9/17- Reds @ Astros

[Redsfan320]

Phillips 4
Cabrera 6
Votto 3
Rolen 5
Gomes 7
Hernandez 2
Stubbs 8
Bloomquist 9
Cueto 1

As expected, Willie in for Bruce. Good to see Rolen back. I won't be doing PBP tonight.

320

[PuffyPig]

Rodriguez real tough on lefties, I don't mind Bruce being brought in more slowly.

[Brutus]

I won't be doing PBP tonight.

320

Neither is Raisor.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips lines out to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera lines out to right. Almost the exact same spot as Phillips.

[RedsMan3203]

Its going to be a Grande evening!

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto strikes out swinging. 0-0 mid 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn lines a single off the glove of Cueto.

[RedsMan3203]

Rolllllllllllllllen!

[Reds Fanatic]

Great play by Rolen on a 5-4 FC. He threw that from his back.

[Raisor]

Great Scott!

http://thememoriesmusic.com/uploads/images/doc_brown-full-1.jpg

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence with an infield hit. Rolen throws high to 1st. 1st and 3rd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lee hit by the pitch. Bases loaded.

[Reds Fanatic]

Johnson sac fly to right. 1-0 Astros. 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wallace strikes out swinging. 1-0 Astros after 1.

[RedsMan3203]

That could of gotten ugly....

[Reds Fanatic]

Meanwhile in St. Louis:

Padres up 1-0 in the 1st on a Tejada homer.

[alloverjr]

Tough luck for Cueto that inning but gets out of it with just 1 unearned run. Can the Reds score against Wandy though?

[Reds Fanatic]

Rolen grounds back to Rodriguez. 1 out.

[Cedric]

Tough luck for Cueto that inning but gets out of it with just 1 unearned run. Can the Reds score against Wandy though?

Just scuffling a bit. Going to be hard to hit with major black holes at the leadoff spot and the 4-5 spots.

These last few weeks the Reds seem to have hit a little wall. That happens over 162 games.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gomes strikes out looking. 2 outs.

[alloverjr]

Such a joy to watch Gomes hit. :)

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez walks.

[Cedric]

Pujols doubles.

1-1 and 3rd and 2nd with nobody out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs walks. 1st and 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bloomquist strikes out swinging. 1-0 Astros mid 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Now 2-1 Cards in the 1st.

[Cedric]

Cards up 2-1 after one.

Gonna have to hope they lose a lot at this rate.

[Reds Fanatic]

Now 3-1 Cards in the 1st as Molina doubles in a run.

[Reds Fanatic]

Downs flies out to center.

[Reds Fanatic]

Castro flies out to the track in left.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez doubles to left. Opposing pitchers continue to hit well against Reds pitching.

[WVRedsFan]

Why do I feel like the stars are alligned against us tonight?

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn singles to center. Ugh. They would have had Rodriguez but Stubbs bobbles the ball. 2-0 Astros. Runner on 2nd.

[Red in Chicago]

UGLY

[CTA513]

I hope this isn't what we see in the playoffs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez grounds out to 2nd. 2-0 Astros after 2.

[WVRedsFan]

Hard to believe that two guys--Stubbs and Rolen--make mistakes that cost a run. Sometimes you just get this. Maybe our lead was too big or we counted on The Cardinals to always lose.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto with a leadoff walk.

[mbgrayson]

Love that 8 pitch walk by Cueto!

[Oxilon]

The strikezone is pretty tight to say the least. That last ball looked good to me.

[Reds Fanatic]

I will say this for the ump he has been consistently tight for both sides.

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Phillips. 4 walks by Rodriguez.

[mbgrayson]

Wandy at 50 pitches with nobody out in the third....

[Reds Fanatic]

Padres just scored in the 2nd. 3-2 Cards top 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera sacrifices the runners to 2nd and 3rd.

[mbgrayson]

Won't they walk Votto now? I hate bunts....

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto looks hurt at 3rd.

[RedsMan3203]

ughh... Just want the Reds needed... Cueto hurt

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto walks. Bases loaded for Rolen.

[mbgrayson]

Pitched around Votto, intentional unintentional walk there.

[Oxilon]

What, is Cordero on the mound?

[Red in Chicago]

patience rolen...patience...

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez is already at 60 pitches.

[Reds Fanatic]

Benefit of a tight strike zone on that pitch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rolen chases a low outside pitch and strikes out swinging.

