6/12/09 Reds vs Royals

[Red in Chicago]

Per Fay:

Willy Taveras 8

Alex Gonzalez 6

Brandon Phillips 4

Laynce Nix 7

Ramon Hernandez 3

Jay Bruce 9

Jonny Gomes DH

Ryan Hanigan 2

Adam Rosales 5

Matt Maloney 1

vs. RHP Luke Hochevar

[mth123]

Top of the first and 2 down. The game starts in about an hour.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Top of the first and 2 down. The game starts in about an hour.

LMAO! I read the first sentence and thought I missed the start of the game. Classic. Sad and true...but classic. Thanks mth...I needed a good laugh. :O)

[GAC]

I bet Taveras, somehow, made both of those outs.

[flyer85]

What a top of the lineup ... the Mad Hackers. 4 pitches

[Red in Chicago]

4 pitches, and the reds are done...

[alloverjr]

4 pitches and the Reds are out in the 1st. Somewhat obvious - no scoring.

[Raisor]

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

This is how the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper.


The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.


The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

This is how the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper.

Redrum

Redrum

Redrum

This is how the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.

[flyer85]

Only Dusty could bat those guys 1-3. No other manager in baseball could construct that ... even IF the pitcher was a lefty(which of course he isn't)

[flyer85]

The Reds have two guys at the top of the lineup with sub 600 ops.
and it isn't even because of matchups ... the pitcher is a righty

[oneupper]

Was that Brett Butler's kid?

[Falls City Beer]

Why do Reds pitchers take such a cookie-cutter approach to facing hitters? Every hitter, no matter their weaknesses, seems to get the same sequence from Reds' pitchers. And this has been going on for a long time, long before Dusty's been here.

[Bob Borkowski]

No score after one inning.

[Falls City Beer]

No score after one inning.

Royals hit a dinger. 1-0 Royals after one.

[Bob Borkowski]

Royals hit a dinger. 1-0 Royals after one.

Ooops, thanks, FCB.

[_Sir_Charles_]

LOL. 5 outs...8 pitches.

[KronoRed]

What's the hurry gents?

[VR]

This lineup is 1982ish

[flyer85]

What's the hurry gents?there is the KC nightlife

[alloverjr]

Bruce makes him work - GO on the 3rd pitch

[_Sir_Charles_]

wow. We started this season off being soooooo patient at the plate. It's pulled a Where's Waldo since. 2 innings pitched for Hochevar...only 11 pitches needed. ELEVEN. Sheesh!

[lollipopcurve]

I smell a tailspin.

[Scrap Irony]

Votto and EdE (and perhaps another bat) can't get to Cincinnati fast enough.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice solid inning from Maloney there. 2 K's & a foul pop out.

KKKK

[_Sir_Charles_]

Gomes with a bullet off the wall for a double. Close play.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow....Hochevar pitching out of the stretch...batters hitting .484 against him according to Brantley.

[VR]

1st time I've seen Maloney. I'm impressed with his composure and stuff so far.

Won't get too high on him until we can see how the league responds once a major league scouting report gets developed....but his makeup looks promising.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leadoff double wasted. So far, nobody's gone past 3 pitches seen. Pitiful. 3 IP, 19 pitches. This guy's got an ERA around 7.00....make him WORK! He'll kill himself if we let him.

[VR]

Taveras now 0-22 in June....with 0 walks, 0 runs, and 0 stolen bases.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Top of 7th: Tigers 2 / Pirates 1
Top of 7th: Cards 1 / Indians 2
Bottom of 3rd: White Sox 0 / Brewers 0
Final: Twins 7 / Cubs 4
Houston / D-Backs later tonight

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brantley just caught a foul ball. :D

[pahster]

Taveras now 0-22 in June....with 0 walks, 0 runs, and 0 stolen bases.

He's a beast.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bloomquist with a double...nearly nailed with that bazooka attached to Jay's torso.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ryan Hanigan is a big ole can of RAID for those pesks on the basepaths! Nailed Bloomquist at third!

End of 3: Royals 1 / Reds 0

[CrackerJack]

Gotta like Hanigan, he was on top of that and is really working Maloney

[corkedbat]

Watching Hanigan throw out runners at 3B is a thing of beauty. The runner had a solid jump. Great release.

