4/9/2012, Cardinals (Westbrook) @ Reds (Bailey)- Game 4

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http://mlblogsramsey.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/0011.jpg

[HotCorner]

No LaRusa. No Pujols. No Duncan. No Laird. :p No Berkman (tonight). No Carpenter or Wainwright (for this series).

[MikeThierry]

Any idea on what the Cards lineup is tonight?

[CySeymour]

Any idea on what the Cards lineup is tonight?

Per Jim Day:

SS Furcal
CF Jay
LF Holliday
RF Beltran
3b Freese
C Molina
1b Carpenter
2b Descalso
p Westbrook

[OesterPoster]

Derrick Goold tweeted that Berkman is back in the lineup at cleanup, Beltran up to 2nd, Jay down to 7th.

[klw]

It struck me that it could add an interesting twist to the series if Dat Dude's extension was announced while the Cardinals were in town.

[traderumor]

Derrick Goold tweeted that Berkman is back in the lineup at cleanup, Beltran up to 2nd, Jay down to 7th.You forgot to quote the other lineup and say "that was so 27 seconds ago" :)

[MikeThierry]

You forgot to quote the other lineup and say "that was so 27 seconds ago" :)

wanka wanka :)

[fugowitribe]

I really want to see Mesoraco get his chances. I thought he would be in the lineup tonight. Does Hannigan have good numbers vs. Westbrook?

[OesterPoster]

I really want to see Mesoraco get his chances. I thought he would be in the lineup tonight. Does Hannigan have good numbers vs. Westbrook?

2 for 6 in his career.

Heisey is the Westbrook killer. 3 for 6 against him last year, all 3 hits HRs.
BP was 4 for 8 off Westbrook last year. 2 doubles and a triple.
Bruce was 2 for 6 with a dinger and a double.

[MikeThierry]

I think everyone has had success against Westbrook, lol

[membengal]

I would very much like the Cincinnati ballclub to win this game and thereby smite all that is evil in the world.

[Degenerate39]

Very excited for this series.

[Reds Fanatic]

Furcal grounds out to Bailey. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Beltran flies out to center. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Holliday homers to left center. 1-0 Cards.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Still can't believe there were people vehemently against the Reds pursuing Holliday when the A's were making him available - not on financial grounds, but on the basis that he was a Colorado mirage that wouldn't ever produce outside of Coors Field.

Just nonsense, that was.

[Reds Fanatic]

Berkman walks on a 3-2 pitch.

[RBA]

Same Homer.

[Playadlc]

Bailey picking up where he left off in the spring.

He should never be allowed to pitch against St. Louis.

[Reds Fanatic]

Not off to to a good start. Freese homers to right. 3-0 Cards.

[reds44]

Homer Bailey, folks.

[membengal]

This isn't helping dougdirt's argument...

[Playadlc]

This is embarrassing.

[Captain Hook]

Homer's living up to his name in the 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ugh. Molina homers to center. This is ugly.

[kaldaniels]

Broadway.

[WildcatFan]

Get ready, Jeff Francis

[membengal]

Yay!!!! Let's give him another 10 starts!!!!! Yayyy!!!!

[The Operator]

wow

[KittyDuran]

Well... Just sat in my seat and they crack another HR.

[Playadlc]

God Bailey throws such hittable pitches.

[membengal]

Chapman...for godssake Dusty, Chapman. To the rotation.

[RBA]

Homer living up to his name.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Homer Bailey is this year's Edinson Volquez. I'm tired of the chances he keeps getting.

[KittyDuran]

Might have to call the beer guy... And I hate beer...

[Reds Fanatic]

Jay singles to center.

[Matt700wlw]

Sure glad Bailey earned that rotation spot.

[KittyDuran]

Homer Bailey is this year's Edinson Volquez. I'm tired of the chances he keeps getting.

He's a first round draft choice-he'll get chances...

[RBA]

Chapman...for godssake Dusty, Chapman. To the rotation.

Need Chapman to pitch the 8th.

[dunner13]

looks like were going to get to see our whole bullpen tonight

[Kc61]

Don't worry folks. It's only ERA. Doesn't mean anything.

[wheels]

Maybe he will flame out so awfully as to leave them no choice but rid themselves of him.

This is utterly horrendous.

[reds44]

This it what happens when you hand a guy a job he didn't deserve.

