5/21/12 - Braves @ Reds

[Plus Plus]

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

https://twitter.com/#!/johnfayman/status/204654778494631936

[Reds Fanatic]

Braves lineup:

Bourn CF
Prado LF
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
McCann C
Heyward RF
Francisco 3B
Pastronicky SS
Minor P

[klw]

Looks like it is on ESPN

[Tom Servo]

Braves are tough, should be an interesting series.

[traderumor]

Really worried about Braves seeing Leake twice within a week. He better have lots of movement tonight or get on your helmets in the cheap seats.

[Kc61]

Reds need to do more damage against lefties this season. They came back nicely against Sabathia yesterday, would like to see them tee off against Minor tonight.

Hope Cozart is up to the leadoff position, he's really cooled down. He batted at bottom of the order when Heisey led off; tonight Zack is back at leadoff, hope it works out.

[redsfan30]

I would like to see Hanigan get a chance to work with Leake.

[Kc61]

Lot of lefties in Bravos lineup tonight. I'm predicting a big outing tonight for Sean Marshall.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn grounds out to 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Prado walks

[Tom Servo]

Prado is a tough out, damn.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freeman strikes out looking. 2 outs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice pitch. Uggla strikes out swinging. 0-0 mid 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart lines out to center on the first pitch

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs homers to left! 1-0 Reds

[Tom Servo]

Stubbs! :jump:

[Matt700wlw]

:jump:

STUBBS!

[kaldaniels]

The numbers Drew has put up in the 2 spot bode well.

[BCubb2003]

Stubbs' speed is wasted on a home run.

[mth123]

:jump:

STUBBS!

Gotta love it when a lefty is going. Makes the line-up more than 2 guys deep.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto walks

[REDSEER]

Votto walks...I thought both of those sliders were strikes on first glance.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips flies out to center. Good hustle by Joey as he takes 2nd.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce walks. 1st and 2nd.

[REDSEER]

He didn't want to give Jay anything to hit. Then again, I'm not sure I would want to with Jay's numbers at GABP.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ludwick grounds out to the pitcher. 1-0 Reds after 1.

[Playadlc]

Who swings at more pitches in the dirt? Ludwick of Gomes?

[Reds Fanatic]

McCann grounds out to 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Heyward strikes out swinging. 3 Ks for Leake

[Reds Fanatic]

Crap. Francisco with a long home run to right. 1-1.

[Tom Servo]

:doh:

[Matt700wlw]

Well, Francisco homers.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ground out to 2nd. 1-1 mid 2nd.

[Kc61]

Kind of annoying to watch JF homer against the Reds. Funny, as often, JF swung at a pitch well out of the zone. He does have amazing power when he makes contact.

[Reds Fanatic]

Frazier flies out to left.

[REDSEER]

Kind of annoying to watch JF homer against the Reds. Funny, as often, JF swung at a pitch well out of the zone. He does have amazing power when he makes contact.

Definitely frustrating. I get our rationale for making the deal, though. He's got 21 K's in 67 AB's :eek:. Just what we need more of.

[Reds Fanatic]

Mesoraco fouls out to right.

[Reds Fanatic]

Leake reaches on a ball that goes through Francisco.

[REDSEER]

....and then there's that whole fielding thing....

[Kc61]

Leake reaches on a ball that goes through Francisco.

That makes me feel a little better. Error on JF.

[kaldaniels]

Thats Juan. He giveth AND taketh away.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart lines a single to left. 1st and 2nd.

[Tom Servo]

Nice piece of hitting there by Cozart. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

[REDSEER]

Minor struggling to find the zone early. We really need to work him and get good pitches to hit - it seems like he'll lay one over the plate at least once per AB.

[WVRedsFan]

Can Drew do it again?

[Kc61]

Reds should score a bunch against Minor.

[kaldaniels]

Drew is going to get a pitch here.

[Kc61]

Full count on Stubbs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs walks. Bases loaded for Votto.

[kaldaniels]

Great take for the BB.

[Tom Servo]

Stubbs walks. Bases loaded for Votto.
Bad idea, Minor.

[Reds Fanatic]

Full count

[WVRedsFan]

Bad idea, Minor.

Not so much.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto flies out to left. 1-1 after 2.

[kaldaniels]

I don't get all that concerned when Votto goes down 0-2. He is that good.

[Kc61]

Joey's OPS against lefties this year is below .800. Yankee announcers this weekend saw that and didn't quite appreciate that Joey destroys lefties usually.

Minor got him there, but some lefty soon will pay. Joey ain't afraid of no lefties.

