9/7/09 - Reds vs. Rockies

[Tom Servo]

Stubbs CF
Janish SS
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Rolen 3B
Gomes LF
McDonald RF
Miller C
Bailey P

Rox:
Gonzalez
Smith
Helton
Tulowitzki
Hawpe
Stewart
Barmes
Ianetta
Jimenez

[WVRedsFan]

McDonald has pictures. It has to be. Fire Dusty.

[Tom Servo]

Ubaldo makes Stubbs look silly.

[nate]

Chat is open!

[redsmetz]

McDonald has pictures. It has to be. Fire Dusty.

He might have pictures of his stat sheet which shows him at .333/.360/.542 and an OPS of .902 since his return. This is only his 5th start in 12 games.

[Tom Servo]

Reds go 1-2-3.

[Brutus]

Ubaldo makes Stubbs look silly.

Ubaldo has definitely been making a lot of people look silly recently. He's been real good.

[Tom Servo]

Bailey K's Gonzalez.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Because I do not believe in a jinx (sorry if you do)....

A win today will give the REDS 8 straight wins. That feat has been accomplished by the REDS only 5 times in the last 15 years. Only once in the 2000s.

10 > June 21 - July 1, 1999
10 > July 2 - July 15, 1998
9 >> May 22 - May 31, 1995
8 >> May 31 - June 8, 2006
8 >> May 28 - June 6, 1999

[Tom Servo]

Bailey K's Smith. 2 out.

[redsmetz]

Nice opening frame for Homer.

[Tom Servo]

Helton pops up to 3rd. 1-2-3 inning for Homer. 0-0 after 1.

[Brutus]

Definitely a good inning for Bailey.

[Tom Servo]

BP singles over the second baseman on the first pitch.

[Tom Servo]

Rolen walks. First and second with no outs.

[Brutus]

Another 'professional' at-bat by Rolen. Very good job.

[Tom Servo]

Gomes hits into a double play. 2 outs.

[Tom Servo]

McDonald K's. No score after 1 1/2.

[BCubb2003]

He might have pictures of his stat sheet which shows him at .333/.360/.542 and an OPS of .902 since his return. This is only his 5th start in 12 games.

Apparently it's a picture of his birth certificate, which shows he was born in the Denver area.

[redsmetz]

Apparently it's a picture of his birth certificate, which shows he was born in the Denver area.

Well that would explain it too. Nice super sleuthing.

[Tom Servo]

Tulo pops up to Rolen. 1 out.

[VR]

McDonald getting the start because he is from Denver.

It's always a good way to pick your starting lineup....and fantastic news for Balentien, as he should finally get a lot of ab's when they play the Curacao Wildcats.

[Tom Servo]

Hawpe walks on 3-2. 1 on, 1 out.

[Tom Servo]

George Grande loves Jim Tracy like he were Jim Edmonds.

[VR]

George Grande loves Jim Tracy like he were Jim Edmonds.

and you know his story.

[Tom Servo]

Bailey K's Stewart. 2 out, 1 on.

[WVRedsFan]

McDonald getting the start because he is from Denver.

It's always a good way to pick your starting lineup....and fantastic news for Balentien, as he should finally get a lot of ab's when they play the Curacao Wildcats.

I was thinking about a good comeback, but you supplied it. We went along with Hairston's fantastic numbers over a short period of time and we got exactly what we deserved. Not much. And starting people because they come from a certain area is stupid. They should be starting Balentien every day because he has potential. McDonald has not.

[Tom Servo]

Barmes pops up to Janish. 0-0 after 2 innings.

[11larkin11]

Bailey through 2, 34 pitches, 31 of which have been 4 seam fastballs, 2 changes and one curveball

[VR]

3 k's and 3 pop ups for Bailey.

Just freaky dominant so far....and it looks like he knows it.

I like it.

[11larkin11]

and you know his story.

My favorite part of "you know his story" is that even though we supposedly know a story, George likes to tell it to us anyways

[Brutus]

I was thinking about a good comeback, but you supplied it. We went along with Hairston's fantastic numbers over a short period of time and we got exactly what we deserved. Not much. And starting people because they come from a certain area is stupid. They should be starting Balentien every day because he has potential. McDonald has not.

It's stupid unless you have a lot of family members in town to watch you play (which I believe he does). In which case, I'm actually fine with it.

[WVRedsFan]

BTW, last night they celebrated 30 years of SportsCenter last night and guess who was the first guest? George Grande. They also showed old clips while he was on the network 30 years ago. You can't escape him.

[HokieRed]

Homer's pounding the zone with his best pitch. He's learning.

[WVRedsFan]

It's stupid unless you have a lot of family members in town to watch you play (which I believe he does). In which case, I'm actually fine with it.

And that relates to winning a ball game how?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bailey strikes out.

SEND HIM DOWN! :O)

[Tom Servo]

Corky grounded out to short.
Homer K'ed.

[Tom Servo]

Stubbs walks(!) 1 on, two out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice AB there from Drew. 0-2 and works the walk.

[WVRedsFan]

Wonder why Janish was bunting?

[Tom Servo]

Stubbs caught stealing, but I'm not sure he didn't get in before the tag. 0-0 after 2 1/2.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nailed trying to swipe second. Stubbs has impressed me overall, but he seems to get pretty poor jumps on his stolen base attempts.

His speed compensates quite a bit, but somebody should work on him with getting secondary leads and such. Eric Davis would be a good choice I'd think

[Brutus]

And that relates to winning a ball game how?

It doesn't. But you have a group of players that are supposedly good enough to play at this level. You've got to trust them to play once in a while. If they're not good enough, they shouldn't be there.

Even then, players (in theory) are not going to start every game anyhow. So I don't mind rewarding a guy in an isolated case with a start in his hometown.

