6/17/09 Reds vs Braves

[Red in Chicago]

Per Fay:

Willy Taveras cf
Alex Gonzalez ss
Brandon Phillips 2b
Laynce Nix lf
Ramon Hernandez 1b
Jay Bruce rf
Jerry Hairston 3b
Ryan Hanigan c
Micah Owings p

vs. RH Javier Vazquez (4-5, 3.31), who leads the NL in strikeouts with 105.

[penantboundreds]

A battle of #33's...

[KoryMac5]

Very important start for Owings tonight as he has not pitched well as of late. With Bailey turning in some major league performances in AAA Owings needs to do well tonight.

[nate]

Chat is opened.

[Bob Borkowski]

No score after one.

[KoryMac5]

Both teams went out pretty quietly in the first inning, as we move on to the top of the 2nd.

[KoryMac5]

Ground out gets Owings his first out.

[KoryMac5]

Kotchman grounds one by Hairiston for the first hit.

[KoryMac5]

Willy T makes the running grab on a short fly in center 2 down

[KoryMac5]

Runners on 1st and 2nd as Owings boots the ground ball.

[KoryMac5]

Owings gets Vazquez to ground to Phillips three outs, two left stranded.

[KoryMac5]

Nix grounds to second one away in the Reds half.

[KoryMac5]

Hernandez grounds out 2 down. Vazquez looking good so far.

[KoryMac5]

Bruce works the count full and goes deep to right. 1-0 Reds 16th of the year.

[KoryMac5]

Hariston flies out for out number three. Reds up 1-0

[Falls City Beer]

What? No rain delay? I feel cheated.

[KoryMac5]

Owings walks Mclouth on 4 pitches.

[Hoosier Red]

Bruce is so not clutch. He should wait for teammates to get on before he homers. He's so selfish.
:D:D

[Falls City Beer]

That. That right there: why wasn't Owings able to even come close to throwing him a strike? What goes wrong with this guy and his pitching motion? He's not pitching from the stretch.

[KoryMac5]

Escobar goes deep to center 2-1 Braves

[RedsMan3203]

Is the Fox Sports Ohio/Cin HD Feed messed up for anyone else? Starting last night I have gray bars on the side of the TV for FSO Only.

[KoryMac5]

Pop out takes care of Jones for the first out

[KoryMac5]

McCann flies to Bruce for 2 outs

[Super_Barry11]

I LOVE how Harang mentioned the sport psychologist. That's me in 2 years!!! :D

[KoryMac5]

Infield single for Anderson puts a man on first with two outs

[KoryMac5]

60 pitches through three innings for Owings. Not very economical.

[KoryMac5]

Kotchman sends one to the track on the tenth pitch of the AB 3 outs 2-1 Braves

[GAC]

chat is open

[KoryMac5]

Hanigan with a nice Ab singles to center. Love his approach with two strikes.

[KoryMac5]

Owings sends him over with the sacrafice.

[KoryMac5]

Willy T K's 2 down

[KoryMac5]

Gonzo grounds to short 3 outs for the Reds

[KoryMac5]

Willy T misplays Francouer's ball into a triple, runner on third no outs

[CrackerJack]

Taveras strikes again. Turns a single into a triple. Geesh.

[KoryMac5]

Owings gets Johnson to pop out to Nix who called Willy T off to take charge in the OF.

[KoryMac5]

Vazquez pops to first base Owings may wiggle out of the jam here

[KoryMac5]

80 pitches for Owings so far, McLouth making him work each AB

[KoryMac5]

Nice recovery by Owings Nate flies to Bruce

[KoryMac5]

Phillips works the walk after a long AB

[KoryMac5]

Hit and run put on, Nix K's Phillips steals second.

[KoryMac5]

Escobar diving play to get Hernandez saves a run as Phillips goes to third

[KoryMac5]

Bruce K's runner is left at 3rd

[KoryMac5]

Escobar singles, Jones singles 2 on nobody out

[Bob Borkowski]

Carlos Fisher warming.

[KoryMac5]

Big DP there as McCann grounds to Phillips who pitches to Gonzo

[KoryMac5]

Owings some how gets out of it, he is definitely walking the tight rope tonight.

