September 23rd Reds at Astros game thread

[OnBaseMachine]

Lineup:

Jerry Hairston cf

Jeff Keppinger 2b

Joey Votto 1b

Edwin Encarnacion 3b

Jay Bruce rf

Jolbert Cabrera lf

Ryan Hanigan c

Paul Janish ss

Edinson Volquez p

v. LH Wandy Rodriguez

[Matt700wlw]

Reds looking to add to their win total which has surpassed last season's

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez enters tonight with 197 strikeouts on the season.

[nate]

Chat for this exciting, late-season battle of the titans, is open!

[OnBaseMachine]

Hairston K's. Keppinger singles.

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto triples to deep left! 1-0 Reds.

[Matt700wlw]

Votto just keeps on getting it done.

[dougdirt]

Can you give an error on a ball that wasn't touched?

[Matt700wlw]

That was ruled a 3 base error and no RBI. That's homerism BS

[OnBaseMachine]

Can you give an error on a ball that wasn't touched?

That ball should have been caught but he never touched it so I don't see how they can give him an error.

[Degenerate39]

That was ruled a 3 base error and no RBI. That's homerism BS

That really is BS. That should be Votto's 80th RBI

[WVRedsFan]

Official scorers really amaze me sometimes

[OnBaseMachine]

You can't charge a guy with an error for misplaying a flyball. They'll have to change that ruling.

EdE walks.

[WVRedsFan]

Bruce really struggles against leftys doesn't he>

[Matt700wlw]

I wonder if that'll be ruled an error somehow...

[Kc61]

Do you think Cabrera would agree to sign again, start at AAA, and then come up again when there's an injury? He's not a bad player, versatile, seems to hit lefties.

Knocks in a run there with a single.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce really struggles against leftys doesn't he>

He crushed them in the minors. It seems like it takes lefty hitters a while to adjust to lefty pitchers. Josh Hamilton was awful against lefties last year (.588 OPS) but this year has a .821 OPS against LHP.

Cabrera singles to make it 2-0 Reds.

[WVRedsFan]

How old is Cabrera? I think he might have some offers on the ML level next year if he doesn't come back.

[RedsManRick]

Hannigan grounds out to Rodriguez. I really his plate approach. He reminds me of a RH Scott Hatteberg.

[OnBaseMachine]

Hanigan grounds out. 2-0 Reds after 1/2 innings. Rodriguez threw 30 pitches in the first inning.

[OnBaseMachine]

How old is Cabrera? I think he might have some offers on the ML level next year if he doesn't come back.

He'll turn 36 in December.

[RedsManRick]

How old is Cabrera? I think he might have some offers on the ML level next year if he doesn't come back.

He's 35. I imagine he'll find a spot on somebody's bench, if not ours.

[Matt700wlw]

That didn't take long...

[RedsManRick]

A Minute Maid opposite field HR for Kaz Matsui. Just slapped it over the wall.

[OnBaseMachine]

You can already tell Volquez is going to get rocked tonight. His first three pitches were all above the belt and Matsui made him pay with a homerun to left on a 0-2 pitch. You can just tell Volquez is worn out. These last few starts he hasn't been able to command anything and is constantly leaving the ball up in the zone. Hopefully this is his last start.

[Matt700wlw]

That's only 14 bombs in 188 2/3 innings...

[OnBaseMachine]

Bourn K's. #198 for Volquez.

[RedsManRick]

Tejada slices one down the line which catches the wall and then bounces off the ball-boy on it's way to Bruce. No ruling from the ump on the matter and Tejada winds up at 2B.

[OnBaseMachine]

Berkman K's.

#199 for Volquez.

[Matt700wlw]

Go sit, Berkman...

[Kc61]

That's only 14 bombs in 188 2/3 innings...

Volquez was laughing after that homer, as if to say "how did that get out of the park?" Some mighty short and low fences in the NL Central.

[OnBaseMachine]

2-1 Reds after one inning.

[WVRedsFan]

Janish is definitely a AAA hitter.

