6/6/09: Reds vs. Cubs--Maloney's Debut

[reds44]

Hairston 3b
Dickerson cf
Phillips 2b
Nix lf
Hernandez 1b
Bruce rf
Gonzalez ss
Hanigan c
Maloney p

Chi
Soriano lf
Theriot ss
D.Lee 1b
J.Fox rf
R.Johnson cf
Soto c
Scales rf
Fontenot 3b
Dempster p

Outside of Soriano and Lee, there is nobody in the lineup that scares me.

[Raisor]

Outside of Soriano and Lee, there is nobody in the lineup that scares me.

The Riot laughs at your scorn.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Hairston 3b

Outside of Soriano and Lee, there is nobody in the lineup that scares me.

The thousands of Cubs fans filing into GABP right now are probably looking at the Reds lineup and thinking the exact same thing.

[reds44]

The thousands of Cubs fans filing into GABP right now are probably looking at the Reds lineup and thinking the exact same thing.
And that's exactly what I thought as I posted that.

[Screwball]

Fox batting cleanup. No pressure there or anything.

On a side note, I was gonna go to tonight's game, but declined due to the fact there are too many (Cubs fans) in the stadium. I hope Maloney absolutely mows the Cubs down for no other reason than to shut them up.

[/Rant]

[reds44]

And we're ready for baseball.

[SMcGavin]

Good to see Hanigan catching Maloney, since they know each other from AAA last year.

[SMcGavin]

Holy crap the stadium looks full.

[reds44]

That's not a good start.

[Reds Fanatic]

Soriano line a double to the left field corner.

[Reds Fanatic]

Holy crap the stadium looks full.They said this may be the 3rd sellout of the year.

[reds44]

Whoops.

Not a good start at all.

[Reds Fanatic]

Theriot hit by the pitch.

[Joseph]

Yikes

[reds44]

86 MPH cheese.

[RedsManRick]

Theriot got hit with a high fastball that was over the plate. You shouldn't get 1B when you get hit in the hands/arms while bunting.

[reds44]

Nice changeup for strike 2.

[reds44]

Both balls have been very close.

Maloney using his change a lot.

[Tom Servo]

Dickerson!!

[Reds Fanatic]

Fantastic diving catch by Dickerson!

[Tom Servo]

I can't believe he got to that!

[reds44]

DICKERSON!!!!

Don't do it to em.

[Red in Chicago]

dickerson again showing taveras how it's done out there

[SMcGavin]

Dickerson comes in to make a diving catch. GREAT play.

[RedsManRick]

Dickerson can play some CF.

[membengal]

Still not sure why the Reds were so reticent to put him in CF in Sept. last year or to start this year. Goodness.

[Tom Servo]

Hereeee we go.

[Reds Fanatic]

Double steal. Theriot is out as he went off the bag. Here comes Lou to argue.

[Red in Chicago]

wow, without the replay, he looked safe

[reds44]

LOL did anybody else see the look on Phillips' face?

[RedsManRick]

Wow. Unless Theriot came off the bag, he was safe easy.

[Tom Servo]

He was off the bag.

[reds44]

It looked like he came off the base to me.

[Reds Fanatic]

That was a good call. Runner on 3rd with 2 outs.

[SMcGavin]

Theriot berates the ump, then the replay shows he was definitely out.

[BCubb2003]

Read him Theriot Act

[Reds Fanatic]

Fox flies out to center. 0-0 mid 1st.

[reds44]

Well it was an adventure, but a scoreless frame for Maloney.

[SMcGavin]

Fox flys out... just your routine scoreless inning right?

[Tom Servo]

Weird inning, but Maloney gets through (I was going to say unscathed, but then George said it).

[KoryMac5]

Maloney had ice water in his veins that inning. Didn't flinch at all nice recovery by the kid.

[Red in Chicago]

excellent job of getting out of that inning after a shaky start...

[Red in Chicago]

NO first inning runs? what's that about ;)

[BCubb2003]

Weird inning, but Maloney gets through (I was going to say unscathed, but then George said it).

