Reds vs Pirates 5/2/09

[Tony Cloninger]

E to BP....nice scoring there in Pittsburgh.....how is that his error? It was an error on Rosales....then called it a FC since you cannot assume the DP.

[jojo]

another potential double play botched that gives away runs...

Just be thankful that the defense is better.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 7:

Mcdonny stays in LF.

Danny Ray still pitching.

Sanchez singles up the middle. (Weathers warming in the pen)

McClouth then bunts for a single (showing the Reds how it is done) Runners on 1st and second

Adam Laroche singles to Bruce. Bases juiced for Moss.

Moss just about gets hit by the 0-1 pitch. Moss grounds to Votto who throws high to Hernadez for the out. No DP though. 1 out.

(Stormy coming in; bases still loaded)

Andy Laroche up. Grounds to Rosales who bobbles and then throws to Phillips who can't corral it. Two runners end up scoring amazing!!
It was a perfect double play ball. The great D we heard so much about it is about as great of asset as the great offense we didn't hear about. 20 errors by the Reds this year.

Vasquez flies to Bruce. Moss moves up to third. 2 out

Diaz bounces to SS on the first pitch. 3 out.

Now I'm a pessimist about this game.

After a full 7, Pirates 7 Reds 3.

[membengal]

Grounder to SS ends the inning.

7-3 Pirates after seven.

For a pitching and defense team, the Reds have not had near enough of either on the evening. Red in Chicago is right, two plays tonight that could and probably should have been double plays instead turn into approximately six runs.

Ah well, can't win them all.

But maybe they will catch some weird lightning in a bottle and pull this out. Yaneverknow.

[nate]

Even the Rosales double-clutched, BP should've caught that.

[alloverjr]

While that botched play began and ended with Rosales, Phillips' defense this year has been mediocre at best. He seems like the personaity that would take plate issues to the field with him and so far this year it appears that way.

[BCubb2003]

E to BP....nice scoring there in Pittsburgh.....how is that his error? It was an error on Rosales....then called it a FC since you cannot assume the DP.

Assuming a double play can keep you out of the Hall of Fame. It's baseball's second-most serious rule.

[membengal]

Phillips pops up to short RF. Ball is dropped.

Phillips on first. Probably maybe should have been on second, but at least he's on first.

That should be an E on Sanchez...

[alloverjr]

Oh, and Phillips is a loafing hack. Sorry to pile on the dude.

[membengal]

George Grande noting that Phillips didn't run hard.

Bruce singles to RF, Phillips gets to third this time.

First and third, none out.

I think Grande and Welsh need to give Phillips a break. 99 out of 100 players don't bust tail out of the box on that ball he hit. And 99 times out of 100 that ball is caught.

[membengal]

Ramon H up. Reds need to just keep accumulating base-runners here, and they can still get back in this.

[membengal]

Lefty John Grabow is pitching for the Pirates, for those of you not watching. That makes it a single for Bruce against a lefty.

[membengal]

Ramon H Ks on a ball down and in. Nasty slider, I guess.

Rosales up, looking for some redemption, because no matter what the official scorer says, that was on him last half inning...

[Red in Chicago]

Ramon with a nice golf stroke for strike three...

[Screwball]

I think Grande and Welsh need to give Phillips a break. 99 out of 100 players don't bust tail out of the box on that ball he hit. And 99 times out of 100 that ball is caught.

It actually turned out to be a good thing as Phillips being on 1st meant that LaRoche had to hold him on, allowing Bruce's grounder to get through for a single.

Basically, Phillips drew it up that way. ;)

[Tony Cloninger]

Problem is that BP seems to do this and call attention to himself in the worst ways.

No one besides Votto can really ever do much of anything with runners on....on any sort of consistent basis.

[membengal]

Weird move to first, thought it nearly a balk.

1-2 on Rosales.

[membengal]

Rosales ground out to third, throw to second for the force. Run scores.

Two outs, runner on first.

7-4 Pirates.

Alex G up.

[membengal]

Alex G gets on with an infield single to 3b.

Tying run will come up now.

First and second, two outs.

[membengal]

JHJ being summoned to pinch hit.

Alex G three run homered his way to our hearts from the depths of his slump earlier tonite...can JHJ do the same?

