Reds/Cards July 4th, 2009

[SirFelixCat]

It's raining and is expected to continue raining all day, night, and into tomorrow, so getting ahead early is important today. Marty says, at some point, expect a rain delay.

Since we can't get a gamethread til the 2nd inning and they aren't merging the threads...

Cards:

Schumaker - 2b
Rasmus - CF
"Sir Albert" - 1b
Duncan - LF
Ankiel - RF
Molina - c
Thurston - 3b
Thompson - P
Greene - ss


Reds:

Dickerson - LF
Willy T - CF
Votto - 1b
BP - 2b
Bruce - RF
EdE - 3b
Hairston - SS
Razor Ramon - C
Owings - P

[SirFelixCat]

Come on Mods...at least merge the threads so all that isn't lost, jesus.

***from other thread***

Rasmus hit the first pitch he saw out over the RCF fence for a 1-0 lead. Otherwise, good first inning for Micah.


Bot 1:

Dickerson runs the count full then grounded out to 1B

Willy T takes an 0-2 curve and lines it to CF for a single.

Votto takes strike one and Willy T steals 2nd easily on the pitch.

Votto w/ a triple past Pujols that scores Willy T.

:beerme::jump:


VOTTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------------

BP HBP, but the ump says 'nuh-uh' and he stays at home plate w/ a 2-2 count.


Then takes inside, ball 3, full count.


He draws a BB. Nice AB, even though he wanted the rbi.

Come on Bruuuuuuuuuce!

-----------------

[SirFelixCat]

Bruce ground to Pujols, comes home and Votto easily out at home. 2 outs.

EdE grounds out, 1-3. Thru 1, 1-1.


And according to Marty, that pitch did hit BP's uniform.

[jojo]

Who is that #28 guy? BTW, it is a holiday... we're fortunate to even have a game thread today.

Thanks guys.

[SirFelixCat]

Ankiel takes the 2nd pitch and flies out, F7.

[Tom Servo]

Come on Mods...at least merge the threads so all that isn't lost, jesus.
Okay, give us (or me) a break here. I'm sorry I'm late but it's a holliday, I don't think ONE single game thread being late justifies all your complaining.

[SirFelixCat]

Molina takes the 2nd pitch and lines a single into CF. 1 out, 1 on.

[SirFelixCat]

Okay, give us (or me) a break here. I'm sorry I'm late but it's a holliday, I don't think ONE single game thread being late justifies all your complaining.

I'm not complaining to you specifically...I just disagree w/ the premise to begin with, simple as that. :shrug:

[jojo]

I'd kill to have Gehrig's bat BTW...

[SirFelixCat]

On a full count, Thurston singles up the middle for b2b singles. 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

[jojo]

Thompson batting for the cards and Larussa plays a little women's softball...

[nate]

EE with a lental mapse.

[LINEDRIVER]

Welcome Back, EEE!!!

[SirFelixCat]

Thompson showing bunt, fouls the first one off. Then takes a ball.

Then gets it down and sacrifices, 1-3. Both runners move up, 2 out, men at 2nd and 3rd. Big spot in the game, seeing as it's been raining since before the game started and is to be expected to continue thru tomorrow.

[jojo]

Thompson would make a lousy women's softball player on that taylor made out at third bunt but the new guy didn't bother covering third....

Apparently the Reds D needs to work on their dance moves a bit....

[nate]

Nice strikeout by Owings there.

[SirFelixCat]

Huge strike out after falling behing 3-1 to Greene. Thru 1.5, 1-1. Good job, Micah!

[Tony Cloninger]

So i see another runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs and another ball either hit to the most inopportune place......either right at 3rd or 1st or the pitcher...or a flyball not too deep. Always the same or so it seems.

[nate]

Thompson would make a lousy women's softball player on that taylor made out at third bunt but the new guy didn't bother covering third....

Apparently the Reds D needs to work on their dance moves a bit....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ahs0YP_qZU&feature=player_embedded

[VR]

what did EE do?

[Hoosier Red]

Welsh raked him over the coals, but I don't see how that's Edwins' fault, the play from what it sounds like is that its his job to field the ball if it gets past Owings. But if he's not charging and it gets past Owings, its a base hit. From the sound of it, either Hairston covers 3rd or he doesn't.

[nate]

He kind of got caught in no man's land on the bunt. Owings fielded it in time but there was no one covering 3rd because EE had come in to field it.

