4/8 - Reds vs Marlins

[KittyDuran]

Someone can post the line-ups... But here is the team at BP...

[mth123]

Phillips 2B
Cozart SS
Votto 1B
Ludwick LF
Bruce RF
Cairo 3B
Stubbs CF
Hanigan C
Arroyo P

[Kc61]

I hope Stubbs gets off to a good start. I had hoped that Dusty would give Stubbs more days off against RHP. Drew is much more effective against lefties.

So far it looks like Stubbs will be out there day in and day out. Hope it works out.

[Crumbley]

Is the picture oddly off-center for anyone else? Watching Fox Sports Cincinnati in HD on DirecTV.

EDIT: Flipped around for a minute and it corrected.

[KittyDuran]

Play ball!

[Blitz Dorsey]

[double post]

[Blitz Dorsey]

Nice, Bronson looked very sharp there. Going to the bottom of the 1st, no score.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart doubles in a run. 1-0 Reds

[mth123]

Phillips single, Cozart double

1-0 with Votto up

[edabbs44]

Cozart impressive so far, hopefully he continues to mature as a hitter.

[edabbs44]

Votto walk, Zam full on Ludwick.

[kaldaniels]

Cue Zambrano meltdown.

[Kc61]

Double post.

[Kc61]

Stubbs up. Man on second. Two out, three in.

Stubbs with a K looking for strike three.

Like I said earlier, Dusty, let Drew sit out against righties once in awhile. Heisey can play some center too.

[Kc61]

Arroyo with a scoreless second, one hit by the lefty Dobbs.

3-0 Reds.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips with his 2nd hit of the day

[Reds Fanatic]

That was Brandon's 1000th hit as a Red

[Kc61]

Zambrano singles on an 0-2 pitch to lead off the third. Then a DP by Reyes.

[Tony Cloninger]

Stubbs up. Man on second. Two out, three in.

Stubbs with a K looking for strike three.

Like I said earlier, Dusty, let Drew sit out against righties once in awhile. Heisey can play some center too.



I think he will start doing that if Stubbs keeps doing this on a consistent basis again.

[Kc61]

I think he will start doing that if Stubbs keeps doing this on a consistent basis again.

I think it would help Stubbs out. 600 plus at bats for him last season was ridiculous with his struggles.

Dusty should be a bit more selective in the matchups Drew should face. He has that luxury because he has Heisey.

Nice catch, Ludwick, inning over.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice running catch by Ludwick

[Reds Fanatic]

Arroyo with 36 pitches (28 strikes, 8 balls) through 3

[Tony Cloninger]

I think it would help Stubbs out. 600 plus at bats for him last season was ridiculous with his struggles.

Dusty should be a bit more selective in the matchups Drew should face. He has that luxury because he has Heisey.

Nice catch, Ludwick, inning over.


I think though he will just use Harris out there instead....and as he is prone to be hard headed and stick to his roles for players...leave the other 2 over in LF. Harris can and might still be useful and luckily he has Stubbs down in the 7th hole.....not in the 1st or 2nd.....so he will not need an eraser for that one.

[Kc61]

Fourth inning, Marlins with a threat.

First and third, one out.

[Kc61]

3-1. Two on. Infante single.

Arroyo being hit solidly now.

[Kc61]

Arroyo gets out of it, 3-1.

Bronson over the years very good getting out of trouble. At his best with men on base, IMO.

[Kc61]

Stubbs with a one-out K.

wow.

Reds down easily, 3-1 lead after four inning.

[Tony Cloninger]

Stubbs with a one-out K.

wow.

Reds down easily, 3-1 lead after four inning.


So how bad does Stubbs look batting?

[Kc61]

Nice fifth inning by Arroyo, 3-1 Reds after 4.5.

[Kc61]

So how bad does Stubbs look batting?

Deja vu 2011 IMO.


But it's early.

[Kc61]

Z mowing them down. Strikes out the pitcher, then BP, in the fifth.

Now Cozart up. Pops out. Was ahead 2-0, Cozart should have been more patient there.

10 in a row down by Zambrano. Headed to the sixth, two run Reds lead.

[Kc61]

Middle of Fish order up in the sixth. Challenge for Arroyo here. Big hitters, third time around the lineup for the soft tossing pitcher.

Solid single by Ramirez. This could get ugly. C'mon Bronson.

Stanton pops out to Hanigan, fair territory. Big out. C'mon Bronson.

Stolen base, error, Ramirez to third.

Sac fly, 3-2 game.