[WVRedsFan]

Rolen lost at the plate.

[Reds Fanatic]

So far tonight for Rodriquez, no hits, 5 walks and 4 Ks.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gomes pops out to 1st. 2-0 Astros mid 3rd.

[Playadlc]

Gomes is just awful.

[WVRedsFan]

Not our night. Goodness!

[alloverjr]

4-5 on this team is putrid right now with no real alternatives.

[Cedric]

Gomes is just awful.

Blame the manager also. He takes the bat out of the MVP's hand an awful lot.

I hate bunting with a passion.

[dsmith421]

Blame the manager also. He takes the bat out of the MVP's hand an awful lot.

I hate bunting with a passion.

Could not agree with you more. Becomes doubly stupid when you consider the way Cabrera has been hitting the ball recently.

[Kc61]

Blame the manager also. He takes the bat out of the MVP's hand an awful lot.

I hate bunting with a passion.

Please, bases loaded with a lefty pitcher, Rolen and Gomes coming up, Reds should score.

Votto fanned in the first against Rodriguez.

Getting the bags full for Rolen and Gomes isn't a bad move at all, but they didn't execute.

[Brutus]

Blame the manager also. He takes the bat out of the MVP's hand an awful lot.

I hate bunting with a passion.

This team isn't hitting regardless. Nothing the Reds are doing lately is working, short of going through these mini home run stretches. They're not scoring any runs from stringing together hits. In that situation, I thought bunting was a good idea. If you can't get a run in from runners at 2nd & 3rd with a couple of opportunities, you don't deserve to score.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence strikes out looking. 2 Ks.

[Cedric]

This team isn't hitting regardless. Nothing the Reds are doing lately is working, short of going through these mini home run stretches. They're not scoring any runs from stringing together hits. In that situation, I thought bunting was a good idea. If you can't get a run in from runners at 2nd & 3rd with a couple of opportunities, you don't deserve to score.

I'll take my chances with Cabrera/Votto any day over the hitting of Rolen/Gomes.

Rolen hasn't driven the baseball in months and Gomes is just a bad hitter.

[Brutus]

I'll take my chances with Cabrera/Votto any day over the hitting of Rolen/Gomes.

Rolen hasn't driven the baseball in months and Gomes is just a bad hitter.

Except with the way the Reds are going, Cabrera just would have grounded into a double play, they would have walked Votto and the same result would have happened.

Also... I don't know if you're aware of this, but despite how bad Rolen looks (and I share the same opinion), he has an .829 OPS since the All-Star break.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lee grounds out to 3rd. Nice play by Rolen.

[alloverjr]

Getting the bags full for Rolen and Gomes isn't a bad move at all, but they didn't execute.

The way Rolen's been swinging lately I'd disagree completely.

Cabrera, suprisingly, is the only one that's hiting with any consistency.

[Kc61]

Except with the way the Reds are going, Cabrera just would have grounded into a double play, they would have walked Votto and the same result would have happened.

Also... I don't know if you're aware of this, but despite how bad Rolen looks (and I share the same opinion), he has an .829 OPS since the All-Star break.

And Gomes has 80 RBIs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pujols drives in another run. 4-2 Cards in the 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Johnson strikes out swinging. 3 Ks. 2-0 Astros after 3.

[TheNext44]

I don't like bunting in that situation because Wandy was having trouble throwing strikes. Bunting allows him to get back on track, which he did.

When the pitcher is struggling, attack harder, don't pull back.

[alloverjr]

I don't like bunting in that situation because Wandy was having trouble throwing strikes. Bunting allows him to get back on track, which he did.

When the pitcher is struggling, attack harder, don't pull back.

Dusty doesn't care what you think. ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Now 5-2 Cards in the 2nd.

[KoryMac5]

And Gomes has 80 RBIs.

Just proves Walt needs another bat in the offseason. Votto has 104 and it's a long drop off to Gomes at 80. That is not going to get it done when teams pitch around Votto.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez flies out to the track in left center.

[Kc61]

Reds might want to try a base hit or two.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs strikes out swinging. 5 Ks for Rodriguez.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bloomquist strikes out swinging. 6 Ks. 2-0 Astros mid 4th.

[Kc61]

Cards up 7-2.

[PuffyPig]

I'll take my chances with Cabrera/Votto any day over the hitting of Rolen/Gomes.

Rolen hasn't driven the baseball in months and Gomes is just a bad hitter.