[Reds Fanatic]

Minor strikes out swinging. 4 Ks for Leake

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKK

[_Sir_Charles_]

Cozart! Flashin' the leather!

[WVRedsFan]

Great play by the SS

[Kc61]

Web gem catch by Cozart.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice catch by Cozart.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3 from Leake. Nice. 7 pitch inning. I'll take more of that please. :O)

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice easy 7 pitch inning. Prado grounds out to 2nd. 1-1 mid 3rd.

[WVRedsFan]

I don't often say this, but I'm comfortable with Cozart at short. I believe he will hit.

[VR]

I love how fast Leake works. Just love it.

[Kc61]

Leake pitching fine. Just keep it away from JF next time, he can hit a homer over the right field in GABP with one hand.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leake pitching fine. Just keep it away from JF next time, he can hit a homer over the right field in GABP with one hand.

He did last time. That ball was well out of the zone. He golfed that sucker.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grounds out to short.

[WVRedsFan]

Minor getting the job done.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Time for Bruce to bust outta that slump. Bomb today.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce pops out to McCann

[WVRedsFan]

Time for Bruce to bust outta that slump. Bomb today.

It's going to be a while if history is correct.

[kaldaniels]

Espn crew putting pressure on Phils/Nats to continue beanball war.

[WVRedsFan]

That was ball 4

[Kc61]

What is Ludwick swinging at?

[Reds Fanatic]

Ludwick flies out to right. 1-1 after 3.

[kbrake]

The offensive approach of this team is beyond frustrating.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Yes, Ludwick had a good game yesterday...but I am already so sick of watching him. I want Heisey full time at least until he proves he can't do it.

[Virginia Beach Reds]

I believe Ryan Ludwick swings at more pitches out of the zone than any other player on the current roster. I realize he was swinging at anything close with 2 strikes, but just an overall observation.

[WVRedsFan]

Soft tossers are the Reds Kryponite.

[757690]

Ump has been calling the low strike all game. Ludwick had to swing at them. Way too close to take with this ump.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freeman grounds out to 1st.

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKK

[Reds Fanatic]

Uggla strikes out swinging. 5 Ks for Leake

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3 back to back. Me likey!

[Reds Fanatic]

McCann grounds out to 1st. 1-1 mid 4th.

[Patrick Bateman]

What is Ludwick swinging at?

The answer is obviously everything.

[Reds Fanatic]

Frazier strikes out swinging

[Tom Servo]

Bad luck there for Mez.

[Reds Fanatic]

Mesoraco grounds a ball off Minor that bounces right to Freeman at 1st. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well...that stunk. A laser shot right up the middle...off the pitcher's foot and right to 1st. D'oh!

[_Sir_Charles_]

:jump: LEAKE! GONE! Love that kid at the dish!

[Kc61]

Homer for Leake.

[Reds Fanatic]

Leake homers to left!!! 2-1 Reds!

[Matt700wlw]

:jump:

LEAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom Servo]

Took a Leake!

[TheBurn]

Leake HR :clap:
Nice!

[Reds Fanatic]

1st career HR for Leake

[VR]

He made Hunter Pence and Chris Denorfia jealous with his wheels around the bases.

[REDSEER]

Leake for cleanup/LF!!!!....

I'm only kind of kidding :)

[Matt700wlw]

:jump:

COZART!!!!!!!!

[_Sir_Charles_]

:jump: COZY! Back to back!

[Tom Servo]

Cozart!

[Reds Fanatic]

Back to back. Cozart homers!!! 3-1 Reds!

[TheBurn]

Cozart back-to-back! :clap:

[mth123]

Who had Leake/Cozart in the back to back pool?

[Patrick Bateman]

This is fantastic. I told my Dad (PuffyPig) that after the first few innings that we would start touching Minor up with homers after all the flyouts. Didn't expect Leake to have one of them!

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart has hit the ball well tonight. That would be huge if he can get hot again.

[mth123]

Cozart has hit the ball well tonight. That would be huge if he can get hot again.

Lefty, but I hope you are right.

[Kc61]

Minor has 11 homers allowed this year. He is in the running for the famous Arroyo award.

[_Sir_Charles_]

THREE IN A ROW!!! :jump: Stubby!

[Patrick Bateman]

Stubbs patient tonight.. his numbers will be fine if he keeps being patient, should also lead to more power. Free swinging Stubbs wont get on base or hit for power....

[Reds Fanatic]

Back to back to back!!!! Stubbs 2nd homer tonight!!

[Matt700wlw]

:jump:

STUBBSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[PuffyPig]

The Reds are 1/11 in BABIP today, with 3 HR's (now 4 ) and 3 walks. With some decent luck we would have knocked Minor out in the first 2 innings.