Infante fans. Too bad, Bronson pitched well that inning, just hurt by the SB/error. One run game.

[kaldaniels]

Need a run from the meat of the order here.

[VR]

BA being very efficient against a very tough Marlins lineup. Would be nice to get him those two runs back. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go 8 today.

[WVRedsFan]

Same old story. Score early and then no more while the opposition whittles away. Bronson deserves better.

[Kc61]

Bruce homers. 4-2. End of sixth.

[kaldaniels]

That one was for that 61 mph pitch to Joey.

[reds44]

Get Arroyo through one more and get it to Chapman/Marshall.

[Kc61]

Two on, no out for Marlins.

Relievers warming.

Time for a new pitcher. Now.

[reds44]

uh hey Dusty, might want to get him out.

[Kc61]

4-3 Reds. Marlins with second and third. No out.

Arroyo still in to face Reyes.

[WVRedsFan]

Not gonna happen. While our offense stagnates they catch up and go ahead. Man, it never changes.

[Kc61]

Not gonna happen. While our offense stagnates they catch up and go ahead. Man, it never changes.

Arroyo was simply left out there too long. It's as simple as that.

Tie game, man on third, one out.

[Cedric]

Dusty being Dusty. And don't dare ask him why he did this today. He is smarter than everyone else.

[reds44]

Meanwhile, Arroyo is still in.

[WVRedsFan]

Arroyo was simply left out there too long. It's as simple as that.

Tie game, man on third, one out.OK, agreed, but can anyone explain why the offense is so anemic except for the one somewhat big inning?

Now, they lead.

[Kc61]

Marlins lead by one.

But don't worry, Arroyo is getting his work in and the bullpen won't be overused.

Just ridiculous.

[Degenerate39]

Same Arroyo different season

[Matt700wlw]

Dusty's a few steps behind as usual.

[corkedbat]

We're paying $25M over the next two years for a piece of toast. :angry:

[cbowen2112]

Why no Chapman?

[WVRedsFan]

Arroyo is becoming a 6 inning pitcher. He pitched well for 6. I blame Dusty and the pitching coach for this.

[Cedric]

We're paying $25M over the nest two years for a piece of toast. :angry:

That toast was crisp before our manager even thought of warming someone up. It's hard to watch people even try and defend him anymore.

[Kc61]

Same Arroyo different season

I don't blame Arroyo. Not at all.

It's early April. First start of the year. You don't have to get seven innings out of Arroyo in his first start.

He was simply left in too long.

And pitch count is irrelevant. Arroyo didn't have to go out there seven times and certainly didn't have to stay out there to give up three runs in the seventh.

This is completely on the manager. Completely.

[Big Klu]

Congratulations to Jay Bruce, who has now passed Dave Concepcion for 25th place on the Reds' all-time home run list.


Updated Reds HR list (players in italics are active):

Reds 100-Home Run Club
1. Johnny Bench - 389
2. Frank Robinson - 324
3. Tony Perez - 287
4. Adam Dunn - 270
5. Ted Kluszewski - 251
6. George Foster - 244
7. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 210
8. Eric Davis - 203
9. Barry Larkin - 198
10. Vada Pinson - 186
11. Wally Post - 172
12. Gus Bell - 160
13. Joe Morgan - 152
13. Pete Rose - 152
15. Lee May - 147
16. Dan Driessen - 133
17. Reggie Sanders - 125
18. Brandon Phillips - 124
19. Ernie Lombardi - 120
19. Joey Votto - 120
21. Sean Casey - 118
22. Frank McCormick - 110
23. Dave Parker - 107
24. Chris Sabo - 104
25. Jay Bruce - 102
26. Dave Concepcion - 101

[reds44]

I don't blame Arroyo. Not at all.

It's early April. First start of the year. You don't have to get seven innings out of Arroyo in his first start.

He was simply left in too long.

And pitch count is irrelevant. Arroyo didn't have to go out there seven times and certainly didn't have to stay out there to give up three runs in the seventh.

This is completely on the manager. Completely.
Arroyo threw 82 pitches. He wasn't tired.

[Matt700wlw]

Chapman should've been starting this game. Arroyo should be the fifth starter.

[kaldaniels]

I thought Arroyo had been playing with fire most of the afternoon.

[WVRedsFan]

I thought Arroyo had been playing with fire most of the afternoon.I agree. He was lucky to have only allowed 2 runs through 6, and if you get that pull him and get your bullpen in.

