Once again the RH bats not doing anything.
Once again the RH bats not doing anything.
Bases loaded on a walk. Up to Frazier with bags full.
Good luck, Frazier.
God I hate you Fox, I'm getting Tampa at Toronto here.
Sums up so much of the problem this season. Awful inning.
KYRedLeg (09-28-2013),OnBaseMachine (09-28-2013)
Pitch around Votto and Bruce, make the right handers beat you. Not very difficult to see how to approach the Reds' lineup.
Still following the script of threatening early but coming up short. Good thing I'm leaving for a college football game shortly and will miss the portion of the game where they are no-hit for 4-5 innings.
We've seen it all year. This team just does not hit with two outs with runners in scoring position. That's the reason the Cards are in first and the Reds aren't.
The Reds #2 hitter has a .632 OPS and cleanup hitter has a .702 OPS.
Martin flies out to right. 1st and 3rd.
Here's my theory. Problem is the huge fall off after Choo, Votto and Bruce in offensive performance.
With two outs, pitch around the big three. Face a weaker hitter. That guy will likely fail and usually does.
So, today, Choo gets on. Pirates immediately use this strategy. Pitch to Ludwick, Phillips, Frazier. Pitch around Votto and Bruce.
It's easiest with two outs. Just never allow one of the big three to hit with two outs men on. Pitch to the others and usually succeed.
Votto and Bruce back to back can help impair this strategy, but of course it leaves the order below cleanup quite weak. Phillips also impaired this strategy when he was hitting so well with men on base earlier.
It's not a two out problem. There are just too many hitters having below average or worse seasons. Gives the opposition an easy target.
kbrake (09-28-2013)
Barmes strikes out swinging. 0-0 mid 2nd
Byrd was a heck of a pickup for the Pirates. Wish the Reds would've tried to get him.
Rocky start to the inning, but Arroyo takes care of business.
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