4.27.12 Astros @ Reds

[klw]

#Reds lineup:
Cozart 6,
Stubbs 8,
Votto 3,
Phillips 4,
Ludwick 7,
Rolen 5,
Bruce 9,
Mesoraco 2,
Leake 1.

vs.
LH WRodriguez



Astros lineup

Schafer, 8
Altuve, 4
Martinez, 7
Lee, 3
Lowrie, 6
Bogusevic, 9
Johnson, 5
Castro, 2
Rodriguez, 1

From Fay
http://twitter.com/#!/johnfayman

John Fay ‏ @johnfayman
RT @glokkenspx @johnfayman Bruce seems awfully low in the lineup, no?//1-for-26 against Wandy Rodriguez


Seeing Heisey is 3 for 8 with a HR against Wandy, i wonder if they considered sitting Bruce and using Hi-C but with Bruce heating up figured to keep him in.
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=502317&c_id=cin#gameType='R'&sectionType=bvp&statType=1&season=2012&level='ALL'&bvpTeam=117&bvpPlayer=434643

[KittyDuran]

View from my seat...6085

[klw]

View from my seat...6085

I am working late at the officer so my view is of drab wall and the custodian as he vacuums the hallway. Yours looks like more scenic. Have a great time!

[elfmanvt07]

I can start the PBP, if you guys want. May step out at some point.

[elfmanvt07]

Two pitches, one out. Schafer grounds one to Leake. 1 down.

[elfmanvt07]

Altuve works it to 2-2 before he pops out weakly to Votto. 2 away.

[elfmanvt07]

By the way, ump being stingy with that outside corner early.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake out of the inning with 12 pitches, forcing Martinez to ground to Cozart. Good play by the kid, moving to his right. Middle 1.

[elfmanvt07]

Cozart swings at a changeup, then legs out a grounder to third. Hops out of the glove of the 3B, throws to first, and the ball jumps away. Leadoff man aboard!

[edabbs44]

I don't say this much, but they should sweep these guys. Losing one would be a little disappointing.

[elfmanvt07]

Lee twisted his ankle after the play like an idiot. The play RIGHTLY scored as an infield single.

Edit to elaborate: Stubbs made no obvious effort to turn towards second after the ball kicked away, Lee runs backward for some reason and twists his ankle. It's like his leg forgot what it was doing.

[elfmanvt07]

Downs in at first. Batting 4th.

[VR]

I don't mind Carlos Lee coming out

[elfmanvt07]

Stubbs legs out the DP. Cozart out at second. Stubbs on first with one down.

[elfmanvt07]

Votto stands in. Let's see if he can get something here.

[elfmanvt07]

Stubbs with a good lead.

[elfmanvt07]

I should have shut up. They just picked him off.

[elfmanvt07]

And Votto K's. Again. This is an alarming trend. Reds done in the first.

[VR]

Stubby giving away a couple of outs in his last couple of ab's

[elfmanvt07]

Downs to lead off.

http://i.imgur.com/wJofy.jpg

[elfmanvt07]

Downs hits a line drive to short right, Bruce runs in and hauls it in. 1 away.

[elfmanvt07]

Lowrie stands in. This ump isn't giving any strikes low or outside. Lowrie hits a lazy fly to center. Stubbs sorta lightly jogs 5 steps to his right and makes the catch. Two down.

[elfmanvt07]

To clarify, not a bad zone, just a small zone. Bogusevic grounds to Cozart, who ranges to his right. The throw is off balance, and Votto gets pulled off the bag. Good call by the first base umpire.

[elfmanvt07]

Bogusevic steals. High throw by Mes.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake and Mes having some communication issues, seemingly. Johnson grounds it to Rolen. 5-3 for the third out. It still amazes me how accurate Rolen is with his throws. BP up.

[elfmanvt07]

Dat Dude singles on a lazy little flare to right.

[elfmanvt07]

Second straight inning with the leadoff runner aboard. Let's see what we can do with it.

[elfmanvt07]

Ludwick works it to 2-2 before swinging over a change from Wandy. One away.

[elfmanvt07]

Rolen swings at the first pitch and lines it right at Altuve. Phillips has to slide back into first. Two away.

[Degenerate39]

Bruce will homer tonight

[elfmanvt07]

I agree with Kelch and Welsh in that Rolen seemingly is hitting the ball harder seemingly overnight.