[OnBaseMachine]

Janish is definitely not a major league hitter but I love that Dusty started him tonight with a groundball pitcher starting.

[WVRedsFan]

I thought the strikeouts would end when Dunn and Griffey were traded :).

[MrCinatit]

Volquez was laughing after that homer, as if to say "how did that get out of the park?" Some mighty short and low fences in the NL Central.

Seriously - that was almost a pop up. That left field Minute Maid porch is a delicious target for fly ball guys.

[OnBaseMachine]

This ballpark is funny. You can hit a routine flyball to left field for a home run and hit a 425 foot bomb to center field for a flyout.

[WVRedsFan]

1-2-3 inning by the Stros. 2-1 Reds in the middle of the 2nd.

[RedsManRick]

Astros announcers discussing the likelihood that Hairston is more likely to be the .255 hitter he was in 2500+ AB prior to the 2008 season than the .330 hitter he's been in a few hundred AB this year. Imagine that, announcers who understand small samples sizes.

[OnBaseMachine]

Pence pops out and Wigginton doubles on Volquez's 4th best pitch. Why? Stick to what works.

[OnBaseMachine]

Ausmus K's.

Strikeout #200 for Volquez!

[Kc61]

Volquez, even with all the innings, is throwing gas right now. Three out. 2-1 Reds after two.

[OnBaseMachine]

Rodriguez grounds out. 2-1 Reds after two innings.

[WVRedsFan]

One good sign is the way the team is playing right now. In 2006 and 2007, they had losing records in September, but this year they are 12-7 and will clinch a winning September 2008 with a win tonight. Baby steps.

[OnBaseMachine]

Keppinger lines a single to CF to open the third inning.

[Matt700wlw]

Votto with another hit...

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto is now a double and home run shy of the cycle.

[WVRedsFan]

Votto with another hit...

Let's trade him and get more pitching! :)

[OnBaseMachine]

EdE doubleplay. That kills a potential big inning.

[WVRedsFan]

Bruce clueless against WRod. Strike 3!

2-1 Reds after 2.

[WVRedsFan]

Bruce hitting .194 - .271 - .573 against lefthanders.

Platoon?

[Kc61]

Bruce clueless against WRod. Strike 3!

2-1 Reds after 2.

Dusty, maybe Bruce should have rested another day. Sorry to interfere.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce hitting .194 - .271 - .573 against lefthanders.

Platoon?

He's 21 years old. Josh Hamilton OPS'ed .588 against left handers last season.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez gets two quick outs to begin the third inning.

[Matt700wlw]

Bruce hitting .194 - .271 - .573 against lefthanders.

Platoon?

Not at this point. He's still a 20 year old figuring out the big leagues.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice 1-2-3 third inning for Volquez. 2-1 Reds after three innings.

[Kc61]

Just guessing but maybe Bruce's hand isn't quite right yet. I would have waited for a righty starter to use him again.

Jay Bruce is an everyday player, no platoons.

[oneupper]

Aflac Question: REDS pitchers (2) with W/L pct over .825 in a season.

I was thinking Wayne Simpson...but his 14-3 in 1970 only is .823.

Seaver 1981?

[OnBaseMachine]

I was actually surprised to see Bruce in the lineup tonight. The way they talked yesterday it sounded like Bruce wouldn't return until the second or third game of this series.

Volquez looked safe at first base.

[Matt700wlw]

Browning? Jackson?

[BCubb2003]

Aflac Question: REDS pitchers (2) with W/L pct over .825 in a season.

I was thinking Wayne Simpson...but his 14-3 in 1970 only is .823.

Seaver 1981?

Does it count if you look it up?

[OnBaseMachine]

Berkman K's on three pitches to begin the 4th.

#201 for Volquez.

[WVRedsFan]

Purkey at .821 in 1962

[BCubb2003]

The Aflac question contains a riddle ...

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez has a DEVASTATING change-up

[OnBaseMachine]

Blum K's. Two outs.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez has a DEVASTATING change-up

It's the best in the game IMO. Cole Hamels and Johan Santana are up there, but Volquez's is the best I've seen.