[11larkin11]

Stubbs thrown out, but it is pretty hard to steal on a 98 MPH fastball and a perfect throw

[redsmetz]

I was thinking about a good comeback, but you supplied it. We went along with Hairston's fantastic numbers over a short period of time and we got exactly what we deserved. Not much. And starting people because they come from a certain area is stupid. They should be starting Balentien every day because he has potential. McDonald has not.

McDonald's numbers since the call up likewise warranted a start. Being from Denver is just icing on the cake. It's happened since time immemorable.

[Tom Servo]

George Grande isn't into Fantasy Football. More and more he proves himself to be a real life Ned Flanders.

[Tom Servo]

Ianetta pops up to Votto. 1 out.

[11larkin11]

George's impersonation of Harry Kalas just made my day

[mth123]

It doesn't. But you have a group of players that are supposedly good enough to play at this level. You've got to trust them to play once in a while. If they're not good enough, they shouldn't be there.

Even then, players (in theory) are not going to start every game anyhow. So I don't mind rewarding a guy in an isolated case with a start in his hometown.

Agree. especially a career minor leaguer possibly on his last cup of coffee in the big leagues at the tail end of a lost season. I've no problem with it at all. Let him have his moment. Balentien will have plenty of chances and Dusty's probably doing him a favor by sitting him against Ubaldo anyway.

Wish we had Ubaldo.

[Tom Servo]

Jimenez bounces one back to Homer but it goes off his glove and he can't locate it and Jimenez reaches. 1 on, 1 out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crummy break on the comebacker to Bailey. Ubaldo safe at first.

[WVRedsFan]

What is it with the Reds and pitchers. Lucky hit by Jiminez. Janish seemed to hesitate on that one. I guess he thought Homer had it.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Sheesh. Another hit off a Reds glove. This time Brandon's. Might be an E.

[Tom Servo]

Gonzalez hits on at BP but he can't hold onto it. 2 on, 1 out.

[BCubb2003]

I'm going to assume the double play and no one can stop me.

[WVRedsFan]

E on Brandon. I imagine the Gold Glove was a one year thing, but that was a hot shot.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Yep, ruled an error on Phillips. I kind assumed it would be.

[Tom Servo]

Bailey K's Smith looking. 2 out.

[WVRedsFan]

Great two seam fastball to get the K. Wow, he's learning and fast.

[Tom Servo]

Helton singles in a run but BP guns down the 2nd runner at home. 1-0 Rockies after 3.

[WVRedsFan]

Reminded me of the play where Stubbs tried to score on the short fly last night. Coaches had no business sending either player, but if it had worked...

[flyer85]

gotta love that play from Corky. He sat on home plate and was willing to take a hit but he left nothing for Gonzalez

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice! Votto catches a break and ends up at second. E? ... yes, single and an error.

Janish advances to third. (he singled by the way)

[Tom Servo]

Janish singles off Tulo's glove.
Votto singles, Janish to third and Votto advances to second.

2nd and 3rd with no outs.

[WVRedsFan]

Strange way the ball is bouncing in this park. Chris just mentioned the T word saying Denver helped him. Do tell.

[Tom Servo]

Ughhh.

BP lines out to 2nd and they turn two as Votto was off 2nd. 2 out, 1 on

[WVRedsFan]

Good grief. Votto caught napping which happens more and more lately.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crud! Line drive right to the 2nd baseman to double up Votto.

2 down for Rolen (Janish still at third)

[kaldaniels]

The 3rd was still a good inning from Bailey...pitch to contact and let the dust fall where it may. If he walked Helton it could have gotten ugly.

[Tom Servo]

Rolen singles Janish in. 1-1 game.

[Tom Servo]

Gomes with a 2 run homer!
:jump:

[VR]

Good grief. Votto caught napping which happens more and more lately.

Indeed. No business running on that play.

[Tom Servo]

McDonald K's but the Reds lead 3-1 after 3 1/2.

[HokieRed]

Gomes now at better than 1 HR every 13 AB. 520 AB=40+HRS.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Man! I walk away for 5 minutes and miss all the fun. :O)

[Tom Servo]

Tulo walks. 1 on, 1 out.

[Tom Servo]

Sorry, no more PBP from me for the time being.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Homer getting squeezed a bit here vs. Hawpe

[_Sir_Charles_]

Back to back walks...0 outs

Squeezed BAD on the Hawpe AB.

Phillips Error changed to a hit...and now it's an earned run for Bailey.

[WVRedsFan]

Homer doing his best old Homer imitation.

[WVRedsFan]

I think we got a problem. This could be a big inning--for the Rockies. Not good.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Strikeout! 1 down.

[mth123]

Strikeout! 1 down.

Bottom of the order coming up now. Don't let up.

[KoryMac5]

I think we got a problem. This could be a big inning--for the Rockies. Not good.

Debbie Downer around here a bit, have some faith in the guys.

[mth123]

Barmes FO to Gomes. Tulo to 3B. 2 outs.

[KoryMac5]

Stubbs needs to call that ball! Come on Drew.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Barmes FO to Gomes. Tulo to 3B. 2 outs.

Shouldn't have been able to advance...a bit of confusion between Gomes & Stubbs there allowed the runner to go to 3rd.

[WVRedsFan]

Debbie Downer around here a bit, have some faith in the guys.

I think we went to different schools together. Cute blonde :)

Seriously, just a comment on the game. You can't tell me you didn't have doubts.

[VR]

Homer getting squeezed

[_Sir_Charles_]

Iannetta walks. Squeezed again. Marty actually complaining about his pitch count. He should be complaining about the defense & the ball/strike calling.

[11larkin11]

Homer with his 4th walk, but two of those should have been Ks. Hawpe earlier and now Ianetta. He got squeezed bad

[KoryMac5]

I think we went to different schools together. Cute blonde :)

Seriously, just a comment on the game. You can't tell me you didn't have doubts.