[elfmanvt07]

Looks like the production team's interesting stat of the night are players' averages against the Astros. Seemingly everyone near .300.

Bruce K's. Wandy's got his number.

[elfmanvt07]

8, 9, 1 coming up.

[elfmanvt07]

Castro singles to left. Leake not really minimizing his pitch count.

[elfmanvt07]

Wandy trying to sacrifice.

[elfmanvt07]

Rodriguez gets it down. Castro to second.

[elfmanvt07]

One away, and Schafer steps back in.

[elfmanvt07]

RUNG HIM UP. Leake with a timely first K. Nice sinker. Two down.

[elfmanvt07]

Ump is being a little generous up high. It's probably because Altuve is about 4'11"

[elfmanvt07]

Bruce makes a decision to dive for a liner to short right and he can't get there. Castro scores. 1-0 Giants.

[kbrake]

Awful play by Bruce.

[elfmanvt07]

Martinez hits the first pitch up the middle. 2-0 Giants.

[Degenerate39]

Martinez hits the first pitch up the middle. 2-0 Giants.

Giants?

[elfmanvt07]

Downs flies it to Bruce. Mid 3.

[elfmanvt07]

Giants?

I wish I could say I was drunk. :lol:

[Kc61]

Should Bruce have caught it? Not watching.

[elfmanvt07]

Mes watches a fastball right down broadway for a K.

[elfmanvt07]

Should Bruce have caught it? Not watching.

No. He should have kept it in front of him.

[kbrake]

Should Bruce have caught it? Not watching.

Should have never dove for it.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake K's on three pitches. Two away.

[elfmanvt07]

Should have never dove for it.

Especially with man on second.

[elfmanvt07]

Cozart works it to 3-2 before flying out to right. Rather lazy. Reds are done. End of 3.

[elfmanvt07]

Lowrie rips a liner into the gap in right center. Ball runs to the wall, and Lowrie is in with a double.

[Degenerate39]

What the hell is wrong with this team

[elfmanvt07]

Leake looking visibly flustered. Fielding error by Phillips. Ball ate him up.

[alloverjr]

Leake getting hit hard. Phillips hurt.

[elfmanvt07]

Runners on the corners. Phillips getting his hand looked at. No one out.

[elfmanvt07]

On a second view, I think it was just a bad hop. Phillips in the correct position.

[Kc61]

Sounds like Leake doesn't have much and the defense is making it worse.

[elfmanvt07]

Phillips back on the field.

[elfmanvt07]

Johnson doubles in one. A fly to left that Ludwick can't get to. 3-0 Stros.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake at 59 pitches.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake looking visibly stressed.

Castro swings at a cutter, and Phillips' only play is at first. Bogusevic scores. 4-0 Stros.

[elfmanvt07]

Simon warming.

[westofyou]

What the hell is wrong with this team

Leake is the problem today

Reds always look bad against LH too

Put the two together and smell the stink

[elfmanvt07]

Infield in for Wandy. Pops out to Zack. Two away.

[Tom Servo]

Simon warming.
http://i.imgur.com/3h1iw.gif

[elfmanvt07]

Schafer swings at the first pitch he sees and lines it into short right. Johnson scores. 5-0 Astros.

[elfmanvt07]

http://i.imgur.com/3h1iw.gif

One of my favorite gifs! :D

[Kc61]

Good night to focus on the NFL draft.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake's gone. Ties the shortest stint of his MLB career. Simon coming in.

[alloverjr]

Simon warming.

Reds won't hit Wandy. I'd make Leake throw 7 no matter what. - I now see Dusty disagrees.

Admittedly don't like the kid so I'm kinda happy he got lit up.

[dougdirt]

Reds won't hit Wandy. I'd make Leake throw 7 no matter what. - I now see Dusty disagrees.

Admittedly don't like the kid so I'm kinda happy he got lit up.

Why don't you like him? And even then, why are you happy that your team got lit up?

[elfmanvt07]

http://i.imgur.com/61MMe.jpg

[elfmanvt07]

Simon with an ERA less than half of Leake's, btw.

[westofyou]

Reds won't hit Wandy. I'd make Leake throw 7 no matter what. - I now see Dusty disagrees.

Admittedly don't like the kid so I'm kinda happy he got lit up.