[SirFelixCat]

Hairston goes down like a submarine, at least, swinging. 1 out.

[jojo]

Welsh raked him over the coals, but I don't see how that's Edwins' fault, the play from what it sounds like is that its his job to field the ball if it gets past Owings. But if he's not charging and it gets past Owings, its a base hit. From the sound of it, either Hairston covers 3rd or he doesn't.

Somebody has to cover third? :dunno:

[Falls City Beer]

Ump is giving strikes 3-4 inches off the left and right of the plate. But definitely not giving the low strike. Owings has had three clear low strikes called for balls.

[SirFelixCat]

Razor Ramon takes the 8th pitch in the ab and flies out to deep cf. The crowd liked it off the bat, but not THAT deep, 2 out.

[nate]

OWINGS! OH my! Home run to center!

[SirFelixCat]

Micah, HR...easy game!

:jump:

Into the Reds BP...so sick. So so sick!

[kaldaniels]

Awesome. :beerme:

[nate]

OK, leftish center.

[Falls City Beer]

Owings is the only Red other than Votto that knows what to do with a curveball.

[nate]

Dickerson follows up with a single to LF.

[SirFelixCat]

Dickerson lines the first pitch into LF for a single. I like what I'm seeing from the offense today, except w/ runners @ 3b and less than 2 outs.

[SirFelixCat]

410 ft HR by Owings.

Does that make him "country strong"?

[VR]

Man it would have been nice to have him bat during interleague play.

[nate]

Willy T gets the bunt single down! Dickerson to 2nd.

[Brutus]

Dickerson continues to sport an OBP over .385.

[SirFelixCat]

Willy T w/ a bunt single.


hey, he's been good the last week. Won't sustain it, but I'll take it!

[Falls City Beer]

Thurston = weak.

[SirFelixCat]

Votto up...

Tripled in his first AB.

Marty says the grass is very wet and footing is treacherous. Would love another hit here please!

[Kc61]

Maybe I just don't remember, but Owings homer is the first Reds homer I can recall in days.

I like the Dickerson/Taveras top of the order. I'd rather see that combo with Nix on the bench, so long as Taveras doesn't lead off. If he hits some grounders and bunts and runs fast with Dickerson on base, it could lead to good stuff.

I'm starting to get over last night. A little.

[jojo]

Brad Thompson is a tee.

[Falls City Beer]

Yet another pitch 4 inches off the dish called strike. :confused:

[SirFelixCat]

Votto K's looking, but Votto mildly argues w/ the ump on that one. Bah.

Thru 2, 2-1 Good Guys!

[nate]

Wow, late call on strike 3?

[Hoosier Red]

Somebody has to cover third? :dunno:

I'd have Hairston do it. Encarnacion has to commit to covering the bunt, and theirs' little benefit of having Hairston cover 2nd, any DP would likely be 3rd base to 1st base.

[VR]

If CDick and WT could OBP .350 the rest of the year at 1/2.....this team would have a very good shot at making the playoffs.

[jojo]

Tough called strike.

[Falls City Beer]

Note to Owings: exploit strike zone the width of Bam Bam Bigelow's arse.

[SirFelixCat]

*Obligatory MLB blackout rules rant*

Fox isn't showing a game until 1pm local here (2 more hours from now), yet I can't watch any beisbol. God I hate these dumb $$$ driven blackout rules!!!:mad:

/rant

[jojo]

I'd have Hairston do it. Encarnacion has to commit to covering the bunt, and theirs' little benefit of having Hairston cover 2nd, any DP would likely be 3rd base to 1st base.

That's why I blamed the D... wires were crossed.

[VR]

Rich Harden got lit up vs. the Brewers today.....now sporting a 5.35 earnie.

[SirFelixCat]

Hairston drops a backhand and Shumaker w/ a single. Bah.

[Falls City Beer]

I'm guessing the umps want to get this one in. Is bad weather approaching, I'd guess?

[SirFelixCat]

Micah is working ahead of most hitters and getting 1st pitch strikes. While it's not the end-all-be-all, it definitely helps things out. Good to see!

[SirFelixCat]

I'm guessing the umps want to get this one in. Is bad weather approaching, I'd guess?

Been raining all day and will continue thru til tomorrow. Expecting at least 1 delay today.

