labor day Reds @ Cubs Mesoraco starts!

[klw]

1. Phillips, 2B
2. Stubbs, CF
3. Votto, 1B
4. Bruce, RF
5. Alonso, LF
6. Francisco, 3B
7. Mesoraco, C
8. Janish, SS
9. Willis, P

v
1. Castro, SS
2. Johnson, RF
3. Ramirez, 3B
4. Baker, 2B
5. Soriano, LF
6. Byrd, CF
7. Soto, C
8. LaHair, 1B
9. Garza, P

[Kc61]

Four lefty hitters in a row in Dusty's batting order today.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Is it possible to NOT love this lineup?

[Redsfan320]

Is it possible to NOT love this lineup?

Nope. My only complaint would be to give Heisey or Sapp the start in CF, especially if CF has to bat 2nd today.

320

[cincyinco]

Split up the lefties, dude..

[Kc61]

Reds score first on hit by Alonso.

[Kc61]

1 - 0 Reds after one. Wind blowing in at Wrigley. Fly balls and line drives mostly catchable so far.

[HokieRed]

Is it possible to NOT love this lineup?

I love it comparatively. With Heisey in the CF spot and Cozart in the SS, it's pretty close to what I hope the lineup is next year.

[Kc61]

Reds go quietly in second. Lot of fly balls held up by wind. Janish hitless for last 27 at bats.

[Kc61]

I love it comparatively. With Heisey in the CF spot and Cozart in the SS, it's pretty close to what I hope the lineup is next year.

I could see replacing Stubbs against RHP. But is Heisey really your CF next year? Maybe someone from the outside to platoon with Stubbs?

[Kc61]

Two innings complete, one zip Reds.

[HokieRed]

I could see replacing Stubbs against RHP. But is Heisey really your CF next year? Maybe someone from the outside to platoon with Stubbs?

Not completely committed to Heisey, but I think we've got to make a decision about Stubbs and the K's. My basic assumption is that we can go with one of Stubbs, Heisey, or Sappelt, not two.

[Kc61]

Not completely committed to Heisey, but I think we've got to make a decision about Stubbs and the K's. My basic assumption is that we can go with one of Stubbs, Heisey, or Sappelt, not two.

Yeah, my guess is Stubbs stays with either Heisey or Sappelt on the bench. Reds could use a lefty hitting bench outfielder for next year as well.

[Kc61]

Reds scoreless in third.

Stubbs infield hit, steal of second.

Then he thought there were two outs and ran on contact. Votto flied out, Drew doubled up.

[Kc61]

Dontrelle, nine up and down. Reds by one through three.

[Ron Madden]

D-Train is rollin'.

[HokieRed]

Yeah, my guess is Stubbs stays with either Heisey or Sappelt on the bench. Reds could use a lefty hitting bench outfielder for next year as well.

My assumption, too. In fact, I'd predict we'll probably see Stubbs open in CF, Heisey as 4th outfielder with Sappelt getting more time, as he clearly needs, at AAA. Sappelt's not looked very good, but I see small signs of improvement in him. But he clearly needs more time at AAA.

[Kc61]

My assumption, too. In fact, I'd predict we'll probably see Stubbs open in CF, Heisey as 4th outfielder with Sappelt getting more time, as he clearly needs, at AAA. Sappelt's not looked very good, but I see small signs of improvement in him. But he clearly needs more time at AAA.

A lefty hitting OF who plays center could get a lot of at bats -- if Stubbs continues his poor hitting against righties. Coming into today Stubbs was about .650 OPS and .230 BA against righties, with a lot of at bats against them.

[Kc61]

Garza Ks Bruce, Yonder, and Juan.

[HokieRed]

A lefty hitting OF who plays center could get a lot of at bats -- if Stubbs continues his poor hitting against righties. Coming into today Stubbs was about .650 OPS and .230 BA against righties, with a lot of at bats against them.

Just looked at those splits. Hadn't realized they were quite so skewed. Interesting that his walk stats are better, too, against LHers, but his K stats really aren't all that much better. Slightly, but not greatly better.

[Kc61]

Just looked at those splits. Hadn't realized they were quite so skewed. Interesting that his walk stats are better, too, against LHers, but his K stats really aren't all that much better. Slightly, but not greatly better.

Stubbs hitting against righties IMO has been one of the biggest problems on the team this year. Leads team in at bats against them, yet had lots of trouble with them.

Still, talented guy, might be worth another shot next season with a plan B available.

[Kc61]

Willis walks two. One out. Full count on Baker.

Walk loads the bags.

Soriano singles to tie the game. Still bases loaded.

This is big trouble.

[Kc61]

Willis fans Byrd. Still loaded, two out. Fly out.

1 all thru four innings.

[Kc61]

Willis vents in dugout.

Mes up. Hard ground out to third.

Janish up. Walks.

Willis up. Single to right. Janish to second.

Phillips up. Double play grounder.

[RedsManRick]

Either Phillips didn't run on that one or he has really lost a step or three. That should've been closer.

[Ron Madden]

Fine play by Willis.

[Tony Cloninger]

I do not think BP is that fast anymore...just like that.....he is just not very fast. Not slow...just not very fast anymore.

Either that or he was frustrated hitting the ball so hard and getting robbed.

[RedsManRick]

That was UGLY! Alonso put himself in a good position to catch it but the ball sailed right past his glove. Would've been a nice play, but definitely one he could've/should've made.