[757690]

Bailey picking up where he left off in the spring.

He should never be allowed to pitch again.

fixed it for you.

[WildcatFan]

Descalso's gonna get so made fun of

[Reds Fanatic]

Finally it is over. Descalso grounds out to Bailey. 4-0 Cards mid 1st.

[edabbs44]

Would love to see Homer battle back.

[Brutus]

The FIP took quite a beating.

[membengal]

Need Chapman to pitch the 8th.

Crosses my mind the 7 innings before then are important too...

[Captain Hook]

All of that with two outs.

[RBA]

4-0? Don't sweat it. Jay Bruce can put those on the board by himself.

[wheels]

His k/bb ratio is still intact as well.:lol:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Just got in. Oh my. Good hitting, or bad pitching?

[WildcatFan]

Just got in. Oh my. Good hitting, or bad pitching?

A hearty helping of both

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grounds out to Westbrook

[reds44]

Bailey gave up more homers that inning that Chapman has in his entire career.

[membengal]

Just got in. Oh my. Good hitting, or bad pitching?

Straight fastballs hit far.

[Reds Fanatic]

Just got in. Oh my. Good hitting, or bad pitching?

It was pretty much Bailey serving up pitches right down the middle.

[WildcatFan]

You can't keep Cozart off the bases. Forget it.

[Crumbley]

He's still a young chap, 2017 could be the year.

[reds44]

Cozart >>

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart walks

[membengal]

On a further down note, it is next Saturday's game in Washington that I can make...so I have Homer to look forward to for that one. Swell.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto walks. 1st and 2nd.

[The Operator]

make Westbrook throw strikes, boys.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bases loaded jack for Bruce to make it a clean slate? I like the sound of that. Yeah, let's do THAT.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

On a further down note, it is next Saturday's game in Washington that I can make...so I have Homer to look forward to for that one. Swell.

The Nationals are also looking forward to that night.

[The Operator]

ball 10 lol

[KittyDuran]

A hearty helping of both

It's also quite windy... not Wrigley-like tho'...

[Roy Tucker]

Zambrano got lit up early and came back yesterday.

[757690]

Btw, according to my twitter account, Homer Bailey is trending right now lol

[Reds Fanatic]

Rolen pops out to 2nd. 2 outs.

[The Operator]

Rolen looks pretty bad at the plate thus far.

[wheels]

Cmon Brucie, make it close here.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce flies out to center. 4-0 Cards after 1.

[Cedric]

I've never seen a team with a bunch of workout warriors like the Cardinals. Holliday and Freeze look like WWE superstars.

[WildcatFan]

I'm going on record as supporting the Fox Sports Ohio girls.

[Reds Fanatic]

Westbrook strikes out swinging. 1 out.

[brad1176]

At least he got the pitcher out...

[Kc61]

Westbrook strikes out swinging. 1 out.

Keeping up that K rate.

[kaldaniels]

I haven't given up on Homer. I know that's an uncool sentiment.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I haven't given up on Homer. I know that's an uncool sentiment.

I was just about to post the same thing. I still think he has a great year. I'm not going to sour on him after 1 inning.

[membengal]

I haven't given up on Homer. I know that's an uncool sentiment.

Good for you. You and dougdirt. Maybe you will end up being right to do so. One of these years.

[Reds Fanatic]

Furcal flies out to left.

[reds44]

Good for you. You and dougdirt. Maybe you will end up being right to do so. One of these years.

lol

[reds44]

I haven't even given up on Homer. He just doesn't belong in the rotation of Chapman.

[membengal]

Ah, eternally optimistic Chris Welsh..."sometimes pitchers feel better after giving up a few runs".

Okay Chris.

It just so happens those are NOT pitchers I want on the Reds. I want the pitchers who don't have to give up runs to feel comfortable...

[WildcatFan]

Working very quickly.

[Reds Fanatic]

Beltran grounds out to 3rd. 4-0 Cards mid 2nd.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Ah, eternally optimistic Chris Welsh..."sometimes pitchers feel better after giving up a few runs".

Okay Chris.

It just so happens those are NOT pitchers I want on the Reds. I want the pitchers who don't have to give up runs to feel comfortable...

The Bailey must be on Cloud 9 right now.

[kaldaniels]

I haven't even given up on Homer. He just doesn't belong in the rotation of Chapman.