Leake sucks tonight, get him out and try and win

Shoot it's pumpkin time for Leake, I'd send him to AAA and pitch chapman

[alloverjr]

Why don't you like him? And even then, why are you happy that your team got lit up?

Fair question - the whole theft thing last year.

[elfmanvt07]

Schafer just stole second. Aggressive baserunning by Houston.

[elfmanvt07]

Leake's line just got worse. Altuve doubles it into the corner in right. 6-nil.

[elfmanvt07]

Simon throws high, the ball gets to the backstop. Runner advances to third. Passed ball.

[elfmanvt07]

Second pitch VERY high. Mes keeps this one in front of him.

[elfmanvt07]

Heh, Martinez just threw his bat into the stands.

[elfmanvt07]

Grounds out. Middle of the 4th. Reds trail by 6.

[elfmanvt07]

This will probably be my last half of PBP. Any takers?

[elfmanvt07]

Stubbs stands in. Kelch and Welsh are quoting ZZ Top.

[elfmanvt07]

Wandy working quickly, Stubbs hits it well, but high. Warning track near the corner in right for one out.

[elfmanvt07]

Votto stands in. Visibly angry at some of his swings.

Still has the eye, though. Works it to 3-2, and fouls a couple off.

[elfmanvt07]

Walks. Nice PA.

[elfmanvt07]

19 walks for number 19.

[elfmanvt07]

Brandon gets called out at first. Dribbler that the pitcher has trouble with.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Getting trounced by the Astros, with a decent crowd, while playing lifeless, mistake prone baseball == pitiful.

[Tom Servo]

Yeah this is a new low point for the season so far.

[elfmanvt07]

Ludwick grounds to short to end the inning. I'm done with my PBP. Thanks for reading!

[VottoFan54]

Matt Downs groundout to Rolen. Simon still pitching.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Something is critically wrong with this team...just no energy. I can't put my finger on it, but obviously this is not winning baseball. The type of baseball required to string together a string of 10 wins in a row--something that will be required to win this division. I wonder if Bob C is wondering why he did what he did with his considerable dollars this offseason.

[VottoFan54]

Jed Lowrie single. One out and one on for the Astros.

[dougdirt]

Something is critically wrong with this team...just no energy. I can't put my finger on it, but obviously this is not winning baseball. The type of baseball required to string together a string of 10 wins in a row--something that will be required to win this division. I wonder if Bob C is wondering why he did what he did with his considerable dollars this offseason.

Did we win 10 in a row in 2010? Did the Brewers win 10 in a row in 2011? That seems like a strange 'must happen to win the division' proclamation.

[kbrake]

This is not fun.

[VottoFan54]

Bogusevic walks, 2 on and one out.

[VottoFan54]

Why is everyone down on this team when we were two outs away from sweeping the Giants yesterday?

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Did we win 10 in a row in 2010? Did the Brewers win 10 in a row in 2011? That seems like a strange 'must happen to win the division' proclamation.

Maybe 10 in a row is a bit off the wall. My vague point is that I don't think this group is capable of putting together enough winning ball to get on a great roll. Such high hopes, sad that they are playing this uninspired.

[VottoFan54]

Chris Johnson grounds into a fielders choice, Cozart to Rolen. 2 on and 2 out.

[kbrake]

Why is everyone down on this team when we were two outs away from sweeping the Giants yesterday?

Under .500 and getting pounded my a miserable Astros team. And I agree with some other posters this team looks lifeless at times.

[dougdirt]

Maybe 10 in a row is a bit off the wall. My vague point is that I don't think this group is capable of putting together enough winning ball to get on a great roll. Such high hopes, sad that they are playing this uninspired.

So you are an expert in reading body language? Which players are inspired? How about the ones that are uninspired?

[Virginia Beach Reds]

So you are an expert in reading body language? Which players are inspired? How about the ones that are uninspired?

Are you watching this game, or games so far this season? Just wondering.

[Tom Servo]

I'm not down on the team as a whole, but today is not fun to watch. I really wonder what the deal with Leake is.

[dougdirt]

Are you watching this game, or games so far this season? Just wondering.

Sure am. I just don't think that you can pick up what you think you can pick up by watching some guys on tv.

[VottoFan54]

Under .500 and getting pounded my a miserable Astros team. And I agree with some other posters this team looks lifeless at times.