A few weeks ago yes, now not so much doubt with the way these guys are playing.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ubaldo grounds out to end the drama though. 3-1 Redlegs

[WVRedsFan]

Homer getting squeezed

Big time.
But, all's well that ends well

[mth123]

Homer getting squeezed

He was pitching pretty carefully with 2 on 2 outs and the pitcher on deck. It worked.

Jiminez GO.

[11larkin11]

Homer has yet to break out the splitter today. I think next inning could be an easy one if he breaks it out.

[kaldaniels]

Ball 3 on Ianetta may have been the worst ball call I've seen all year.

[KoryMac5]

Homer with his 4th walk, but two of those should have been Ks. Hawpe earlier and now Ianetta. He got squeezed bad

Rockie announcers were suprised with a few of those calls.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Speaking of ball/strike calling, anybody catch the MLB network Costas interview last night with the 3 ex-umps? Really funny stuff. I especially liked the ump who flipped a coin at a close play at first. :O)

[WVRedsFan]

A few weeks ago yes, now not so much doubt with the way these guys are playing.

Guess I'm living in the past.

Not really, but after so long (10 years!) watching this team, you just wait for something bad to happen.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Corky with a single to lead things off. Homer up

[KoryMac5]

Bailey looked like he said a few words to the umpire walking off. Nothing heated maybe trying to build a relationship with the homeplate umpire.

[KoryMac5]

Guess I'm living in the past.

Not really, but after so long (10 years!) watching this team, you just wait for something bad to happen.

These kids and Rolen are fun to watch. Relax and enjoy the ride. :beerme:

[WVRedsFan]

Dusty loves the bunt. I hate the bunt. Fire Dusty.

[mth123]

Dusty loves the bunt. I hate the bunt. Fire Dusty.

Amen. Corky Miller for Manager.

[KoryMac5]

17th straight losing season for Pirate fans, ugggh!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dusty loves the bunt. I hate the bunt. Fire Dusty.

I hate the poorly excecuted bunt. Fire the hitting coach.


Amen. Corky Miller for Manager.

If we replace him with anybody, I'd like to see Sweet get a shot.

[WVRedsFan]

Banjo hitting Janish pops to center and the mini threat is over. Wasting outs is Dustyball at its finest. 3-1 Reds, middle of the 5th. Can it be 8 straight?

[mth123]

I hate the poorly excecuted bunt. Fire the hitting coach.

I hate bunting with your hottest hitter only to bring your worst hitter up with 2 outs. Of course if the worst hitter wasn't hitting second, it might make more sense.

[_Sir_Charles_]

What's with all the hate! Can't we all just get along! :O)

[mth123]

What's with all the hate! Can't we all just get along! :O)
Not when it comes to small ball. I hate it.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Has anybody seen the splitter yet? I haven't.

[KoryMac5]

Was the bunt sign on for Stubbs or was that Drew's idea. And did Bailey take the bunt sign off and try to swing away. Two important questions that need to be answered. I can't see Dusty taking the bunt off for Homer and him Butcher boying it to centerfield.

[WVRedsFan]

I hate bunting with your hottest hitter only to bring your worst hitter up with 2 outs. Of course if the worst hitter wasn't hitting second, it might make more sense.

Yep. Totally agree with this. Of course, your worst hitter is a very close race between Janish, McDonald, and Miller, but point taken.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1 out double down the line for Smith.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nice catch by mickie-d! I thought that was a gapper for sure.

[KoryMac5]

Darnell playing a decent RF today.

[KoryMac5]

Not going to get that outside corner today, Homer.

[WVRedsFan]

Not when it comes to small ball. I hate it.

Two of us.

[Tony Cloninger]

I saw those 3 umps being interviewed by Costas..... Bruce is such an arrogant person that i can see where any ballplayer would have a problem with him. One of those my way or the highway guys....who never thinks he is wrong.
He came off looking really bad.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Another fly out to Darnell to end the inning.

Despite the tight zone, a nice outting by Homer today.

[KoryMac5]

Rockie announcers stating that there is no way the Reds will risk running Homer out there for 120 pitches. Have these guys met Dusty at all. Homer at 97 pitches now I can see him easily going 115 pitches today the way he is going.

[mth123]

Rockie announcers stating that there is no way the Reds will risk running Homer out there for 120 pitches. Have these guys met Dusty at all. Homer at 97 pitches now I can see him easily going 115 pitches today the way he is going.

Probably means 1 more inning.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I saw those 3 umps being interviewed by Costas..... Bruce is such an arrogant person that i can see where any ballplayer would have a problem with him. One of those my way or the highway guys....who never thinks he is wrong.
He came off looking really bad.

I somewhat agree, I guess I see the umps point of view more though...but overall I really enjoyed the whole interview.

[Tony Cloninger]

Well Don came off looking contrite......and he was very respected as an umpire. Palermo was very classy. Bruce just looked like he was looking for a hot dog vendor.

[WVRedsFan]

Rockie announcers stating that there is no way the Reds will risk running Homer out there for 120 pitches. Have these guys met Dusty at all. Homer at 97 pitches now I can see him easily going 115 pitches today the way he is going.

Homer will at least start the 6th. Dusty might pull one of his brilliant "let him pitch to one hitter and then pull him" moves, but he will start the 6th and, like you say, get at least 112-115 pitches out of him.

[KoryMac5]

Liked Votto's patience that AB, especially being down 0-2. Need to work Jimenez pitch count.

[KoryMac5]

Reds fail to score after the Votto walk 3-1 Reds.

[WVRedsFan]

Phillips flies out, Rolen strikes out and Gomes gounds out, leaving Votto at first. 3-1 Reds in the middle of the 6th.

[WVRedsFan]

Any bets on Homer's final pitch count? Or how he'll do this inning?

[WVRedsFan]

Homer walks the first batter in the 6th. For the third time.