[VR]

Owings is a battler, got to give him that.

[KoryMac5]

Owings at 95 pitches I imagine Dusty will bring him out for one more inning

[KoryMac5]

Hariston walks

[KoryMac5]

Nice AB by Hanigan as he singles to right Hariston moves to third

[VR]

Hanigan with a great swing, and a single to right. 1st and 3rd w/ no outs for Owings.

I say he hits a two run double....goes to the bench, and gets the W.

[_Sir_Charles_]

And BOOM goes the dyn-o-mite! Owings! :jump:

4-2 Redlegs. I picked the right time to get home. Turned on the game when Hanigan came up. :O)

[dsmith421]

Supermicah!

[KoryMac5]

Owings hits a three run jack

[VR]

Hanigan with a great swing, and a single to right. 1st and 3rd w/ no outs for Owings.

I say he hits a two run double....goes to the bench, and gets the W.

Owings blows my plan........

[KoryMac5]

Nothing like a three run homer from your pitcher

[KoryMac5]

Willy T flies out to center

[dsmith421]

Why are the two worst hitters in the lineup batting first and second?

[KoryMac5]

Reds should give some consideration to moving Owens. He has a chance to be an OK pitcher but I think he has the talent to be a good hitter.

[KoryMac5]

Why are the two worst hitters in the lineup batting first and second?

BIZZARO World

[Bob Borkowski]

Owings is a battler, got to give him that.

Yeah, I give him that...and he's also quite a batter!:D

[nate]

Now that was an inning Earl Weaver would be proud of!

[KoryMac5]

3 outs for the Reds

[KoryMac5]

Now that was an inning Earl Weaver would be proud of!

Pitching defense and the three run homer.

[VR]

I think it funny..... maybe the 2nd (?) 3 run dinger of the year for the Reds?

Got be tough for Taveras, Gonzo, Phillips to look Owings in the eye after their ab's. :thumbup:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Now that was an inning Earl Weaver would be proud of!

Except Earl Weaver never would've seen it happen. He wouldn't have had a pitcher hitting with the DH in the AL and he never would've had a fifth starter to begin with. :p:

[KoryMac5]

Might be a good inning for Owings as he should be pretty pumped

[KoryMac5]

Owings having a very economical inning

[VR]

Owings now with a 2.59 earnie in 3 June starts. He's our 5th starter. #6 looks like he can pitch in the bigs....and #7 is on fire at AAA.

Almost like 2003, except with the 1 through 7 starters :)

[KoryMac5]

Owings retires them in order, I am off to spend some time with the wife.

[_Sir_Charles_]

13 pitch 1-2-3 inning. Now THAT'S the way to pitch after we score some runs. I hate it when we put a few on the board and the pitching immediately gives one or more back in the next half of an inning. Nice to see.

[Bob Borkowski]

Might be a good inning for Owings as he should be pretty pumped

...and it was. Braves go quietly 1-2-3.

[_Sir_Charles_]

You know, that's just a stupid little thing I find annoying. Anybody ever notice how the radio broadcast team will say "I see they've got somebody warming up, but we can't see who it is from here"? How tough would it be for the Reds to put a freaking little web-cam in the bullpen for the broadcast teams? You'd think SOMEBODY would think of it.

/idiotic vent

[lollipopcurve]

Owings kicks *ss.

[Falls City Beer]

You know, that's just a stupid little thing I find annoying. Anybody ever notice how the radio broadcast team will say "I see they've got somebody warming up, but we can't see who it is from here"? How tough would it be for the Reds to put a freaking little web-cam in the bullpen for the broadcast teams? You'd think SOMEBODY would think of it.

/idiotic vent

Don't they have a spot on the scoreboard where they show who's warming in the pens?

[Bob Borkowski]

Reds also go quietly 1-2-3. Cincy still leads 4-2 after 6.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Micah's night is done. Masset in.

Bottom of 5th: Brewers 3 / Indians 3
Bottom of 4th: Astros 3 / Rangers 3
Bottom of 3rd: Pirates 2 / Twins 2
Bottom of 3rd: Tigers 1 / Cards 1
Final White Sox 4 / Cubs 1

[_Sir_Charles_]

Don't they have a spot on the scoreboard where they show who's warming in the pens?