[nate]

I'm guessing the umps want to get this one in. Is bad weather approaching, I'd guess?

Thom and Chris said it's raining lightly now.

[SirFelixCat]

Down goes Rasmus swinging! 1 out, 1 on.

[Falls City Beer]

Been raining all day and will continue thru til tomorrow. Expecting at least 1 delay today.

At least that partially explains the Mac truck strike zone.

[Brutus]

Walk Him! Walk Him! Walk Albert.

[Falls City Beer]

Eww. Would be very nice to get tomorrow's game rained out! And win today of course. Hopefully by make up time Carpenter would be back on the DL.

[SirFelixCat]

Micah fools Pujols on a change up to even the count, 2-2.


BP runs after a foul, up onto the tarp and into the crowd, but it was too deep. He's fine though. Still 2-2 to Pujols, 1 out, 1 on.

[Tom Servo]

Note to Owings: exploit strike zone the width of Bam Bam Bigelow's arse.
I like these understandable comparisons.

[TheNext44]

Willy T w/ a bunt single.


hey, he's been good the last week. Won't sustain it, but I'll take it!

Over the last 10 games, Taveras's numbers:

.375 .390 .461 .851

Raised his season OPS around 40 points to around .582. Yippieee!

[oneupper]

Last Night Pujols also hit a foul just out of Votto's reach before...well doing that thing.

[SirFelixCat]

Quite the battle going on here. next pitch (3-2) will be the 9th pitch of the AB. Just be smart, Micah, please.


And he walked him. That's ok by me.

[KoryMac5]

Just looked at the Weather Radar and things don't look good for getting this game in today.

[nate]

Pujols walks after a long AB.

[SirFelixCat]

1st and 2nd, 1 out and Duncan up to make an out...or two :)

[Brutus]

Thank you for listening, Micah.

BTW... this game is gonna be wiped out. There's nothing but solid rain for the next several hours. If they can't get to 4 1/2 innings by the time the delay starts, it does not look promising. The heavy stuff will be in Cincinnati fairly soon.

[SirFelixCat]

He gone on 3 pitches...woot!

[Tom Servo]

Owings K's Duncan.

[jojo]

Pujols is a pitch sponge....

[Falls City Beer]

Hitters really don't have much of a chance with this strike zone. Keeps the pace vigorous, which I like.

[nate]

Duncan Ks looking. He seemed to be a bit cross with the umpire over the call.

[SirFelixCat]

From the sounds of things and mlb.com's gameday, Micah really has his changeup working quite well today. Again, lots of 1st pitch strikes. :thumbup:

[Brutus]

Hitters really don't have much of a chance with this strike zone. Keeps the pace vigorous, which I like.

Need to get through exactly 2 more innings (assuming Cincinnati keeps the lead) and do so very quickly.

[nate]

A deep flyout to the track in right ends the inning.

[SirFelixCat]

And an easy, albeit deep, F9 to end the inning!

Thru 2.5, 2-1 Good guys!

[SirFelixCat]

BP with a hustle single and the throw goes into the stands!!!

It was a grounder to SS and he threw it away.

0 out, man on 2nd, for Bruuuuuuce.

[nate]

BP reaches on an error. Ends up at 2B on the throw into the dugout.

[jojo]

Greene was probably trying to throw a snotball

[Tom Servo]

Argh, I thought Bruce hit it out.

[nate]

Man, Bruce just gets under one that ends up being caught deep. BP advances to 3B.

[SirFelixCat]

Bah.

Bruce crushes one to DEEP CF but it's playable and caught. Advances BP to 3rd though!

1 out, for EdE.

[Kc61]

Bruce is very proficient at hitting outfield fly balls.

[SirFelixCat]

EdE K's swinging. Bah.

Wait!

BP scores on a bad throw by Molina down to 3b when he tried to pick off BP!!! He sent it into LF and BP can jog in to score! 3-1 good guys!

Then Hairston w/ a double!

[Tom Servo]

Thanks, Yodier. At least George still thinks you're a Hall of Famer.

[nate]

You don't see that everyday! Lol.

EE Ks but Molina drops it, tags EE and quick throws down to third to get BP but throws it into LF. BP scores.

[nate]

And then JHJ doubles.

[Blitz Dorsey]

I love it! I despise Yadi Molina. He talks trash and stares everyone down and gets away with it. I think he's a punk. Love to see him make a blunder like that!