[Matt700wlw]

Ks the side...and makes them look stupid while doing it

[OnBaseMachine]

Pence K's. Volquez K's the side. 2-1 Reds after four innings.

[WVRedsFan]

The Aflac question contains a riddle ...
A 1941 Riddle at that...

[OnBaseMachine]

Hairston pops out. Nice play by Berkman. Keppinger is 3-for-3 after another single.

[PuffyPig]

You can already tell Volquez is going to get rocked tonight. His first three pitches were all above the belt and Matsui made him pay with a homerun to left on a 0-2 pitch. You can just tell Volquez is worn out.


He's just getting warmed up.

[OnBaseMachine]

He's just getting warmed up.

He's still some innings to go but I've been amazed at how different he's looked since that first inning. He was constantly above the belt in the first inning. I honestly didn't expect him to pitch well tonight. Hopefully I didn't just jinx him.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce is now 1-for-12 with 8 K's against Wandy Rodriguez. Some guys just have your number. I remember Scott Sullivan used to own Jeff Bagwell.

[Kc61]

He's still some innings to go but I've been amazed at how different he's looked since that first inning. He was constantly above the belt in the first inning. I honestly didn't expect him to pitch well tonight. Hopefully I didn't just jinx him.

Volquez has thrown a lot this year, it's a legitimate concern that he might be out of gas. Doesn't appear so tonight, but it's still early.

Meanwhile, speaking of pitch counts, Johan Santana has 125 through 8 innings. Mets pen has struggled, team desperately needs a win, no way he's coming out despite a big lead. Great pitcher.

[Tony Cloninger]

I really dislike this pitcher beacuse I feel like i could hit and I should not feel that way.

[gm]

No way! There was not a Red's pitcher in 1905 named "Orval Overall"!

OMG it's true

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/overaor01.shtml

Greatest.name.ever.

318 IP to get those 172 Ks

[OnBaseMachine]

Wigginton flies out to begin the 5th.

[Kc61]

I really dislike this pitcher beacuse I feel like i could hit and I should not feel that way.

I've read all year how folks have trashed Baker's batting orders and I've seldom criticized them.

Until tonight.

Bruce is coming off hand injury, facing a lefty, no reason he should hit fifth. String some righty bats together, drop Bruce down to seventh if you must use him. He's been a rally killer so far tonight.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez drills Ausmus to end his streak of nine in a row retired.

[redsmetz]

Bruce is now 1-for-12 with 8 K's against Wandy Rodriguez. Some guys just have your number. I remember Scott Sullivan used to own Jeff Bagwell.

Holy Cow! It's like the Roy Oswalt in reverse - 0 for 24, Bagwell v. Sullivan with only six walks.

[Tony Cloninger]

It would help bruce if he would not try to pull this guy and think up the middle or left......besides the fact he cannot catch up to his fastball he is dead meat against his breaing stuff beacuse of it.

[BCubb2003]

No way! There was not a Red's pitcher in 1905 named "Orval Overall"!

OMG it's true

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/overaor01.shtml

Greatest.name.ever.

318 IP to get those 172 Ks

I just learned the other day that there was a Reds pitcher named Miltiades Sergios (Gimpy) Pappastediodis

[PuffyPig]

I've read all year how folks have trashed Baker's batting orders and I've seldom criticized them.

Until tonight.

Bruce is coming off hand injury, facing a lefty, no reason he should hit fifth. String some righty bats together, drop Bruce down to seventh if you must use him. He's been a rally killer so far tonight.

Baker can't win.

Bruce is our future.

He should not be sitting for tough matchups. He should be hitting in the middle of the lineup for years to come.

Many said Votto should sit against Sabathia as he was 0-9 against him. He got two hits.

Consider these learning AB's for Bruce.

[OnBaseMachine]

2-1 Reds after five innings.

[Tony Cloninger]

The Reds traded for a pitcher named Ozzie Osborne in the 70's.

Where is Noodles Hahn when you need him?