[Red in Chicago]

JHJ coming off the bench for some RH power hitting

[nate]

JHJ coming off the bench for some RH power hitting

That tickled me.

[membengal]

JHJ grounds weakly to third off the left hander.

I will censor myself.

Good try, Jerry!

7-4 Pirates middle of eight.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 8:

Grabow into pitch.

Phillips pops to Sanchez in short right on the first pitch. Luckily, Phillips luck changes and Sanchez drops it! Easily could have been a double but Phillips was trotting to 1st.

Bruce bounces a single by LaRoche at 1st. Runners on the corners as BP moves up.

Hernandez K's swinging. Big out. 1 out

Rosales bounces to 3rd. Andy Laroche takes the force at second. 2 out Phillips scores.

Gonzo bounces to 3rd. Tough play for Laroche. He pockets it. Infield single. Runners on 1st and 2nd.

JHJ into pinch hit. The Reds lack of pinch hitter when Owings is pitching is very apparent. He swings at both pitches he sees and then grounds to LaRoche who throws to second for the force. 3 out.

After 7 and a 1/2, Pirates 7 Reds 4.

[forfreelin04]

I seriously wonder if the Reds should make Massett there 5th starter just so Owings can pinch hit during that 5th game.

[jojo]

George Grande noting that Phillips didn't run hard.

Bruce singles to RF, Phillips gets to third this time.

First and third, none out.

I think Grande and Welsh need to give Phillips a break. 99 out of 100 players don't bust tail out of the box on that ball he hit. And 99 times out of 100 that ball is caught.

If Phillips didn't seem to turn doubles into singles quite as much, it probably wouldn't have been mentioned.

[membengal]

Karoke, anyone?


Where have you gone, right handed bench power?
Reds nation turns its lonely eyes to you...
What's that you say Mrs. Robinson?
Right handed bench power has left and gone away...

Hey, hey, hey...

[Tony Cloninger]

It was Wallace Johnson who broke up that no-hitter...then a 2 run homer to tie that game followed.

[membengal]

If Phillips didn't seem to turn doubles into singles quite as much, it probably wouldn't have been mentioned.

Fair enough, jojo.

Burton pitching for Reds to start 9th.

Ball hit down line, Votto gets glove on it, but doesn't actually catch it.

Ruled an infield single, but probably should have been an out.

Defense, anyone?

[membengal]

Morgan grounds slowly to SS, they get the force, but only an X-man mutant with a cannon for an arm could have turned that with Nyjer Morgan running.

One out, Morgan on first.

[BCubb2003]

Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home

[membengal]

WP and Morgan hustles to third. On a wild pitch. From first.

A wild pitch.

[Red in Chicago]

FFFFFAST

[jojo]

Ramon.

[membengal]

I hate that Morgan guy.

Fly ball to LF gets Morgan in.

Sorry to all who have whoever the Pirates closer is. No save situation now.

8-4 Pirates.

[nate]

Nyjer Morgan is what I wish Willy Taveras was.

[alloverjr]

Fair enough, jojo.


Ruled an infield single, but probably should have been an out.

Defense, anyone?


I'm sure it's being discussed inside the organization, but I think Votto's ultimate position at least on this team is LF. He provides a solid but not great 1B. I guess the other factor is if/when Yonder forces the move.

Burton deserves better than this tonight.

[membengal]

Pirates going with Karstens tomorrow? Or do we get stuck with Maholm for the likely rubber match?

[alloverjr]

Ramon.

That was my thought too, but the tv guys didn't make a point of it and I didn't see a proper replay.

[membengal]

Rhodes summoned to try and get the lefty and keep it at a grand slam to tie...

[membengal]

Fly ball to RF ends inning.

8-4 Pirates after eight.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 8:

Burton into pitch.

Hinske into hit. (Noticing Burton is separating his arms more during his motion) Hinske singles off of Votto glove down the 1st base line.

Defense is nothing but embarassing tonight.

Morgan grounds to Gonzo and Phillips can't turn in time to get Morgan. (The ball slowed down when it hit the mound, Phillips had no shot) 1 out

With Sanchez up, Burton throws a WP and Morgan takes two bags because of Hernadez dogging it getting the ball.