[HokieRed]

Dusty needs to go.

[WVRedsFan]

Dusty needs to go.

Preaching to the choir, man.

[WVRedsFan]

Homer cannot field. How many times have we seen that? Bad throw to first. and the official scorer rules it a hit and an error. What!? Homer out and Masset in. Wow. Long ball coming.

[KoryMac5]

Homer throws the swing bunt into RF, at least the error gets Jimenez out of the game. 117 pitches for Homer.

[KoryMac5]

Masset coming into the game to try and perserve the lead. Mixed bag with Homer today 5 walks and 6 k's only 1 run allowed. Very Nuke like.

[VR]

Homer cannot field. How many times have we seen that? Bad throw to first. and the official scorer rules it a hit and an error. What!? Homer out and Masset in. Wow. Long ball coming.

Twice today on a couple of very fieldable plays.

[KoryMac5]

Atkins PH for Jimenez.

[KoryMac5]

WP by Massett Hawpe nailed at the plate.

[PuffyPig]

Long ball coming.

Forever the opitmist.

[WVRedsFan]

Thanks to the Rockies for sending the runner on the wild pitch. The runner was a dead duck. Inning over and a good thing. Masset looked terrible.

[kaldaniels]

Sure there is plenty for Homer to learn from this one, but that's 4 nice outings in a row.

[Brutus]

Thanks to the Rockies for sending the runner on the wild pitch. The runner was a dead duck. Inning over and a good thing. Masset looked terrible.

Three pitches sure ain't much to go on.

[HokieRed]

Homer will be fine. I'm more worried about his pitch counts than anything else.

[VR]

Not sure how you give Ianetta a hit on that. Homer double pumped and still would have had him with a good throw.

3 of the 5 'hits' today, 1 was an error, the other 2 could have been fielded by Homer and Phillips.

Homer persevered though today. He didn't get any calls...and had 3 guys struck out that later walked.

The thing I'm seeing that I like best.....he's not nearly as 'wild' on his 0-2 and 1-2 counts like he was early in the year. Those were just throw away pitches then...now they are at least keeping the hitters honest.

[kaldaniels]

Three pitches sure ain't much to go on.

What are you smokin' there's some on here who can judge a pitcher based on the windup of the 1st pitch. :D

[WVRedsFan]

Forever the opitmist.

He's allowed 6 in 60+ innings and it's been 10 innings since he allowed one. Just playing the averages.

[KoryMac5]

Daley gets the Reds in order, bottom of the 7th coming up.

[WVRedsFan]

Three pitches sure ain't much to go on.

He was dropping his shoulder and that's not typical Massett. Of course, if you're not impressed with everything the Reds do, it's a problem around here.

[PuffyPig]

He's allowed 6 in 60+ innings and it's been 10 innings since he allowed one. Just playing the averages.

He's allowed 6 HR's in, I'm guessing, about 270 batters, or about 1 HR every 45 batters, or to a little over 4-5% of his batters.

The odds are long that any individual batter will hit a HR.

Vegas must send a plane to pick you up.

[KoryMac5]

He was dropping his shoulder and that's not typical Massett. Of course, if you're not impressed with everything the Reds do, it's a problem around here.

Were still waiting for you to be impressed today. Just busting your chops a bit. :thumbup:

[WVRedsFan]

He's allowed 6 HR's in, I'm guessing, about 270 batters, or about 1 HR every 45 batters, or to a little over 2% of his batters.

The odds are long that any individual batter will hit a HR.

Vegas must send a plane to pick you up.

What's your problem? It was just an opinion. Nothing more. I'm wrong sometimes and you are too, believe it or not. Get off my back.

[KoryMac5]

Runner on first for the Rockies, as Brandon couldn't make the tough play.

[KoryMac5]

Arthur having some issues as he walks Gonzalez. Bunt looks to be on with no outs.

[KoryMac5]

Smith with the bunt, moves the runners over.

[Brutus]

He was dropping his shoulder and that's not typical Massett. Of course, if you're not impressed with everything the Reds do, it's a problem around here.

Has nothing to do with being impressed or unimpressed with the Reds. It's simply grasping at straws trying to judge the likely result of a pitcher's performance after three whole pitches (the first of which was actually a strike).

[toledodan]

sac bunt second and third one out.

[HokieRed]

They're going to have to find some relievers they'll actually use. Too much load lately on Masset, Rhodes, CoCo.

[KoryMac5]

Nobody getting that outside corner today.

[toledodan]

sac fly 3-2 reds.

[toledodan]

tie game.

[Brutus]

I would have seriously considered walking Tulowitzki there to face the lefty Hawpe in that situation. Too late for that.

[WVRedsFan]

Mr. T (can't even begin to spell his names) leaves the game after injuring himself on that swing that was the single that tied the game.

[toledodan]

hawpe k's 3-3 going to the 8th.

[HokieRed]

Simple proposition here. We need to get about 8 and let Ramirez finish this thing out.

[KoryMac5]

Rhodes with his first rough patch in awhile. Play at the plate should have been closer but that's what you give up to have Gomes bat in the line up.

[PuffyPig]

Rhodes only gave up the one ligitimate hit here, but it cost us.

[KoryMac5]

Not sure what Drew was looking for, as he k's on 94mph cheese.

[toledodan]

stubbs k's looking.

[KoryMac5]

Yanni flies to RF.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Fisher warming up

[toledodan]

Yanni flies to RF.

:D:D:D

[KoryMac5]

Votto k's on high cheese.

[11larkin11]

Its amazing we have won 12 of 14 and 7 straight with our #3 hitter being pretty darn bad throughout the whole stretch. I really hope he catches fire these last 3 weeks to boost him for next year.

[KoryMac5]

Stewart welcomes Fisher back to the bigs with a no doubter.

[KoryMac5]

Barmes singles to left Fisher fooling no one at the moment.