[Doc. Scott]

No way! There was not a Red's pitcher in 1905 named "Orval Overall"!

OMG it's true

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/overaor01.shtml

Greatest.name.ever.

318 IP to get those 172 Ks


Overall was much better known as a Cub pitcher.

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds go in order. 2-1 Reds after 5 1/2.

[VR]

Nice line so far tonight by Volquez. I did the quick math...and realized EV has a 4.90 ERA since June 26th....does that sound right?

[BCubb2003]

Overall was much better known as a Cub pitcher.

Sadly, he never faced Emil "Hill Billy" Bildilli.

[Kc61]

So the Mets do pull Santana after 125 pitches and bring in Pedro Feliciano to pitch the ninth. Cubs get two on with one out and now Feliciano is pulled.

[OnBaseMachine]

I was out of the room but I looked on Gameday and saw where Matsui singled on a flyball to LF. Is that a ball a regular left fielder catches?

[VR]

Merry Christmas EV. :thumbup:

[dougdirt]

Nice line so far tonight by Volquez. I did the quick math...and realized EV has a 4.90 ERA since June 26th....does that sound right?

Yeah, it does.

[OnBaseMachine]

2-1 Reds in the 7th.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez K's. Hairston singles. Need to get some insurance runs.

[OnBaseMachine]

Ty Wigginton, the worst outfielder ever, makes a nice running catch to rob Keppinger of extra bases and save a run. It always seems like the worst defensive players in baseball always make a web gem against the Reds.

[Tony Cloninger]

It would really help if they could score some runs for EV......beacuse they have stopped doing that in many of his last starts......and now Greg Luzinski robs JK.

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto homers! 4-1 Reds!

[VR]

Replay on the way?

[redsmetz]

Votto homers! 4-1 Reds!

Subject to review; first one for the Reds. Votto and Hatcher were both calling it. We shall see!

[OnBaseMachine]

What?!? They better replay that. That is a home run.

[OnBaseMachine]

That's a home run. Watch them screw the Reds.

[OnBaseMachine]

I just have a feeling they're going to get this wrong. It's definitely a home run.

[OnBaseMachine]

Watch that seat move. The ball hit that seat.

[Degenerate39]

Let's watch Baker for the next 20 minutes camera guy

[BCubb2003]

I thought this wasn't supposed to take very long.

[redsmetz]

Oh good heavens! What a joke.

[Degenerate39]

Votto gets screwed again!

[OnBaseMachine]

LOL. The Reds get robbed. They rule it a single. Wow. Why even have replay if you're not going to get it right?

[OnBaseMachine]

Joey Votto should be 3-for-4 with a triple, single, home run and 3 RBI tonight.

[VR]

Votto gets screwed again!

Hosed out of 6 bases and 3 ribbies tonight. Ouch.

[OnBaseMachine]

Encarnacion flies out. The umpires cost the Reds two runs.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

You watch it in a real motion and there is no question it hit a seat and is a HR.

Watch it in slow motion and it makes it harder to tell, but it obviosuly hit the top of the wall and then hit something to bopunce back in. Duh.

George Grande must have forgot what it looked like in real motion. LOL.

[Matt700wlw]

If the umps can't get it right with replay then let's not waste everybody's time with it

[OnBaseMachine]

If Lance Berkman hits that ball it's a home run.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez throws a 1-2-3 7th inning with 2 K's.

7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K, 94 pitches.

[Tony Cloninger]

I love how people talk about leaving the human element in sports......I agree....humans should be the ones playing but when you get stuff like this AND the fact I have said that they should have a machine calling balls and strikes....well you can take the human element away from officials any time and it will not be too soon.

That includes football and what constitutes PI ....or basketball and it's many non calls or phantom calls.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bruce lines out sharply to begin the 8th inning.

[OnBaseMachine]

This should be a comfortable 4-1 lead right now.