Right on schedule, Sanchez flies to LF. Scores Morgan. 2 out.
Burton is now leaving. WHY?

Rhodes into face McClouth,

McClouth flies to Bruce. 3 out.

After a full 8, Pirates 8 Reds 4.

[membengal]

Maybe others saw it differently, but on that WP, I didn't think Ramon had a real good shot at blocking it (darn wild) and when it got to the backstop, it kicked HIGH into the air, which was when Morgan took off for third. Weird play. Perhaps a better defensive backstop keeps that from happening, but I didn't seen anything overtly bad that Ramon did...

[membengal]

Apparently forfreel sees it differently than me on Ramon.

[kaldaniels]

I'm sure it's being discussed inside the organization, but I think Votto's ultimate position at least on this team is LF. He provides a solid but not great 1B. I guess the other factor is if/when Yonder forces the move.

Burton deserves better than this tonight.

Not directed at you, but there is alot of talk about Yonder "forcing" a move. Votto is arguably one of the 10 best hitters in the league at this point. I think this talk about Yonder is a bit premature.

[membengal]

Matt Capps, closer, on in "non-save" situation. "Non-save", Capps. Spppppoooooookkkkkyyyy.

You are spooked. Sppoooooooookkkkyyy.

[membengal]

Top of the order up, Willy T trying to get it started.

[jojo]

I'm sure it's being discussed inside the organization, but I think Votto's ultimate position at least on this team is LF. He provides a solid but not great 1B. I guess the other factor is if/when Yonder forces the move.

Burton deserves better than this tonight.

So far Yonder is just tapping on the door with his pinkie... (.228/.300/.443)

[membengal]

Infield single to the hole at SS.

Spppoooooooookkkyyy, Capps.

One on, none out.

Nix pinch-hitting.

[membengal]

Hit and run single for Nix to RF, Taveras heads to third base.

First and third. No outs.

Sppooooookkkkkyyy non-save, Capps. Spppooooooooookkkyyy.

Votto up.

[alloverjr]

So far Yonder is just tapping on the door with his pinkie... (.228/.300/.443)

Doesn't he have to be on the 25 man next year?

[forfreelin04]

Apparently forfreel sees it differently than me on Ramon.

After seeing the replay, "dogging it" is a bit strong. However, as a catcher you always hustle for the ball. He didn't until he was positive Morgan was running. Your not dangerous as a defender until you actually have a ball in your hand.

[jojo]

Nyjer Morgan is what I wish Willy Taveras was.

A Pirate?

[membengal]

Counts full on Votto...

[nate]

A Pirate?

Lol, I wasn't even thinking that!

[jojo]

Doesn't he have to be on the 25 man next year?

Nope. Yonder has plenty of time. He'll hit if he doesn't get hurt.

[Red in Chicago]

Votto - rbi...

Phillips with a chance for some major redemption here...

[membengal]

Votto singles through the hole between first and second.

Run scores.

8-5 game.

[nate]

Vottomatic RBI, baby!

[membengal]

Runners on first and third. No outs.

Phillips up.

Spppooooooookkkkkkkyy non-save, Capps. Spppoooooooooookkkkyyy. You are most definitely spooookkkeeedd by the non-save situation.

[jojo]

Turns out that 5 runs wasn't enough to put the Reds away.

[BCubb2003]

Remember when we thought they'd never score five runs?

[nate]

BP could really get things going here.

[membengal]

Phillips is apparently 7 for 12 for his career against Capps. With two homeruns.

[Screwball]

How big are those tack on runs by the Pirates in the last couple innings?

[Red in Chicago]

bp - rbi...woo hoo

[nate]

Make it 8 for 13!

[membengal]

Make it 8 for 13 as Phillips singles to LF.

8-6 Pirates lead.

No outs, runners on first and second.

[membengal]

After a whole evening of hitting it where they are, the Reds are finding holes in this rally.

Bruce smokes it to left center. Dangit, it gets caught in the gap. Thought that had tied it.

It sliced back to Morgan.

[membengal]

Ramon H up.

Really, Bruce can't have hit the ball any harder than that. Easily the hardest hit ball of the inning, and it is the one that gets caught.