Every team has been pounded by a bad team before, it happens. It would be more reasonable to wait and see what happens the rest of the weekend before getting worked up about it. This team almost swept the Giants, and they are a solid team. The Reds will be alright.

[VottoFan54]

FWIW Jason Castro flew out to end that last inning.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Sure am. I just don't think that you can pick up what you think you can pick up by watching some guys on tv.

I respect your opinion. Thanks for challenging mine.

[kbrake]

Every team has been pounded by a bad team before, it happens. It would be more reasonable to wait and see what happens the rest of the weekend before getting worked up about it. This team almost swept the Giants, and they are a solid team. The Reds will be alright.

If this team was 5 games over, I'm not sure anyone would care about this game. This team has not looked impressive this year.

[VottoFan54]

Rolen goundout, Bruce single. One out and one on

[dougdirt]

If this team was 5 games over, I'm not sure anyone would care about this game. This team has not looked impressive this year.

Sure, but it is still April.

[VottoFan54]

If this team was 5 games over, I'm not sure anyone would care about this game. This team has not looked impressive this year.

We started out slow, I get it. This team has showed some signs of life recently and have given us some hope, but the Reds lose one game to a bad team and everyone is let down.

[Roy Tucker]

Errors and misplays and some bad pitches.

Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you. The bear is eating the Reds tonight. I think I'll watch the NFL draft.

[VottoFan54]

The Reds (before today) have one three of their last four and four of their last six. What more do you want?

[dougdirt]

The Reds (before today) have one three of their last four and four of their last six. What more do you want?

a 100 winning percentage. Anything less, would be uncivilized.

[kbrake]

We started out slow, I get it. This team has showed some signs of life recently and have given us some hope, but the Reds lose one game to a bad team and everyone is let down.

I know what you're saying and honestly I'm not as down on them as I was before the Giants series. Beating Cain was impressive, but I just keep waiting on them to get on a little roll and tonight it would be hard to look worse all around than they have tonight. Its frustrating more than anything.

[VottoFan54]

Despite only scoring one run so far the Reds have worked Wandy's pitch count up to 75 through five innings.

[dougdirt]

I know what you're saying and honestly I'm not as down on them as I was before the Giants series. Beating Cain was impressive, but I just keep waiting on them to get on a little roll and tonight it would be hard to look worse all around than they have tonight. Its frustrating more than anything.

Did you see how good Wandy has been this year? Came into the game with a 1.42 ERA.

Rest of their starters.... not so good.

[kbrake]

Did you see how good Wandy has been this year? Came into the game with a 1.42 ERA.

Rest of their starters.... not so good.

I get that Wandy is good. My frustration tonight is that for the 3rd start Leake appears to be throwing BP and the defense has seemed shaky.

[dougdirt]

I get that Wandy is good. My frustration tonight is that for the 3rd start Leake appears to be throwing BP and the defense has seemed shaky.

Well, if the defense is going to be shaky, might as well happen on a night when you are already getting pounded.... Gotta look at the upside, right?

[Roy Tucker]

Hoover looks nasty.

[kbrake]

Well, if the defense is going to be shaky, might as well happen on a night when you are already getting pounded.... Gotta look at the upside, right?

Very good point. Would you remove Leake from the rotation?

[dougdirt]

Very good point. Would you remove Leake from the rotation?

Not yet, though I might skip him this next time through. Have to talk to Price and Leake and see what they think the issue is.

[VottoFan54]

Very good point. Would you remove Leake from the rotation?

I would give him two more starts. I don't think a whole season of work should be reversed with three starts, he was good last year.

[kbrake]

Yeah I get giving Leake a little bit of rope I was just curious what people thought. It is hard to watch anyone in the rotation struggle with Chapman in the pen pitching the way he is.

[Roy Tucker]

Just a comment... meseraco looked exasperated with Simon. Kinda showed him up a little.

[dougdirt]

Just a comment... meseraco looked exasperated with Simon. Kinda showed him up a little.

I have been half-heartedly paying attention (one of our minor league teams games happens to be online), what happened?

[kbrake]

Great AB by Votto so far.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Great AB for Votto. Haven't really noticed many of those so far this year from our franchise player.

[kbrake]

Hell of an AB. In 2010 I would have been very confident this team could come off the mat in a game like this. Would love to see this team start to build some of that confidence again.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Hell of an AB. In 2010 I would have been very confident this team could come off the mat in a game like this. Would love to see this team start to build some of that confidence again.

