Reds vs Pirates 5/3/09

[Red in Chicago]

Beautiful day here in Chicago, so I'll be watching this one on DVR tonight. Enjoy and bring us a victory!!

Cincinnati

W. Taveras cf
C. Dickerson lf
J. Votto 1b
B. Phillips 2b
J. Bruce rf
R. Hernandez c
A. Rosales 3b
A. Gonzalez ss
J. Cueto p

Pittsburgh

N. Morgan lf
F. Sanchez 2b
N. McLouth cf
A. LaRoche 1b
B. Moss rf
A. LaRoche 3b
J. Jaramillo c
B. Bixler ss
J. Karstens p

[JaxRed]

I see today is another "find our stroke" day

[Rounding Third]

Note from Fay:

Dusty Baker said he considered moving Rosales up to the second spot. "But somebody hitting down there is important too. You get a chance to drive in a lot of runs with two outs. Let's take it one step at a time. Initially I had him up there today.'

---

I'm not even going to touch that...

[OnBaseMachine]

Jeff Karstens is awful. Hopefully the Reds score plenty of runs against him...

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jeff Karstens is awful. Hopefully the Reds score plenty of runs against him...

The Marlins beg to differ. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290421123

I think we'll score off him too, but he does have some skill on the mound.

[membengal]

Not EVERY pitcher can be "good". 17 times in 23 games this year, the opposing pitcher has a quality start against the Reds. I am sorry, but they have to find a way to score runs off the Jeff Karstens of the world...

[forfreelin04]

Not EVERY pitcher can be "good". 17 times in 23 games this year, the opposing pitcher has a quality start against the Reds. I am sorry, but they have to find a way to score runs off the Jeff Karstens of the world...

They might not have to score many off Karstens because of the way Cueto's been pitching.

[membengal]

Right. But they need to. This team has to find a stride where they do some damage early. They can't always count on their starters being nails. Starters will have off-days themselves, for the Reds. The offense has to be there to cover those times, on occasion.

[forfreelin04]

Right. But they need to. This team has to find a stride where they do some damage early. They can't always count on their starters being nails. Starters will have off-days themselves, for the Reds. The offense has to be there to cover those times, on occasion.

They scored 6 runs and had 14 hits yesterday. Sounds like a good start to this striding you speak of. I'll take 6 runs and 14 hits today!

[membengal]

For those of you non-DirecTV folks, are you getting these games on HD? I don't know that one of the last five or six has been on HD for DirecTV users. George made some cryptic apology for "some users" not getting the game in HD last night, but gave no context.

There have been a majority of these in non-HD for me this year, which is weird. I have the baseball package, and can tell you that HD is pretty much the standard for almost every other team...

[membengal]

They scored 6 runs and had 14 hits yesterday. Sounds like a good start to this striding you speak of. I'll take 6 runs and 14 hits today!

Yes. They did.

But three of those were late (better late than never). Ohlendorf still had a quality start. 17 for 23.

[forfreelin04]

For what its worth, there are now only 2 hitters in the Reds lineup who are batting under the Mendoza line. Phillips at .192 and Gonzo at .197.

[nate]

No HD here.

[nate]

Chat is open.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras flies out to center. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

For those of you non-DirecTV folks, are you getting these games on HD? I don't know that one of the last five or six has been on HD for DirecTV users. George made some cryptic apology for "some users" not getting the game in HD last night, but gave no context.

There have been a majority of these in non-HD for me this year, which is weird. I have the baseball package, and can tell you that HD is pretty much the standard for almost every other team...

I have Directv and they have been on HD most of this week for me. Today is not in HD though.

[jojo]

I'd like to humbly request that the mods make the first guy to concede this game before the final out have to change his avatar to hello kitty for a week.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson walks.

[NC Reds]

Dickie draws a walk. Here's Joey.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dickerson walks. Reds working the counts nicely so far. 7 pitch ab from Willy too. Good sign early on.

[membengal]

Were they last night? They were supposed to be here, and it was "ghosted" out for me. And, yes, my equipment is current...

[_Sir_Charles_]

I'd like to humbly request that the mods make the first guy to conceding this game before the final out have to change his avatar to hello kitty for a week.

LOL! Seconded! :O)

[jojo]

Dickerson proving that baseball is a game of inches on that throw to first....

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto flies out to the warning track in left center. 2 outs.

[NC Reds]

Votto gave that one a ride. Close. Two out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Did I just hear the Cowboy explaining what OPS is? hehe.

Votto with a long drive...caught at the wall. Close.