[KoryMac5]

Ianetta SF bunt moves runner over.

[KoryMac5]

Spillborghs ph for the pitcher.

[GADawg]

Rhodes with his first rough patch in awhile. Play at the plate should have been closer but that's what you give up to have Gomes bat in the line up.

are you kidding? wasn't exactly a missile to home but there was a speedster at 3rd and that bat in the lineup had already given you the 2 run shot that had you in the game in the first place. sheesh

[KoryMac5]

Rolen makes a tough play look easy, 2 outs.

[WVRedsFan]

DRH coming in.

[HokieRed]

Don't understand why he didn't get DRH at the beginning of this inning.

[KoryMac5]

are you kidding? wasn't exactly a missile to home but there was a speedster at 3rd and that bat in the lineup had already given you the 2 run shot that had you in the game in the first place. sheesh

Just saying that there is a certain trade off to having Gomes in LF. A good fielder guns Young out at the plate, speed or not that ball was hit shallow and the play would have been made by a good fielder. Gomes may be adequate but he is far from a good fielder. Sheesh.

Reds out of the inning 4-3 Rockies.

[WVRedsFan]

Don't understand why he didn't get DRH at the beginning of this inning.

Wondered myself. Variety? I can't explain a lot of things Dusty does. I do know that...I had better stay quiet.

[KoryMac5]

Huston Street still injured so the Reds get Franklin Morales to close. Phillips, Rolen, and Gomes may make a dent.

[Tom Servo]

BP singles.

[KoryMac5]

Phillips on base with the tying run, dude kills lefties.

[Brutus]

Just saying that there is a certain trade off to having Gomes in LF. A good fielder guns Young out at the plate, speed or not that ball was hit shallow and the play would have been made by a good fielder. Gomes may be adequate but he is far from a good fielder. Sheesh.

Reds out of the inning 4-3 Rockies.

I agree with your point in general wholeheartedly. However, I don't really think too many guys would have gunned Young down the way he was moving. Yes, it was remotely shallow, and there are other guys that would have a 5 or 6 arm that might have gotten it there quicker, but I don't think most would have thrown him out.

[VR]

Wondered myself. Variety? I can't explain a lot of things Dusty does. I do know that...I had better stay quiet.

Carlos Fisher had a 3rd cousin from Denver at the game.

[Tom Servo]

Rolen also singles.

[KoryMac5]

Reds get a rally going first two reach.

[WVRedsFan]

Carlos Fisher had a 3rd cousin from Denver at the game.

:)

Be careful, VR.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, the pen is blowing this game so far. It's hard to pick on the pen this year though, because they've been money for most of the year. I guess they were due to have a game like this though. Sucks for Homer though. He certainly pitched well enough for a W.

Let's hope the bats can bail out the pen for a change.

[KoryMac5]

Get em on, get em over, get em in, for luck.

[11larkin11]

Dusty won't really let Darnell bat with Wlad on the bench right? Right? Right?

Wrong.

[VR]

ccccccccccrap call for strike 1

[Tom Servo]

Gomes hit it hard but to the left fielder. Argh.

[WVRedsFan]

Darnell bats.

[KoryMac5]

Gomes hit it hard, but at somebody. Up to Darnell to do something here.

[Tom Servo]

Dusty won't really let Darnell bat with Wlad on the bench right? Right? Right?

Wrong.
Ugh.

[KoryMac5]

Wlad will PH for Miller when his turn comes.

[WVRedsFan]

Wow. Ran themselves out of the inning.

[Tom Servo]

What is Dusty's obsession with the running game? ARGGGH.

[_Sir_Charles_]

*sigh* Double steal...Rolen nailed at second. Phillips safe at third.

[Kc61]

Carlos Fisher had a 3rd cousin from Denver at the game.

Almost every time somebody makes a comment about why Dusty used this guy or that guy the poster is ignoring lefty/righty matchups. Yesterday it was "why not hit Owings there" when a tough righty was pitching against Barker. Probably same thing here.

Posters don't have to agree with the matchup Dusty selects -- but sometimes the poster might acknowledge that it is a factor.

Decent idea to run Phillips there. Not a good idea to have Rolen running behind him. One more chance.

[Tom Servo]

Terrible managing today by Dusty.

[WVRedsFan]

Game over. Favorite son K's for the 3rd time and Reds lose.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ballgame. Well, the streak had to end eventually.

[LvJ]

lol @ that inning.

Why is Darnell batting?

Why is Rolen stealing?

Reds deserved to lose that game. Horrible fielding. Horrible managing.

[Tom Servo]

Ballgame. Well, the streak had to end eventually.
It shouldn't have been this one though, it was completly winnable.

[KoryMac5]

Winnable game for the Reds today unfortunately they didn't get the big break they needed. Lets get back out there and take the next few games.

[WVRedsFan]

Funny how it came down to McDonald at the end. Oh well, it was a winnable game but like some have said (notice not me), bad decisions caused us to lose.

Let's start a new streak tomorrow.

[_Sir_Charles_]

It shouldn't have been this one though, it was completly winnable.

Yep. It went downhill once Homer started getting squeezed. The pen failed to produce which has been a VERY rare thing this season. The defense was poor, another pretty rare thing lately. Some mental errors (votto picked off second napping) & some questionable managing (I'm not counting the Stubbs bunting thing...I think he did that on his own) with the double steal there.

[Spring~Fields]

Funny how it came down to McDonald at the end. Oh well, it was a winnable game but like some have said (notice not me), bad decisions caused us to lose.

Let's start a new streak tomorrow.

McDonald o for 4 with 3 strikeouts. ;)

[VR]

Game over. Favorite son K's for the 3rd time and Reds lose.

At least his family got to see it, that's what matters.

Tough game today. No bounces went their way, many close plays w/ the glove that didn't turn into outs, and no help from the umpires.