Now we need to scathe the other guys.

[reds44]

Hit the ball to RF. Jake Fox is an awful defender.

[Tom Servo]

lol Cubs.

[reds44]

Hairston reaches on an E5

[Reds Fanatic]

Hairston grounds to 3rd. Fontenot throws the ball away.

[Degenerate39]

When did Edwin become a Cub?

[CTA513]

Fantastic diving catch by Dickerson!

:thumbup:

So far hes been pretty good closing in on those soft fly balls in CF.

[Tom Servo]

Hairston safe at home! 1-0 Reds! A lead!

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson lines a double past Soriano. 1-0 Cubs. Hairston beats the throw home.

[reds44]

RBI double for Dickerson

Hairston just beat the throw

[Degenerate39]

Holy crap I thought he was out

[Blitz Dorsey]

I didn't even know Maloney lives here in Columbus. I'm liking him more and more. ;-)

[SMcGavin]

Dickerson having a pretty good first inning, to say the least.

[membengal]

I really enjoyed the camera work after the inning as they came back from commercial break. Maloney talking to Hanigan with his teammates coming up to pat him on the back and then Dick Pole stepping in to review.

Good stuff.

Nice to see the Reds catching some breaks on the basepaths to start this game.

[reds44]

Reds 3 hitter bunting.

[Brutus]

Holy crap I thought he was out

It was a fantastic slide.

[Degenerate39]

More good base running! This can't be the Reds

[reds44]

Dickerson is all over the place.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grounds out to 3rd. Dickerson good baserunning goes to 3rd.

[Tom Servo]

Nice baserunning by Dickerson. And we usually only say "Nice baserunning" in a sarcastic way.

[KoryMac5]

Need to work the count against Dempster tonight.

[RedsManRick]

It'll be a shame if Dickerson goes to the bench when Taveras comes back.

[reds44]

Nix fails to get the run in from 3rd again.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nix strikes out looking. 2 outs.

[Degenerate39]

God I hate Cubs fans. It's pretty bad when a Reds player strikes out in Cincy and you hear cheers.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Dempster's nervous tick (flipping his glove back and forth before he pitches when he's in the wind-up) cracks me up.

[RedlegJake]

RAMON!!!

[Tom Servo]

Razor Ramon homers!

[reds44]

Ramon goes boom!

3-0

[SMcGavin]

Hernandez HR!

[Blitz Dorsey]

HR Ramon!

3-0 Reds baby!

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez homers to right! 3-0 Reds!!

[Red in Chicago]

RAMON!!!!!

[KoryMac5]

You have to get the runner in from third especially when you are batting cleanup Nix. Nice job picking him up Ramon.

[reds44]

Reds have done a wonderful job picking up their young pitcher.

Great defense in the first inning and then a 3 spot in the bottom half.

[Degenerate39]

The Reds are getting some lucky hits today! Just got a home run

[Mario-Rijo]

The bad guy strikes again! :thumbup:

[RedlegJake]

Bruce grounds to the pitcher. 3-0 after 1

[CrackerJack]

Bruce needs some time on the bench/off

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce grounds out to Dempster. 3-0 Reds after 1.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Getting Hernandez for Freel is already one of my favorite trades of all time.

[Screwball]

It'll be a shame if Dickerson goes to the bench when Taveras comes back.

I think this is an important point. While they should, I just don't see the Reds benching Taveras in favor of Dickerson due to their contracts, performance be damned.

[Screwball]

Getting Hernandez for Freel is already one of my favorite trades of all time.

Yep. It's almost like Jeff Stevens (who?) for Brandon Phillips.

[reds44]

Another leadoff double...

[RedlegJake]

Johnson whacks 2nd pitch into LF corner for a double

[Reds Fanatic]

Johnson doubles down the left field line.

[Red in Chicago]

the 1st inning truly shows how this is a game of inches

[Mario-Rijo]

Johnson doubles down the left field line.