[TheBurn]

Stubbs makes it 3.... :clap: this is awesome!

[REDSEER]

Ummm.....wow? And with Votto coming up...how about 4?

[yab1112]

wowza. lets go 4!

[Kc61]

With all the righties on the Reds they should just destroy this pitcher. His stuff seems ordinary, a lefty, doesn't throw hard.

Glad to see the righty bats coming alive tonight.

[PuffyPig]

This is fantastic. I told my Dad (PuffyPig) that after the first few innings that we would start touching Minor up with homers after all the flyouts. Didn't expect Leake to have one of them!

I thought I told you that?????

[marcshoe]

This is embarrassing. Minor needs to stop pitching underhand.

Now the pressure's on Votto. Hey, if those guys can do it.....

[mth123]

Make that batting practice lefty.

[Patrick Bateman]

I thought I told you that?????

I think it was somewhat mutual. I was the one that actually suggested we were going to get a bunch of homers.

[_Sir_Charles_]

4 pitch walk to Votto to break the string. Darn. :O)

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Votto.

[marcshoe]

Minor has to be mentally shot, at least.

[_Sir_Charles_]

LOL. Well I didn't even know that you two were related. :O) Shows you how much I pay attention.

[marcshoe]

I was wondering if that was something I knew but had forgotten.

[Reds Fanatic]

Livan Hernandez warming up

[Patrick Bateman]

LOL. Well I didn't even know that you two were related. :O) Shows you how much I pay attention.

PP is just so nice to everyone here that it's often easy to forget :lol:

[Reds Fanatic]

Last time the Reds had 3 homers in a row was last year September 10th when Heisey, Votto and Bruce did it against Colorado

[elfmanvt07]

It's weird to turn on the television. First day in six that I haven't seen the Reds in person.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips strikes out swinging. 4-1 Reds after 4.

[NJReds]

It's weird to turn on the television. First day in six that I haven't seen the Reds in person.

They'll be back in June.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, THAT was fun. :O)

[elfmanvt07]

They'll be back in June.

I'm asking off of work tomorrow.

[Kc61]

They'll be back in June.

I'll be there. I only got to one game, and they were shut out. I took it personally and was pretty irritated.

Phillips really isn't generating much power this year. Next time, I'd like to see the Reds try their truly best righty hitter in the cleanup spot. That's right, Mike Leake.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I just watched the replay of Leake's dinger....come ON Mike. Smile! He didn't crack a grin once.

[Reds Fanatic]

Heyward grounds out to 1st. 1 out.

[kaldaniels]

Votto busy down at 1b tonight.

[Reds Fanatic]

Francisco flies out to left. 2 outs

[_Sir_Charles_]

5 pitches...2 outs. He is working SOOOOO fast.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3. Lather, rinse, repeat. :O) 6 pitch inning.

[Kc61]

Francisco scares me against Leake. Hardly touched that pitch and it still went pretty far.

Nice inning for Leake, he's pitching great tonight. Good to see.

[Reds Fanatic]

Another easy inning. Pastronicky grounds out to 2nd. 4-1 Reds mid 5th.

[OldRightHander]

How about the fan giving the ball back to Leake.

[elfmanvt07]

Are you guys seeing this guy who caught both Cozart and Leake's homer?

[VR]

59 pitches through 5. Potential huge break for the bullpen in the middle of a long stretch with no days off.

[elfmanvt07]

He's gonna be in the booth in the next inning sometime. Tune it in.

[Reds Fanatic]

Quite a start by Leake. Through 5 Francisco is the only batter to hit the ball out of the infield

[_Sir_Charles_]

How about the fan giving the ball back to Leake.

Did he? (or are you hoping he WILL?)

[PuffyPig]

The Braves have hit two flyballs tonight, both by Francisco, and one a HR.

The rest have been groundballs, K's and the one line drive out Cozart caught.

Leake has been dominant so far vs. a very good offensive team.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Are you guys seeing this guy who caught both Cozart and Leake's homer?

Woah!?! Really? Same guy? That's cool as heck.

[elfmanvt07]

Woah!?! Really? Same guy? That's cool as heck.

He's on his way to the FSO booth. They interviewed him in the moondeck, then Thom was like, "Invite that guy back to the booth!"

[Patrick Bateman]

Not sure where this command suddenly came from (hasn't had it all year long). Seemed like in his last start that he had his best command of the year in his last few innings (despite giving up some runs). Whatever adjustment he made sure looks good, more like the pitcher we expected to see this year.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce strikes out swinging.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ludwick fouls out to 1st. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

He's on his way to the FSO booth. They interviewed him in the moondeck, then Thom was like, "Invite that guy back to the booth!"