[VR]

Gotta like Hanigan, he was on top of that and is really working Maloney

7 stolen bases....10 caught stealing. Move over Yadier :)

[flyer85]

Taveras now 0-22 in June....with 0 walks, 0 runs, and 0 stolen bases.but he is really fast

[_Sir_Charles_]

This is OUR inning. I'm calling 3 runs here.

[KoryMac5]

Some boneheaded baserunning by the opposition the last few days.

[_Sir_Charles_]

AGon with a leadoff walk. MUCH better guys. Keep it going.

[CTA513]

Some boneheaded baserunning by the opposition the last few days.

:thumbup:

No reason to steal when you are already in scoring position.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Phillips with a single to left. 1st & 2nd with no outs.

[VR]

Anyone NOT thinking DP when they saw that hit?:)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nix lines out to left center. Good play to rob a double from Nix.

[CrackerJack]

Nix has to do something with that meatball, for a huge guy he doesn't seem to have a lot of natural power

[GAC]

Having a hard time getting to sleep since I have to get up early tomorrow......so I thought I'd turn on the game to see if it helps. :p:

[VR]

Nice....

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crud. Hernandez 6-4-3 DP to end the threat.

[flyer85]

there is no batter in this lineup a pitcher really has to worry about or pitch around. it's a 1-9 cool breeze

[redsmetz]

Butler flies out to (CF, I think).

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brantley makes a good point. All through spring training all we heard was "small ball, hit & run, stolen bases, bunts, etc". When was the last time we saw a hit & run on? Aggressive stolen base? Textbook bunts to advance runners? It's been a while. We're certainly struggling offensively, but when we DO get guys on...we're not excecuting our supposed game-plan. Heck, we're not even ATTEMPTING our game-plan. That's on Baker IMO.

[VR]

At what point.....

Does Jacoby lose his job?

Does Taveras find the bench and CDick become the regular?

Do the Reds acquire a hitter to play 3rd?

Is Monday the day?

[corkedbat]

This offense is borderline unwatchable without Joey.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Maloney with 2 fly outs to Bruce, a BB and another K.

KKKKK

1-0 after 4

[Homer Bailey]

At what point.....

Does Jacoby lose his job?

Hopefully soon.


Does Taveras find the bench and CDick become the regular?

Hopefully soon.


Do the Reds acquire a hitter to play 3rd?

Hopefully soon.


Is Monday the day?

No way. We'll never be that lucky.

[Homer Bailey]

I just can't get over the hilarity of the fact that Luke Hochever. is mowing us down. I know he was a number 1 pick, but he is terrible.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brewers losing 2-0
Cards losing 4-1
Cubs already lost

[Falls City Beer]

Hochevar's pitching a great game, regardless of the Reds' hacking. 92 MPH in the strike zone, all over the strike zone--pounding guys inside. Basically the opposite of the Reds' pitching philosophy.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Tie ball game. Gomes! :jump:

First dinger from Gomes as a Red.

[VR]

That fan in left field looked like a Brewer sausage race/ mascot competitor :beerme:

[flyer85]

Does Jacoby lose his job?
I don't see why he should. The track of most of these guys was low OBP and middling power at best. A recipe for struggling to score runs

[Falls City Beer]

First dinger from Gomes as a Red.

About dag gone time.

[KoryMac5]

10 lifetime homeruns for Gomes against the Royals now. He has a ton of confidence against this team why is he hitting so low in the lineup tonight.

[jojo]

Wow just looked at the lineups-this isn't exactly the battle of the titans offensively.

Gomes does nothing to quiet those who characterize him as a DH...... DH dinger!

[VR]

I don't see why he should. The track of most of these guys was low OBP and middling power at best. A recipe for struggling to score runs

Indeed...but it is a hitting instructors job to improve the hitters individual performance. Who has that EVER happened to under Jacoby's watch? Ever?

[_Sir_Charles_]

After 4 1/2, tie game 1-1.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Indeed...but it is a hitting instructors job to improve the hitters individual performance. Who has that EVER happened to under Jacoby's watch? Ever?

+1

Agree completely. I've yet to see anybody's approach improve with him. I'm not talking about production...just thier approach. The production is up to the player.