Missed his spot there.

[RedlegJake]

Hairston throws it away. 1st and 3rd

[reds44]

This is bad news bears.

[Red in Chicago]

really tired of hairston at third...simply not very good out there

[Reds Fanatic]

Soto grounds to 3rd. Hairston throws the ball away. 1st and 3rd.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Hairston is a trainwreck at third.

[Screwball]

Terrible throw. Hairston's better than that.

[reds44]

Votto probably picks that.

[RedlegJake]

My goodness that was an ugly play after bobbling it an off balance throw that isn't even close. Ugh.

Short fly to RF and the runner holds

[reds44]

Alright, flyball to Bruce and the runners hold.

[Joseph]

Hairston is having a horrible game so far.

Bad fielding bad throw, lack of hustle.

[Reds Fanatic]

Scales flies out to right. Runners hold. 1 out.

[RedlegJake]

Now 3-0 with Dempster on deck.

[RedlegJake]

Walks Fontenot and they're loaded

[reds44]

Well, could use a DP from Dempster.

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Fontenot. Bases loaded.

[reds44]

4 pitch walk, so Dempster swings at the first pitch.

[Screwball]

Gotta get out of this with 1 run given up at the max.

Throw strikes Matt.

[reds44]

time for a curve in the dirt

[reds44]

Maloney can't buy a called strike.

[membengal]

Maloney can't buy a called strike.

Indeed. Rookie hazing underway from this ump.

[RedlegJake]

Dempster 1-2, Maloney just misses inside 2-2, RD fouls next one off - now he punches him. K. 2 down

[Reds Fanatic]

Dempster strikes out looking. 2 outs.

[Tom Servo]

Good K. Now he needs to get Soriano though.

[reds44]

Maloney can't buy a called strike.
Maloney strikes out Dempster looking.

Soriano up....have fun

[SMcGavin]

One more out, let's go Matt.

[RedlegJake]

Maloney's high twice 2-0 to Soriano

[reds44]

Maloney is playing with fire.

[membengal]

Inning should be over. If anyone scores, it's all gonna be unearned.

[RedlegJake]

beautiful changeup gets a swinging strike 2-1. Soriano way out front

[Screwball]

Thanks for swinging at ball 3 Al.

[Red in Chicago]

soriano slumping bad, need that to continue

[reds44]

Come on Matt, one more.

[membengal]

Nice change ups from the kid.

[RedlegJake]

Another changeup and its fouled back, 2-2. Nice changeup.

[SMcGavin]

Change again, 2-2.

[Tom Servo]

Maloney's got Soriano on the ropes. Now finish him.

[Screwball]

I enjoy Maloney's mechanics.

[SMcGavin]

Full count to Soriano.

[Tom Servo]

Got him!

[RedlegJake]

That should've been ball 4 but Soriano is swinging at the 3rd changeup. Foul ball. 2-2. Now its a full count 3-2. Payoff time. STRUCKHIM OUT!! 5 straight changes

[Degenerate39]

That was a fun at bat

[SMcGavin]

Strike out swinging!

[reds44]

GOT HIM.

That a boy Matt.

[Red in Chicago]

awesome job getting fonzi to k

[Reds Fanatic]

Great job by Maloney as he strikes Soriano out on a changeup. 3-0 Reds mid 2nd.

[membengal]

Snicker.

Five straight change-ups. That's simply wonderful.

[SMcGavin]

Maloney is really fun to watch. That was five changeups in a row to Soriano.

[RedlegJake]

That was a nice battle to get out of that. Maloney doesn't appear to rattle at all.

[reds44]

Maloney has a rather large pair to throw 5 straight changeups to Soriano with the bases loaded.

[Screwball]

GOT HIM.

That a boy Matt.

He gone.

[Reds Fanatic]

36 pitches through 2 for Maloney

[Mario-Rijo]

Nice! :beerme:

Next time I'd go right inside on him with a fastball, right in on the hands.