[757690]

I'm actually excited about this start from Arroyo. He kept the ball in the park, and his velocity was back to pre-2011 levels. As long as he continues to do that, he'll be fine this season. I agree with Kc61, he was just left in too long for the his first start of the year. should of had someone warming up to start the 7th.

[Kc61]

Arroyo threw 82 pitches. He wasn't tired.

Whether he was tired, or the Marlins just figured him out, I don't know.

But the manager just sat back and let the lead slip away.

Arroyo was fooling nobody. The bullpen wasn't ready. It was the seventh inning.

The manager blew this lead.

[757690]

Do you know why Dusty Baker had to sell his lawn mower?

He never could pull the starter. ;)

[kaldaniels]

I just might rather have Lenny Harris over Willie Harris.

[reds44]

Whether he was tired, or the Marlins just figured him out, I don't know.

But the manager just sat back and let the lead slip away.

Arroyo was fooling nobody. The bullpen wasn't ready. It was the seventh inning.

The manager blew this lead.
I agree, but Arroyo gets blame as well.

[WVRedsFan]

Stubbs ground out on the first pitch. Hanigan sees 7 pitches and pops out. Willie Harris pops out on the first pitch. Their pitcher throws 9 pitches ang gets 3 outs. Unbelievable.

[Kc61]

Reds do nothing in the seventh.

Now Chapman will get to pitch with the team behind.

I hope Dusty satisfied his goal to give Bronson more confidence. He certainly hasn't achieved the goal of holding a three run lead.

[Tom Servo]

Yeah this one's completely on Dusty.

[Tony Cloninger]

I agree, but Arroyo gets blame as well.

Well agree he should not be the 3rd starter at all as well.

Dusty needs a writer or someone to challenge him and Price ....in regards to WTF he is thinking during these Arroyo starts...beacuse this has been classic Arroyo since last year.

[WVRedsFan]

If you get 6 innings from BA and have the lead, history should tell you to get him out of there. Then you have Dusty...

[reds44]

I'm pretty sure Chapman just threw a change up.

Either that or it was a bad slider.

[reds44]

There was another one.

[Kc61]

I agree, but Arroyo gets blame as well.

I don't know what you expected from Arroyo. He is coming off one of the worst pitching seasons I can remember. He threw six excellent innings. He allowed one earned run and was burned by a stolen base/throwing error.

He was simply left in too long. His manager didn't protect him.

Most pitchers have a point where they need to come out. I don't blame the pitcher if the manager lets him go too far. That's what happened today.

No, I don't blame Arroyo.

[Matt700wlw]

Sick.

Done.

Chapman.

[reds44]

I don't know what you expected from Arroyo. He is coming off one of the worst pitching seasons I can remember. He threw six excellent innings. He allowed one earned run and was burned by a stolen base/throwing error.

He was simply left in too long. His manager didn't protect him.

Most pitchers have a point where they need to come out. I don't blame the pitcher if the manager lets him go too far. That's what happened today.

No, I don't blame Arroyo.
His pitch count was in the 60's when the inning started. That's not being left in too long.

If you can't leave a pitcher in when he's in the 60's, when can you leave him in? He should have been allowed to start the inning, there was no reason not to let him. He was left in way too long though.

[Kc61]

His pitch count was in the 60's when the inning started. That's not being left in too long.

If you can't leave a pitcher in when he's in the 60's, when can you leave him in? He should have been allowed to start the inning, there was no reason not to let him. He was left in way too long though.

I thought BA had more pitches then that, but it doesn't really matter. It was his seventh inning of work. He was up and down seven times.

In that spot, it's ok for BA to start the inning on a short leash with the bullpen ready.

Here, the pen was not ready. BA was given a long leash.

The Marlins' fifth run was handed to them. By then BA was being crushed. There was a man on third. Yet, he wasn't removed.

That's not the way to handle a pitching staff, sorry.

[757690]

His pitch count was in the 60's when the inning started. That's not being left in too long.

If you can't leave a pitcher in when he's in the 60's, when can you leave him in? He should have been allowed to start the inning, there was no reason not to let him. He was left in way too long though.

Pitch count is overrated. Innings is far more important. It's the amount of time you warm up, pitch, the sit down for 10-15 minutes that wears out your arm. Also the number of times theough an order is just as important.

[reds44]

I don't think any manager would pull his pitcher who had given up 2 runs with a pitch count in the 60's.

[Tom Servo]

I don't think any manager would pull his pitcher who had given up 2 runs with a pitch count in the 60's.
I just don't think you can look at it in that vacuum; you have to look at it as keeping in the worst regular starting pitcher of last year.