And Cabrerra is a good hitter?

[Reds Fanatic]

Wallace strikes out swinging. 4 Ks.

[Cedric]

And Cabrerra is a good hitter?

He's been seeing the ball recently it looks like. I wouldn't have bunted there no matter what.

But that's baseball. Should be able to score runs in other frames.

[Reds Fanatic]

Downs grounds out to 3rd. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

8-2 Cards after 2.

[Raisor]

And Gomes has 80 RBIs.

which has more to do with Votto and Rolen getting on base ahead of him then anything else.

[Phhhl]

And Cabrerra is a good hitter?

I think I am going to stop watching and check where we are a week from now. Hanging on every pitch and watching this club play right now is like Chinese water torture. So close, but not close enough to prevent everything from going to pot with the type of losing streak that visits just about every club in the league at least once a year.

[Reds Fanatic]

Castro grounds out to 1st. 2-0 Astros after 4.

[mbgrayson]

Did you guys notice that Wandy is throwing a NO HITTER?

[PuffyPig]

Just proves Walt needs another bat in the offseason. Votto has 104 and it's a long drop off to Gomes at 80. That is not going to get it done when teams pitch around Votto.

Gomes is 22nd in the NL in RBI's, on pace for about 90. He's hitting 1.075 OPS with RISP, so to the extent that the pitchers are pitching around Votto, it ain't working.

The Reds are leading the NL in runs and we need another big bat because our #2 RBI man is on pace for a paltry 90?

Pujols has 34 IBB, Votto has 6.

[Kc61]

which has more to do with Votto and Rolen getting on base ahead of him then anything else.

Maybe, but Gomes hasn't been terrible this year. With a lefty on the mound, setting things up for Rolen and Gomes is not a bad strategy.

If you can't trust your fourth and fifth hitters, righties hitting against a lefty, the lineup has a problem.

[Cedric]

Gomes is 22nd in the NL in RBI's, on pace for about 90. He's hitting 1.075 OPS with RISP, so to the extent that the pitchers are pitching around Votto, it ain't working.

The Reds are leading the NL in runs and we need another big bat because our #2 RBI man is on pace for a paltry 90?

Pujols has 34 IBB, Votto has 6.

You expect Gomes to be the 2nd big bat next year?

This year has been a perfect mix of a hot streak/chances/and RISP luck. He's a bad hitter.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto strikes out swinging. 7 Ks for Rodriguez.

[Cedric]

Maybe, but Gomes hasn't been terrible this year. With a lefty on the mound, setting things up for Rolen and Gomes is not a bad strategy.

If you can't trust your fourth and fifth hitters, the lineup has a problem.

But that is the point. The Reds have had a big problem at 4/5 for a couple weeks now. Pointing out year long stats does nothing when guys are obviously struggling.

[Kc61]

But that is the point. The Reds have had a big problem at 4/5 for a couple weeks now. Pointing out year long stats does nothing when guys are obviously struggling.

Have to trust Rolen for sure, and Gomes against lefties. That's your team.

[alloverjr]

8!

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips strikes out swinging. 8 Ks.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera pops out to short. 2-0 Astros mid 5th.

[mbgrayson]

Wandy still with the NO HITTER through five innings, but he is at 89 pitches.

[HokieRed]

No doubt Walt targeted the right guy. I wish he'd gotten that deal done.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rodriguez strikes out swinging. 5 Ks for Cueto.

[PuffyPig]

You expect Gomes to be the 2nd big bat next year?

This year has been a perfect mix of a hot streak/chances/and RISP luck. He's a bad hitter.

I didn't say that.

I said that pitchers have not been pitching around Votto this year, and when they have, they have been punished.

The thought that a 90 RBI pace for our #2 RBI proves we need someone better is what I was alluding to.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn grounds back to Cueto.2 outs.

[PuffyPig]

Wandy still with the NO HITTER through five innings, but he is at 89 pitches.

He has a season high of 115.

Zero chance he finishes the game.

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez flies out to center. 2-0 Astros after 5. 80 pitches for Cueto.

[BCubb2003]

Cueto's pitching well, despite his poor luck.

[Cedric]

Cueto's pitching well, despite his poor luck.

He isn't pitching bad at all. One mistake to Wandy is about it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto doubles off the wall in right center.

[Cedric]

I love Scott. Looks like he is swinging through water right now. Gotta hope he gets hot somehow.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rolen walks. 1st and 2nd.