LOL. That's too cool. :D

[Reds Fanatic]

Frazier strikes out swinging. 4-1 Reds after 5.

[WVRedsFan]

Impatience.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Impatience.

It's okay. 9,1 & 2 are coming up to make the middle of the order look bad.

[mbgrayson]

Reds 4, Braves 1 after 5.

Minor at 107 pitches, 61 strikes.
Leake at 59 pitches, 42 strikes.

[Reds Fanatic]

I am sure that is it for Minor as he is leading off

[TeamBoone]

Hi guys. I just came on and haven't read all the posts, so if I'm repeating what someone else posted, disregard. Anyway, the game is on ESPN.

[RedLegsToday]

where the heck has this Mike Leake been all season?

[Reds Fanatic]

I don't get it but they are leaving Minor in. Minor flies out to center.

[Kc61]

I don't get it but they are leaving Minor in. Minor flies out to center.

Probably a confidence builder. Minor had a nice inning last time.

[elfmanvt07]

The kid who caught the homers thanked his mom for his awesome manners. What a kid.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bourn grounds out to Leake. 2 outs.

[Kc61]

Another nice inning by Leake.

[Matt700wlw]

Leake is dealing!!!!

I never doubted him ;)

[Reds Fanatic]

Prado grounds out. Another easy inning. 4-1 Reds mid 6th.

[Matt700wlw]

The kid who caught the homers thanked his mom for his awesome manners. What a kid.

:thumbup:

[OldRightHander]

Leake sure is fun to watch tonight.

[_Sir_Charles_]

13 in a row sat down. :D

[Reds Fanatic]

Mesoraco flies out to right.

[OldRightHander]

Did he? (or are you hoping he WILL?)

He said he was going to, probably in exchange for a few goodies.

[Reds Fanatic]

Leake fouls out to 1st.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cozart grounds out to 3rd. 4-1 Reds after 6.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Solid bounce back from Minor. Back to back 1-2-3's

[WVRedsFan]

Hope we score more runs. We're going to need them I think.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Central Update:

Mets 4 Pirates 2 6th
Cubs 0 Astros 3 2nd
Giants 3 Brewers 0 3rd
Padres 1 Cards 0 3rd

[Kc61]

Dusty, I know all about the old timers who pitched complete games. And I know you want to build Leake's confidence. And of course he should stay in for now.

But if he gets into trouble go to the pen. Don't have Leake leave this game with his head down after giving up a bunch of runs.

[Reds Fanatic]

Freeman flies out to center.

[oneupper]

Trivia Question:
Ended Pete Roses's 44 game hitting streak.


I say Gene Garber? Do I win?

[Reds Fanatic]

Trivia Question:

I say Gene Garber? Do I win?

I think you are right

[_Sir_Charles_]

2 bagger off the wall from Uggla. Ends the streak at 14 straight sat down.

[Reds Fanatic]

Uggla doubles off the wall in left

[Kc61]

Get someone up Dusty.

[Degenerate39]

Who closes tonight?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Who closes tonight?

Leake. :thumbup:

[Kc61]

Another nice play by Cozart. He is smooth.

[Matt700wlw]

Careful, infielders....lol

[Reds Fanatic]

McCann grounds out to short on the shift. Runner to 3rd. 2 outs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Reds flashing the leather tonight. Nice.

85 pitches through 7. Yeah, I think he goes the distance.

[Reds Freak]

Get someone up Dusty.

Really?

[Reds Fanatic]

Heyward lines out to 2nd. 4-1 Reds mid 7th

[Reds Fanatic]

Leake at 85 pitches through 7

[Kc61]

Really?

Yeah, I would keep Mike on a short leash here. He's pitched a beauty, I wouldn't push him too far. Just my way of handling it. He certainly got out of the seventh well.

[Matt700wlw]

Leather.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hernandez in for the Bravos.

[elfmanvt07]

This is interesting. The FSO feed hasn't been able to go to a commercial break in 2 and a half innings. Tech problems. It's interesting to see them trying to fill the minutes.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Yeah, I would keep Mike on a short leash here. He's pitched a beauty, I wouldn't push him too far. Just my way of handling it. He certainly got out of the seventh well.

He's allowed 2 hits. 1 run. Has a 3 run lead and the pen is pretty tired. Only at 85 pitches. I'm not getting anybody up anytime soon.

[WVRedsFan]

When Mike blows up, he blows up. Be ready.