[BCubb2003]

Productive strikeout by Edwin.

[Brutus]

Now just get through 1.5 more innings. Swing at everything! :-)

[Kc61]

Hairston seems to have perked up after a down period. A double.

[jojo]

EE looks silly then Molina steals the scene...

[SirFelixCat]

Razor Ramon flies out to deep RF, but it's caught.

Thru 3, 3-1 good guys!

Get thru this another 1.5 innings and it's official! quick 1-2-3 here Micah!

[Brutus]

Razor Ramon flies out to deep RF, but it's caught.

Thru 3, 3-1 good guys!

Get thru this another 1.5 innings and it's official! quick 1-2-3 here Micah!

No kidding. Where's Miguel Olivo when you need him?

[nate]

Molina(?) lines out to Dickerson.

[SirFelixCat]

1 pitch, 1 out. Molina being a team player! :thumbup:

[Brutus]

Yadier doing his part!

[SirFelixCat]

First pitch, per gameday, to Thurston, was right down the middle. Called a ball?!?

[nate]

Thurston grounds out, 3-1.

2 down.

[jojo]

It's sadsack to openly root for rain on the 4th....

[SirFelixCat]

GO to Votto. 3-1 put out...that one was a bit drawn out. 3 pitches. Thurston not as much a team player :)

Thompson up now.

[nate]

First pitch, per gameday, to Thurston, was right down the middle. Called a ball?!?

Yeah, it was low.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Love me some Yadi today. He is really stepping up!

[nate]

It's sadsack to openly root for rain on the 4th....

We're Reds fans!

[BCubb2003]

I wonder what would happen if the Gameday pitch display was shown on the scoreboard.

[nate]

Owings Ks Thompson. End of inning.

[Blitz Dorsey]

It's sadsack to openly root for rain on the 4th....

After last night, I'll take 'em anyway I can get 'em.

[SirFelixCat]

"Bleu Bayou!"


That was quick :thumbup:

[Brutus]

It's sadsack to openly root for rain on the 4th....

Take 'em how you can get 'em.

I would not ordinarily be rooting for that type of thing. However, it's clear this game probably won't be finished once it's suspended. The rain is ominous. So with that in mind, I want to get to the middle of the 5th as soon as humanly possible.

[VR]

You have to like Owings as your #5 starter.

With Homer looking 'for real' it certainly makes Arroyo a wise choice to move now with his salary...and for once, save money AND get better.

[Brutus]

You have to like Owings as your #5 starter.

With Homer looking 'for real' it certainly makes Arroyo a wise choice to move now with his salary...and for once, save money AND get better.

I'll trade Arroyo for Volquez. :-)

[BCubb2003]

Since the rain is going to come anyway, what we're rooting for is the fifth inning.

[TRF]

How good has Owings been over the last month or so?

[nate]

Chat is open!

[Blitz Dorsey]

We need a solo shot from Dickerson, then two quick outs. That's the game plan. Now just execute it.

[Brutus]

In other news, Milwaukee is beating the Cubs worse than a red-headed step child.

[SirFelixCat]

Micah continuing to be a team player, 1 pitch, grounds it back to Thompson, 1 out.

[Blitz Dorsey]

C'mon Chris, we said HR, not walk, get with the program.

[SirFelixCat]

Dickerson w/ another stellar AB.

Draws a BB.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Ahh, we can always count on Willy to go up there swingin'.

[Tom Servo]

Taveras lines into a Phillips.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Now hold 'em Micah and this there is an O-fficial game!

[jojo]

What does everyone think about the hats?

[Gallen5862]

Let's go Reds. We need a win today.

[SirFelixCat]

Bah, Dickerson w/ a hit'n run and lined to Ankiel, doubles up Dickerson easily.

Thru 4, 3-1 good guys!

[redsfandan]

How good has Owings been over the last month or so?
In June he was 2-2, 3.72 era, 15 k's, 15 walks in 29 ip, 44 total baserunners allowed.

[jojo]

Rather than rooting for quick outs, I think the Reds need a few more runs.

[RedsManRick]

HAVOC!

[TRF]

In June he was 2-2, 3.72 era, 15 k's, 15 walks in 29 ip, 44 total baserunners allowed.

for a #5 starter, that's pretty good.

[RedsManRick]

What does everyone think about the hats?