[Reds Fanatic]

Were they last night? They were supposed to be here, and it was "ghosted" out for me. And, yes, my equipment is current...Last night I am not sure about. I was not home for that one. I know they were on Friday night.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grounds into a 6-4 FC. 0-0 mid 1st.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jeez, do tosses over to first count towards your pitch count? They should.

Phillips grounds out to end the inning.

[nate]

BP is digging a trench with batted balls to SS.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 1st.

Jeff Karstens starting today for the Buccos.

Willy T works the count 3-2. He flies to McClouth in center. 1 out

Dickerson works the count 3-1. Walks on the fifth pitch. Karstens thrown alot of balls out of the zone already.

On the 2-0 pitch, Votto hits the ball down the RF line squarely but foul. Karsten throws to 1st and almost gets Dickerson who didn't dive back like he should have.
Votto takes strikes 2 while walking to 1st. Come backs for 3-2. Joey flies to Morgan in LF a step on the warning track. 2 out

Phillips grounds to SS who flips to second. 3 out.

(Wasted opportunity for a steal there)

After a 1/2, Reds 0 Pirates coming to bat.

[VR]

Outside pitch grounded out to short. I wonder if any pitcher will ever thrown a pitch middle/in to Phillips again? If they do, they should be demoted on the spot.

[jojo]

Somehow Karstens escaped the Nats greedy clutches. Bowden must've been fixated on outfielders that day....

[nate]

Outside pitch grounded out to short. I wonder if any pitcher will ever thrown a pitch middle/in to Phillips again? If they do, they should be demoted on the spot.

Or be forced to change their gameday pic to a "Hello, Kitty" avatar.

[Reds Fanatic]

Morgan singles to center.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Morgan leads off with a single up the middle. Cueto grooved that one right down the middle.

[nate]

I think I've only ever seen Nyjer Morgan get out once.

[nate]

OK, twice now.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto catches Morgan trying to steal 2nd. 1 out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nyjer picked off! Nice job Cueto.

[NC Reds]

Morgan gets caught stealing. I like to call that stat a "Dusty."

[jojo]

In case anyone is wondering, Cueto's BMI is 28.8.....

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

First change up I've seen from Johnny today....delivers him a K. 2 down.

K

[_Sir_Charles_]

In case anyone is wondering, Cueto's BMI is 28.8.....

I'm really not sure I want to know how you found that one out. Does Cueto have a restraining order out on you? :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

K number 2. 3 up 3 down...the hard way. :O)

[Reds Fanatic]

McLouth strikes out swinging. 0-0 after 1.

[nate]

I'm really not sure I want to know how you found that one out. Does Cueto have a restraining order out on you? :O)

I think jojo and JC play "Wii Fit" together.

[Tony Cloninger]

Ball is carrying more today....that drive by Votto was not as good as it looked. The Taveras drive was hit better but it was really Ball 4.

No sense in hitting long flyballs to the OF beacuse they catch everything....how about sharp line drives?

[VR]

Glad to see the k.....but Johnny's gotta pound the strike zone with more regularity. Going 1-2-3 is good, but taking 20 pitches to do it, not so good.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 1st:

Morgan (Reds Killa) leads off the game with a single.

Cueto picks off Morgan. 1-4 1 out. Big play there.

Sanchez (Da Mole) K's swinging. 2 out

Johnny works back from 3-1 to K McClouth swinging. 3 out
After 1, Reds 0 Pirates 0. out.
=

[_Sir_Charles_]

Anybody else notice how down our pitchers' strikeout totals are this year? I think everybody's noticed the rise in walks, but the K's being down as much as they are really surprised me.

[jojo]

I'm really not sure I want to know how you found that one out. Does Cueto have a restraining order out on you? :O)

The Pirates broadcast team felt compelled to share that Cueto is 5'10" and 201 lbs....

[Hoosier Red]

"Just like Barry Larkin, McClouth grew up in Michigan,"
"Just like Larkin, McClouth had a full ride scholarship to go to Michigan, decided on professional baseball instead"

HUH?

Larkin grew up in Cincy, went to MOELLER, and then accepted the scholarship to play at Michigan.

[NC Reds]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce homers to right. 1-0 Reds!!

[_Sir_Charles_]

The Pirates broadcast team felt compelled to share that Cueto is 5'10" and 201 lbs....

Nice recovery. I'll still be picturing you stalking Cueto though. Hope you don't mind.


BRUUUUUUUUCE!!!! :jump: 1-0 Redlegs. Simply CRUSHED it!