[alloverjr]

Bunt Gomes?

[Cedric]

Come on Jonny. Get hot and drive one!

Reds need him to do what he has done all year.

[Cedric]

Fans hate the strike zone for Wandy tonight for those following here. Tight zone.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gomes homers to left!!!! 3-2 Reds!

[Cedric]

Yea Jonny! Hell yes.

[alloverjr]

Bunt Gomes?

I wouldn't. :D

[Playadlc]

Gomes is just awful.

...

[Kc61]

83 ribbies.

[Brutus]

He's starting to catch fire, folks, He's showing signs of it the last few days. This would be excellent timing if he does.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez flies out to center.

[edabbs44]

He's starting to catch fire, folks, He's showing signs of it the last few days. This would be excellent timing if he does.

Yeah, it would be sweet if he could. I still don't believe that he is as bad as he has been. Those numbers can still even out.

[hebroncougar]

He's starting to catch fire, folks, He's showing signs of it the last few days. This would be excellent timing if he does.

+1, I was one of the few who voted to pick up Gomes option. At worst, he's a 4th OF'er, and a big RH bat off the bench. He's streaky, and his defense isn't great, but I'd take him over what we can afford in FA.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs singles to left.

[Brutus]

Stubbs back over .250.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bloomquist strikes out for the 3rd time. 2 outs.

[dsmith421]

I cannot wait to buy a Willie Bloomquist game worn jersey at Redsfest next year for ten bucks. I will be the envy of my peer group and befuddle thousands of people at a time.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto strikes out. 10 Ks for Rodriguez. 3-2 Reds mid 6th.

[Brutus]

I cannot wait to buy a Willie Bloomquist game worn jersey at Redsfest next year for ten bucks. I will be the envy of my peer group and befuddle thousands of people at a time.

Why settle for making friends jealous? Sell that sucker on Ebay for a cool ten grand.

[Cedric]

Pence takes some ugly hacks doesn't he? Still finds a way to get the job done usually.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence strikes out swinging. 6 Ks.

[TheNext44]

Serious question:

If Votto's double last inning went over the wall and was a homer, do the Reds score three runs that inning? In other words, would his hypothetical leadoff homer have been a rally killer?

[Reds Fanatic]

Lee homers to left. Tie game 3-3.

[Brutus]

Ugh. And I was getting ready to remark how good Cueto has been tonight.

[CTA513]

Bautista set a Blue Jays record by hitting his 48th HR of the year tonight.
He only had 59 HRs in his career before this season.


:eek:

[kbrake]

Just got here. That wasn't fun.

[Reds Fanatic]

Johnson flies out to center. 2 outs.

[CTA513]

Just got here. That wasn't fun.

Now we know who to blame.

:D

[Cedric]

Just got here. That wasn't fun.

If he wants to be a great pitcher he has to stay focused for a whole outing. 2 big mistakes to Wandy and Lee have killed him tonight. You have to realize how bad this Astros lineup is and not give in to Lee with a terrible hanger like that.

[kbrake]

If he wants to be a great pitcher he has to stay focused for a whole outing. 2 big mistakes to Wandy and Lee have killed him tonight. You have to realize how bad this Astros lineup is and not give in to Lee with a terrible hanger like that.

What happened with Wandy?

[Reds Fanatic]

Wallace walks.

[Brutus]

Bautista set a Blue Jays record by hitting his 48th HR of the year tonight.
He only had 59 HRs in his career before this season.


:eek:

I wonder if that's ever been done before... a player nearly matching his entire career (2,500 PAs) in one season. That's incredible.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto is now at 100 pitches.

[Reds Fanatic]

Downs flies out to right. 3-3 after 6.

[PuffyPig]

Ugh. And I was getting ready to remark how good Cueto has been tonight.

He has still pitched a good game.

[Cedric]

He has still pitched a good game.

What ranking are the Astros in most offensive categories if you know? Not being a smart butt either. Just wondering if this outing is really decent or not. You usually have the numbers fast is why I'm asking.

[Reds Fanatic]

Mark Melancon in to pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips flies out to right.

[Cedric]

At least that took 2 pitches.

[Brutus]

What ranking are the Astros in most offensive categories if you know? Not being a smart butt either. Just wondering if this outing is really decent or not. You usually have the numbers fast is why I'm asking.

For the season, they've been terrible (.667 team OPS). But since the All-Star break, they've been in the upper half of the NL in hitting.