[flyer85]

Indeed...but it is a hitting instructors job to improve the hitters individual performance. Who has that EVER happened to under Jacoby's watch? Ever?most of these guys are what they are. Very rare that a hitting coach can make over a hitter. Poor hitters hitting poorly, I'm shocked. Making a decision in .2 seconds makes it tough to change

[VR]

McClellan walks in a run in Cleveland....5-1 Tribe, still batting w/ 2 out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Callaspo HBP from Maloney. Just got away from him. But not a good start to the inning.

[Ltlabner]

Taveras now 0-22 in June....with 0 walks, 0 runs, and 0 stolen bases.

But he's going to make up for it with stolen bases right?

[flyer85]

But he's going to make up for it with stolen bases right?
absolutely ... he's really fast. Don't worry he's a 5th OF

[_Sir_Charles_]

Olivo with a single. 1st & 2nd with no outs.

[Playadlc]

Gonzalez...jeez...get the 10 pound weights out of your shoes.

[Ltlabner]

Hannigan pouncing out like a ninja on that ball in the dirt. Good to see.

[VR]

But he's going to make up for it with stolen bases right?

only 88 to go to top the century mark, dog.

[Raisor]

That fan in left field looked like a Brewer sausage race/ mascot competitor :beerme:

...Jim Coombs?

[VR]

...Jim Coombs?

that dude may have eaten Jim Coombs

[Ltlabner]

Is Gonzo limping?

[_Sir_Charles_]

...Jim Coombs?

I have yet to figure out this Jim Coombs thing. No clue who he is/was or even if he is/was real. It's usually funny though...so no complaints. :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Base hit with the runner going. 2-1 Royals. 1st & 3rd again.

[VR]

A hit and run. What a concept.

That was 4 inches from being a DP

[Ltlabner]

Hum.....a hit & run.

I think I remember seeing one of those before. Or something.

[KoryMac5]

Time to see what Maloney is made of here, sink or swim etc...

[VR]

not sure where that pitch missed.

[VR]

Tricky play...not sure he could have turned 2 there.

[jojo]

Look at all of that dirt on Bloomquist's uni....he must be really good.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Did Rosales bobble that? Looked like a DP ball there.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow. Just WOW. I don't care if Phillips slumps or not, his glove work is a thing of beauty.

[VR]

Did Rosales bobble that? Looked like a DP ball there.

No....two hopper, thought he may have a chance at the guy on 3rd...got the runner at 2nd though.

Brandon Phillips....GGlover.


Maloney. Swim.

[CrackerJack]

Phillips is fun to watch play 2B, saves runs

[jojo]

Tricky play...not sure he could have turned 2 there.

Coco almost made a huge blunder and Rosales did the right thing. Bloomquist runs too fast to turn two on a slow grounder like that.

[jojo]

I'm just hoping that Maloney stays away from his fastball...

[jojo]

I don't care about Butler's footspeed (or lack of it), Phillips' range saved a run....

[flyer85]

Willy almost got the ball past the pitcher

[VR]

Can I say 'sucks' on this site?

Cuz Wily Taveras 'sucks'

[_Sir_Charles_]

No....two hopper, thought he may have a chance at the guy on 3rd...got the runner at 2nd though.

I'd never seen Bloomquist play before tonight so I didn't know he had those wheels. Probably a good decision.

[flyer85]

Hochevar is almost to 50 pitches with 2 outs in the 6th

[flyer85]

Can I say 'sucks' on this site?

Cuz Wily Taveras 'sucks'you can but saying not nice things about Willy T can get you a warning

[jojo]

Can I say 'sucks' on this site?

Cuz Wily Taveras 'sucks'

When you're a one tool guy and that tool is speed (though this isn't really fair because he's got an arm too), any ding to the legs kills your game.

[KoryMac5]

Phillips is going to hurt himself one of these days with that swing.

[flyer85]

When you're a one tool guy
your pants don't fit like a glove

[VR]

Alright....I need to see some offense. Headed out for awhile to pitch tennis balls to my 7 yr old.

[flyer85]

Alright....I need to see some offense. Reds hitters are downright offensive

[jojo]

As painful as it can be to watch, this game is shaping up to be exactly an '09 Reds grit it out game....

The '09 Reds are the baseball equivalent of Brad Gilbert (professional tennis reference)....

[Az Red]

How about a Redszone internet petition to Walt and Bob to go find some offensive help?