[nate]

BRUCE!!! HR!

[nate]

Whoa, Bruce had some fancy hand moves with EV in the dugout.

[Big Klu]

"The Jay Bird"?! C'mon, George. Even you are better than that!

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez doubles to left center.

[NC Reds]

Ramon whacks a double. Rosie time.

[nate]

Ramon with a double. Nice.

[jojo]

The decision to pitch Karsten today was the earthquake on the deep ocean floor and the Reds are the tsunami....

[_Sir_Charles_]

Okay, I'd say we brought our bats out today. Ramon drills a double to the wall. We're getting REALLY good contact off Karstens.

[jojo]

Nice recovery. I'll still be picturing you stalking Cueto though. Hope you don't mind.


BRUUUUUUUUCE!!!! :jump: 1-0 Redlegs. Simply CRUSHED it!

I do know this....after EV's off season video...i'd be afraid to stalk him...

[WVRedsFan]

For those of you non-DirecTV folks, are you getting these games on HD? I don't know that one of the last five or six has been on HD for DirecTV users. George made some cryptic apology for "some users" not getting the game in HD last night, but gave no context.

There have been a majority of these in non-HD for me this year, which is weird. I have the baseball package, and can tell you that HD is pretty much the standard for almost every other team...Late to this...

I am apalled at the lack of HD for Reds games. FS Pittsburgh had Friday and Saturday in HD. If they can do this in Pittsburgh, why not in Cincinnati, especially if the HD cameras are in the same stadium?

Probably costs more to the Reds to show games in HD...

[Reds Fanatic]

Rosales fouls out to 1st. 1 out

[Tony Cloninger]

Rosales swing makes for a lot of bloopers and pop ups to the right side.

He swung at a boderline pitch.

[membengal]

Not making excuses for Rosales, but it sure looked to me like he was working overtime to try and hit the ball to the right side. Given that he was up 3-1 in the count, I would have been happier to see him just try and make solid contact...

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez grounds out to 3rd. 2 out.

[Tony Cloninger]

I have the get 'em on ...get 'em over....GG drone in my head...but right now i would be more than happy if they could have done that.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto strikes out swinging. Hernandez is left stranded on 2nd. 1-0 Reds mid 2nd.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 2:

Bruce hits a no doubter on a 2-1 pitch (Ten Rows back over the scoreboard in Right Field)

Hernandez doubles in the gap in Left on the first pitch.

Rosales pops to Adam LaRoche in foul ground. 1 out

Gonzo grounds to the Brothers Laroche. Hernandez stays at second. 2 out.

Cueto K's swinging on a bad curve. 3 out

(Chance for a big inning swallowed up by the dregs of 7, 8, 9)

After 1 and a 1/2, Reds 1 Pirates 0.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Do I have to take the Hello Kitty avatar if I say that a 1-0 lead is enough for Cueto and that this game is over? Or if it's just the pessimistic POV that takes it? :O)

[11larkin11]

Wrong Thread

[remdog]

I posted this elswhere but I think Jay Bruce will be a MONSTER by the second half of the season.

He's getting comfortable, learning more and more how to approach AB's in general and AB's against particular pitchers and he's willing to look, listen and learn.

Great approach.

Rem

[_Sir_Charles_]

Come on Johnny! Throw strikes. Make these guys beat you. I want a walk free game!

[jojo]

Do I have to take the Hello Kitty avatar if I say that a 1-0 lead is enough for Cueto and that this game is over? Or if it's just the pessimistic POV that takes it? :O)

No but if you jinx Cueto, you have to change your avatar to the Cub's logo.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto got behind 3-0 on LaRoche and recovers to strike him out swinging. 3 Ks in a row.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Comes back with the strikeout! 3 in a row now. Nice. Keep it rollin'.

[Reds Fanatic]

Moss flies out to left. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

No but if you jinx Cueto, you have to change your avatar to the Cub's logo.

Okay, that's not cool. *searches around for a delete post button*

[Reds Fanatic]

An. LaRoche with an infield hit.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Infield hit off Gonzo's mitt. Almost. If he'd gotten it cleanly it still would've been a tough play. That's a single without a doubt.

[_Sir_Charles_]

He needs to stop getting behind the hitters. That's a bad habit to start. Get ahead and get those hitters off balance early.

[nate]

WHAT A PLAY by GONZO!

[membengal]

Now THAT makes up for Alex G not making the play on LaRoche. Solid.

[NC Reds]

Terrific play by Alex.