I like the hats when they're usually red anyways, like they are today. Can't stand the ones on teams who don't have red caps though.

[oneupper]

If Taveras is going to play, I'm perfectly OK with him bunting almost every time. What was wrong with a bunt there?

[Blitz Dorsey]

Owings is hummin'.

[SirFelixCat]

Greene...he gone!


Record number of K's for Micah today w/ 6 woot!

[Blitz Dorsey]

Two more outs, two more outs...

[Blitz Dorsey]

One more out, one more out...

[Tom Servo]

How good has Owings been over the last month or so?
I never understood the calls for his head. He's a perfectly acceptable back of the rotation guy.

[redsfandan]

for a #5 starter, that's pretty good.
And he's making about 1/20th of what Arroyo is making. :thumbup:

[SirFelixCat]

Nice play to snag the liner. 2 outs!

[redsfandan]

I never understood the calls for his head. He's a perfectly acceptable back of the rotation guy.
I think some people want to have 5 aces. Nevermind how unrealistic that is.

[Tony Cloninger]

Everything is fine until he turns in some 4-5 inning...5 ER or so game....then ...comes The Reign of Terror from whatever poster dislikes him to begin with.

[jojo]

I think Bud needs to bring back double headers....

[SirFelixCat]

Easy out...DEEEEEEEEEP to Bruce. It's an official game!


Thru 4.5, 3-1 Good guys!

[Blitz Dorsey]

I like Owings as a No. 5 starter or as a reliever. Either way, I hope the Reds keep him for a few years.

Oh yeah, and he just so happens to be an excellent hitter for a pitcher too (and just a good hitter, period).

Nice, it's now an official game. Let it rain, let it rain!

[Brutus]

Now I want to see a 35-minute inning where the Reds tack on another 3-5 runs just to be safe. After that, rain away.

[Tom Servo]

Votto homers!

[SirFelixCat]

Jesus, Votto is good!

[redsfandan]

Unfortunately Owings usually doesn't last much longer than 5 ip so the rain would come in handy.

Way to go Joey! :thumbup:

[Blitz Dorsey]

Crack a bottle, let your body waddle, don't try to pitch to Joey Votto, we just hit the lotto!

[BCubb2003]

Unfortunately Owings usually doesn't last much longer than 5 ip so the rain would come in handy.



I wouldn't be surprised if he improves on that in the next few years.

[SirFelixCat]

BP lines a single out to LF!

[Blitz Dorsey]

The rain is starting to come down perrty hard.

Bruce with a single.. first and third no outs.

[SirFelixCat]

Single to RF for Bruce!

BP goes to 3b!

Woohoo!

No outs!

[redsfandan]

How hard is the rain?

[jojo]

It's looking more and more like the Reds wont need rain in this one.

[SirFelixCat]

EdE w/ an ugly K :(

[SirFelixCat]

Suicide squeeze!


Foulded off. Whew. Would have been dead.

[jojo]

EdE w/ an ugly K :(

He hasn't had good at bats today.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Nice! 5-1 Reds.

[Tom Servo]

Run scoring ground out!

[SirFelixCat]

5-4-3 but couldn't turn the DP!!!

Run scores! 5-1 good guys!

[Blitz Dorsey]

Joe Thurston is flat crackin' me up! He is a AAA player at best!

[jojo]

I love the suicide squeeze, but that attempt wasnt nirvana.

[jojo]

Joe Thurston is flat crackin' me up! He is a AAA player at best!

It probably wasn't the best decision of his career.

[SirFelixCat]

Ramon P6 to end the inning. But a good one for the good guys!

Thru 5, 5-1!

[redsfandan]

I'd love it if Votto is added to the all-star team. I know it's doubtful but damn he's been impressive.

[SirFelixCat]

Pujols w/ a single to RF. 0 out, 1 on.

[SirFelixCat]

He just walked Duncan on 4 straight pitches. He's struck him out the previous 2 times. Ugh. Time to get the pen warming.

[SirFelixCat]

Interesting play...

4-6 putout, but it bounced off of BP and goes right to JHJ, thankfully for the force out!


Men at the corners, 1 out. Moline up.

[Tom Servo]

I just knew it was going to bounce off BP's glove. As soon as it was hit. At least they managed to get one out instead of bases loaded, no outs.

[Tom Servo]

Well, that didn't work.

[SirFelixCat]

F-9...OMG...


