!

[NC Reds]

You don't have to be lonely at farmersonly.com. Avoid those city slickers.

[Bob Borkowski]

5-5 middle of the 4th.

[Big Klu]

AFLAC Trivia Question: Who was the first player in Reds history to hit 30 homers in a season.

My guess: Hank Sauer

Correct Answer: Ival Goodman

[Big Klu]

You don't have to be lonely at farmersonly.com. Avoid those city slickers.

City folks just don't get it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Reds go down 1-2-3 in the 4th. 5-5 after 4.

[OnBaseMachine]

Looks like Bruce will have to wait until the fifth inning to hit his third homerun of the game.

[Screwball]

As expected, Paul Bako's really come back to Earth. He's now at .223/.299/.375/.674 for an OPS+ of 75. The scary thing? His career OPS+ is 63, so he may not be done plummeting yet.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bay flies out to left on the first pitch.

[OnBaseMachine]

Thompson is starting to mix his stuff up better and is getting better results.

[Reds Fanatic]

Doumit singles to right just off Phillips glove.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nady homers to left. 7-5 Pirates.

[Tom Servo]

Ughh

[Screwball]

Thompson's looking like a AAA pitcher tonight.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Geesh ... giving up 7 runs to the Pirates is like giving up 15 runs to anyone else

[OnBaseMachine]

So much for better results. Nady homers. 7-5 Pirates.

Thompson doesn't have the normal velocity on his fastball tonight.

[NC Reds]

I guess this means we can look forward to the return of Josh Fogg.

[OnBaseMachine]

Geesh ... giving up 7 runs to the Pirates is like giving up 15 runs to anyone else

The Pirates are third in the NL in runs scored.

[Kc61]

So much for better results. Nady homers. 7-5 Pirates.

Thompson doesn't have the normal velocity on his fastball tonight.

What happened to that rising fastball from NY?

[Reds Fanatic]

That is it for Thompson. Affeldt in to pitch.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

The Pirates are third in the NL in runs scored.

Doesn't seem like it. Well, I guess they have faced the Reds a bunch

[RedlegJake]

Ehhh. Tonight is just a learning experience for Thompson. Mix it up and keep em low kid - you can't miss high and center and survive in this league.

[Reds Fanatic]

LaRoche lines a single to left just past Encarnacion.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bautista flies out to center. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

D. Bautista strikes out. 7-5 Pirates mid 5th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce lines out to right. 1 out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce smokes a linedrive but right at Nady.

[NC Reds]

Bruce was a bit unlucky there. Nice to see him getting the ball on the barrel again.

[Reds Fanatic]

Keppinger flies out to center. 2 outs.

[lollipopcurve]

Junior swinging well these days

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior singles to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips strikes out swinging. 7-5 Pirates after 5.

[OnBaseMachine]

That is why Brandon Phillips is so frustrating to watch at the plate sometimes. Ahead in the count 2-1 and he swings at a pitch that bounces in the dirt. And then K's on the same pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wilson grounds out to 2nd. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

McLouth grounds out to 2nd. 2 outs.

[WVRedsFan]

I'm getting real tired of these Pirate announcers continuing to talk about the superior pitching and club that the Buccos have over the Reds. Why does Suddenlink cable do this to us?

[Reds Fanatic]

Infield single for Rivas.

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm getting real tired of these Pirate announcers continuing to talk about the superior pitching and club that the Buccos have over the Reds. Why does Suddenlink cable do this to us?

Seriously? The Pirates have the worst pitching staff in all of baseball?. They honestly believe they have a better pitching staff than the Reds. Wow. I wouldn't trade any of the Reds starters for the Pirates starters.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bay strikes out looking. 7-5 Pirates mid 6th.

[M2]

Seriously? The Pirates have the worst pitching staff in all of baseball?. They honestly believe they have a better pitching staff than the Reds. Wow. I wouldn't trade any of the Reds starters for the Pirates starters.

I think it's a hangover complacency from the 2001-2007 seasons. Pretty much all the Pirates had going for them in those days was that the Reds had worse pitching. It's hard to let go when you've got so little.

[Always Red]

I wouldn't trade any of the Reds starters for the Pirates starters.

Are you sure about that??

What about Matt Morris? :D

[NC Reds]

Good AB by Dunn.

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Dunn.

[Reds Fanatic]

Edwin grounds into a 6-4-3 DP. 2 outs.

[OnBaseMachine]

Edwin tries to pull a 3-1 outside fastball and GIDP.