[_Sir_Charles_]

WOW. Great snag by Gonzo! I thought that was going to drop for a single for sure. Nice play.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice play by Gonzalez on the popup by Jaramillo. 1-0 Reds after 2.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 2:

Cueto falls behind Adam Laroche 3-0. Works back to 3-2. Then K's him swinging. Nasty. 1 out

Moss flies to Dickerson in left. 2 out

The other Laroche smashes a grounder to the right of AGON who can't backhand it. Ruled a hit. Play should have been made.

Jamarillo up. Cueto works back to 3-2. JJ flares it over AGONS head who makes an acrobatic play to reach out and catch the ball. Great play. 3 out.

After a full 2, Reds 1 Pirates 0.

[jojo]

WHAT A PLAY by GONZO!

Yep but I think he pulled a few muscles that he didn't know he had though...

[11larkin11]

STEAL TAVERAS!

[nate]

Willy T leads off with a single.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras singles to left.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Willy T leads off with a single. Alright, let's turn that into a double!

[membengal]

I really want to see Willy T attempting steals at a higher rate than he has been. With the RHer on the mound, now is a choice time to go after second.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras is caught stealing.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crud. Thrown out trying to steal second. Nice throw. Durnit! 5 for 6 now in the swipe dept.

[membengal]

Bad lead and late break will lead to that though. Ah well. Still, he needs to push it to maximize his effectiveness.

[WVRedsFan]

I really want to see Willy T attempting steals at a higher rate than he has been. With the RHer on the mound, now is a choice time to go after second.

Or it can be a rally killer or non-starter. He looked like he got in there before the tag anyway, but I'm blind.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson walks for the 2nd time today.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dickerson shows some MORE patience and draws his second BB of the day.

[nate]

Or it can be a rally killer or non-starter. He looked like he got in there before the tag anyway, but I'm blind.

I thought so too.

[membengal]

The Reds are trying to facilitate Reds fans hooking up? Weird.

[membengal]

Or it can be a rally killer or non-starter. He looked like he got in there before the tag anyway, but I'm blind.

He has to run to maximize who he is. That was only his sixth steal attempt of the season...

[VR]

Even in ST, the Reds didn't have their legs under them. I'm surprised by the lack of consistent pressure the 1/2 hitters have applied to the opponents when they are on base. Cruddy leads, late jumps, pick offs. Is the coaching off this year? I thought they'd be runnin and gunnin a LOT more.

[remdog]

He has to run to maximize who he is. That was only his sixth steal attempt of the season...

But, but, but....Willie said his goal was to steal 100 bases this year....!!!

Rem

[WVRedsFan]

He has to run to maximize who he is. That was only his sixth steal attempt of the season...

Agreed, but not when you don't have an adequate lead. Like I said, he looked safe to me. Sometimes I think umpires guess at that anyway.

[JaxRed]

"I have Directv and they have been on HD most of this week for me. Today is not in HD though."

It is on 728-1

[Reds Fanatic]

Great AB by Votto as he walks. 1st and 2nd.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Well, here comes a double play.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Karstens is paying a TON of attention to Reds baserunners. That's gonna come back and bite him in the butt.

And it does in the form of a walk to Votto. 1st & 2nd with one out.

[remdog]

Karstens seems to have an inordinate fascination with Dickerson.

Rem

[membengal]

"I have Directv and they have been on HD most of this week for me. Today is not in HD though."

It is on 728-1

Ah, I am not able to get that because I am in "Reds country" here in Memphis, so HD on opposing teams' broadcasts doesn't help me. Either I get it in HD because FSN Ohio has it in HD or I don't.

And FSN Ohio has NOT been in HD much this year with the Reds games. At. all.

[nate]

Hey, I just noticed the DirecTV has this score guide thing when you press the red button. All the scores popup and you can select a game to watch it. It's like...2003 or something!

[NC Reds]

Two straight walks. Phillips swings at first pitch anyway. Nice.

[WVRedsFan]

"I have Directv and they have been on HD most of this week for me. Today is not in HD though."

It is on 728-1

Thanks, Jax. Looks like HD to me. Plus the picture quality is miles ahead of what FSC is. It's the Pirate feed and once again, why can the Pirates do this and not the Reds?

[VR]

Joey saw that ab

Cutter
fastball
changeup
slider
fastball
changeup
fastball
curveball
changeup

wow.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Karstens seems to have an inordinate fascination with Dickerson.