[Matt700wlw]

Marty says he saw the replay again, and thinks the umps got it right. I didn't see it in real time, so I guess I'll have to watch the news and be my own judge

[OnBaseMachine]

Marty says he saw the replay again, and thinks the umps got it right. I didn't see it in real time, so I guess I'll have to watch the news and be my own judge

Balls don't bounce off the very top of a wall and come shooting back into play on a line. That ball hit a seat behind the wall.

[OnBaseMachine]

The weak hitter Newham singles to begin the 8th. Time to pull Volquez. Matsui and Tejada have hit him well tonight.

[Matt700wlw]

Volquez out...David Weathers to come in with a guy on second

[Matt700wlw]

Nope....Bray

[OnBaseMachine]

Nevermind.

[Tony Cloninger]

Always a crappy hitter to ruin the day....too bad.....EV could have finished at least this inning out with a couple of more runs for cushion.

[CTA513]

Good game from Volquez and the only walk he allowed was an intentional walk to Berkman.

[Matt700wlw]

Cooper stays with the lefty to face Bray

[OnBaseMachine]

That missed call by the umps is looking huge right now. Volquez could have a 4-1 lead and could've stayed in to face another batter or two since he's got a reasonable pitch count.

[Matt700wlw]

Bray out...Weathers in

[OnBaseMachine]

Bray did his job. Two outs. Weathers vs Tejada... I don't like this matchup.

[dougdirt]

That missed call by the umps is looking huge right now. Volquez could have a 4-1 lead and could've stayed in to face another batter or two since he's got a reasonable pitch count.

Lets not complain about Dusty pulling Volquez with a reasonable count after all of the complaining we have had lately with him being left in too long lol

[OnBaseMachine]

Lets not complain about Dusty pulling Volquez with a reasonable count after all of the complaining we have had lately with him being left in too long lol

Oh I agree with pulling Volquez there. That was a great move. I'm just saying if it was 4-1 Volquez could've probably stayed in for another batter or two if the lead was three runs instead of one.

[Matt700wlw]

Good ol' Iffy

[OnBaseMachine]

Weathers walks Tejada with Berkman on deck. Brilliant. This won't end well.

[dougdirt]

Weathers walks Tejada with Berkman on deck. Brilliant. This won't end well.

In your FACE!

[Matt700wlw]

He gets it done!

[OnBaseMachine]

Thank you Weathers for proving me wrong. 2-1 Reds after eight innings.

Volquez's final line: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K

Now up to 206 strikeouts on the season.

[OnBaseMachine]

It would be nice if the Reds could get some insurance runs this inning. Just make sure you hit the ball over the train station in left field or else the umps may rule it a single.

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm still amazed they missed that call. Do they really think a line drive can hit on top of a fence and ricochet back into the playing field on a line? On the rare occasion that a flyball hits on top of a wall the ball will usually bounce in the air and back onto the playing field.

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds go in order in the 9th. 4-1, I mean 2-1 Reds after 8 1/2.

[Matt700wlw]

Finish this off, boys!

[CTA513]

leadoff single then a stolen base

[Matt700wlw]

This isn't starting off well...

[dougdirt]

This run CANT score. I need a Volquez win in the worst kind of way on my fantasy team. I plan on winning the championship but am currently down 5-3-2 with a tie in the W department.

[OnBaseMachine]

Pence K's.

[Matt700wlw]

He blows Pence away

[Matt700wlw]

Double play!!!!!

[dougdirt]

I almost just went on a stabbing rampage in Colerain TWP over that call. Good thing they got it right.

[OnBaseMachine]

Nice job by Cordero. Thankfully that call didn't come back to hurt them. Volquez picks up win #17.

[CTA513]

Volquez finally picks up his 17th win.

[WVRedsFan]

You know, you could watch the first inning of this game, fall asleep, and wake up about the time Weathers came on and not missed much of anything (except Joey getting robbed). Of course you'd have to live through the total nail-biting performance of Cordero each and every time he comes in, but it's a win.

Oh, my kingdom for some offense (and better umpires).