[CTA513]

Someone better homer or the Reds might not score anymore runs.

[Screwball]

3-1 count and Edwin grounds weakly to short to start the double play.

You'd think he'd either put a better swing on the ball, or wait for a better pitch when you're in a count like that.

[Kc61]

Edwin tries to pull a 3-1 outside fastball and GIDP.

Pitcher was wild, EE should have waited him out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sean Burnett in to pitch.

[Kc61]

Reds better win, I'm starting to find all this very frustrating.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto pops out to 3rd. 7-5 Pirates after 6.

[Screwball]

Reds better win, I'm starting to find all this very frustrating.

Starting?!?!

[Reds Fanatic]

Nady strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Doumit hit by a pitch.

LaRoche triples in a run. 8-5 Pirates.

[Reds Fanatic]

LaRoche is now a ridiculous 7 for 11 in the series.

Double switch.

[WVRedsFan]

doulbe swith. Patterson in?

[NC Reds]

Is he taking Votto out? Huh?

[WVRedsFan]

Ah, it's Majewski coming in. Bombs away dream babies!

[Screwball]

LaRoche overall this season: .235/.313/.383/.696

LaRoche against the Reds this season: .320/.367/.600/.967

[Reds Fanatic]

doulbe swith. Patterson in?
No Hairston is in at short and I believe they said Keppinger was moving to 1st.

[NC Reds]

Why take out one of your better power hitters when you have a problem manufacturing runs?

[WVRedsFan]

Thanks. The Pirates announcers were singing the praises of LaRoche as they went to commercial.

This may get ugly

[WVRedsFan]

Nifty play by our first baseman

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips takes the ground ball and takes it all the way to 1st as Keppinger is out of position to get back to the base.

[Kc61]

Good thing Griffey hit that walk off on Monday night. Might have been a sweep. To the Pirates. At home.

[Reds Fanatic]

Mientkiewicz walks.

[WVRedsFan]

Majewski walks his second hitter. 1st and 3rd with 2 outs

[M2]

LaRoche overall this season: .235/.313/.383/.696

LaRoche against the Reds this season: .320/.367/.600/.967

Let's just hope he and Bill Hall never make a baby.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wilson grounds into a 6-4 FC. 8-5 Pirates mid 7th.

[Reds Fanatic]

Good thing Griffey hit that walk off on Monday night. Might have been a sweep. To the Pirates. At home.

And now they get ready to play the team with the worst record in baseball which probably means a big weekend for the Nationals.

[Reds Fanatic]

John Grabow in to pitch.

[Screwball]

With Capps now on the DL, I don't see the Reds scoring 3 runs against this Pirate bullpen. Heck, they probably won't score 1.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bako strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hairston flies out to center. 2 outs.

[NC Reds]

Good AB by Bruce.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce walks.

[OnBaseMachine]

This offense just can't score without the homer.

[Reds Fanatic]

Keppinger grounds out. 8-5 Pirates after 7.

[Reds Fanatic]

McLouth flies out to left. 1 out.

[Screwball]

Keppinger grounds out. 8-5 Pirates after 7.

He smoked an 0-1 pitch down the 3rd base line but it was foul by a foot. Couple that with his two lineouts, and Kepp's hit into some tough luck tonight.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rivas flies out to right. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bay singles.
Doumit grounds into a FC. 8-5 Pirates mid 8th.

[Kc61]

Griffey against a lefty. Guess what happened.

[Reds Fanatic]

Junior strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[NC Reds]

Dunn was unlucky. Nice play by McLouth.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dunn lines out to center. 8-5 Pirates after 8.

Watching this offense could cure insomnia.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bray in to pitch.

Nady strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[VR]

Thommy and Cowboy impressed with Majewski, hitting 93 on the gun regularly and much more impressive overall.

[Reds Fanatic]

LaRoche pops out to short. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

A long homer to center for Bautista. 9-5 Pirates.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pearce strikes out swinging. 9-5 Pirates mid 9th.

Encarnacion, pinch hitter and Bako due up.

[Reds Fanatic]

Tyler Yates in to pitch.

Edwin flies out to left. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Valentin pinch hits and doubles to the wall in right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bako grounds out to short. Valentin goes to 3rd. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hairston swings at ball 4 and strikes out swinging. Reds lose 9-5.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Once again the mighty REDS can only score via the long ball. Surprise.