[Kc61]

I don't think any manager would pull his pitcher who had given up 2 runs with a pitch count in the 60's.

I don't think any manager would allow one of 2011's worst pitchers to keep going in the seventh inning of a close game while getting smacked around by the opposition.

Regardless of pitch count.

[Kc61]

Mr. 225 Ks with a man on first.

Ludwick up now.

Flies out, ninth inning, Dusty trails the Marlins by one.

[WVRedsFan]

It would totally shock me if the Reds came back and won this game. Either the Marlin pitching is world class or we've got problems that need to be fixed.

[cbowen2112]

Somewhere David Bell is smiling.

[reds44]

Ugh. If you're going to use Chapman for 2 anyways why don't you bring him in during the 7th?

[Kc61]

Ugh. If you're going to use Chapman for 2 anyways why don't you bring him in during the 7th?

Use Chapman for multiple innings in winning games.

Here, if Dusty loses (phrase used intentionally), how long will Chappy be on the shelf for the next series?

Aroldis with two great innings. Maybe the Reds can score again.

[Tony Cloninger]

Use Chapman for multiple innings in winning games.

Here, if Dusty loses (phrase used intentionally), how long will Chappy be on the shelf for the next series?

Aroldis with two great innings. Maybe the Reds can score again.

This is the only good thing to me....that used AC for 2.

Next time maybe he will smell the cafe and get him up earlier with the thought of going 2 in the middle. If he had done that...score might still be 4-3 with a chance for Marshall to get the save.

Offense is still limp though .... Marlins pitchers seem to having a field day using their off speed pitches

[WVRedsFan]

Unfortunately, Dusty never learns.

[Kc61]

Homer Bruuuuuuce.

[reds44]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!!!

[Kc61]

Arroyo is now off the hook.

Can the Reds win it and get Dusty off the hook as well?

[WVRedsFan]

Hallelujah.

[BCubb2003]

Managers just don't assume failure -- that a starter with 60 pitches can't make it through the seventh. They aren't thinking of last year's worst pitcher ... they're thinking of solid innings eater who's over his mono ...

[Kc61]

Managers just don't assume failure -- that a starter with 60 pitches can't make it through the seventh. They aren't thinking of last year's worst pitcher ... they're thinking of solid innings eater who's over his mono ...

Now Arroyo had 60 pitches.

By the end of this thread he will have had 35.

Very few pitchers with Arroyo type stuff can be counted on to go seven. You need to be ready to pull him if things go bad.

Arroyo went bad. It took too long to get him out.

[WVRedsFan]

Bruce = only offense since the first inning

[reds44]

Now Arroyo had 60 pitches.

By the end of this thread he will have had 35.

Very few pitchers with Arroyo type stuff can be counted on to go seven. You need to be ready to pull him if things go bad.

Arroyo went bad. It took too long to get him out.
I'm pretty sure he had 68 pitches starting the 7th.

Actually, it might have been less.

[Kc61]

Stubbs gets a high bouncing single with one out. Steal? Hanigan up. Rolen on deck.

[reds44]

ALRIGHT

[WVRedsFan]

Stubbs can fly.

[BCubb2003]

Deja vu 2011 IMO.


But it's early.


Now Arroyo had 60 pitches.

By the end of this thread he will have had 35.

Very few pitchers with Arroyo type stuff can be counted on to go seven. You need to be ready to pull him if things go bad.

Arroyo went bad. It took too long to get him out.

Sorry. In the 60s, I guess. I agree that the seventh is the most vulnerable inning. I'd do it that way, but I doubt Dusty's the only one who'd play it his way.

[Kc61]

Hanigan, a big hit, first and third.

Ball got away at third, but good backup by pitcher Bell.

Hanigan is excellent in these spots with opposite field hits.

Now Rolen can win it. Big meeting on the mound.

[Kc61]

Sorry. In the 60s, I guess. I agree that the seventh is the most vulnerable inning. I'd do it that way, but I doubt Dusty's the only one who'd play it his way.

If Rolen can win this now, Dusty is a genius and I will take it all back.