Oh well, it was a good run, and once again a very impressive start from Homer.

[_Sir_Charles_]

McDonald o for 4 with 3 strikeouts. ;)

I know Darnell stunk it up at the beginning of the season (and today for that matter), but he seems like an odd person to single out today. There were miscues up and down the roster. Since he got called up from Louisville in late August, McDonald has been hitting .333 (including today's oh-fer) 8 for 24. Wlad, who several people wanted to see in that spot, is hitting .264 (9 for 34) over that same timeframe. Sure, over the long haul, I prefer the upside of Balentien. But Darnell has played some very solid defense and, outside of today, he's been productive at the dish. Hard to really fault Dusty on letting Darnell play today and to bat there. (He did have Wlad in the ODC pinch hitting for Corky though)

[Spring~Fields]

Final Colorado 4, Cincinnati 3

:duel:

Scoring Summary
Bot 3rd: Colorado
- T. Helton singled to shallow right center, U. Jimenez scored, C. Gonzalez to third, C. Gonzalez out at home

Top 4th: Cincinnati
- S. Rolen singled to shallow right, P. Janish scored
- J. Gomes homered to deep left, S. Rolen scored

Bot 7th: Colorado
- T. Helton hit sacrifice fly to left, E. Young scored, C. Gonzalez to third
- T. Tulowitzki singled to shallow right center, C. Gonzalez scored

Bot 8th: Colorado
- I. Stewart homered to deep right

Reds Batting
HR - J Gomes (18, 4th inning off U Jimenez 1 on, 2 Out).

RBI - S Rolen (9), J Gomes 2 (45).

2-out RBI - S Rolen, J Gomes 2.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D McDonald 2.

GIDP - J Gomes.

Team LOB - 4.

Base Running
CS - D Stubbs (3, 2nd base by U Jimenez/C Iannetta), S Rolen (2, 2nd base by F Morales/C Iannetta).

Fielding
E - H Bailey (2, field).

Outfield assists - D Stubbs.

Rockies Batting
2B - S Smith (17, H Bailey).

HR - I Stewart (23, 8th inning off C Fisher 0 on, 0 Out).

S - S Smith, C Iannetta.

SF - T Helton.

RBI - T Helton 2 (77), T Tulowitzki (75), I Stewart (64).

2-out RBI - T Helton, T Tulowitzki.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Gonzalez 1, T Tulowitzki 1, U Jimenez 2.

Team LOB - 9.

Fielding
E - S Smith (1, field).

DP - 2 (C Barmes-T Tulowitzki-T Helton, C Barmes-T Tulowitzki).

Pitching


IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
H. Bailey 5.2 5 1 1 5 6 0 1.54 5.60
N. Masset 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.03 2.67
A. Rhodes 1.0 2 2 2 1 1 0 1.10 2.76
C. Fisher 0.2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1.46 4.18 (L, 1-1)
D. Herrera 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.43 2.89


Colorado
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
U. Jimenez 6.0 6 3 3 3 5 1 1.21 3.32
M. Daley 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.16 3.70
R. Betancourt 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.88 1.69 (W, 2-1)
F. Morales 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.13 2.67 (S, 4)


Pitches-strikes - H Bailey 117-71; N Masset 3-1; A Rhodes 21-13; C Fisher 12-8; D Herrera 2-2; U Jimenez 86-52; M Daley 10-8; R Betancourt 14-9; F Morales 15-7.

Ground balls-fly balls - H Bailey 4-6; N Masset 0-0; A Rhodes 1-1; C Fisher 1-1; D Herrera 0-1; U Jimenez 6-2; M Daley 2-0; R Betancourt 0-1; F Morales 2-0.

Batters faced - H Bailey 26; A Rhodes 6; C Fisher 4; D Herrera 1; U Jimenez 24; M Daley 3; R Betancourt 3; F Morales 4.

[Tony Cloninger]

What is the big deal in calling out bad decisions...if they are clearly bad decisions? Not all of them are clearly that ...but not PH for WT Junior ..clearly was. It's the nitpicking on things that are not so clear cut or do not make any sense that get to people. Gomes not throwing out that runner...who was clearly above average fast and only maybe a Joe Ferguson type throw gets him...is nitpicking.

[Spring~Fields]

I know Darnell stunk it up at the beginning of the season (and today for that matter), but he seems like an odd person to single out today. There were miscues up and down the roster. Since he got called up from Louisville in late August, McDonald has been hitting .333 (including today's oh-fer). Wlad, who several people wanted to see in that spot, is hitting .264 over that same timeframe. Sure, over the long haul, I prefer the upside of Balentien. But Darnell has played some very solid defense and, outside of today, he's been productive at the dish. Hard to really fault Dusty on letting Darnell play today and to bat there. (He did have Wlad in the ODC pinch hitting for Corky though)

Well if I was singling someone out it would be the one that made the decision to switch from Masset to the next guy, and the next, that seems to be where things bit the dust. Not necessarily the same guy that makes out lineups that produce so few runs. Heaven forbid. :p:

[WVRedsFan]

Over his last four starts, Homer has compiled:

1P 25 (6+ AVERAGE)
H 23
R 5
ER 5
BB 12
SO 20
ERA 1.80

Not bad. Not bad at all. In those 4 games, the Reds are 3-1, with the loss being no fault of Homer's. I have to admit that I didn't think he'd ever pitch this well, but I'm glad he is.

[VR]

I know Darnell stunk it up at the beginning of the season (and today for that matter), but he seems like an odd person to single out today. There were miscues up and down the roster. Since he got called up from Louisville in late August, McDonald has been hitting .333 (including today's oh-fer) 8 for 24. Wlad, who several people wanted to see in that spot, is hitting .264 (9 for 34) over that same timeframe. Sure, over the long haul, I prefer the upside of Balentien. But Darnell has played some very solid defense and, outside of today, he's been productive at the dish. Hard to really fault Dusty on letting Darnell play today and to bat there. (He did have Wlad in the ODC pinch hitting for Corky though)

Balentien has the possibility to be a bonafide major leaguer. McDonald....not so much. I'd rather see Balentien get every start the rest of the way out than run McDonald and his 'swing for the upper deck' hacks up there.
He did hit one to the upper deck this year, it's just the other 73 swings that he missed that I have a problem with.