[Tom Servo]

A-Gon first pitch swinging and gets a single.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez leads off with a single to left.

[Screwball]

It's waaaaay too early, but Owings may have some competition from someone other than Bailey.

[RedlegJake]

AGon single. Hairston's been given TWO errors on the play because he allowed the runner to get on AND advance. Error on play and on throw.

[Tom Servo]

That was a few different shades of ugly.

[reds44]

Hit and run gone bad..

[Reds Fanatic]

Gonzalez is thrown out stealing on a failed hit and run.

[reds44]

He was safe.

[RedlegJake]

AGon caught stealing and it costs Ryan a strike as he tries to hit a way outside pitch. Replay looks like AGon beat it.

[Screwball]

Grande makes a very good point about calling pitches for Maloney. Apparently Rick Sweet called up Haningan and told him to not be afraid to call back-to-back changeups. Or back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back changes. :thumbup:

[RedlegJake]

6-3 ground out for Ryan. 2 down.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hanigan grounds out to short.

[RedlegJake]

Maloney with a single up the middle!

[Tom Servo]

Maloney makes it look easy. Infield single.

[Reds Fanatic]

Maloney gets his first major league hit.

[Screwball]

Maloney with a single up the middle!

Micah who? ;)

[reds44]

Maloney is having an active debut.

[reds44]

Reds ran themselves right out of this inning.

[RedlegJake]

Hairston bangs the hit that should have scored AGon except for that dumb hit and run polay

[RedlegJake]

4-3 groundout for Chris D.

[Screwball]

Reds ran themselves right out of this inning.

Meh, Hanigan hit a sure DP ball.

[SMcGavin]

According to Gameday, Maloney has hit 91 MPH on his fastball three times today.

[TeamBoone]

This game is pretty wild.... and scary. Hope Maloney's luck holds out.

[reds44]

Hopefully Maloney can make this inning less adventerous

[Degenerate39]

:lol:This game thread looks like it'll be on pace for 50 some pages today

[RedlegJake]

Meh, Hanigan hit a sure DP ball.

I'd agree except everything changes without that play - the count is another ball and Hanigan may not hit that ground ball.

I much prefer run and hit to hit and run. Get a good jump and the batter's swinging ONLY if its a strike. Ryan lunged at that ball.



Fly ball to RF for an easy out to start the 3rd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Theriot flies out to right.

[RedlegJake]

Bruce runs into the wall, turns away as he hits it and misses the ball.

[RedlegJake]

Another foul. Now 2-2.

Full count. inside a bit high. Now a foul. Still full on Lee.

STRUCK HIM OUT!! changeup

[reds44]

Maloney gets Lee to fan on a changeup.

[Reds Fanatic]

Another good changeup. Lee strikes out swinging. 2 outs.

[Tom Servo]

2 up, 2 down so far this inning.

[Screwball]

Maloney's dealing in his ML debut. Awesome. :beerme:

[Degenerate39]

I like what we see from Maloney so far

[RedlegJake]

Cubs announcers really complimenting his changeup

[RedlegJake]

4-3 ground out. easy inning.

[reds44]

Nice inning for Maloney.

[Reds Fanatic]

50 pitches through 3 for Maloney

[Brutus]

I've been touting Maloney for several weeks, and just watching him today, I'm reminded why I liked this kid. He looks like a young Tom Glavine out there in terms of demeanor, delivery and poise.

[RedlegJake]

That attempt on the foul by Bruce looked scary. He kicked the concrete wall right in the corner of the stands to keep from ramming it and whacked his wrist on it.

[SMcGavin]

Maloney's dealing in his ML debut. Awesome. :beerme:

Looking great so far. Let's hope he can keep it up.

[Screwball]

Cubs announcers really complimenting his changeup

In all honesty, the Cubs announcers are very good. For them to compliment him should be taken as high praise.

[BCubb2003]

Don't you have to have a fastball to have a good changeup?

[reds44]

Don't you have to have a fastball to have a good changeup?
He throws his fastball at 90, for a lefty that's managable.