3 home runs
2 doubles
2 singles

[WVRedsFan]

Sad part of this whole mess is this. The Reds scored 5 runs on only 7 hits. 7! This is the same nearly every night. The Reds cannot hit. Period. Scoring 5 runs should be enough to win most games, but the pitching staff continues to regress. Our rookie starter, the darling of everyone after a 5 inning stint in Yankee Stadium, only went 4.1 innings allowing 8 hits and 7 earned runs. The bullpen pitched 4.2 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs (3.91 ERA). For all of the improvement, we let the Pirates score 9 runs while we flail away and get 7 hits, but with reliable pitching we would have won.

In the series, the Pittsburgh pitching staff, you know the one with the 5.00 ERA held us to 4.7 runs per game and 9 hits per game (take out game 2 and that average was 7.5). Our starters pitched 16+ innings and gave up 22 hits.

PD asked tonight "How many times have you seen this game before?" The answer is every other time they play. Send Thompson back down, use either Fogg or Belisle? Who knows?

I understand Castellini had a closed meeting with Dusty after the game. Dusty better beware. What Castellini does not understand is it's the players on this team. Seriously.

[flyer85]

the difference tonight was that Pittsburgh went to their pen much earlier(they carry 8 relievers). The Reds would have scored a lot more than 5 if Russell hadn't pulled his starter in the 3rd. Reds really ought to consider carrying an extra reliever.

[Big Klu]

Phillips takes the ground ball and takes it all the way to 1st as Keppinger is out of position to get back to the base.

The real problem on that play was that Majewski didn't break off the mound to cover 1B.

[Tony Cloninger]

Thompson has only had 1 bad game....why are you so quick to get down on this guy? Forget Fogg and Belisle.....I already know what they cannot do.

You want younger better players...you better have some degree of patience.
After reading that you think Volquez's star is fading after 2 starts....and Burton after 1 bad game in a long while.....I am wondering if anyone has the patience around here.

[Big Klu]

the difference tonight was that Pittsburgh went to their pen much earlier(they carry 8 relievers). The Reds would have scored a lot more than 5 if Russell hadn't pulled his starter in the 3rd. Reds really ought to consider carrying an extra reliever.

I just checked their roster, and the Pirates were only carrying 7 relievers tonight. (Denny Bautista, T.J. Beam, Romulo Sanchez, and Tyler Yates from the right side, and Sean Burnett, John Grabow, and Damaso Marte from the left.) Matt Capps went on the DL before the game, and they called up OF Steve Pearce to take his place.

[WVRedsFan]

Thompson has only had 1 bad game....why are you so quick to get down on this guy? Forget Fogg and Belisle.....I already know what they cannot do.

You want younger better players...you better have some degree of patience.
After reading that you think Volquez's star is fading after 2 starts....and Burton after 1 bad game in a long while.....I am wondering if anyone has the patience around here.

Two bad games. He allowed 8 hits in five innings (and four runs) in his last start. Eric Miltonesque. But, no matter. I want the kid to be good and I want him to develop. I have a lot more confidence in the people in Louisville than Dick Pole. Sorry, but it's true. I'll hold judgment on Edinson until his next start (but I think he'll be OK). The star comment was the media's impression of him, not mine. Burton? Nah. He will be up and down as most relievers are.

Patience? Not really. Just good common sense. Thompson and Homer should have never been called up, just like Pittsburgh's kid tonight. No need to rush these kids to the bigs. It's not as if either club is going anywhere (as you said).

[Spring~Fields]

The ominous Castellini visit

I recall Narron getting one of those visits and a public vote of confidence followed afterward by Castellini and then...........!! Then came the, "we need a different voice" speech by Bob and his former puppet Krivsky.

Time to CYA Dusty, grab Corey, Junior and Pole, and yell, "they did it Bob" :cool:

Then again, maybe Castellini was checking to see if Dusty's son was interested in a consulting role with the Reds.

[WVRedsFan]

Then again, maybe Castellini was checking to see if Dusty's son was interested in a consulting role with the Reds.

Nothing would surprise me at this point.

My prediction? Dusty is history.

[Spring~Fields]

Nothing would surprise me at this point.

My prediction? Dusty is history.

Dusty is a survivor, I do think another will be leaving though. Castellini has a profile of it now in his short tenure as the majority owner, he might actually get madder than many of us privately do, himself.

I think that Bob Castellini needs to keep a lid on his reactive demeanor and allow his people to work through all of this, while he provides leadership and support.

[Matt700wlw]

Interesting about Dusty getting a visit....not sure what it means, at this point, but it's attention worthy...