I've never been to GABP...wouldn't know. I just mean that the broadcast teams are basically the PR department for the team...give them a LITTLE help. I don't think it's too much to ask.

If there IS a spot on the scoreboard...couldn't someone tell the announcers where it is? :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

McLouth with a double down the RF line. 1 down, man on 2nd.

[_Sir_Charles_]

WP sends McLouth to third....then walks Escobar on 4 straight pitches...not a good sign. Hopefully they've got somebody up already. Doesn't look like Masset has his location tonight.

[_Sir_Charles_]

*sigh*

6 straight balls

[_Sir_Charles_]

Oh good lord. Pull him! Another WP for the 7th straight ball to score a run. 4-3.

[CTA513]

Back to back bad nights for Masset

[_Sir_Charles_]

Chipper with a grounder to Masset for the 2nd out. But Escobar moves to third. And that's it for Masset. Sounds like Rhodes coming in.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Grounder to Hernandez to end the inning. Nice job by Rhodes to end the damage.

4-3 Reds heading to the bottom of the 7th.

[VR]

How many times has the bullpen blown a lead for Micah this year?

[BCubb2003]

What is it with Rhodes? How can he be that good, at his age even, and available to the Reds?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, I refuse to get down too much on Masset. He's had 2 subpar outting pretty much all season long. He was kinda due for a stinker or two.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hehehe. Rhodes first plate appearance in 8 years. Watches the first 2 sail past...then manages to touch one. He predictably K's...but hey...he put wood on the ball at least. :O)

[PuffyPig]

How many times has the bullpen blown a lead for Micah this year?


1

[Kc61]

Rhodes coming out of the game. He is a very good relief pitcher. Very good signing.

Two outs in the eighth.

[VR]

1

thanks, let's hope it remains 1 after tonight.

[Bob Borkowski]

Tonight's attendance 27,455.

[Kc61]

Weathers comes in to face Francoeur. Gets him on a foul popup to first base.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Stormy gets Frenchie to pop out to Ramon in foul ground to end the inning.

[Raisor]

Willy T: FAIL.

[nate]

Not to hate on Willy but it seems like that bunt single thing isn't working at all this year.

[GOYA]

I will drive Stubbs up to Cincy myself if necessary.

[Red in Chicago]

does anyone have the number of failed attempted bunts for wt so far this year?

[Raisor]

Willy T has exactly one more hit then Krono does in June.

[nate]

does anyone have the number of failed attempted bunts for wt so far this year?



Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
Ground Balls 43 78 78 20 2 0 0 4 0 0 .256 .256 .282 .538 22 2 0 0 0 0 2 .256 90 120
Fly Balls 38 59 57 8 3 0 1 3 0 0 .140 .136 .246 .381 14 0 0 0 2 0 0 .121 34 5
Line Drives 17 23 23 17 2 1 0 2 0 0 .739 .739 .913 1.652 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 .739 482 92
Bunts 22 25 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .118 .118 .118 .235 2 0 0 8 0 0 3 .118 -17 -33

[Raisor]

He has two bunt base hits?

FAIL FAIL FAIL.

That's only TWO more then Krono.

[top6]

So the 1, 2 and 3 hitters are a combined 0-11 with a walk.

Excellent.

[Raisor]

So the 1, 2 and 3 hitters are a combined 0-11 with a walk.

Excellent.

The whole "Get A-Gon a chance to see some FB's" is working like a charm.

[_Sir_Charles_]

So the 1, 2 and 3 hitters are a combined 0-11 with a walk.

Excellent.

Still winning. Just sayin. Buck up guys.

[VR]

Wily hitting over .700 on line drives however. I recommend he do more of that.

[Raisor]

Still winning. Just sayin. Buck up guys.

Thank goodness the Braves bats are just a little bit worse then the Reds'.

[Kc61]

Coco walks Diaz with one out. Wish he wouldn't do that.

[nate]

Still winning. Just sayin. Buck up guys.