[dsmith421]

Phillips is scuffling in a major way since that bruised wrist.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips by the way now has a .186 OBP this month. Why is he still batting leadoff?

Cabrera flies out to left.

[PuffyPig]

What ranking are the Astros in most offensive categories if you know? Not being a smart butt either. Just wondering if this outing is really decent or not. You usually have the numbers fast is why I'm asking.

Since the all star break they have been an average offensive team.

My point was simply that one AB won't really determine if he pitched great or poor.

[Brutus]

Phillips by the way now has a .186 OBP this month. Why is he still batting leadoff?

Cabrera flies out to left.

Phillips is now a sparkling 7-for-58 in the month.

[Cedric]

Phillips by the way now has a .186 OBP this month. Why is he still batting leadoff?

Cabrera flies out to left.

They are waiting for Bloomquist to get his legs under him. He will leadoff tomorrow.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gustavo Chacin in to pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Chapman warming up

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto broken bat bloop hit to left.

[Gallen5862]

Lets go Reds. Time for the Rally Onion.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jeff Fulchino in to pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto steals 2nd. 15th steal of the year.

[edabbs44]

I wonder if that's ever been done before... a player nearly matching his entire career (2,500 PAs) in one season. That's incredible.

Brady Anderson - 50 in '96, 72 in career up to that point in around 3800-3900 PAs, if my math is correct.

[Reds Fanatic]

Passed ball moves Votto to 3rd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence robs Rolen with a diving catch. 3-3 mid 7th.

[NJReds]

Pence robs Rolen.

[Cedric]

Cardinals are crushing the Padres tonight. Hopefully they don't get hot.

[Reds Fanatic]

Chapman in to pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Keppinger pinch hits and singles to right.

[Cedric]

Keppinger seems like a guy that could hit Chapman. Hope not.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cueto tonight: 6IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 1BB, 6K.

[Cedric]

What exactly is George talking about? Bloomquist did nothing ha.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez tries to pick Keppinger off and throws it into right. Keppinger does not realize it and stays at 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

A. Hernandez pinch hitting

[Reds Freak]

Anyone else hate the view from behind the plate that FSN does in an obvious bunting situation?

[Reds Fanatic]

A. Hernandez walks. 1st and 2nd.

[NJReds]

Anyone else hate the view from behind the plate that FSN does in an obvious bunting situation?

Thinking the same thing.

Bad job by Chapman. Like he was afraid to let the guy bunt.

[CrackerJack]

Chapman's been watching too much of Coco lately I think (although he's perfectly capable of outings like this).

[Cedric]

Wheels falling off here. Not pretty.

[NJReds]

This is hard to watch.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn bunts. Chapman tries to throw to 3rd and Rolen can't handle the throw. Bases loaded.

[Cedric]

Rolen has been a disaster lately. But experience is key to winning right?

[NJReds]

Ruled a base hit? Should be an FC/E5

[Red in Chicago]

a hit??? seriously, rolen should have had that

[Reds Fanatic]

Sanchez singles to center. 5-3 Astros.

[Reds Freak]

This game has been really frustrating...

[Cedric]

a hit??? seriously, rolen should have had that

The guy can't bend over and he is key to this team. It's going to be a scary couple of weeks for this team.

[dsmith421]

Awful.

[Brutus]

Rolen has been a disaster lately. But experience is key to winning right?

Disaster? Even this month he has a respectable .776 OPS. Hardly.

[Reds Fanatic]

That is it for Chapman tonight.

[Kc61]

Rolen has been a disaster lately. But experience is key to winning right?

Yeah, the inexperienced Chapman really showed them.

[NJReds]

Cardinals winning 11-3. This may become a race after all.

[Brutus]

Cardinals winning 11-3. This may become a race after all.

They'll still be 6 games out. That's quite a bit.

[NJReds]

They'll still be 6 games out. That's quite a bit.

Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 games left two years ago. Not saying the Reds will, but it's happened before, and recently.

[CTA513]

Chapman is looking at his 1st loss unless the Reds come from behind.

[Cedric]

5 games back in the loss column. That's not anywhere near a lock with the way the Reds are playing.

[Brutus]

Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 games left two years ago. Not saying the Reds will, but it's happened before, and recently.

That was one of the worst 3 collapses in the history of baseball. That's the clinical definition of outlier.

[Reds Fanatic]

Masset in to pitch

[Kc61]

They'll still be 6 games out. That's quite a bit.