Very much agree. In 2010, the Reds seem to be always pushing the other team. Haven't noticed that so far this season, even though only 20 games in.

[kaldaniels]

Knock Votto in and we have a game.

[kbrake]

Is it just me or does BP, for the most part, seem much more patient at the plate this year?

[kaldaniels]

BP BB

[VottoFan54]

Cards are up 7-1`on the Brewers.

[dougdirt]

I feel like the announcers overplayed how hard Rolen hit that baseball.

[kbrake]

Someone called a Bruce HR tonight, now would be cool with me.

[VottoFan54]

I feel like the announcers overplayed how hard Rolen hit that baseball.

I agree, I was very disappointed when it was caught short of the warning track, from the sound of it I thought it was gone.

[Roy Tucker]

I have been half-heartedly paying attention (one of our minor league teams games happens to be online), what happened?

Sorry, got roped into watching a movie with my wife.

Looked like Simon crossed up Meseraco at least a couple times. Mes kinda did the Mark Sanchez "someone help out here" look and then went into his squat a couple times and stared at the ground for too long.

Son, if you have a problem with your pitcher, go talk to him. A catcher *always* have to be on the pitcher's side even when he's being an idiot. Go make it better.

[Kc61]

Why is Arredondo pitching four runs down? Great inning by Jose, but he shouldn't have been in there.

[Tom Servo]

6 outs to get 4 runs.

[WVRedsFan]

Votto is having a rough time. Oh well, he will come around.

[Kc61]

Votto is having a rough time. Oh well, he will come around.

Will Ludwick?

[WVRedsFan]

Not our night. Rolen scorched that ball and it was caught on the run.

[WVRedsFan]

Bruce HR. 6-3

[WVRedsFan]

Mes HR. 6-4

[WVRedsFan]

Oh, if not for that awful 4th inning...

[VottoFan54]

Things just got interesting.

[WVRedsFan]

Game over as Heisey fans and Cozart pops out.

[Tom Servo]

Gotta stop letting one inning early on kill us.

[Degenerate39]

Bruce will homer tonight

:)

[Big Klu]

Congratulations to Jay Bruce, who has passed Chris Sabo for 24th 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. Brandon Phillips - 126
18. Reggie Sanders - 125
19. Ernie Lombardi - 120
19. Joey Votto - 120
21. Sean Casey - 118
22. Frank McCormick - 110
23. Dave Parker - 107
24. Jay Bruce - 105
25. Chris Sabo - 104
26. Dave Concepcion - 101

[KittyDuran]

I would give him two more starts. I don't think a whole season of work should be reversed with three starts, he was good last year.

I mentioned this in another thread but maybe let Hannigan catch Mike for a few starts. I was at the game last night and Mike and Devin were not on the same "wave-length" you might say - Mike shaking Devin off and looking very frustrated...

[KittyDuran]

Fair question - the whole theft thing last year.
Wow... never understand this reasoning but if if makes you happy... :thumbup:

But to be honest, I wasn't high on Leake in 2010. 1) My feelings are that a MLB player needs to spend some time in the minors regardless of talent. Wasn't happy when the team shut him down because of innings pitched and wanting to protect his arm. 2) I'm selfish. Wanted to go to Dayton to see him pitch. 3) He wasn't as highly touted as Bailey (that's my entry into the Bailey vs Leake argument) with Bailey being a pitcher with stuff that would blow a batter away and Leake as just a ground ball pitcher. Bailey was the heir and Leake was a spare in the team's pitching royalty.

[KittyDuran]

I mentioned this in another thread but maybe let Hannigan catch Mike for a few starts. I was at the game last night and Mike and Devin were not on the same "wave-length" you might say - Mike shaking Devin off and looking very frustrated...

Quoting myself... some stats (which I loathe). Its early but a disturbing trend so far...

Hanigan: 8-3
Mesoraco: 1-8

[WVRedsFan]

Quoting myself... some stats (which I loathe). Its early but a disturbing trend so far...

Hanigan: 8-3
Mesoraco: 1-8

Wow. Never has a statistic screamed "young catcher" so loudly.

[KittyDuran]

Wow. Never has a statistic screamed "young catcher" so loudly.

Lance had that stat as well as average ERA (not including the last two games) on his blog:

Hanigan: 8-3 (2.64)
Mesoraco: 1-6 (5.12)