We'd be winning more if we had more production at the top of the lineup.



Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
Batting 1st 76 7 297 268 42 62 9 2 2 15 14 3 17 48 .231 .279 .302 .582 81 3 2 7 3 0 8 .271 65 60
Batting 2nd 81 7 288 251 42 58 13 2 8 28 4 3 25 47 .231 .304 .394 .698 99 2 3 5 4 0 5 .250 96 84
Batting 3rd 68 7 283 244 39 72 15 3 11 49 6 2 34 48 .295 .390 .516 .906 126 8 4 1 0 6 5 .330 154 116
Batting 4th 68 7 276 243 29 60 11 0 11 46 5 4 25 43 .247 .322 .428 .750 104 6 4 0 4 1 1 .254 110 81
Batting 5th 79 7 273 239 30 57 11 1 12 32 1 0 28 49 .238 .317 .444 .761 106 4 1 2 3 2 1 .249 113 91
Batting 6th 71 7 266 226 21 50 7 1 6 27 2 3 33 45 .221 .323 .341 .664 77 5 2 3 2 1 1 .249 88 77
Batting 7th 72 7 264 235 28 65 13 0 8 26 0 2 19 31 .277 .338 .434 .773 102 4 4 4 2 3 2 .288 117 115
Batting 8th 76 7 255 224 20 58 11 0 3 19 0 0 22 39 .259 .337 .348 .686 78 5 5 3 1 8 2 .301 94 94
Batting 9th 287 7 248 210 18 40 11 2 2 15 1 0 20 69 .190 .261 .290 .551 61 7 0 18 0 1 2 .273 56 92
Bat1-2non-P 141 14 585 519 84 120 22 4 10 43 18 6 42 95 .231 .291 .347 .638 180 5 5 12 7 0 13 .261 80 72
Bat3-6non-P 271 28 1098 952 118 239 44 5 40 154 14 9 120 185 .251 .339 .434 .773 413 23 11 6 9 10 8 .270 117 92
Bat7-9non-P 225 14 621 545 58 143 31 1 13 55 1 2 56 93 .262 .339 .394 .734 215 12 9 8 3 12 5 .294 107 109

[VR]

Cordero is a ball throwin mo-chine.

[Raisor]

I think the offense needs more hugs.

[Raisor]

Tanner with the count full


I have no idea who I was talking about there

[_Sir_Charles_]

Top of 7th: Brewers now up 6-3 over the Indians
Bot of 6th: Rangers up 4-3 on the 'stros
Top of 6th: Pirates up 4-2 with the Twinkies
Top of 6th: Cards up 3-2 against the Tigers.

Ground ball from McLouth...can only get one though. Diaz moves to 2nd.

[VR]

Wily now 8-85

[nate]

We got Freaking Tanner that time but the runner moves to 2nd!

Good job by BP to catched the ball.

[Raisor]

Escobar, who is rumored to be available, trying to keep the inning alive for the Braves

[VR]

We don't want to face the batter after Escobar.

[BCubb2003]

The Nats have defeated the Yanks.

[_Sir_Charles_]

We'd be winning more if we had more production at the top of the lineup.

We'd be winning more if we had more production from the middle and the bottom of the lineup too. There aren't many spots in this lineup that aren't (or haven't) struggling this year.

[Raisor]

Willy T catched that one

[Kc61]

Willy T is good enough to catch the final out. Reds win.

[nate]

Willy catched the ball for the final out!

[_Sir_Charles_]

And this one belongs to the Reds!

Pop out to Taveras to end the game. Excellent game from Owings tonight.

[top6]

We'd be winning more if we had more production at the top of the lineup.



Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
Batting 1st 76 7 297 268 42 62 9 2 2 15 14 3 17 48 .231 .279 .302 .582 81 3 2 7 3 0 8 .271 65 60
Batting 2nd 81 7 288 251 42 58 13 2 8 28 4 3 25 47 .231 .304 .394 .698 99 2 3 5 4 0 5 .250 96 84
Batting 3rd 68 7 283 244 39 72 15 3 11 49 6 2 34 48 .295 .390 .516 .906 126 8 4 1 0 6 5 .330 154 116
Batting 4th 68 7 276 243 29 60 11 0 11 46 5 4 25 43 .247 .322 .428 .750 104 6 4 0 4 1 1 .254 110 81
Batting 5th 79 7 273 239 30 57 11 1 12 32 1 0 28 49 .238 .317 .444 .761 106 4 1 2 3 2 1 .249 113 91
Batting 6th 71 7 266 226 21 50 7 1 6 27 2 3 33 45 .221 .323 .341 .664 77 5 2 3 2 1 1 .249 88 77
Batting 7th 72 7 264 235 28 65 13 0 8 26 0 2 19 31 .277 .338 .434 .773 102 4 4 4 2 3 2 .288 117 115
Batting 8th 76 7 255 224 20 58 11 0 3 19 0 0 22 39 .259 .337 .348 .686 78 5 5 3 1 8 2 .301 94 94
Batting 9th 287 7 248 210 18 40 11 2 2 15 1 0 20 69 .190 .261 .290 .551 61 7 0 18 0 1 2 .273 56 92
Bat1-2non-P 141 14 585 519 84 120 22 4 10 43 18 6 42 95 .231 .291 .347 .638 180 5 5 12 7 0 13 .261 80 72
Bat3-6non-P 271 28 1098 952 118 239 44 5 40 154 14 9 120 185 .251 .339 .434 .773 413 23 11 6 9 10 8 .270 117 92
Bat7-9non-P 225 14 621 545 58 143 31 1 13 55 1 2 56 93 .262 .339 .394 .734 215 12 9 8 3 12 5 .294 107 109

More BB from the 9th spot than the leadoff spot. :bang:

I'll take the win though. :D Hearing those fireworks always makes being stuck in the office a little easier.

[Raisor]

The Nats have defeated the Yanks.



I'm going to go hide under my bed

[VR]

Excellent game from Owings tonight.

Indeed.

I remember the days that an Atlanta series was a sure fire loss of at least 2 games. Sweep tomorrow would be very special.

[nate]

We'd be winning more if we had more production from the middle and the bottom of the lineup too. There aren't many spots in this lineup that isn't (or hasn't) struggling this year.

I'd say the leadoff spot and it's cool .279 OBP is the spot that needs the most attention. Followed closely by the 2 spot.

[Raisor]

Willy catched the ball for the final out!

"catched" is the new catched-phrase for 2009. I demand everyone call 700 for the extra innings show and use "catched" in a sentence

[VR]

0 k's for the Reds pitching tonight. Pitch to contact works!

[Raisor]

Indeed.

I remember the days that an Atlanta series was a sure fire loss of at least 2 games..

That was because Glavine and Maddux were getting that three feet off the plate strike called every game.

[Raisor]

0 k's for the Reds pitching tonight. Pitch to contact works!

wait, the Braves didn't strike out at all, and somehow lost?

Really?

[nate]

"catched" is the new catched-phrase for 2009. I demand everyone call 700 for the extra innings show and use "catched" in a sentence

"Baseball Fever, catched it!"

[_Sir_Charles_]

I'd say the leadoff spot and it's cool .279 OBP is the spot that needs the most attention. Followed closely by the 2 spot.

Oh, I'm not disagreeing....just saying you can't really point to one or two players as the problem. There are problems all over this offensive unit right now. Slumps happen...but I rarely see an entire team slump at the same time like we're seeing currently. Getting healthy fixes quite a bit IMO...so for now, I'll remain patient and simply enjoy the pitching we're seeing.

[nate]

More BB from the 9th spot than the leadoff spot. :bang:

I'll take the win though. :D Hearing those fireworks always makes being stuck in the office a little easier.

Ugh, the 9 spot has as many BB as the 1 and 2 spots COMBINED.

Bang your head against the wall a couple times for me.

I would but I have no hair to cushion the blows.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ugh, the 9 spot has as many BB as the 1 and 2 spots COMBINED.

Not quite THAT bad. Re-read it again. You're looking at that bottom line as the 9th spot...it's a few up from there.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Btw...just to look at the bright side...that list you posted Nate...1st & 2nd spots have scored more runs than any other spot in the lineup. It ain't ALL doom & gloom.