[Big Klu]

Updated Reds HR list (players in italics are active):

Reds 100-Home Run Club
1. Johnny Bench - 389
2. Frank Robinson - 324
3. Tony Perez - 287
4. Adam Dunn - 270
5. Ted Kluszewski - 251
6. George Foster - 244
7. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 210
8. Eric Davis - 203
9. Barry Larkin - 198
10. Vada Pinson - 186
11. Wally Post - 172
12. Gus Bell - 160
13. Joe Morgan - 152
13. Pete Rose - 152
15. Lee May - 147
16. Dan Driessen - 133
17. Reggie Sanders - 125
18. Brandon Phillips - 124
19. Ernie Lombardi - 120
19. Joey Votto - 120
21. Sean Casey - 118
22. Frank McCormick - 110
23. Dave Parker - 107
24. Chris Sabo - 104
25. Jay Bruce - 103
26. Dave Concepcion - 101

[11larkin11]

Boo! Boo Dusty! Fire Dusty! Everythings Dusty's fault! Boooooo!

[Tony Cloninger]

Have to love GABP homers

[Kc61]

Rolen behind in the count 1-2. Needs to hit the fly ball.

Reds win!

[GOYA]

Needs to hit the fly ball.

Not really. :-)

[reds44]

DJ Khaled "All I Do Is Win" feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain & Snoop Dogg / Victory In Stores Now - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXzlRoNtHU)

[WVRedsFan]

The vet comes through! Walk off single by Rolen.

TOBTTR

[Reds Fanatic]

Reds win on an infield hit by Rolen

[Tom Servo]

We're good again! :thumbup:

[Kc61]

Not really. :-)

I was worried about the DP but will take it.

Great job by Dusty managing the winning game.

[KittyDuran]

Reds win!

[Matt700wlw]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BCubb2003]

If Rolen can win this now, Dusty is a genius and I will take it all back.

Dusty is just managing at a whole different level from the rest of us.

[WVRedsFan]

It was still a major blunder by Dusty to leave Arroyo in too long. That said the offense woke up and won this one despite his bad move.

[Tony Cloninger]

Dusty is just managing at a whole different level from the rest of us.

Good thing for him they did win and the leaving in the pitcher too long fiasco will be forgotten. ;)

[WVRedsFan]

Reds win!We need you to do this every game, Kitty! Great work this weekend.

[KittyDuran]

We need you to do this every game, Kitty! Great work this weekend.

Thanks! I'll be here tomorrow and then for the Wed day game... Taking a half day off from work!

[PuffyPig]

Do you know why Dusty Baker had to sell his lawn mower?

He never could pull the starter. ;)

That's what she said......

[Redsfan320]

Yeah! Walkoff! I was there, baby, I was there!!!!

What dooo you know- Reds win!

320

[corkedbat]

Cozart hitting .545 with a 1.765 OPS. Small sample size? :D

[Hoosier Red]

In my mind, small sample size only applies to poor numbers.

[Degenerate39]

When I saw Bruce was leading off the 9th inning I knew he was going to homer. I should've posted it to make it offical :(

[Brutus]

Cozart hitting .545 with a 1.765 OPS. Small sample size? :D

A-Rod who?

[cincyinco]

Pitch count is overrated. Innings is far more important. It's the amount of time you warm up, pitch, the sit down for 10-15 minutes that wears out your arm. Also the number of times theough an order is just as important.

This is absolutely false. Theoretically, a guy can go 9 innings and throw 27 pitches. He could pitch the next day with a game like that. Who is more fresh, pitcher A who throws 9 innings, but does it in 90 pitches? Or pitcher B who throws 6, but throws 110. Innings pitched is far less important than pitches thrown because it fails to give you the whole picture. Its about how many pitches thrown, and the efficiency of which they're thrown.

I get what you're saying overall in regards to getting up, sitting down, time between throwing, etc. But overall, number of pitches is far and away more important than innings thrown.

[757690]

This is absolutely false. Theoretically, a guy can go 9 innings and throw 27 pitches. He could pitch the next day with a game like that. Who is more fresh, pitcher A who throws 9 innings, but does it in 90 pitches? Or pitcher B who throws 6, but throws 110. Innings pitched is far less important than pitches thrown because it fails to give you the whole picture. Its about how many pitches thrown, and the efficiency of which they're thrown.

I get what you're saying overall in regards to getting up, sitting down, time between throwing, etc. But overall, number of pitches is far and away more important than innings thrown.

The guy who went 9 innings would have thrown 162 pitches overall when you count his warm up pitches. The guy who went six with 110 would have thrown 148 pitches over all.

I will agree that the efficiency of which they are thrown is very important as well. Pitching with a big lead is usually easier since you throw more fastballs. You are right, you do need to look at the whole picture.