Rem

Chris is a good looking man.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hey, I just noticed the DirecTV has this score guide thing when you press the red button. All the scores popup and you can select a game to watch it. It's like...2003 or something!
That Scoreguide is a new feature they just started about a week ago.

[Blitz Dorsey]

You know BP is going bad when you're just relieved he didn't go 6-4-3 on us.

[membengal]

Crikey, Brandon.

DUSTY! Bruce clean-up against righties. Goodness.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips pops out to 3rd. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Pop up in the infield. 2 down.

[jojo]

It doesn't count unless it's hit over the wall...

[nate]

BP is really in a hitting funk.

[VR]

Popup, and I'm excited about that from Phillips.

[WVRedsFan]

Hey, I just noticed the DirecTV has this score guide thing when you press the red button. All the scores popup and you can select a game to watch it. It's like...2003 or something!

Another great tip. Wow, the difference in HD and regular is dramatic.

[nate]

Bruce works the walk.

[remdog]

You know BP is going bad when you're just relieved he didn't go 6-4-3 on us.

:lol: Yep.

Rem

[_Sir_Charles_]

The Bruce draws the walk. Bases jacked for Ramon.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce walks. The 3rd walk of the inning. Hernandez up with the bases loaded.

[remdog]

It would be real nice if Ramon repeated his previous AB right here.

Rem

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bases clearing shot to the wall! 3 runs score, but Hernandez is gunned down at second. Way to come through Ramon!

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez singles to the wall in right. 3 runs score! Hernandez is thrown out at 2nd. 4-0 Reds mid 3rd.

[NC Reds]

Great job by Ramon. Phillips gets like a hockey assist or something for not grounding into a double play to end the inning.

[WVRedsFan]

He did, but he makes Sean Casey look like a speedster.

[jojo]

The Pirates don't think much of Ramon's bat speed....

[membengal]

Weird base-running by Ramon, but I like the runs.

No quality start for Karstens today. Reds have done what they should have done to that guy.

Nice.

[CrackerJack]

Nice, he makes up for that AB in the ninth last night with a 3 run double to right, out at 2nd after the cut-off

[New Fever]

Ah, I am not able to get that because I am in "Reds country" here in Memphis, so HD on opposing teams' broadcasts doesn't help me. Either I get it in HD because FSN Ohio has it in HD or I don't.

And FSN Ohio has NOT been in HD much this year with the Reds games. At. all.

I have had the last two games in HD here in Memphis.

[OUReds]

Ok, I'm NOT complaining, but how do you hit a ball over the RFers head to the wall, have the throw go 9/10ths of the way to home plate, and get thrown out at 2nd?

Is Ramon Hernandez the slowest person on the face of the earth?

[forfreelin04]

Top of 3:

Willy T singles in the hole between 3rd and SS.

Willy T is caught stealing. Great throw by Jaramillo. Poor jump by WT. 1 out

Dickerson walks again. Nice day so far for CD.

Votto tries to one up Bruce but comes up empty on strike 1.
Dickerson goes on the 2-2. Votto fouls the pitch off. CD had that bag stolen.(Happened twice)
Votto is really battling, 3-2 count. Walks!

(Replay looks like Willy was safe BTW)

Good time for a Phillips. BP pops to 3rd in fair territory. Infield fly rule, catch is made anyway. 2 out.

Bruce walks. Nothing real close. Bases jucied for the Razor Ramon.

Ramon takes a close 1-2 pitch. 2-2. Ramon hits one over Moss in right field. Scores 3 but is 9-2-6 out on the relay. Ramon is slow people. 3 out

After 2 and 1/2, Reds 4 Pirates 0.

[RedsManRick]

It's good to see the double, but there's no way this team can produce enough offensively in the long run if it continues to make as many outs on the bases that it has thus far this season.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bixler strikes out swinging. 1 out. 4 Ks.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ok, I'm NOT complaining, but how do you hit a ball over the RFers head to the wall, have the throw go 9/10ths of the way to home plate, and get thrown out at 2nd?

Is Ramon Hernandez the slowest person on the face of the earth?

Yeah, probably, but who cares. He's smoked the ball both times up. He's not in there for his wheels.

[nate]

It looks like he was held up at first.

[lollipopcurve]

The Pirates don't think much of Ramon's bat speed....

I see no evidence of that. Not like Karstens is trying to pump fastballs by him pitch after pitch.

Hernandez is a skilled opposite-field hitter. Defense should shade him that way.

[VR]

Ramon has made it fairly convincing with a large amount of patient at bats that he should be hitting between Votto and Bruce until further notice.