Except the Cards have six games left with Pittsburgh.

Reds aren't playing winning ball right now, and unless they do they will blow this lead. Can't count on the Cards to lose all the time.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pence flies out to the wall in right. 1st and 3rd with 1 out.

[edabbs44]

The manic nature of the board is hysterical sometimes.

[Brutus]

Except the Cards have six games left with Pittsburgh.

Reds aren't playing winning ball right now, and unless they do they will blow this lead. Can't count on the Cards to lose all the time.

The team of which just beat them 2 of 3 a few weeks ago.

That Cardinals team is not very good. I am not saying the race is "over," but people are getting overly panicky. I'll say it again: that Cardinals team is not a good baseball team. The worrying over them is way overboard.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lee pops out to Votto. 2 outs.

[kaldaniels]

a hit??? seriously, rolen should have had that

I slo-mowed that play...the runner beat the throw, if Rolen catches it, he's safe.

[NJReds]

The team of which just beat them 2 of 3 a few weeks ago.

That Cardinals team is not very good. I am not saying the race is "over," but people are getting overly panicky. I'll say it again: that Cardinals team is not a good baseball team. The worrying over them is way overboard.

The Cards end the season with a four game series w/Colorado. That helps the Reds cause. I don't think the Reds will blow this lead. But it'd be nice to see them play a little bit better.

[Reds Fanatic]

Johnson strikes out swiging. Good job by Masset to limit the damage. 5-3 Astros after 7.

[Brutus]

The Cards end the season with a four game series w/Colorado. That helps the Reds cause. I don't think the Reds will blow this lead. But it'd be nice to see them play a little bit better.

Oh I agree the Reds aren't playing well, and it would be much more comforting if they were playing better than this. But most playoff scenarios have the statistical probability of the Reds winning the division over 99%. I'd call those good odds.

[dsmith421]

The Cards end the season with a four game series w/Colorado. That helps the Reds cause. I don't think the Reds will blow this lead. But it'd be nice to see them play a little bit better.

That's about where I am. They look a little overawed by the last stages of this season. A lot of sloppy play and mental lapses. Very fortunate that the Cardinals melted down in August.

[Reds Fanatic]

Matt Lindstrom in to pitch

[Kc61]

The team of which just beat them 2 of 3 a few weeks ago.

That Cardinals team is not very good. I am not saying the race is "over," but people are getting overly panicky. I'll say it again: that Cardinals team is not a good baseball team. The worrying over them is way overboard.

I'm sure you know better, but I see a nine-game road trip and the potential for a lot of losses if the Reds don't start playing better. Then they come home for two series and anything can happen.

They just aren't playing very well. Hopefully they will get going again and win this thing.

[Reds Fanatic]

Gomes strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[dsmith421]

Gomes strikes out swinging. 1 out.

This is literally a description of what happened, but doesn't give the full flavor of Jonny Gomes swinging a second late at a pitch that crossed the plate at the approximate height of the crown of his batting helmet. He couldn't have hit that with a tennis racket.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez with a soft line out to 2nd.

[edabbs44]

Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 games left two years ago. Not saying the Reds will, but it's happened before, and recently.

The Mets are a different story altogether. They are the complete opposite of a team. The Reds are a much different ball club.

Not saying that it would be impossible, but that team had star players celebrating HRs while they were on the wrong side of a losing score as their lead evaporated. That crap would never go down on this team.

[Reds Freak]

From the naked eye, the Reds seem to be hitting into some pretty bad luck lately...

[Cedric]

I THINK the Reds will win the division. I don't KNOW if they will. The Reds struggled terribly to beat the worlds worst two road teams this week.

There is no reason to suggest this team couldn't drop 5 in a row on the road.

[Reds Freak]

I THINK the Reds will win the division. I don't KNOW if they will. The Reds struggled terribly to beat the worlds worst two road teams this week.

There is no reason to suggest this team couldn't drop 5 in a row on the road.

True, but the crazy thing about this team is that they are just as likely to win five games in a row...

[Brutus]

If the Reds go 5-9, even assuming this is a loss, and the Cards win tonight, St. Louis still has to go 12-5 just to tie. If the Reds go 7-7, the Cards can't lose more than 3 games.

[Reds Fanatic]

I still think the Reds win the division. With Philly and teams in the West playing well they are probably not going to have home field in the division series with the way they are playing.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs walks.