[Falls City Beer]

As painful as it can be to watch, this game is shaping up to be exactly an '09 Reds grit it out game....

The '09 Reds are the baseball equivalent of Brad Gilbert (professional tennis reference)....

Hochevar has been very tough, regardless of the constant carping on the offense. He clobbered the Jays just the other day.

[flyer85]

How about a Redszone internet petition to Walt and Bob to go find some offensive help?
they'll wait until after the break and it will be to late and they won't have to.

[lollipopcurve]

As painful as it can be to watch, this game is shaping up to be exactly an '09 Reds grit it out game....

The '09 Reds are the baseball equivalent of Brad Gilbert (professional tennis reference)....

Nice.

[flyer85]

Hochevar has been very tough, regardless of the constant carping on the offense. He clobbered the Jays just the other day.guy reminds me of Pelfrey of the Mets. Live arm but no out pitch. A patient team with power would light him up, that why he has such a high era this year and for his career. Can't survive as a starter with a sub 3 K Rate.

[Falls City Beer]

Maloney sort of rhymes with "vanilla." Sort of.

[_Sir_Charles_]

*sigh*

Had a runner picked off (with 2 outs)...but a bad throw by Hernandez let's him reach 2nd. Then a dinger. 4-1 Royals.

[Homer Bailey]

LOL CALLASPO!

[lollipopcurve]

Too bad for Maloney there -- should be out of the inning.

[jojo]

Hochevar has been very tough, regardless of the constant carping on the offense. He clobbered the Jays just the other day.

He's just daring the Reds to hit it.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Too bad for Maloney there -- should be out of the inning.

Yep, he got pretty much screwed in this inning.

[jojo]

Homer Maloney.

[flyer85]

that defensive screwup was costly. I guess that's what happens when you have a catcher playing first ... I doubt he has every practiced stepping toward the pitcher to create a lane while dropping down to throw.

[Falls City Beer]

He's just daring the Reds to hit it.

Throw strikes. Throw them often. It works for the Twins. The "nibbling" Reds see their pitches land in the stands.

[Kc61]

that defensive screwup was costly. I guess that's what happens when you have a catcher playing first ... I doubt he has every practiced stepping toward the pitcher to create a lane while dropping down to throw.

It was predictable from his minor league record that Maloney would allow the long ball. Otherwise, he looks like a good young pitcher.

Reds needing three runs in the late innings with this offense is enough to make one turn on the hockey game.

[flyer85]

the third run was likely enough, the 4th run was icing

[Falls City Beer]

It was predictable from his minor league record that Maloney would allow the long ball. Otherwise, he looks like a good young pitcher.

Reds needing three runs in the late innings with this offense is enough to make one turn on the hockey game.

Yeah. Don't think Mr. Maloney's going to be too long for MLB. And the offense has gone totally dormant.

[KoryMac5]

Ramon has really cooled off as of late, though he was a bit unlucky in Washington.

[VR]

I think 5 pitches is the longest ab tonight for the Reds

[flyer85]

while the pitch to Jay didn't look like a strike I don't see how he can complain with all the crap he swings at.

[Falls City Beer]

I think 5 pitches is the longest ab tonight for the Reds

The guy's thrown nothing but strikes all night. And he's been busting them inside.

[jojo]

Ramon has really cooled off as of late, though he was a bit unlucky in Washington.

His season totals to date are basically right in line with his last two seasons in Baltimore with a little less power. If the season ended today, he couldn't even be described as a good bat for a catcher.

[lollipopcurve]

Flaccid.
Hapless.
Dinky.

3 up, 3 down.

[KoryMac5]

His season totals to date are basically right in line with his last two seasons in Baltimore with a little less power. If the season ended today, he couldn't even be described as a good bat for a catcher.

Good thing he is playing first base.

[KoryMac5]

Lincoln snuck in to pitch the 7th

[flyer85]

Hochevar is crap. His numbers tell the story. He is a bad pitcher having one of his better nights against a poor offensive team.

He is an example of why the Royals are bad. First pick in the draft wasted.

[flyer85]

If the season ended today, he couldn't even be described as a good bat for a catcher.which is no surprise. They look at the back his baseball card and those numbers he posted 5 years ago make the FO feel comfortable.

[KoryMac5]

Lincoln survives the 7th without allowing a run.