[remdog]

Ramon didn't quite duplicate his previous AB but it was close enough! :clap:

I'll take it!

Rem

[lollipopcurve]

It's good to see the double, but there's no way this team can produce enough offensively in the long run if it continues to make as many outs on the bases that it has thus far this season.

The team needs to be aggressive on the bases.

[Reds Fanatic]

Karstens strikes out looking. 5 Ks. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Strike out #5!

He got squeezed a bit on that AB too. That first pitch was a strike (so was the 4th I think).

[WVRedsFan]

It's good to see the double, but there's no way this team can produce enough offensively in the long run if it continues to make as many outs on the bases that it has thus far this season.

Totally agree, but even in HD, it looked like to me that Hatcher held him up at first and he was faced with indecision after the ball went over Moss' head. There should have been no indecision with 2 outs. Of course he is s-l-o-w.

[membengal]

I see no evidence of that. Not like Karstens is trying to pump fastballs by him pitch after pitch.

Hernandez is a skilled opposite-field hitter. Defense should shade him that way.

Agree with this. Ramon is indeed no slouch as a hitter, and makes good consistent contact. Further, unlike a few of his teammates, he understands that the opposite field can be his friend.

And I agree with VR, Ramon is the best candidate for clean-up at this point if Dusty continues to maintain that Votto and Bruce need to be split up...

[SMcGavin]

Strike out #5!

He got squeezed a bit on that AB too. That first pitch was a strike (so was the 4th I think).

Gameday agrees on both of them.

[VR]

Again Johnny, nice K on the pitcher....but taking 7 pitches to do so ain't so good.

[Reds Fanatic]

Morgan walks.

[OUReds]

Yeah, probably, but who cares. He's smoked the ball both times up. He's not in there for his wheels.

LOL ya think?

[WVRedsFan]

You know, Cueto amazes me. How many 3-0 counts has he had only to try to throw 3 straight strikes?

[_Sir_Charles_]

A walk to Morgan. The ump's not going to give Johnny that strike at the top of the zone. Best keep it down then.

[jojo]

I see no evidence of that. Not like Karstens is trying to pump fastballs by him pitch after pitch.

Hernandez is a skilled opposite-field hitter. Defense should shade him that way.

Lighten up, it was a joke given Morgan was basically playing CF and Karsten couldn't challenge bat speed in my daughter's softball league.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez flies out to center. 4-0 Reds after 3.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 3:

Bixler K's swinging. 4 K's for Cueto so far. 1 out

Cueto goes full on Karstens. K's him looking. 2 out
(1 + 4 = 5 K's now for Cueto)

Cueto goes 3-0 on Morgan. 3-1 and he walks. (Reds Killa lite)

Sanchez flies to WT in center. 3 out.

(Could be a good day for the Pythag with Cueto on the mound)

After 3 full, Reds 4 Pirates 0.

[VR]

Nice recovery....JC needs a couple 10-12 pitch innings to be able to last 7 today.

[_Sir_Charles_]

You know, Cueto amazes me. How many 3-0 counts has he had only to try to throw 3 straight strikes?

Exactly. He REALLY needs to start getting ahead of the hitters. Even though he's throwing well, he won't last long due to his pitch count. POUND the zone!!!

[jojo]

PNC is a beautiful park.

[remdog]

Karstens @ 70 pitches. Kind of hate to see that. I'd like him to stay in the game longer. ;)

Rem

[Reds Fanatic]

Rosales flies out to center on the 1st pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez grounds out to 3rd. 2 outs.

[HokieRed]

Funny, MILB scoreboard showing Pirates with 2 in bottom of the3rd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto flies out to center. 4-0 Reds mid 4th.

[Gallen5862]

Let's go Reds. Great job so far. Great inning summaries makes it easy to follow the game thread.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 4:

Rosales almost beats the Pirates broadcast back to the commercial break. Flies to center on the 1st pitch. 1 out

Gonzo grounds into the Brothers LaRoche. 2 out.

Cueto tries to bunt and misses horribly on the curve. Cueto then flies to shallow center. 3 out.

Good (get your confidence back) inning for Karstens.

After 3 and 1/2, Reds 4 Pirates 0.

[Tony Cloninger]

Bad AB's by Rosales today. AG....is there even a point in getting into his AB's any longer?

[jojo]

Cueto at 54 pitches heading onto the bottom of the 4th...he's missed the zone alot today but has 5 Ks and 1 BB.

[Reds Fanatic]

McClouth strikes out swinging. 6 Ks. 1 out.