[BCubb2003]

"catched" is the new catched-phrase for 2009. I demand everyone call 700 for the extra innings show and use "catched" in a sentence

On Father's Day, we'll remember when fathers and kids went out in the back yard and catched.

[RedFanAlways1966]

0 k's for the Reds pitching tonight. Pitch to contact works!

1st time the REDS have not struck out an opposing batter since Aug. 28, 2006. Happened at Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 of a dreadful 10-game West Coast trip that many have not forgotten (2-8 record, went from 1st place to 6 GB).

BTW... that was 418 games ago.

[Degenerate39]

1st time the REDS have not struck out an opposing batter since Aug. 28, 2006. Happened at Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 of a dreadful 10-game West Coast trip that many have not forgotten (2-8 record, went from 1st place to 6 GB).

BTW... that was 418 games ago.

Must you bring up those dreadful memories

[WVRedsFan]

Oh, I'm not disagreeing....just saying you can't really point to one or two players as the problem. There are problems all over this offensive unit right now. Slumps happen...but I rarely see an entire team slump at the same time like we're seeing currently. Getting healthy fixes quite a bit IMO...so for now, I'll remain patient and simply enjoy the pitching we're seeing.

I agree, it more than one or two players that have the problems. Offensively, the players we have are just not that good. Tavaras--you know his story. Gonzales has always been a low OBP man and putting him up top just magnifies it. Nix is a fastball only pull hitter. Hernandez is playing way out of position and that has to hurt his plate approach. Hairston is simply what he's been his entire career--not very good. Bruce is not adjusting to MLB pitching well. We have 4 or five players in our starting lineup that couldn't start for almost any other major league club. That's the problem. Until this franchise quits valuing mediocre players (the list is long), this will be the case.

Once upon a time, we went after talented players when he had a hole. No more. We either sign a has-been or a never-was. Depending on the likes of Jerry Hairston, Jr., Willy Taveras, and Alex Gonzalez to start for your team will end in misery in the long run.

[redsmetz]

From the Atlanta paper, last night's account:


Braves fall to Reds again

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cincinnati — As if the Braves’ struggles on offense weren’t frustrating enough, they had to watch Reds pitcher Micah Owings make it look so easy.

A Gainesville native and former Georgia Tech standout, Owings stroked a three-run home run off Javier Vazquez to give the Reds a two-run lead in the fifth inning and provide the winning runs in a 4-3 Reds victory.

Braves center fielder Nate McLouth catches a ball hit by the Reds’ Jay Bruce for an out in the first inning.
Owings won for the fourth time in four starts against the Braves and has three of his seven career home runs against them.

“I really didn’t know that,” Owings said. “That’s crazy. I can’t explain how things work. I just know Vazquez threw me a nasty breaking ball on the first pitch. I’m just glad I didn’t see that one again.”

The fastball Owings hit to the opposite field just cleared the right-field fence and might have been a double in other ballparks, but Vazquez got a taste of the frustration of the Great American Ball Park and an offense that has not given him much support.

Vazquez pitched a complete game and went eight innings for the second consecutive start, yet dropped to 0-3 with a 3.44 ERA over his past five starts. The Braves have lost all five of them.

“I felt good,” said Vazquez, who gave up only four hits but two homers, including Jay Bruce’s solo shot in the second inning. “To lose a game when you feel good, that’s always frustrating.”

With the Red Sox and Yankees looming larger on the horizon, the Braves needed something to feel good about Wednesday night but instead dropped to 0-2 in this series and 1-4 on this trip.

The Braves didn’t strike out in the game, but they went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners, including three on third base.

“Generally you put the ball in play, something good happens,” manager Bobby Cox said. “But it didn’t. We had runners on a few times. We swung at some bad balls with runners in scoring position, obviously. We’ve got to improve on that, or we’re never going to knock them in.”

Brian McCann helped strand a pair of runners at third base on a double play and a groundout on a rare 0-for-4 night.

“It seemed like every time I came up, I had a chance to have an impact on the game and just didn’t get it done,” McCann said. “I had four really bad at-bats tonight.”