[Spring~Fields]

Yep. It went downhill once Homer started getting squeezed. The pen failed to produce which has been a VERY rare thing this season. The defense was poor, another pretty rare thing lately. Some mental errors (votto picked off second napping) & some questionable managing (I'm not counting the Stubbs bunting thing...I think he did that on his own) with the double steal there.

Wow that is quite a bit of stuff there, guess I will have to single out the manager and coaching after all. :evil:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well if I was singling someone out it would be the one that made the decision to switch from Masset to the next guy, and the next, that seems to be where things bit the dust. Not necessarily the same guy that makes out lineups that produce so few runs. Heaven forbid. :p:

You think it was a bad move to bring in Rhodes? He's been rock solid all season. It's certainly not Dusty's fault that he failed to get the job done. Same goes for Fisher.

As for the lineup...I actually liked the lineup today. I know many here don't like Paul's bat in the 2 hole, but for the past month or so he's been swinging a solid bat and getting the job done. And it's not the lineups that are the reason this club has scored so few runs this season. It's the hitters not producing. You can re-arrange .220 hitters all you want, they're still .220 hitters. I know you guys want high OBP guys at the top of the order...but here's the problem...Dusty doesn't have any of those to work with. If you want to point a finger...try pointing it at Walt if you ask me. But with the injuries we've been dealt...I don't know of ANY Gm who could've fixed it all.

[Spring~Fields]

:)
You think it was a bad move to bring in Rhodes? He's been rock solid all season. It's certainly not Dusty's fault that he failed to get the job done. Same goes for Fisher.

As for the lineup...I actually liked the lineup today. I know many here don't like Paul's bat in the 2 hole, but for the past month or so he's been swinging a solid bat and getting the job done. And it's not the lineups that are the reason this club has scored so few runs this season. It's the hitters not producing. You can re-arrange .220 hitters all you want, they're still .220 hitters. I know you guys want high OBP guys at the top of the order...but here's the problem...Dusty doesn't have any of those to work with. If you want to point a finger...try pointing it at Walt if you ask me. But with the injuries we've been dealt...I don't know of ANY Gm who could've fixed it all.

You have some good points there.

I think it is the "Law Of Attractions". Dusty just attracts the wrong decision at the wrong time. Like attracting speed with the inability to get to first base. :)

[WVRedsFan]

What is the big deal in calling out bad decisions...if they are clearly bad decisions? Not all of them are clearly that ...but not PH for WT Junior ..clearly was. It's the nitpicking on things that are not so clear cut or do not make any sense that get to people. Gomes not throwing out that runner...who was clearly above average fast and only maybe a Joe Ferguson type throw gets him...is nitpicking.

Everyone seems to be in a bad mood today. No tolerance here. Everything was Ok today and anyone who mentioned something they didn't see the same way was jumped on. That hasn't happened for a long time in game threads, but this one was the exception.

[Spring~Fields]

Everyone seems to be in a bad mood today. No tolerance here. Everything was Ok today and anyone who mentioned something they didn't see the same way was jumped on. That hasn't happened for a long time in game threads, but this one was the exception.

Maybe it was because it seemed to be a game that they should have won.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Everyone seems to be in a bad mood today. No tolerance here. Everything was Ok today and anyone who mentioned something they didn't see the same way was jumped on. That hasn't happened for a long time in game threads, but this one was the exception.

Agreed. The ball just didn't bounce our way today and I guess we were just starting to get used to it doing so.

As for the poor attitude in the game thread, I'm blaming that on the conspicuous absence of Heather from the game thread. Yep, it's all her fault. :D

[mth123]

You think it was a bad move to bring in Rhodes? He's been rock solid all season. It's certainly not Dusty's fault that he failed to get the job done. Same goes for Fisher.

As for the lineup...I actually liked the lineup today. I know many here don't like Paul's bat in the 2 hole, but for the past month or so he's been swinging a solid bat and getting the job done. And it's not the lineups that are the reason this club has scored so few runs this season. It's the hitters not producing. You can re-arrange .220 hitters all you want, they're still .220 hitters. I know you guys want high OBP guys at the top of the order...but here's the problem...Dusty doesn't have any of those to work with. If you want to point a finger...try pointing it at Walt if you ask me. But with the injuries we've been dealt...I don't know of ANY Gm who could've fixed it all.


I had to run a couple errands and missed a couple innings, but I saw Dusty's small ball tendancies cost the team three outs today. Stubbs and Rolen caught stealing and Stubbs useless bunt attempt.

This team doesn't get enough guys on base to be giving outs away. I don't think SBs are worth the risk unless there is a real high percentage guy. The problem with the running game is that there are maybe 5 guys in the majors who can really do it successfully and all the other wannabes are just hurting their teams.

As for the bunt, the bunt was a play that was invented to get something productive out of a hitter who is nearly an automatic out anyway. Its not a play to be employed by the top of the order and its not a play that the team's hottest hitter should be doing. If stubbs was successful, the Reds would have been up there with 2 outs and one of the weakest hitters in the game coming up to try to drive in the run. Stubbs popped it up and it looked bad, but even if it had worked it was still a bad play. And the idea of designing a line-up with a weak hitter in the 2 hole just so he can bunt if the occassion presents itself is insanity. Bunch the good hitters together and let them hit.

[Spring~Fields]

I had to run a couple errands and missed a couple innings, but I saw Dusty's small ball tendancies cost the team three outs today. Stubbs and Rolen caught stealing and Stubbs useless bunt attempt.