If Chapman was ready to step into the rotation there would certainly be a discussion to be had, I agree. But he is not.

[Brutus]

Baby steps through the second inning!

[reds44]

If Chapman was ready to step into the rotation there would certainly be a discussion to be had, I agree. But he is not.
He's not?

[KittyDuran]

From my perch... Still enjoying the waning sun... :)

[membengal]

If Chapman was ready to step into the rotation there would certainly be a discussion to be had, I agree. But he is not.

Declarative statements are fun, I guess.

[brad1176]

Much better 2nd, still leaving fastballs up and that usually doesn't work in a pitcher's favor.

[Playadlc]

From my perch... Still enjoying the waning sun... :)

My goodness. Is there even 12K there?

[KittyDuran]

Ah, eternally optimistic Chris Welsh..."sometimes pitchers feel better after giving up a few runs".

Okay Chris.

It just so happens those are NOT pitchers I want on the Reds. I want the pitchers who don't have to give up runs to feel comfortable...

IIRC... Chris must have felt good most of his starts... ;)

[The Operator]

Edinson Volquez left his playbook in Homer's locker apparently.

But I also have yet to give up on him. People act as if he's posted a 7.50 ERA the last 3 years, when in reality he's had three decent, albeit injury prone seasons. He just absolutely has to stop having disaster starts like these, because they detract a lot from the rest of his body of work.

Could anyone teach Homer a fastball with a bit more movement? When I was pitching I was always experimenting with slightly altered grips to get the most movement I could.

[brad1176]

IIRC... Chris must have felt good most of his starts... ;)

:laugh:

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Heisey. 3rd walk by Westbrook already.

[The Operator]

Make this guy pay this inning. Don't swing early in the count!

[KittyDuran]

My goodness. Is there even 12K there?

Could be... You need to remember they go by tickets sold (I think).

[kaldaniels]

Declarative statements are fun, I guess.

My sincere apologies. That is my opinion of course.

[Reds Fanatic]

Another walk. Stubbs walks. 1st and 2nd.

[The Operator]

If they don't plate a run this inning I am going to scream.

[wheels]

Sooner or later you'd think the good guys would dent the plate, what with all of these walks.

[kbrake]

If they don't plate a run this inning I am going to scream.

I second this.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hanigan lines out to right.

[The Operator]

This guy should be bagging groceries somewhere. Make him pay.

And Hanigan swings first pitch. Great.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Sooner or later you'd think the good guys would dent the plate, what with all of these walks.

Sounds like Marty B ... :D

[WildcatFan]

Homer owes us a double.

[membengal]

Homer is not having a good night.

[The Operator]

Homer really is firing on all cylinders tonight.

[Reds Fanatic]

Horrible bunt. Bailey bunts into a 3-5 FC. 2 outs.

[wheels]

Good GRAVY.

[brad1176]

Wow. Nice bunt. Heisey out at third.

[kaldaniels]

Bailey needs to come out of his shoes swinging when Berkman charges like that.

[kbrake]

Solid AB by Phillips, swings at 2 balls. This is not fun.

[brad1176]

I'm officially frustrated to the point of throwing things.

[The Operator]

LOL. How on earth these guys can watch a guy miss the strike zone by a mile pitch after pitch and then go up there hacking early in the count is so beyond me. It's like they aren't even watching.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips strikes out swinging. 4-0 Cards after 2.

[wheels]

That old Riverfront scoreboard graphic couldn't be more wrong.

Walks, apparently, do NOT haunt.

Boo!

[KittyDuran]

If they don't plate a run this inning I am going to scream.

Well... Did you scare anyone? ;)

[membengal]

That old Riverfront scoreboard graphic couldn't be more wrong.

Walks, apparently, do NOT haunt.

Boo!

They only haunt Reds pitchers.

[Reds Fanatic]

Holliday pops out to 1st. 1 out.

[kaldaniels]

Nice split screen by FSO showing location of the HR pitches.

[The Operator]

Well... Did you scare anyone? ;)My cats are terrified! :p

[Reds Fanatic]

Berkman lines a single to right center.

[757690]

The good news is that Homer's meltdown in the first didn't really happen, because I have been told that my opinion that they do is just a product of my confirmation bias ;)

[brad1176]

Location, location, location. Hanigan wanted that pitch inside, Bailey throws it across the plate.