[KoryMac5]

69 pitches for Hochevar tonight absolutely pathetic.

[flyer85]

BTW, Wood was dominating again tonight. 7IP 1H 9Ks

[KoryMac5]

Hochevar has set down 9 Reds in a row as Gomes flies out.

[Falls City Beer]

Hochevar is crap. His numbers tell the story. He is a bad pitcher having one of his better nights against a poor offensive team.

He is an example of why the Royals are bad. First pick in the draft wasted.

Anybody who can throw 92 for strikes will find work in MLB. The problem with the Royals is the same problem with the Reds: they can't take raw materials and do anything with them.

[flyer85]

69 pitches for Hochevar tonight absolutely pathetic.the result of having a lineup where the pitcher has no fear of any hitter

[lollipopcurve]

Somnolent.
Comatose.
Impotent.

[KoryMac5]

Make it 10 in a row as Hanigan is retired, now 11 in a row as Gonzalez gets jammed.

[KoryMac5]

For you hockey fans the Penguins are 13:00 minutes from what might be the first of many Cups.

[KoryMac5]

Lincoln back out for the 8th inning, gets Butler to ground out to short.

[KoryMac5]

Lincoln's curveball looks sharper tonight than it has in weeks. Jacobs strikes out on a fastball.

[KoryMac5]

Lincoln with a nice 1,2,3 inning

[jojo]

Maloney averaged a little over 88 mph on his fastball, 79 on his sinker, 78 on his change, and 77 on his slider. 85% of his pitchers tonight were fastballs (four-seamer and sinker).

[KoryMac5]

Votto will give the Reds a boost when he gets back but you still have some offensive holes at SS, 3rd, and LF. Lets call up one of the kids.

[flyer85]

willy bunts for the 2nd time. three balls in play that don't get past the pitcher. It's embarrassing.

[flyer85]

the Reds are on fast forward

[KoryMac5]

Hochevar has set down 12 in a row, make that 13 in a row.

[lollipopcurve]

Feckless.
Feeble.
Farcical.

[oneupper]

The good news: Cubs and Cards lost.
Bad News: Brewers leading late.
Worse News: Its the Pirates and Astros we should be worrying about. (Pirates lost, Astros trailing early)

[OUReds]

Chris Welsh

"A little better bunt and he cruses past first base with a hit"

Dynamite analysis there Chris.

[flyer85]

complete game on 80 pitches. I would think the last pitcher to go under would likely be Maddux

[Playadlc]

3 hits. lol

[KoryMac5]

Reds go quietly into the night Hochevar with his first complete game of his career. 80 pitches needed to go the distance. Worst offensive performance I have seen in a long time from any club.

[jojo]

Wowsers...but this one just had that feel to it from early on.

[KronoRed]

80 pitches, absolutely absurd, if there was a way to record an out without taking a pitch or batting out of order this lineup would find it.

[mth123]

Wowsers...but this one just had that feel to it from early on.

Like when we saw Taveras and Gonzalez in the top 2 spots before the game started.

[oneupper]

...and Hochevar signals that he's finished warming up!

[jojo]

Like when we saw Taveras and Gonzalez in the top 2 spots before the game started.

The Reds trotted out three bats that currently are worse than replacement level (Taveras, Gonzo, Rosales) and one that is just treading water relative to replacement (Hernandez).

[VR]

4 pitches in each of the top of the 1st and 9th by our leadoff trio of Taveras, Gonzo and Phillips.

That's 4 pitches total, not each.

[RED VAN HOT]

Coming into the game I thought the Reds were pressing and swinging at pitcher's pitches instead of being patient. Since they were facing three starters who collectively had average 4BB's/9, I figured they would be patient, get the count in their favor and look for some good pitches to hit. Missing KC's top two pitchers in this series seemed like the prescription for slump busting. I was wrong. 80 pitches? Was this get away day?

I hope this team is patient tomorrow. They are not going to slug their way out of this.

[WVRedsFan]

Just sad.

Just like Paul Wilson and Bill Bray were the key to winning in 2006, the same thinking says Votto and Ecarnacion are the key to winning in 2009. Both false. This team is anemic.

[Tom Servo]

Just sad.