[Kc61]

Bottom five. First out on grounder Votto to Willis.

Second batter, pitcher, strikes out. Six Ks for D.

Now Castro up. Single to left in hole.

Johnson the batter. Hits long fly. Alonso can't get it. Gets lost in ivy. Ground rule double.

Two out, two on in scoring position.

[Matt700wlw]

I'm sure Dusty will rip on him to the media after that one.

[Kc61]

I do not think BP is that fast anymore...just like that.....he is just not very fast. Not slow...just not very fast anymore.

Either that or he was frustrated hitting the ball so hard and getting robbed.

BP grounds into his share of double plays. I never thought he got out of the box very quickly, even when his speed was better.

Ramirez up. Two run single. 3 - 1 Cubs.

[RedsManRick]

This team is playing like it just doesn't care. I'd blame Dusty, but that would conflict with his history of successfully keeping underperforming teams motivated down the stretch... err... nevermind.

[Tony Cloninger]

This team is playing like it just doesn't care. I'd blame Dusty, but that would conflict with his history of successfully keeping underperforming teams motivated down the stretch... err... nevermind.

Young players make mistakes. Then we wonder why Baker does not want too many of them starting. The infield was aware the runner did not touch HP..... so they must be awake.

[Kc61]

Baker doubles to right. Second and third. Cubs by two. Two outs, fifth inning.

IBB to Soriano, loading bases.

Byrd up. Willis with a big batter here.

Wild pitch on inside pitch. Mes can't hold it. Run scores. 4-1 Cubs.

Now Byrd fouls a shot to left.

Target practice on D Train.

Liner to Stobbs ends inning five.

[Kc61]

This team is playing like it just doesn't care. I'd blame Dusty, but that would conflict with his history of successfully keeping underperforming teams motivated down the stretch... err... nevermind.

Sorry, I just don't see the apathy.

Problem this game is Garza still has it, while Dontrelle has lost it. Got blasted that inning.

[Ron Madden]

Young players make mistakes. Then we wonder why Baker does not want too many of them starting. The infield was aware the runner did not touch HP..... so they must be awake.

All players make mistakes, young and old.

[Kc61]

Garza fans Stubbs.

Votto pops up. Joey needs a day off.

Bruce takes strike three.

[Kc61]

Bottom six. Willis still out there. Soto hits fly to left, Yonder takes charge and gets it.

LaHair up. Grounds to Janish playing near the bag at second.

Garza singles. Willis fooling nobody.

Castro flies to Stubbs.

Go to seventh, Cubs by 3.

[Kc61]

Seventh inning.

Alonso singles. Comedy of errors for Cubs with guys slipping all over Cubs outfield. Alonso at third.

Francisco up. Fans.

Mes up. Grounds out, run scores.

Janish up. Grounds out.

4-2. Cubs, bottom seven.

[757690]

This team is playing like it just doesn't care. I'd blame Dusty, but that would conflict with his history of successfully keeping underperforming teams motivated down the stretch... err... nevermind.

If Baker plays the vets, he values winning meaningless games over the future. If he plays the rookies, he's not keeping the team motivated.

[Kc61]

Willis still out there.

Strike out, one down.

Ramirez. Walks.

Home Run Baker up. Strike out.

Soriano. Lines to Yonder.

To the eighth.

[Kc61]

If Baker plays the vets, he values winning meaningless games over the future. If he plays the rookies, he's not keeping the team motivated.

Correct. Today, some rookie mistakes. Alonso didn't catch the double. Mes didn't hold the wild pitch. Francisco didn't hit the fly ball.

Still, worthwhile to see what these guys can do.

[RedLegsToday]

Janish up. Grounds out.

I think at this point, I'd rather Dusty just throw Frazier out there and see if he can handle the position at all. Since expansion began (1961), only 15 players have reached 350pa with an OPS+ under 40. Soft J figures to be the 16th. Just brutal.

[RedLegsToday]

Another Cub error brings in another Reds run

[Kc61]

Willis grounds to second.

Phillips up. Garza still has plenty of mustard on his fastball.

BP doubles to left center. 33rd double.

Stubbs. Wild pitch, Brandon to third. Stubbs. Fans looking. Unreal.

Votto grounds to short, ball misplayed, run scored. Error 6.

One run game.

Bruce up. 4-3 game. Votto on first. Bruce walks. Two on.

Garza out. Lefty Russell to face Alonso.

[RedLegsToday]

Let's go Yo!

[Kc61]

Alonso with two on, two out. Two for three for Yonder.

Yonder grounds out.

Reds trail by one bottom eight.

[Kc61]

Fisher pitching.

Byrd fouls to Mes near screen. Nice play.

Price to mound for some reason.

Smash to Francisco, can't handle it. Tough error.

LaHair up. Chapman entering.

[Kc61]

Chapman allows double to right. Runner tries to score. Bruce to Phillips to Mes. Out at home.

Barney pinch hits. Strike out.

One run game. Ninth.

[Kc61]

Marmol to work ninth. JF grounds out.

Mesoraco up. Grounds out.

Heisey pinch hitting. Grounds out.

Over.

[Ron Madden]

Here's the Boxscore.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2011_09_05_cinmlb_chnmlb_1

[oneupper]

Not a pretty game for either team.