[_Sir_Charles_]

That was a pretty curveball. We need to see more of that.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freese grounds into a 6-4-3 DP. 4-0 Cards mid 3rd.

[The Operator]

Location, location, location. Hanigan wanted that pitch inside, Bailey throws it across the plate.Frustrating to watch. Being wild inside the strike zone is just as bad as outside, if not worse.

[KittyDuran]

Hmmm... I think someone needs to change the graphic on the gift shop window...

[Degenerate39]

Westbrook has a no-hitter by the way

[kaldaniels]

That dare to be massive commercial is a head scratcher. And that's all I have to say about that.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Here's a crazy idea....maybe somebody should hide all the Reds' bats and just win the game via Westbrook's walks. No?

[The Operator]

Hmmm... I think someone needs to change the graphic on the gift shop window...I think it's perfect! :D

[Degenerate39]

No hitter, No hitter, No hitter, No hitter

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart flies out to center.
Votto flies out to left.

[Roy Tucker]

Killer B....

Lance <bad word> Berkman lifetime against the Reds

G - 162
AB - 706
HR - 52
RBI - 143
OPS - 1.096

Ugh.

[Reds Fanatic]

That was quick. Rolen flies out to right. 4-0 Cards after 3.

[Degenerate39]

3 no hit innings

[WildcatFan]

Nice of them to bail Westbrook out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

For a supposed groundball pitcher...have we seen a ground ball yet?

[cbowen2112]

This is ugly folks

[RedsMan3203]

Homer should just put a FB into this guys ribs for the heck of it...... :)

[Reds Fanatic]

Molina flies out to the track in right. 1 out.

[Reds Fanatic]

Jay doubles to left over Heisey

[cbowen2112]

Double Jay

[WildcatFan]

Heisey does not take very good angles

[Patrick Bateman]

Bailey is essentially a league average starter.

It amazes me the amount of pain people here suffer watching the ups and downs of such pitchers.

It was a bad inning, but no credit for the 2 spotless innings thereafter.

[Reds Fanatic]

That should be an error he should have had that it went off his glove.

[kaldaniels]

Homer gave up the contact but Chris should have had that.

[cbowen2112]

Put him on and get out with a DP by the pitcher's bunt...oh wait, that is what our pitchers do.

[membengal]

Bailey is essentially a league average starter.

It amazes me the amount of pain people here suffer watching the ups and downs of such pitchers.

It was a bad inning, but no credit for the 2 spotless innings thereafter.

The pain is that there is someone on the staff right now who I genuinely think can be better than league average. And what not.

[kaldaniels]

Bailey is essentially a league average starter.

It amazes me the amount of pain people here suffer watching the ups and downs of such pitchers.

It was a bad inning, but no credit for the 2 spotless innings thereafter.

I agree if healthy he will serve a nice role. Not gonna be an all-star. But I think he is an asset.

[WildcatFan]

Thom just rattled off Bailey's big improvements last year: quality starts, wins and innings.

[cbowen2112]

The pain is that there is someone on the staff right now who I genuinely think can be better than league average. And what not.

This

[kaldaniels]

The pain is that there is someone on the staff right now who I genuinely think can be better than league average. And what not.

Ok. But is Homer the guy you remove from the rotation?

[Reds Fanatic]

Descalso strikes out swinging. 2 Ks. 2 outs.

[cbowen2112]

Big K, we need to get Westbrook here and when he is on the bump.

[RedsMan3203]

Heisey does not take very good angles

You can say that again....

Does it every single time. Sometimes he gets to it, other times its off his glove for a double....

[757690]

Bailey is essentially a league average starter.

It amazes me the amount of pain people here suffer watching the ups and downs of such pitchers.

It was a bad inning, but no credit for the 2 spotless innings thereafter.

Putting the team down 4-0 in the first is not what league average pitchers do, no matter how well he pitches the rest of the game.

[membengal]

Ok. But is Homer the guy you remove from the rotation?

At this point, yes. Arroyo ain't going anywhere, and Bailey, despite the defense from y'all, really isn't all that. The best you can do is "he's average!". Well, at this point, not really seeing that as an argument in his favor.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Putting the team down 4-0 in the first is not what league average pitchers do, no matter how well he pitches the rest of the game.