Just like Paul Wilson and Bill Bray were the key to winning in 2006, the same thinking says Votto and Ecarnacion are the key to winning in 2009. Both false. This team is anemic.
To be fair, as I recall nobody thought Paul Wilson was the key to ANYTHING in 2006.

[WVRedsFan]

To be fair, as I recall nobody thought Paul Wilson was the key to ANYTHING in 2006.

I'm probably off on the year (I forget a lot), but I distinctly remember Robert Castillini (or however you spell it--I used to know) that Wilson was a key to winning. I also remember someone (maybe Krivsky or even Castillini) saying th key was getting Bray back. Truth is, the key is never one or two players on a good team. The key is not making the mistakes like signing Traveras, Hairston, and even extending players who simply aren't very good.

This team has big holes at shortstop (regardless of those who laud Gonzalez's defense, he's a black hole at the bat), third base (providing that Ecarnacion
does not come back, which I expect), center field, and sadly right field (yes, I am a Bruce doubter. The evidence suggests that he needs to go back to AAA and hone his skills some more as well as build confidence). I have no problem with Hernandez at catcher or Gomes/Nix in left in a pinch. Still, the Reds need to make major personnel changes to be competitive.

I say all this knowing that this is a .500 year and building for the future. But unless major talent infusions are made in the positions mentioned above, and the pitching does not fold under the pressure of no runs (I can still remember Joey Jay pitching well and going from 21-14 to 7-18 in the blink of an eye), this team is not that much better than the 2006 team. That's a sobering moment.

[Johnny Footstool]

This just in...the Reds can't hit.

Hochevar (sp) was nothing special tonight. 92 mph strikes should be crushed by a legit offense. The Reds were simply pathetic.

But that play by Brandon Phillips was all-world.

[Ron Madden]

I am a Bruce doubter. The evidence suggests that he needs to go back to AAA and hone his skills some more as well as build confidence.

Seems like you have been down on Jay Bruce ever since he took over for KGJ in RF. We all have our favorites but come on now.

I agree with you that Bruce is struggling right now but I believe Jay will be OK. :)

[reds44]

This just in...the Reds can't hit.

Hochevar (sp) was nothing special tonight. 92 mph strikes should be crushed by a legit offense. The Reds were simply pathetic.

But that play by Brandon Phillips was all-world.
Thank you for the last line, because it made me go look at the replay. Amazing. That boy can conver some ground.

[reds44]

And I have a VERY difficult time blaming Jacoby for this. He just doesn't have anything to work with.

It's awful that the guy who gives this team the best at bats (Dickerson) is rotting on the bench.

[dsmith421]

willy bunts for the 2nd time. three balls in play that don't get past the pitcher. It's embarrassing.

The Reds would have been better served to take six million dollars, put it in a box, and throw it into the Ohio River.

[membengal]

Like when we saw Taveras and Gonzalez in the top 2 spots before the game started.

Yes. Right from that point.

[membengal]

4 pitches in each of the top of the 1st and 9th by our leadoff trio of Taveras, Gonzo and Phillips.

That's 4 pitches total, not each.

That seems unpossible.

[membengal]

btw, my power has been out in memphis since 5:00 cst yesterday. One storm, straight line winds, and our local utility is tied in knots. I have come into the office in search of electricity and air condition. So I drove around the city for awhile last night listening to the game on XM and then WLW once the sun went down. I thought it would help pass the time. Or, not, as it turned out.

Something has to be done to address this. An easy start would be mothballing WT. At the least, give Dickerson the at-bats to look at a few pitches.

[Tom Servo]

I'm probably off on the year (I forget a lot), but I distinctly remember Robert Castillini (or however you spell it--I used to know) that Wilson was a key to winning. I also remember someone (maybe Krivsky or even Castillini) saying th key was getting Bray back. Truth is, the key is never one or two players on a good team. The key is not making the mistakes like signing Traveras, Hairston, and even extending players who simply aren't very good.
It was driving me nuts last night because I knew what you were refering to and that it was 2007 where Bob told us to wait for two guys to salvage/save the season. It was Bill Bray and Eddie Guardado (I could not remember Everyday Eddie). They were supposed to be our saviors.

[traderumor]

Willy Taveras is not the problem.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Willy Taveras is not the problem.

I agree....but he's certainly not the solution either. We've easily got 90% of the offensive players slumping at the same time.