BTW, what good is instant replay if they don't have closeup camera angles? I mean, that shot they were using to determine the HR stunk. If that's the case, no call be ever be overturned. The NFL uses several camera angles and closeups, but in MLB, all you get is Fox's feed which usually is horrible.

[Matt700wlw]

That game had a little bit of everything

[durl]

This team is just flat-out getting it done lately. Good pitching does wonders, doesn't it?

[BuckeyeRedleg]

I'm still amazed they missed that call. Do they really think a line drive can hit on top of a fence and ricochet back into the playing field on a line? On the rare occasion that a flyball hits on top of a wall the ball will usually bounce in the air and back onto the playing field.

I agree. In real speed, it is obvious it hit a seat.

Well, at least it didn't matter.

Great win for the Reds.

[VR]

8 of 11 (sub 3 earnie over that period), 16 of 23 for the Reds. I thank them for making my September a little more exciting than I thought it would be a month ago.

[OnBaseMachine]

8 of 11 (sub 3 earnie over that period), 16 of 23 for the Reds. I thank them for making my September a little more exciting than I thought it would be a month ago.

Absolutely. This team has been fun to watch over the last month.

[OnBaseMachine]

What an excellent start by Volquez. After watching him in the first inning I didn't think he had a chance to make it past five innings tonight. He wasn't commanding his pitches well and was constantly above the belt. After the first inning he settled down and had excellent command the rest of the night. This kid is going to be special.

[Red in Chicago]

You know, you could watch the first inning of this game, fall asleep, and wake up about the time Weathers came on and not missed much of anything (except Joey getting robbed). Of course you'd have to live through the total nail-biting performance of Cordero each and every time he comes in, but it's a win.

Oh, my kingdom for some offense (and better umpires).

BTW, what good is instant replay if they don't have closeup camera angles? I mean, that shot they were using to determine the HR stunk. If that's the case, no call be ever be overturned. The NFL uses several camera angles and closeups, but in MLB, all you get is Fox's feed which usually is horrible.

I thought I saw a report that they were going to do this? Or is this something they'll put into play next year? Or, maybe I'm dreaming and never heard this at all:eek:

[WVRedsFan]

What an excellent start by Volquez. After watching him in the first inning I didn't think he had a chance to make it past five innings tonight. He wasn't commanding his pitches well and was constantly above the belt. After the first inning he settled down and had excellent command the rest of the night. This kid is going to be special.

He already is, OBM. Let's just hope he can maintain his specialnace for many years. That's always a problem. Who would have thought that Harang would be 6-16 and Volquez 17-6? Strange.

[Matt700wlw]

Saw the Votto 'single' on the news, and the only thing I can think of is that whatever replay the umps got a look at was from another game.

[OnBaseMachine]

I predicted before the season that Volquez would be the Reds best starter by the end of the season. I truly believed that but I never expected him to be *this* good so soon.

[Spring~Fields]

Absolutely. This team has fun to watch over the last month.

Yes they have.

[Spring~Fields]

One good sign is the way the team is playing right now. In 2006 and 2007, they had losing records in September, but this year they are 12-7 and will clinch a winning September 2008 with a win tonight. Baby steps.

That's a good point that I hadn't thought of or noticed.

[OnBaseMachine]

Wandy Rodriguez and Cecil Cooper on the "error" that should have been a triple for Votto:

Rodriguez, who said he thought it was hit, and Cooper didn’t quite agree with Wigginton’s assessment.

“I don’t even know if that was an error, to be honest,” Cooper said. “That’s a tough play. That ball is in the corner there. It’s a real tough error for Wiggy to get right there. I don’t think it was an error, to be honest. Two runs you figure you got a chance.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6018887.html

[reds44]

I really do not want to get excited for next season to get my hopes dashed again, but they are making it hard not to.

[Topcat]

I really do not want to get excited for next season to get my hopes dashed again, but they are making it hard not to.


2 decent Bats 1 behind the plate and a Left fielder with pop this team can defintly rise. 1 area I wouldn't spend on is bullpen. Risk there and take chances on kids like Reonicke and Burton and Ramirez as a swing man in rotation.