Bruce w/ the throw to the plate. Cut off, throw to 2nd, then back to home and Pujols is safe. Ugh.


5-2 now, 2 outs.

[redsfandan]

If Owings can finish the inning I'd have to think about turning it over to the bullpen for the last 3 innings.

[Tom Servo]

Oh man, that was scary.

[SirFelixCat]

Leaping catch by Bruce!!!


Thru 5.5, 5-2 good guys!

Come on rain!

[kaldaniels]

If the game somehow gets in, the cycle is in play for Votto. He's got the 2 hard parts done.

[SirFelixCat]

1 pitch, Micah bunts, right back to the pitcher. 1 out.

[redsfandan]

Holy heck, didn't realize he got a triple. Didn't think he could.

[SirFelixCat]

Dickerson 6-3 go. 2 out.

[SirFelixCat]

Willy T w/ his 3rd hit today w/ a single into RF.

[Tony Cloninger]

Bad idea to stretch Owings....he wears down at a Milton like pace.

[SirFelixCat]

Deeep fly out for Votto into LF. Thru 6, 5-2 Good Guys!

[redsfandan]

Umm they're keeping him in for the start of the 7th?? Hope the bullpen is ready.

[Mario-Rijo]

Seemed like Reds batters were afraid they were gonna melt, like 5 pitches to 4 batters. You can tell they aren't a veteran group. Use that weather to your advantage.

[Falls City Beer]

Under 100 pitches, bottom of the order up. Don't have a problem with him starting the inning.

[SirFelixCat]

1 pitch to Hoffpauir, 1 out. Nice.

Owings still pitching.

[Tom Servo]

I get the Cardinals feed and they showed Walt Jocketty. He seemed pretty bored. I felt this was important enough to share with you all.

[SirFelixCat]

2 pitches, 2 outs now.


Greene lined out to JHJ. Nice.

[oneupper]

Anyone else not comfortable with a 3 run lead?

[Falls City Beer]

I get the Cardinals feed and they showed Walt Jocketty. He seemed pretty bored. I felt this was important enough to share with you all.

He's just scowly. He really brightens up when he talks though.

[redsfandan]

Owings typically doesn't eat up alot of innings. This is about how long he usually lasts.

[Mario-Rijo]

Anyone else not comfortable with a 3 run lead?

Old habits die hard.

[Tony Cloninger]

Well the Cardinals are going all Willy T for Owings....so it works out.

[Falls City Beer]

Take him out.

[SirFelixCat]

6 pitch AB by Schumaker, past a diving BP, single. 2 outs for Rasmus.

[Tom Servo]

Rasmus' running eye black makes it look like he's been crying.

[SirFelixCat]

PUjols on deck...please get Rasmus here.

And that's it for Micah!

Great outing for him. Time for the BP to redeem themselves!

[Blitz Dorsey]

Great freakin' job Micah!

(These kids need to learn how to tip their caps though. Ha.)

[redsfandan]

Good start for Owings. I know some people were afraid of the Cardinals vs our 3 "worst" starting pitchers. So far the starters have been just fine.

[Falls City Beer]

As usual, I'm disappointed in the obvious lack of a book the Reds have on Rasmus.

[oneupper]

Quality Start AND a home run. Not a bad day!

[SirFelixCat]

DRH in to face Ludwick (PH).

[guttle11]

Any chance Pujols doesn't tie the game?

[Tom Servo]

Pujols coming up with the chance to tie the game.


Ugh.

[SirFelixCat]

Bloop single and that's it for DRH.


Massett coming in. This is the right call imo.

[Falls City Beer]

I'd rather Dr. H face Ludwick than Rasmus, tbh. Reds' pitchers clearly have no clue how to pitch to him.

[SirFelixCat]

I believe Massett gets him this time.

[WVRedsFan]

Maybe they've figured out DRH The last 6 batters have 4 hits!

[Falls City Beer]

Any chance Pujols doesn't tie the game?

Probably very little, but I like Masset's chances more than any other reliever in the pen of getting it done.

[Mario-Rijo]

Bloop single and that's it for DRH.


Massett coming in. This is the right call imo.

Absolutely and he should always been the one to pitch to Albert out of the pen with only Cordero 2nd. He gives us the best chance to beat him.

[Tom Servo]

We survived!

[Falls City Beer]

Dude's a top-shelf MR.

[SirFelixCat]

Told ya he'd get'em!