If he were to do that every game, I'd agree with you. But it's ONE inning. I think we're a little quick on the trigger here. Everybody has a bad inning now and again.

[Reds Fanatic]

He got lucky there. A borderline strike call. Westbrook strikes out looking. 4-0 Cards mid 4th.

[Patrick Bateman]

The pain is that there is someone on the staff right now who I genuinely think can be better than league average. And what not.

That's not Homer Bailey's fault......

And how come Arroyo does not get subject to the same complaints?

[_Sir_Charles_]

That's not Homer Bailey's fault......

And how come Arroyo does not get subject to the same complaints?

Nice hair?

[cbowen2112]

If he were to do that every game, I'd agree with you. But it's ONE inning. I think we're a little quick on the trigger here.

He can have one bad inning and then go 7 strong with 4 ER. That is about league average. We need our offense to wake up before the 9th though.

[membengal]

That's not Homer Bailey's fault......

And how come Arroyo does not get subject to the same complaints?

He does. You know he does. Check out the game thread from Sunday for the latest.

[kaldaniels]

At this point, yes. Arroyo ain't going anywhere, and Bailey, despite the defense from y'all, really isn't all that. The best you can do is "he's average!". Well, at this point, not really seeing that as an argument in his favor.

You say Arroyo ain't gonna anywhere.

I can say Chapman ain't leaving the pen.

If you were calling the shots, would you remove Homer or Bronson?

[Patrick Bateman]

Putting the team down 4-0 in the first is not what league average pitchers do, no matter how well he pitches the rest of the game.

Actually, yes, they do some times (as proven here).

A league average pitcher does not churn out 6 innings 3 runs every game.

[RedsMan3203]

At this point, yes. Arroyo ain't going anywhere, and Bailey, despite the defense from y'all, really isn't all that. The best you can do is "he's average!". Well, at this point, not really seeing that as an argument in his favor.

If Homer is removed from the rotation, he shouldn't go to the pen.

I see how Dusty made the decision to put Chapman back in the pen. He has worked out of the pen with a ton of success and no issues. Homer has started the whole time with some success.

It was a move of comfort...

[cbowen2112]

He got lucky there. A borderline strike call. Westbrook strikes out looking. 4-0 Cards mid 4th.

It was definitely over the plate. Had late tail spin on it.

[757690]

If he were to do that every game, I'd agree with you. But it's ONE inning. I think we're a little quick on the trigger here.

He melts down and gives up a big inning all the time, in nearly half of his starts last year. If this was the first time he's imploded like this, he would deserve some slack, but alas, it is not.

[Patrick Bateman]

He does. You know he does. Check out the game thread from Sunday for the latest.

Well Chapman isn't replacing both of them.

At some point, you guys are going to have to live with the fact that the Reds aren't going to have 5 aces (you think you would have by now since we never have any!).

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce reaches on an error by Furcal

[kaldaniels]

He does. You know he does. Check out the game thread from Sunday for the latest.

Did you run over to bump an Arroyo thread yesterday? Your response above makes my question relevant.

[Degenerate39]

Still has a no hitter

[Reds Fanatic]

Wow. Furcal boots an easy ground ball. Then makes a diving stop on a 6-4 FC.

[_Sir_Charles_]

He melts down and gives up a big inning all the time, in nearly half of his starts last year. If this was the first time he's imploded like this, he would deserve some slack, but alas, it is not.

I'll readily admit that when Homer gives up runs, he gives them up in bunches. But when he's NOT doing that, he's VERY good. Sometimes, learning to avoid those big innings is a maturity issue. Just another reason I'm expecting big things from Homer this year.

[membengal]

Well Chapman isn't replacing both of them.

At some point, you guys are going to have to live with the fact that the Reds aren't going to have 5 aces (you think you would have by now since we never have any!).

Why are you moving my goalposts? I simply want them to improve where they can. Chapman is an improvement on Bailey at this point in my view. So I wish for them to improve that at this point. You make it sound like I am demanding "five aces" something that is wholly unreasonable and something I have never ever said anywhere.

[The Operator]

Good grief.

[Degenerate39]

Are you fricken serious

[Matt700wlw]

Wow

[membengal]

Maybe Chapman should replace Chris Heisey.