[OUReds]

Cueto at 54 pitches heading onto the bottom of the 4th...he's missed the zone alot today but has 5 Ks and 1 BB.

That's 18 pitches an inning, which puts him solidly through 6. Not terrible.

[WVRedsFan]

Bad AB's by Rosales today. AG....is there even a point in getting into his AB's any longer?
IIRC, he's alway had bad at bats most of the time throughtout his career. One of the many reasons that giving him that fat contract was loathed by many.

[RedsManRick]

The team needs to be aggressive on the bases.

Aggressive is fine if it's applied intelligently and results in a net accumulation of bases. If applied indiscriminantly it results in too many outs and fewer runs scored. I have no problem with aggressive base running as a general philosophy, but this team needs to execute it better.

[Reds Fanatic]

Great play by Phillips!

[nate]

Nice play by BP and Votto!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice play by Brandon.

I thought that hit Cueto at first. Looks like it missed him though.

[membengal]

Glad Cueto isn't dead. Glad to see Phillips remind why he won a gold glove last year.

[WVRedsFan]

Good inning by Cueto

[Reds Fanatic]

Moss grounds out to 1st. 4-0 Reds after 4.

[membengal]

Lower pitch count inning for Cueto there, which is a bonus.

He's just flat nasty today in general.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 4:

McClouth has no answer for Cueto. K's swinging. 1 out. (6 for Cueto)

Adam Laroche grounds to a backhanding and jumping Phillips who throws to a scooping Votto. Great plays made easy folks. 2 out

Moss grounds to Votto who underhands to Cueto 3 out.

(Johnny is rolling along)

After a full 4, Reds 4 Pirates 0.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Another solid inning from Cueto 1-2-3. Great to see this from our young gun. I thought he'd take a big step forward this season, but this is even better than I'd thought. I love it!

4-0 Redlegs after 4.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras grounds out to 3rd on the first pitch.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Be honest, who really thought they'd see a sub 2.00 era from Cueto after 5 starts? Really impressive.

[Hoosier Red]

Man this game seems to be going slow.
I can't believe its only the fifth.
I blame Karstens who acts as if Dickerson is going to steal home from first.

[BCubb2003]

Aggressive is fine if it's applied intelligently and results in a net accumulation of bases. If applied indiscriminantly it results in too many outs and fewer runs scored. I have no problem with aggressive base running as a general philosophy, but this team needs to execute it better.

Cautious aggression is what we're looking for. Rather than aggressive caution.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson grounds out to 3rd. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Karsten's starting to get into a rhythm. Shatter it Joey!

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto lines a single to center.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Sharp single for Votto. He thought about 2 for a second there. Good decision to stop there.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wild pitch moves Votto to 2nd.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Passed ball/Wild pitch moves Votto to second. Ruled passed ball.

[Tony Cloninger]

Why are they swinging at 1st pitches? Do they think this pitcher will try to throw more strikes beacuse he was not before.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips singles to left. 5-0 Reds!

[nate]

Nice single for BP. Votto scores.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Solid single for Brandon that scores Votto!!! 5-0 good guys!

[WVRedsFan]

Phillips with a clutch hit.
Strange.

[membengal]

Good at-bat Brandon.

Nice to see.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce flies out to right. 5-0 Reds mid 5th.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bruce lines out solidly to end the inning. Since sitting out for that Houston series, Jay's been hitting the ball a TON. Even his outs are rockets.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 5:

Reds refusing to make quality at bats with a lead. Willy T bounces to 3rd on the 1st pitch. 1 out

Dickerson fouls off a few balls out of the zone with a 2-2 count then grounds to the Brothers Laroche. 2 out

Ump is calling a horrible outside strike. (One on Votto, one on Dickerson)

Votto singles past Bixler. Takes a wide turn, gets sniped, falls down but gets back without a throw. Guy is amazing.

Passed ball by Jaramillo allows Votto to move to second.

On the next pitch, Phillips singles in front of Morgan in left. Votto scores!

Bruce gets handcuffed a bit. Lines to RF. 3 out.

After 4 and 1/2, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[Reds Fanatic]

An. LaRoche grounds out to 3rd.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Laroche Ground out to Rosales for the first out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jaramillo strikes out looking. 7 Ks. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKKKK

[nate]

Cueto is dealing.

[membengal]

n.a.s.t.y.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bixler strikes out swinging. 8 Ks for Cueto. 5-0 Reds after 5.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKKKKK

[mbgrayson]

After 5 innings complete, Reds up 5 to 0.