Dave Williams fastball was 83.

[RedlegJake]

The Cubs announcers ARE good, so are the Cards. Sadly with GG in booth, both are much better than the Reds, imo, Marty notwithstanding.

[Red in Chicago]

In all honesty, the Cubs announcers are very good. For them to compliment him should be taken as high praise.

I like both Bob and Len.

[reds44]

Not a very good 2-0 swing from BP

[jojo]

He throws his fastball at 90, for a lefty that's managable.

Dave Williams fastball was 83.

Maloney can throw in the low 90's but the harder he throws the straighter....it's not a road map for his success.

[RedlegJake]

Nix bounces to Lee 3-1. 2 down. Phillips was out so fast I missed it

[reds44]

Nice AB from Nix.

[Screwball]

Maloney can throw in the low 90's but the harder he throws the straighter....it's not a road map for his success.

Movement is 3rd on the list. Location is always key.

[RedlegJake]

Ramon draws a walk.

[Tom Servo]

Dempster fears Da Bad Guy after the homer, so he walks him.

[jojo]

Lee is a really good defensive firstbaseman....he made a really stellar play against the Braves the other night that saved some runs.

[RedlegJake]

Awww. No he didn;t go! Tried to hold back, called it a swing. Now he fans. Bruce out.

[Screwball]

Haha, Buckley staring straight down the entire time during the "interview" made me chuckle.

[Brutus]

Oy. Bruce has been so lost up at the plate for most of the season. He's got to stop swinging at so many balls down in the dirt.

[jojo]

Movement is 3rd on the list. Location is always key.

A 90 mph fastball without movement is pretty hittable in the majors.

[RedlegJake]

Yep. For all the talk of hard luck he certainly looks uncomfortable and lost.

[Screwball]

A 90 mph fastball without movement is pretty hittable in the majors.

Unless, of course, it's located well.

[jojo]

Was Chris W. just arguing for taking a third round talent in the first if he was willing to sign for third round money? I missed part of the conversation and I think I must've missed something important....

[RedlegJake]

Leadoff double.

[Tom Servo]

Stupid Reed Johnson.

[Reds Fanatic]

3rd inning that has started with a leadoff double.

[reds44]

Jesus Dickerson covers so much ground in CF. He had no business being anywhere near that ball.

[jojo]

Unless, of course, it's located well.

Nobody can locate it well enough to get good major league hitters out consistently.

[BCubb2003]

Unless, of course, it's located well.

Maybe the key to his changeup is that the batters are eager for his fastball.

[Tom Servo]

Was Chris W. just arguing for taking a third round talent in the first if he was willing to sign for third round money? I missed part of the conversation and I think I must've missed something important....
No, he was refering to that situation being the Reds old method of drafting.

[RedlegJake]

Hanigan blocks the 1-0 pitch in the dirt.

[Reds Fanatic]

Was Chris W. just arguing for taking a third round talent in the first if he was willing to sign for third round money? I missed part of the conversation and I think I must've missed something important....
No he was saying for years until the current ownership that was how the Reds handled the draft.

[Tony Cloninger]

If Bruce is looking like this against RH....he might as well just go sit for a few games. He is headed for Triple A by the end of the month if this continues.

[RedlegJake]

Another in the dirt and Hanigan chases down the 3rd line. Runner holds.

[reds44]

If Bruce is looking like this against RH....he might as well just go sit for a few games. He is headed for Triple A by the end of the month if this continues.
No, he's not.

[jojo]

It's nice seeing GABP full of people.

[Screwball]

Nobody can locate it well enough to get good major league hitters out consistently.

The hell they can't. Especially when it effectively sets up, as BCubb just mentioned, the change.

[RedlegJake]

2-1 with a 85mph strike, Fly to center

DICKERSON NAILS JOHNSON!!!! GREAT THROW!!

[Tom Servo]

Dickerson is on quite the roll.

[reds44]

Dickerson is a MAN.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson putting on a clinic throws out the runner at 3rd.