This team doesn't get enough guys on base to be giving outs away. I don't think SBs are worth the risk unless there is a real high percentage guy. The problem with the running game is that there are maybe 5 guys in the majors who can really do it successfully and all the other wannabes are just hurting their teams.

As for the bunt, the bunt was a play that was invented to get something productive out of a hitter who is nearly an automatic out anyway. Its not a play to be employed by the top of the order and its not a play that the team's hottest hitter should be doing. If stubbs was successful, the Reds would have been up there with 2 outs and one of the weakest hitters in the game coming up to try to drive in the run. Stubbs popped it up and it looked bad, but even if it had worked it was still a bad play. And the idea of designing a line-up with a weak hitter in the 2 hole just so he can bunt if the occassion presents itself is insanity. Bunch the good hitters together and let them hit.

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

[_Sir_Charles_]

I had to run a couple errands and missed a couple innings, but I saw Dusty's small ball tendancies cost the team three outs today. Stubbs and Rolen caught stealing and Stubbs useless bunt attempt.

This team doesn't get enough guys on base to be giving outs away. I don't think SBs are worth the risk unless there is a real high percentage guy. The problem with the running game is that there are maybe 5 guys in the majors who can really do it successfully and all the other wannabes are just hurting their teams.

As for the bunt, the bunt was a play that was invented to get something productive out of a hitter who is nearly an automatic out anyway. Its not a play to be employed by the top of the order and its not a play that the team's hottest hitter should be doing. If stubbs was successful, the Reds would have been up there with 2 outs and one of the weakest hitters in the game coming up to try to drive in the run. Stubbs popped it up and it looked bad, but even if it had worked it was still a bad play. And the idea of designing a line-up with a weak hitter in the 2 hole just so he can bunt if the occassion presents itself is insanity. Bunch the good hitters together and let them hit.

I agree with you overall. But 2 things...we don't know for sure if the Stubbs steal was called for by the bench AND we don't know if the bunt by Stubbs was called for by the bench. I don't personally think EITHER of them were. The Rolen backhalf of the double steal...yep, bad move. I know he was trying to get out of the double play situation, but Rolen simply doesn't have the wheels for it.

[mth123]

I agree with you overall. But 2 things...we don't know for sure if the Stubbs steal was called for by the bench AND we don't know if the bunt by Stubbs was called for by the bench. I don't personally think EITHER of them were. The Rolen backhalf of the double steal...yep, bad move. I know he was trying to get out of the double play situation, but Rolen simply doesn't have the wheels for it.

Maybe your right. Stubbs made two outs on the bases yesterday as well (a caught stealing and thrown out at home). I tend to think Dusty has his speedy new toy and is trying to use it.

Dusty isn't alone. A lot of Managers run too much and bunt too much because they want to feel like they are doing something IMO. Sitting back and waiting for the hitters to hit is probably a hard thing to do, but in many cases its probably the highest percentage option.

[GAC]

All I can say is that I'm probably going to have to go on the IR list after pulling a back muscle coming up off the bed after Baker called for the dbl steal in the 9th. My Gawd! With Rolen on 1B??

Way to run yourself out of the inning and game Baker.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, they certainly didn't have the RUN sign on for Taveras most of the season. So I don't know about Dusty wanting to run his new toy as you put it. But if a guy is brought in to SPECIFICALLY be a basestealing threat, why oh why did Willy only attempt to steal 31 times all season. I'll NEVER understand that one. But I agree with you in general in regards to the overmanaging.

I have a feeling that they've just got a green light for certain guys. Not a great idea unless you've got the baserunning instincts of Henderson & Raines.

[mth123]

Well, they certainly didn't have the RUN sign on for Taveras most of the season. So I don't know about Dusty wanting to run his new toy as you put it. But if a guy is brought in to SPECIFICALLY be a basestealing threat, why oh why did Willy only attempt to steal 31 times all season. I'll NEVER understand that one. But I agree with you in general in regards to the overmanaging.

I have a feeling that they've just got a green light for certain guys. Not a great idea unless you've got the baserunning instincts of Henderson & Raines.

I was going to make a crack about Taveras being on base so infrequently that he forgot how to be a good baserunner, but that would be piling on I suppose.

Oh look at that. It looks like I made that crack anyway.

[WVRedsFan]

All I can say is that I'm probably going to have to go on the IR list after pulling a back muscle coming up off the bed after Baker called for the dbl steal in the 9th. My Gawd! With Rolen on 1B??

Way to run yourself out of the inning and game Baker.
Of course, Dusty completely side-stepped the question in the post game interview. All he said was Phillips "had the green light and Rolen followed him." Huh?

[WVRedsFan]

BTW, speaking of low OBP hitters at the top of the lineup, I noticed that Corey Patterson was leading off for Milwaukee with his shiny .105 oBP. Just proves that we aren't the only team with the crazy idea that speed kills.

[GAC]

Of course, Dusty completely side-stepped the question in the post game interview. All he said was Phillips "had the green light and Rolen followed him." Huh?

So Rolen is actually a follower, and not a leader! :D

Typical Baker.

[KoryMac5]

I like a little debate in the gamethread as long as it doesn't get out of hand or take away from the pbp. I may disagree from time to time with a post here and usually with clarification I can understand where the person is ultimately coming from. That's what keeps me coming back to RedsZone is that folks can share opinions with each other and make us better fans of Reds baseball. During the win streak the gamethreads have been a lot of fun so hopefully we can start a new streak tomorrow.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I was going to make a crack about Taveras being on base so infrequently that he forgot how to be a good baserunner, but that would be piling on I suppose.

Oh look at that. It looks like I made that crack anyway.

LOL. I kinda knew that was coming, but you still get my point. Even when he was on base, he rarely ran...and when he did it wasn't in the right situation IMO.