Karsten at 95 pitches, 53 strikes.
Cueto at 77 pitches, 47 strikes. (8 Ks).

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 5:

The less famous Laroche grounds to Rosales. Throw is high, but Votto reaches and stays on bag. 1 out

Jaramillo having a rough day. K's looking. (7 for Cueto) 2 out.

Bixler K's of the swinging variety. (8 K's for Johnny B Good) 3 out
After a full 5, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[Reds Fanatic]

Double switch. Vazquez in to play short and Evan Meek in to pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez lines out to left. Morgan makes a leaping catch.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice play by Nyjer Morgan. REALLY nice.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rosales walks.

[Hoosier Red]

I dunno, it looked like someone may have caught a case of the Edmonds on that last catch. It looked like he got fooled than made a leaping catch.

I could be wrong though.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez lines out to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto grounds out to 2nd. 5-0 Reds mid 6th.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 6th:

Evan Meek pitching.

Hernandez bangs one to Morgan who jumps to get it. (Morgan is about as raw as it gets out there) 1 out

Rosales with his best at bat today. Walks.

Gonzo seems to be swinging for the fences since his HR yesterday.
He then hits a sinking liner that Moss hauls in. 2 out (Two hard hit balls turn into outs)

Cueto hitting for himself. Grounds to Sanchez. He doesn't even run to 1st. HA! Where's the hustle? HA! 3 out

After 5 and 1/2, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[Reds Fanatic]

Vazquez pops out to short. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Morgan flies out to left. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKKKKKK

I think this is the best I've seen Cueto since his first outting. REALLY dominant. :O)

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez strikes out swinging. 9 Ks for Cueto. 5-0 Reds after 6.

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 6:

Vasquez hitting for the pitcher. Pops to shallow Center, Gonzo hauls it in. 1 out

Morgan flies to Dickerson. 2 out

Cueto K's Sanchez swinging on a bad ball in his eyes. (9 K's) 3 out.

Best inning yet for Cueto.

After a full 6, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow, he called that a BALL? That bunt attempt was a strike.

[Reds Fanatic]

Taveras grounds out to 3rd. 1 out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Taveras grounds out to third. 1 down. It seems like Taveras has led off just about every inning. I know he hasn't, but sure does seem like it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson grounds out to 2nd. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dickerson grounds out to second. 2 down. Votto up.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto strikes out swinging. 5-0 Reds mid 7th.

[forfreelin04]

Top of 7:

Evan Meek still pitching.

WT pops one into short right... just foul. Works the count full. WT bounces to the brothers Laroche again. 1 out

(So far WT's speed is a little underwelming; he'd be better off bating left handed all the time)

Dickerson grounds to Sanchez. Ball almost ate Sanchez up. 2 out

The Meek gets Votto swinging. 3 out.

After 6 and a 1/2, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[_Sir_Charles_]

We can complain all we want about Taveras, but it's that one sentence you wrote '04 that shows me all I need to see..."Works the count full." If he keeps doing that, he'll be a benefit to the team.

[remdog]

Cueto was a phenom in his ride up through the minor leagues. Last year, as a rookie, he was way beyond average for a rookie pitcher. He has great stuff, is young and is still learning both the game and his emotions. He got off to a little bit of a slow start but is showing signs that he has the talent to become one of the elite pitchers in the league a la Pedro Martinez, Roy Holliday, Roy Oswalt, etc.....

Rem

[Reds Fanatic]

McLouth singles to left.

[_Sir_Charles_]

4-6-3 DP Smooth as silk

[Reds Fanatic]

Ad. LaRoche grounds into a 4-6-3 DP. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Moss grounds out to 1st. 5-0 Reds after 7.

[_Sir_Charles_]

3 up 3 down. Cueto is ROLLIN!

[forfreelin04]

Bottom of 7:

McClouth plunks Hernandez with the backend of the bat on a swing and miss. Then he blisters one to Rosales who can't see it, single to LF. Should have caught that for sure.


The more famous LaRoche grounds into a 4-6-3 DP on a 3-1 count. Nicely done. 2 out

Moss grounds to Votto deep at 1st. He throws sidearm to Cueto. 3 out.

Crisis averted rather quickly.

After a full 7, Reds 5 Pirates 0.

[_Sir_Charles_]

95 pitches after 7. Do you let Cueto try to finish it? What's his limit for pitches if he's rolling like this? 110, 120?

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips singles to center. His 2nd hit today.