[WVPacman]

I just got on here so sorry if it has been posted already.I really think Bruce and rolen saved Bakers butt today.I really thought he left Bronson in there one inning to late.I don't know what his pich count was but the marlins hit him hard off and on the whole game.Why is dusty already worring about his bullpen needing rest when its only the third game of the season?

[kaldaniels]

So if we were members of Marlinszone, would we give Hanley grief about the games
last play?

[reds44]

Came across a stat that said Hanigan makes contact with 98% of the strikes he swings at. Is that true?

[REDREAD]

So if we were members of Marlinszone, would we give Hanley grief about the games
last play?

yep.. plenty of masked profanity and yelling on marlinzone.. :laugh:

[GAC]

I wanted to second guess Baker on leaving Arroyo in too long also; but unless Arroyo... and pitchers and managers do talk in between innings .... communicated to Baker that he was out of gas, I had no problem with him going out for the 7th.

He was pitching a pretty good game.... 6 innings, PC at approximately 75, 2 runs (1 unearned). Where I fault Dusty is not having someone throwing in the BP to start the 7th. Because as soon as Bronson hit the first batter (Dobbs), that's when I would have jerked him. But he couldn't immediately because he had no one warming up. So he had to continue to let Bronson throw - do some stalling - until Ondrusek was ready. IMO, that's where Dusty screwed up.

But how about that Jay Bruce! :D

[Brutus]

Came across a stat that said Hanigan makes contact with 98% of the strikes he swings at. Is that true?

According to Fangraphs, each of the past two seasons show a 2.5% swinging strike rate. So yes, that means that he's making contact with 97.5% of the pitches he swings at.

[CySeymour]

I wanted to second guess Baker on leaving Arroyo in too long also; but unless Arroyo... and pitchers and managers do talk in between innings .... communicated to Baker that he was out of gas, I had no problem with him going out for the 7th.

He was pitching a pretty good game.... 6 innings, PC at approximately 75, 2 runs (1 unearned). Where I fault Dusty is not having someone throwing in the BP to start the 7th. Because as soon as Bronson hit the first batter (Dobbs), that's when I would have jerked him. But he couldn't immediately because he had no one warming up. So he had to continue to let Bronson throw - do some stalling - until Ondrusek was ready. IMO, that's where Dusty screwed up.

But how about that Jay Bruce! :D

Did Dusty address this in the post game?

[OesterPoster]

I've heard Marty's call of the game winner, but I didn't hear Bruce's 2nd HR call. Anyone have a link for it?

[cumberlandreds]

So if we were members of Marlinszone, would we give Hanley grief about the games
last play?

I would have. Just a total give up. Nothing hurt by at least throwing towards the plate. If the runner falls down going to home you have a good chance at getting him. I think it shows what Ramirez is all about, IMO.
Bruce may just have that complete break out season this year. Last year was good but this one could be sensational.

[LvJ]

Bruce may just have that complete break out season this year. Last year was good but this one could be sensational.


Currently projected to hit 162 HR and 270 RBI. That's decent. :thumbup:

[MikeS21]

He was pitching a pretty good game.... 6 innings, PC at approximately 75, 2 runs (1 unearned). Where I fault Dusty is not having someone throwing in the BP to start the 7th. Because as soon as Bronson hit the first batter (Dobbs), that's when I would have jerked him. But he couldn't immediately because he had no one warming up. So he had to continue to let Bronson throw - do some stalling - until Ondrusek was ready. IMO, that's where Dusty screwed up.

Unlike most other posters, I am willing to give Arroyo a longer leash in that situation.

I am not concerned about 2001. He proved during spring training that he was past 2001. He is a veteran pitcher who has pitch his way out of MANY jams. And he had not pitched poorly up to that point. I do not see what all the fuss was about. To Dusty's credit, he didn't allow things to get too far out of hand. But I would have gone as far with Arroyo as Dusty did, in order to allow him to get out of it.

Let's face it. Had Dusty taken him out of the game after the 6th, and had a reliever given up a couple runs, everyone would be bellyaching because Dusty took Bronson out too early. More than anything, I believe Dusty wanted to save his bullpen for the St. Louis series.

My question for Dusty deals with the wisdom of using Chapman at all. Honestly, Chapman and Marshall are the only two relievers on the team that I feel halfway comfortable with. Those are the guys I want ready to pitch against St. Louis.

[membengal]

I would have hoped Arroyo was vet enough not to bring a gas can and a match to the mound with him in that situation. He gave the lead away right quick.