[kaldaniels]

This is literally a description of what happened, but doesn't give the full flavor of Jonny Gomes swinging a second late at a pitch that crossed the plate at the approximate height of the crown of his batting helmet. He couldn't have hit that with a tennis racket.

Can we not give Jonny a pass on the night he hits a 3 run home run...too much to ask? :dunno:

[edabbs44]

Don't forget guys, they faced one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past 2 months. They weren't facing a patsy.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce hitting for Bloomquist.

[NJReds]

Stubbs seems to be getting on a lot lately. Maybe he should get a shot back at the top of the lineup and drop the struggling Phillips down in the lineup.

[edabbs44]

Can we not give Jonny a pass on the night he hits a 3 run home run...too much to ask? :dunno:

Ditto. Sometimes it is way too transparent.

[Reds Freak]

Stubbs seems to be getting on a lot lately. Maybe he should get a shot back at the top of the lineup and drop the struggling Phillips down in the lineup.

No problem with this...

[Cedric]

Disclaimer time also. I'm thrilled with this season and NOTHING could change that. Just being honest about what I feel here. I don't think the Reds have good enough starting pitching to be assured of avoiding a bad losing streak.

[Brutus]

Stubbs seems to be getting on a lot lately. Maybe he should get a shot back at the top of the lineup and drop the struggling Phillips down in the lineup.

I would like to see Bruce back in the top spot, move Stubbs up to cleanup, Rolen down to 5th with Phillips 6th and Gomes 7th. Just an experiment I wouldn't mind.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce singles to left center. 1st and 3rd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Alonso hitting for Masset

[edabbs44]

I would like to see Bruce back in the top spot, move Stubbs up to cleanup, Rolen down to 5th with Phillips 6th and Gomes 7th. Just an experiment I wouldn't mind.

I don't want to see the pitcher hitting in front of Bruce. Bruce 5th would make sense.

[NJReds]

Bruce slaps a hit to left. He should never be out of the lineup. Especially in favor of Willie Bloomquist.

[NJReds]

Are you kidding. Caught at the wall.

[edabbs44]

Frigging A

[Cedric]

Are you freaking kidding me. OMG.

[kaldaniels]

Wow.

[Reds Freak]

Wow wow wow. He just missed hitting that one 600 feet...

[Reds Fanatic]

Alonso just missed flying out the wall in right. 5-3 Astros mid 8th.

[TheNext44]

If the Reds go 5-9, even assuming this is a loss, and the Cards win tonight, St. Louis still has to go 12-5 just to tie. If the Reds go 7-7, the Cards can't lose more than 3 games.

That's the key. The Mets blew a 7 game lead more because the Phillies went 12-4 in their last 16 games than the Mets folding.

The Cards just don't look like a team that could go 12-4 the rest of the season. But anything technically is possible.

[TheNext44]

Stupid Minute Maid Park crazy dimensions.

[Brutus]

I don't want to see the pitcher hitting in front of Bruce. Bruce 5th would make sense.

Bruce was on fire in the leadoff spot, though. There was something about the approach he was taking that made him so comfortable. Besides... the Reds need someone to get on base. Right now, Phillips isn't working. He would probably be better to rest his hand for a week, but if that's not going to happen, at least take some pressure off him.

[Kc61]

Anybody have a problem with Dusty going to Chapman tonight?

It's second guessing, I know, but for an inexperienced guy, isn't he being used in rather high pressure situations?

[Reds Fanatic]

Ondrusek in to pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Wallace grounds out to 2nd.

[TheNext44]

This outing by Chapman is why you can't just make him the closer. He could be the closer by Playoff time, but he needs some work until then. This outing could be a blessing in disguise, helping him learn how to handle pressure.

[Kc61]

Bruce was on fire in the leadoff spot, though. There was something about the approach he was taking that made him so comfortable. Besides... the Reds need someone to get on base. Right now, Phillips isn't working. He would probably be better to rest his hand for a week, but if that's not going to happen, at least take some pressure off him.

Dusty was using Bruce lead off against lefties. He dropped him down in the lineup against righties.

[Reds Freak]

I'm still in disbelief about that Alonso hit. I feel like that was their chance. It was lke the Major League quote..."Too high, too high"

[Reds Fanatic]

Downs flies out to right.

[Cedric]

Hard to get anything going with Phillips up next inning. I hate seeing such a great player struggle this bad.

I think we had our chance and just missed it.