[RedsMan3203]

:face palm:

[Reds Fanatic]

That was ugly. Heisey gets picked off. He thinks he gets tagged when he really did not and then stops running and is thrown out at 2nd.

[Crumbley]

Oh man.

[WildcatFan]

We've got quite a game going here.

[klw]

Do the Reds know that they are not obligated to swing at pitches if they are not strikes?

[brad1176]

Holy smokes.

[Matt700wlw]

Every time they play St. Louis, they play like they've never played before.

I know they beat them more than they didn't last season.

[Gainesville Red]

Not a tremendous amount of baseball acumen being displayed by the home team tonight.

[WildcatFan]

I fully expect to see two men standing on second at some point tonight

[membengal]

Did you run over to bump an Arroyo thread yesterday? Your response above makes my question relevant.

How many threads have there been over Arroyo over the last year? A ton. If you want me to bump one, I will. But you know and I know that he isn't leaving the rotation what with what they are paying him. But it gets old, frankly, and from you, who is better than this, disingenuous to point to Arroyo and go "what about him" when Bailey is discussed.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs grounds out to 3rd. 4-0 Cards after 4. Reds are still being no-hit.

[757690]

Actually, yes, they do some times (as proven here).

A league average pitcher does not churn out 6 innings 3 runs every game.

First, statistically, Homer has been below average his whole career.

Second, this is Homer's MO. Pitch okay most of the game, implode in one inning. That is demoralizing to a team, and a good way to lose games.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I fully expect to see two men standing on second at some point tonight

Okay, now THAT made me lol. :O)

[Degenerate39]

My jinxing isn't working but 4 no hit innings. Need more help!

[Roy Tucker]

At least the fans are fielding well.

[Reds Fanatic]

Broken bat ground out to 2nd by Furcal.

[kaldaniels]

How many threads have there been over Arroyo over the last year? A ton. If you want me to bump one, I will. But you know and I know that he isn't leaving the rotation what with what they are paying him. But it gets old, frankly, and from you, who is better than this, disingenuous to point to Arroyo and go "what about him" when Bailey is discussed.

Arroyo had his mulligan year last year. I do not believe he has a rotation spot locked in. A slightly longer leash, sure. But come June and he has a 5.50 ERA I think a change will be made. So I am not disingenuous to include him.

[Reds Fanatic]

Beltran walks.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Something has been nagging me and I just couldn't put my finger on it. It was how odd it looked to see a home plate ump who's thinner than most of the players. :)

[Patrick Bateman]

First, statistically, Homer has been below average his whole career.

Second, this is Homer's MO. Pitch okay most of the game, implode in one inning. That is demoralizing to a team, and a good way to lose games.

Statistically speaking, there are actually metrics on both sides of the fences, it's arguable, whatever, he's been pretty darned close to average however you want to slice it two years runnings.

[kaldaniels]

How many threads have there been over Arroyo over the last year? A ton. If you want me to bump one, I will. But you know and I know that he isn't leaving the rotation what with what they are paying him. But it gets old, frankly, and from you, who is better than this, disingenuous to point to Arroyo and go "what about him" when Bailey is discussed.

And this as personal as it will get here cause I hate to be childish. But I simply posted that I have not given up on Homer and you were quick to mock. That's probably where the edge on my posts here comes from.

[WildcatFan]

If it makes anyone feel better, Darvish gave up four runs in the first tonight.

[_Sir_Charles_]

YESSIRREE!!! Strike 'em out, throw 'em out!

[Reds Fanatic]

DP! Holliday strikes out and Hanigan nails Beltran at 2nd.

[Patrick Bateman]

Why are you moving my goalposts? I simply want them to improve where they can. Chapman is an improvement on Bailey at this point in my view. So I wish for them to improve that at this point. You make it sound like I am demanding "five aces" something that is wholly unreasonable and something I have never ever said anywhere.

I'm just saying, evaluating every bad pitch by Homer Bailey by comparing him to Chapman is silly. We know what Homer is. We know what Arroyo is. Chapman is likely a better starter (but not a given). It's not Homer's fault that management wants Chapman in the bullpen rather than starter. Can't we just evaluate Homer on his own merits?

[Roy Tucker]

Reds getting guys picked off this year. Someone wake up Billy Hatcher.

[brad1176]

Now let's get some hits!