[Reds Fanatic]

Stubbs strikes out looking.

[_Sir_Charles_]

That looked outside to me.

[elfmanvt07]

Fox Trax agrees.

[Kc61]

He's allowed 2 hits. 1 run. Has a 3 run lead and the pen is pretty tired. Only at 85 pitches. I'm not getting anybody up anytime soon.

Ok, but Leake can fall off a cliff when he is spent. Pitch count isn't the whole answer, Mike hasn't been near the 8th inning in recent memory.

We'll see how it plays out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ole' :D

Joey'll take that.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto singles to right on a 3-0 pitch

[RBA]

ESPN broadcasting crew makes me want to take a nap.

[WVRedsFan]

Is it just me or do I not see much enthusiasm from the Reds since those 3 homers.

[_Sir_Charles_]

IF single for Phillips as Francisco can't get the handle.

[Reds Fanatic]

Infield hit by Phillips. 1st and 2nd.

[Matt700wlw]

ESPN broadcasting crew makes me want to take a nap.

Are they not showing any love? What about Aaron Boone?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brantley- "An 83 mile an hour heater to Bruce"

Do you still call it a "heater" when it's 83 mph?

[WVRedsFan]

Poor Jay.

[Kc61]

Are they not showing any love? What about Aaron Boone?

Boone is excellent IMO and the crew is showing love to Joey Votto. Lots of it.

[757690]

We're seeing Francisco in all his glory tonight. Big fly and a few botched plays at third.

[VR]

Francisco reminds us of one of the reasons he was traded. He looked like Shamu hitting the ground on the dive for the ball.

[_Sir_Charles_]

69 mph on that curve. LOL.

[Matt700wlw]

Bruce isn't happy.

[757690]

This announcing crew is good, but I miss Morgan and Miller.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce strikes out looking and is not happy with the call.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jeez. Both called strikes looked out of the zone to me. He's got a beef IMO.

[WVRedsFan]

Too close to take. He's not seeing the ball well at all.

[elfmanvt07]

I like that he's angry about it.

[VR]

That's 3 balls that he has now called strikes. Leake has not gotten that call.

[jojo]

Hose job.

[kbrake]

Not too close to take. Umpires have to be better than that.

[Kc61]

I like that he's angry about it.

I'd like it better if he hit it.

3-0 on Ludwick, we'll take a walk here Ryan.

[jojo]

Not too close to take. Umpires have to be better than that.

This.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Pure gas. Okay, heavily watered down gas.

[WVRedsFan]

They're not and they prove it every night.

[Patrick Bateman]

Too close to take. He's not seeing the ball well at all.

I think you aren't seeing the ball well at all! :lol:

[WVRedsFan]

I think you aren't seeing the ball well at all! :lol:

:)

[elfmanvt07]

Hernandez cranking it up to 86. LOOK OUT.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Crud. Grounder to short to end the inning.

[Reds Freak]

Pitiful night for Ludwick.

[VR]

Why not just take that to right instead of trying to pull it? Sheesh.....3 swings like that.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ludwick grounds out to short. 4-1 Reds after 7

[kbrake]

Ludwick had one good game, we get it. Back to Heisey please.

[Reds Freak]

Why not just take that to right instead of trying to pull it? Sheesh.....3 swings like that.

Watching his swing, I don't know if it's possible for him to hit a ball to right field with any degree of force.

[Kc61]

Why not just take that to right instead of trying to pull it? Sheesh.....3 swings like that.

You took the words right out of my mouth. He was up 3-0 and pulled off every pitch. I know Ludwick had a good day yesterday, but man . . . .

[WVRedsFan]

It's obvious that Beethoven can't handle the slow pitches. He was out in front on Minor and Hernandez. Bad Dusty decision.

[Kc61]

It's obvious that Beethoven can't handle the slow pitches. He was out in front on Minor and Hernandez. Bad Dusty decision.

I thought Ludwick was the slow pitch part of the platoon. Heisey faces the fastballs.

Now Ludwick can't hit the slow ones?

This is one wacky platoon.

[WVRedsFan]

I thought Ludwick was the slow pitch part of the platoon. Heisey faces the fastballs.

Now Ludwick can't hit the slow ones?

This is one wacky platoon.Absolutely.

[BCubb2003]

Reds game on TV somehow can't play its commercials, and Thom and Chris have to vamp.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Pitiful night for Ludwick.

At this point, you really don't need to type "pitiful". Simply another night for Ludwick. If he does ANYTHING offensively, it's news worthy. It's long past time for him to be riding the pine. Every squirrel finds a nut now and again. One decent night doesn't give him a weeks' free pass.