[Red in Chicago]

Dickerson is on fire

[RedlegJake]

Oh my gracious! Taveras CANNOT go back in CF

[RedlegJake]

Now Scales takes him deep. 3-1 Reds.

[reds44]

84 mph fastball.....

Scales hit it far.

[Tom Servo]

No doubt about that one. 3-1 Reds. I HATE all the Cubs fans at GABP.

[Reds Fanatic]

Dickerson just saved a run as Scales homers.

[RedlegJake]

Absolutely no doubt about that homer at all.

[SMcGavin]

Nobody can locate it well enough to get good major league hitters out consistently.

Nobody's succeeded with a 90 MPH fastball? He's not out there trying to blow it by guys, it's a set-up for his better offspeed stuff.

Also thanks for bringing the "will Maloney's stuff translate" debate that 200 pages of posts have been written about into the game thread of the guy's MLB debut when he is pitching a shutout.

And as I type that, the shutout is lost. The point remains.

[RedlegJake]

BP grabs the liner for the final out. Cubbies hit a couple hard that inning.

[jojo]

Beautiful throw by CD.

[reds44]

lol Soriano

[Tom Servo]

I knew the last Reds lefty to win 10 games was Claussen.

[Reds Fanatic]

Leadoff double for Gonzalez.

[RedlegJake]

Nobody's succeeded with a 90 MPH fastball? He's not out there trying to blow it by guys, it's a set-up for his better offspeed stuff.

Also thanks for bringing the "will Maloney's stuff translate" debate that 200 pages of posts have been written about into the game thread of the guy's MLB debut when he is pitching a shutout.

And as I type that, the shutout is lost. The point remains.

Lets stay civil. As I see it so far Maloney has been very, very lucky. I'm not sure tonight's game convinces me of anything really, except maybe another start.

AGon gets a single and goes to 2nd on Soriano's error bobbling the ball.

[BCubb2003]

Cincinnati's in the heart of OSU country?

[Red in Chicago]

soriano having a rough night in left

[RedlegJake]

Hangian out 4-3 on a ball up the middle just reachable. Advances AGon to 3rd.

[SMcGavin]

Lets stay civil. As I see it so far Maloney has been very, very lucky. I'm not sure tonight's game convinces me of anything really, except maybe another start.


I agree, tonight's game will prove nothing either way.

[jojo]

Nobody's succeeded with a 90 MPH fastball? He's not out there trying to blow it by guys, it's a set-up for his better offspeed stuff.

Also thanks for bringing the "will Maloney's stuff translate" debate that 200 pages of posts have been written about into the game thread of the guy's MLB debut when he is pitching a shutout.

And as I type that, the shutout is lost. The point remains.

This is highly appropriate comment-------for a PM. Not so much in a thread.

[Screwball]

BTW, as far as pitchers are concerned, it goes:

1. Location
2. Change of speed
3. Movement
4. Velocity

Maloney has shown he can do the first two well. He'll be fine, IMHO.

[Tony Cloninger]

Did Scales time the change up? or was it a fastball?

He has been lucky...but he was also very good against Soriano. Lucky and good....good and lucky...it can go both ways.

[reds44]

Did Scales time the change up? or was it a fastball?

He has been lucky...but he was also very good against Soriano. Lucky and good....good and lucky...it can go both ways.
Pretty sure that was a fastball...

[RedlegJake]

Matt the Bat at the plate. 2-1 count. Fouls one off. Nice AB so far. 2-2. Ooooh - looked at a meatball. Strike three.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pretty sure that was a fastball...
Yes according to gameday he homered on an 89 MPH fastball.

[reds44]

Not sure what Matty was looking for there.

[reds44]

Yes according to gameday he homered on an 89 MPH fastball.
That's a lot better than WGN's reading of 84.

[RedlegJake]

liner to SS, Theriot grabs the soft liner. 3-1 and on to the 5th.

[RedlegJake]

Matt needs an easy inning here.