[klw]

Will we get a PH for Homer here? He is at 81 pitches through 5. I would assume no Chapman tonight.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hanigan grounds out to 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bailey grounds out to Westbrook on the first pitch. 2 outs.

[Hoosier Red]

First, statistically, Homer has been below average his whole career.

Second, this is Homer's MO. Pitch okay most of the game, implode in one inning. That is demoralizing to a team, and a good way to lose games.

That's I think a lot more your memory than actual results. I went through Bailey's year last year, and he had 9 of 22 starts where he gave up more than 2 runs in one inning. My guess is that's more or less what you'd expect from an "average" starting pitcher.

We tend to remember our starting pitchers blowing up more than other pitchers. And I'm not sure that's any more demoralizing than a pitcher who gives up 1 or 2 runs every other inning.

[Reds Fanatic]

Finally a hit. Phillips singles to center.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Datdudehits

[brad1176]

Thank the Lord!

[kaldaniels]

Miketheirry is just sitting in his evil lair watching us bicker while eating a bag of popcorn.

[The Operator]

Cozart!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Thank you Jake. :O)

[WildcatFan]

Attababy!!!!! MVP! MVP!

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice. Cozart lined it hard off Westbrook. Westbrook attempted a throw to 1st and threw it away. Phillips scores. 4-1 Cards. Cozart to 2nd.

[brad1176]

Is Phillips hurt?

[Reds Fanatic]

Yes Phillips did not look good running home. Possibly pulled something

[wheels]

Hope Brandon is okay. He was hobbling big time.

[_Sir_Charles_]

He was certainly limping going into the dugout. The stop & start past 2nd?

[kaldaniels]

Is Phillips hurt?

Went right down clubhouse steps...?

[Hoosier Red]

Nice. Cozart lined it hard off Westbrook. Westbrook attempted a throw to 1st and threw it away. Phillips scores. 4-1 Cards. Cozart to 2nd.

Nice description. Following on mlb.com and "in Play run(s)" has been stuck trying to explain it.

[The Operator]

Oh man, cmon Phillips just a cramp... just a cramp... pleeease.

[757690]

That's I think a lot more your memory than actual results. I went through Bailey's year last year, and he had 9 of 22 starts where he gave up more than 2 runs in one inning. My guess is that's more or less what you'd expect from an "average" starting pitcher.

We tend to remember our starting pitchers blowing up more than other pitchers. And I'm not sure that's any more demoralizing than a pitcher who gives up 1 or 2 runs every other inning.

I already did the math on that earlier. Homer gave up more than one run in one inning more frequently than even Arroyo last year, about twice as often as the other Reds starters. As I said, he did it in nearly half of his starts. My memory was correct.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto strikes out looking. 4-1 Cards after 5.

[WildcatFan]

Couple of nice pitches there from Westbrook.

[The Operator]

Oh great, that's CB Bucknor? He'll be sure to make some awful calls on the bases in the next two. One of the worst in the game.

[Reds Fanatic]

Oh great, that's CB Bucknor? He'll be sure to make some awful calls on the bases in the next two. One of the worst in the game.

Yes that is him. The worst ump in the game. At some point in this series he will blow at least one big call.

[klw]

Votto strikes out looking. 4-1 Cards after 5.

Nice of Joey to take the first pitch to give Brandon a chance to recover. Oh wait nevermind.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Valdez at 2nd. That ain't good.

[Reds Fanatic]

Valdez is in for Phillips

[The Operator]

Uh oh. BP out of the game.

[Matt700wlw]

Great.

[Hoosier Red]

I already did the math on that earlier. Homer gave up more than one run in one inning more frequently than even Arroyo last year, about twice as often as the other Reds starters. As I said, he did it in nearly half of his starts. My memory was correct.

I don't know. I guess it depends on where you set the bar.
2 runs in an inning isn't exactly blowing up. And the end result is how many runs and how many innings. 4 runs in 6 innings(if he gets there) isn't the worst start in the world and if it weren't Homer, he'd get credit for keeping his head in the game and giving his team a chance to win.

[757690]

Phillips shouldn't have held out so long for a sixth year.

[The Operator]

Phillips shouldn't have held out so long for a sixth year.
He'll still get his money. Didn't seem to hurt Jose Reyes much in contract negotiations.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKK

[Reds Fanatic]

Berkman strikes out swinging. 5 Ks for Bailey.