Easy 4-3 GO!

Thru 6.5, good guys lead, 5-2!

[WVRedsFan]

Good job by Nick Massett.

[KoryMac5]

Nice confidence builder for Massett there.

[guttle11]

If that doesn't show you who the true set-up man on this team is, nothing will.

[redsfandan]

Did everyone hold their breath or was I the only one?

[SirFelixCat]

I wasn't around for yesterday's game, but apparently Dusty blew it w/ Weathers facing Pujols and he got blasted for it.

Well, he def. made the right call today w/ Massett. I guess Massett got hit by a comebacker and that's why he came out yesterday?

[SirFelixCat]

Did everyone hold their breath or was I the only one?

Not at all, tbh. I think Massett is the best reliever on this team.

[oneupper]

Did everyone hold their breath or was I the only one?

Just till I was a light shade of blue. Fortunately not a long AB!

[Mario-Rijo]

Did everyone hold their breath or was I the only one?

I honestly didn't. Masset has the requisite stuff to get Pujols out consistently if there are those types.

[Mario-Rijo]

I wasn't around for yesterday's game, but apparently Dusty blew it w/ Weathers facing Pujols and he got blasted for it.

Well, he def. made the right call today w/ Massett. I guess Massett got hit by a comebacker and that's why he came out yesterday?

Yeah right on the inside of the right forearm about just below the elbow, pretty hard to.

[Tom Servo]

Not exactly a thrilling first game back for EE.

[WVRedsFan]

Wow! Impatience personified. How many pitches did Bruce and Edwin see? 2. I think he only threw8 or 9 pitches.

[Kc61]

Reds out in the seventh. Bruce with a fly ball out. Has to work on that swing to hit more liners, fewer fly outs.

[redsfandan]

Eh it's his 1st game. When the others slump we'll need him to step up. Fortunately the offense has been ok lately.

[WVRedsFan]

You never get enough runs against the Cardinals.

[KoryMac5]

I might have stayed with Massett especially since he faced only one batter.

[Tom Servo]

King Arthur in to pitch. Gives up a single to start.

[SirFelixCat]

Big pickoff. Good job, Arthur!

[BCubb2003]

"How bright is that?"

[WVRedsFan]

inning over with the Reds leading 5-2.

<fingers crossed>

[kaldaniels]

That was easy enough. Going to the bottom of the 8th.

[Tony Cloninger]

I knew Baker would put Rhodes back out there to redeem himself.

So Bruce has become entranced by this park's propensity to give up home runs...and is just upper cutting everything?

[WVRedsFan]

Hairston, Hernandez and ? due up.

[WVRedsFan]

Hernandez singles after Hairston flies out.

[Tom Servo]

Nix nails a double.

[WVRedsFan]

Nix pinch hits for Rhodes. Nix doubles off Schumaker's glove. 2nd and 3rd with one out.

[Tony Cloninger]

PLEASE...do something with this runner at 3rd..at least.

[kaldaniels]

CD is hitting ~.350 and OPSing over .800 since June 1.

[Kc61]

I knew Baker would put Rhodes back out there to redeem himself.

So Bruce has become entranced by this park's propensity to give up home runs...and is just upper cutting everything?

His fly ball rate is high, his line drive rate is down. Bruce needs to level his swing off. It's probably an adjustment he can make pretty easily but it seems fairly obvious to me.

[WVRedsFan]

PLEASE...do something with this runner at 3rd..at least.
Dickerson up. It's up to him Taveras has his hits for the day.

You never get too many runs against StL.

[Kc61]

Gee, has Gomes hit yet? I would have hit Gomes for Dickerson here.

[WVRedsFan]

I guess they wanted defense in the 9th.

[WVRedsFan]

Dickerson hopeless against the lefty. Taken third strike, the most infuriating play in baseball (to me).

[TRF]

Gee, has Gomes hit yet? I would have hit Gomes for Dickerson here.

I think finding out if CD can hit LH's with a 3 run lead is the right move.

[Kc61]

I guess they wanted defense in the 9th.

Reds could have used Nix in left field. I understand Dusty wants to bring Dickerson along, but he still struggles against lefties, Gomes feasts off them, just disagree with Dusty there.

[Falls City Beer]

You never get too many runs against StL.

You know it's going to be a nailbiter in the 9th. I'll say they hold on by a run.