[membengal]

I will say this, betwen Morgan in LF and McLouth in CF, that's some serious speed and D in the Pirate outfield...

[membengal]

1-2 count on Ramon, Capps looking less spppooooooookked as it starts to feel like a save situation, even though it is not...

[CrackerJack]

Hernandez...boo!

[membengal]

Ramon H takes called strike three. Nasty pitch, inside corner.

Rosales up.

Two outs.

Two on.

Reds down two.

[membengal]

Rosales singles to the hole between SS and 3b.

Ball is kept on the IF.

Bases loaded.

Alex G up.

Two outs.

Reds down two.

[OnBaseMachine]

It figures, on a night the offense actually shows up, the pitching and defense stinks. Man oh man.

[OnBaseMachine]

Sure would be nice to have a big LH bat to pinch hit with right here.

I thought that ball Bruce hit was in the gap. Friggin' Nyjer Morgan.

[membengal]

Two fastballs for strikes, 0-2 count on Alex G...

[membengal]

Alex G swing and misses at a ball in his eyes.

Capps shakes it off.

Too bad.

8-6 Pirates win.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 9:

Capps to pitch the ninth in a non save situation. I like this.

Willy T slaps one to deep short. No chance for the SS. Infield single.

Nix hitting for Mcdonny. He singles to RF. Taveras to 3rd.

Votto works the count 3-2. He swings at ball 4 outside of the zone. Fouls it off. On the next pitch, Votto singles in Willy T in the same spot Nix hit his.

Pitching coach out to talk to Capps. Tell him it is a save situation now he can start pitching.

Phillips singles in the opposite hole on the left side. Nix scores. Runners still on 1st and second.

Bruce swings on the first pitch. Morgan tracks it down in left. 1 out

Hernandez K's looking on a good looking pitch on the inside corner. 2 out

Rosales hits one in the hole that Sanchez can't quite get too. Infield Single Bases Juiced for Gonzo!
Gonzo quickly gets behind 0-2. Then strikes out on three pitches! 3 out

Game Over Pirates 8 Reds 6.

Defense lost this one. No need to complain about the offense folks.

[membengal]

At least they worked to stay in it all night and give themselves a chance, I liked the fight they showed.

Cueto to hopefully bring another gem with him to the mound tomorrow and give the Reds the series.

[Red in Chicago]

Well, despite the loss, it was an entertaining game until the last out.

[Tony Cloninger]

That 2nd pitch was the one AG was fooled on....he was not expecting a fastball down the middle. Then again....no one expected a bear attack either.

[BCubb2003]

Botched double play, wild pitch, you never know when you're going to need them back.

[OnBaseMachine]

Tonight was one of the most frustrating losses of the season. The pitching, which has been so good all season, has a off night and of course the offense finally has a good game. Brandon Phillips botched a doubleplay, the Pirates later scored four runs. Adam Rosales botched a doubleplay, he recovers in time to get a force but Phillips drops the ball. So many mistakes.

Need to win tomorrow. The Reds are facing Jeff Karstens, who is awful. The Reds *should* score plenty of runs against him.

[OnBaseMachine]

One other thing ... I thought Bruce had tied the game in the 9th inning. That ball was smoked towards the gap but the Pirates were playing him toward left center.

[WVRedsFan]

Tonight was one of the most frustrating losses of the season. The pitching, which has been so good all season, has a off night and of course the offense finally has a good game. Brandon Phillips botched a doubleplay, the Pirates later scored four runs. Adam Rosales botched a doubleplay, he recovers in time to get a force but Phillips drops the ball. So many mistakes.

Need to win tomorrow. The Reds are facing Jeff Karstens, who is awful. The Reds *should* score plenty of runs against him.

Totally agree. The first inning really wasn't enough, but with the defense, it put the Reds in a hole and continually kept them in a hole big enough they couldn't dig out of it. Those last two at-bats by Hernandez and Gonzales were brutal. We had Capps on the ropes and they strike out. Brutal.

Much as been made of what a 5th starter is. Many think a 5th starter should allow 3-4 runs in 6 innings, but with this team, that's the kiss of death. The offense did show signs of coming around tonight, but this is only one game and it shouldn't deter the FO from shopping for a big bat by the AS break. At least I hope it won't.