Yunel Escobar gave the Braves a 2-1 lead on a two-run homer in the third inning, but the Braves didn’t build on that momentum. They stranded a pair of runners at third base over the next two innings and then watched as Owings stole back with momentum with his bat, in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Watching Owings clear the fences is nothing new to the Braves. They remember all too well the night in August 2007 at Turner Field when as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Owings homered twice off Buddy Carlyle. Owings is now hitting .538 (7-for-13) in his career against the Braves, with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs and six runs scored.

What made his home run more painful was the leadoff walk to Jerry Hairston and the Ryan Hanigan single ahead of him.

Before Wednesday, Vazquez had been 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA and no home runs allowed at Great American Ballpark. But he became another casualty in a stretch of nine losses in the Braves’ past 11 games here.

“You pitch a four-hitter in this ballpark, you think you’re going to win,” Cox said.

[nate]

Btw...just to look at the bright side...that list you posted Nate...1st & 2nd spots have scored more runs than any other spot in the lineup. It ain't ALL doom & gloom.

How many more runs would they have scored with just a "average" OBP up there?

Willy T leading off is pretty much indefensible at this point.

[traderumor]

How many more runs would they have scored with just a "average" OBP up there?

Willy T leading off is pretty much indefensible at this point.I would agree, and I was one of the few people that liked signing Willy T. Honestly, I think his legs are not right and have not been all year. Taveras is faster than he has shown this year. His speed is still above average, but he is not the fastest man in baseball this year. I don't know if it is age or injury, but I'm guessing the latter. And if his legs aren't right, his game is not major league level. And no, I do not need to hear snide remarks about his game not being major league level even with his speed.

[nate]

I would agree, and I was one of the few people that liked signing Willy T. Honestly, I think his legs are not right and have not been all year. Taveras is faster than he has shown this year. His speed is still above average, but he is not the fastest man in baseball this year. I don't know if it is age or injury, but I'm guessing the latter. And if his legs aren't right, his game is not major league level. And no, I do not need to hear snide remarks about his game not being major league level even with his speed.

I think he's injured too. Another way to look at it is, how many more runs would we have scored if we had Willy T's career production at the top of the lineup?

And how many if we plugged in Dickerson's season numbers?

[traderumor]

I think he's injured too. Another way to look at it is, how many more runs would we have scored if we had Willy T's career production at the top of the lineup?

And how many if we plugged in Dickerson's season numbers?I have no problem with Dickerson out there and wish Dusty would make the change and move on. I did have the same problem with Dickerson that the Reds did going into the season, and that his one month plus of production last year could not overcome a mediocre minor league career to hand him the CF job coming out of ST. Not saying WT was the answer to that question, but buying insurance at that point was a reasonable move. Now, the insurance is not even providing minimum coverage and the risk has been mitigated by what Dickerson has done on the field, so put him out there, put Taveras on the DL with "tired legs" and bring up Stubbs for a platoon partner in CF.

[redsmetz]

Here's a bit from John Kiesewater's TV & Radio blog about WLW not broadcasting the game for about a half an hour.


So what happened during the Reds game last night on WLW-AM? Why did the Reds flagship miss a couple of innings, including Micah Owings' 3-run HR in the 5th inning? Yet others heard it on the Reds Radio Network, because Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley later read an email from a serviceman in Iraq who talked about hearing the homer.

Here's what happened: WLW lost the audio link between the Kenwood studio and the Mason transmitter for about a half-hour. But the Reds Radio Network feed didn't go down, so network stations heard all of the game.

Darryl Parks, Clear Channel AM operations director here, explains it this way:


"Technically, 700WLW wasn't off the air. Our transmitters were on. We lost the audio links from the studios to the transmitter and we had enginners on site in Mason. 700WLW has three audio paths to the transmitter and none of them were feeding audio. The problem seems it may be the failure of the new encoders that are in the audio chain for the new Arbitron PPM ratings measurement that begins in the fall. It's not odd to have a technical failure with new equipment during its burn in period. There's never a good time for failure to happen, which was demonstrated last night. We were not feeding audio for about 30 minutes. The Reds on Radio Network never lost audio."