Roy Halladay won nine games (9-6) before he took the mound at Great American Ball Park. He had allowed a little over two runs per game.
When the Reds number two draft choice in 2000 hit a three-run home run in a Philadelphia uniform off Reds' starter Aaron Harang, it appeared the reigning NL champs would coast to a win.
"Halladay is their big guy," Dusty Baker said. "He has nasty stuff. You give him a three-run lead and usually it's game time."
Jay Bruce and the rest of the young Reds had other plans. Bruce followed Jonny Gomes second hit of the day into the bleachers in rightfield off the Phillie's ace to give Cincinnati its 14th win in its last at bat.
"I was just looking for something over the plate," Bruce said. "You know he's going to attack the zone. He gets a lot of swings because he has such good movement on his pitches. Later in the game he was getting more of the plate. Early he was hitting the corners."
Dane Sardinha, who crapped out with Cincinnati, hit his second home run since an injury to catcher Carlos Ruiz forced the Phillies into selecting his contract. There were two outs and two men on in the fourth when he lined one into the seats in leftfield.
Sardinha was signed to a major league contract off the campus of Pepperdine University by former Reds GM Jim Bowden. He played just two games for Cincinnati and was 0-for-5. Wayne Krivsky, designated Sardinha for assignment in the spring of 2006 and was signed by Detroit as a minor league free agent that winter.
"We kept their big guys in check," Baker said. "The got three, 3-run home runs from their seventh and eighth hitters the last two games. We scratched and clawed."
Halladay gave up 13 hits but also struck out 10 in getting the complete game loss.
Joey Votto struck out twice but put the Reds on the scoreboard with his team leading 18th home run to start the sixth inning. Scott Rolen followed with a single but Halladay struck out Gomes, Bruce and Drew Stubbs after that.
Gomes hit a one-out double in the fourth and Bruce singled but he hit it too hard for Gomes to score. Ramon Hernandez, who had three singles, advanced to third on a double by Brandon Phillips in the seventh and scored on a single by Orlando Cabrera but again the hit was a one hopper to the centerfielder which prevented Phillips from bringing home the tying run.
"Usually, those things come back to haunt you," Baker said. "Pitchers like Halladay have a way of pitching out of trouble. It seams they have their best velocity and best location when they're in trouble."
The Reds kept after it.
"You could feel it coming. Bruce finally got one," Baker said. It had been 19 days since Bruce hit a home run.
Arthur Rhodes was on the mound when the Reds took the lead. Rhodes had his historic streak of 33 straight appearances and 30 scoreless inning streak stopped in the 10th inning by these same Phillies on Tuesday night.
"He thanked me for getting him back out there," Baker said. "He didn't need to. I was going to get him out there no matter what.. He's a warrior. I've enjoyed having him here."
Rhodes was well aware of his streak and didn't want to talk about it while it was ongoing.
"I had a lot on my mind and sometimes you can't concentrate. I was glad to see Dusty run me back out there with the same hitters and get them one, two, three. I had revenge on some guys. I'll start a new streak. It was on my mind a little bit. When you have something going like that, you think about it every day," Rhodes said.
The St. Louis Cardinals are tied with Arizona in the fifth inning. If the Diamondbacks win, the Reds will retake first place for the dawn of new month. That would shock a lot of people in the game but not the Reds.
"Its fun. We're having a good time. It's a blast. We have a lot of guys who have won and know how to win. When we come back like this, its always surprising but its not like a shock because we've been doing this since day one," Bruce said.
Notes:
To allow Travis Wood to make his major league debut tomorrow, his roster spot was vacated by Daniel Ray Herrera. "He has to go back and get his control," Baker said. "It seems like the last month or so he lost it. He's usually around the plate. He'll be back. He's a fighter."......Joey Votto has now reached base in 38 straight games. It is the longest streak in the Major Leagues and longest since Nick Markakis reached in 38 in a row last season. The streak is the longest by a Red since Pete Rose had his 48 game hitting streak in 1978....Brandon Phillips has a nine game hitting streak....Aaron Harang has a quality start in four of his last five outings....
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Travis Wood Makes His ML Debut on Thursday
Lefthanded starter Travis Wood will start for the Reds against the Chicago Cubs tomorrow.
Wood had a great season last year and nearly beat out Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman for the Reds fifth starter out of Goodyear, Arizona this spring.
"He deserves an opportunity and we need him," Dusty Baker said on Wednesday morning.
Wood is 5' 11" and weighs 165. He set a Southern League record with a 1.21 ERA last season before finishing with eight starts at Louisville.
He pitched well this spring and the choice came down to him and Leake.
"It was a hard decision. Leake separated himself by having better command," Baker said. "Wood had a reputation for having great command but we saw quite a few more walks from him this spring, than we wanted to see. That was the difference."
Wood had a quality start in each of his last seven outings.
The native of Little Rock, Arkansas, gave up just two runs in his last 28 2/3 innings, including eight innings of shutout baseball in his last start.
Wood had a great season last year and nearly beat out Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman for the Reds fifth starter out of Goodyear, Arizona this spring.
"He deserves an opportunity and we need him," Dusty Baker said on Wednesday morning.
Wood is 5' 11" and weighs 165. He set a Southern League record with a 1.21 ERA last season before finishing with eight starts at Louisville.
He pitched well this spring and the choice came down to him and Leake.
"It was a hard decision. Leake separated himself by having better command," Baker said. "Wood had a reputation for having great command but we saw quite a few more walks from him this spring, than we wanted to see. That was the difference."
Wood had a quality start in each of his last seven outings.
The native of Little Rock, Arkansas, gave up just two runs in his last 28 2/3 innings, including eight innings of shutout baseball in his last start.
Manager Knows Best
I wasn't at the game last night, so I didn't know the situation in which Dusty Baker allowed pitcher Mike Leake to hit in the sixth inning. Leake was not going to pitch in the seventh.
Marty Brennaman and some talk show hosts were extremely critical because they thought that Baker should have sent Scott Rolen in to pinch hit.
The situation was this. Ramon Hernandez was on second base with two outs. Philadelphia starter, Joe Blanton, was still pitching with a 6-3 lead.
Leake is a rookie pitcher who already had a hit off Blanton, but Scott Rolen has over 1,800 big league hits.
The broadcasters and radio hosts were so sure of themselves but neither has been named Manager of the Year. In fact neither ever managed a game at any level.
Baker explained the move.
"I was going to take Leake out anyway," Baker said. "They weren't going to pitch to Scotty with a base open. I wouldn't. Then I lose him with six innings to go. The way the Phillies bullpen is situated, they had to use J.C. Romero (a lefthander) at some point. I wanted to save Rolen for him. I wasn't going to lose Nix that early either. Plus Leake can hit. If Hernandez would have walked or hit a single then its a different situation. Things change. Some people scratch their heads, especially when they are looking for something wrong."
I can remember Mike Hargrove standing by the batting cage in Florida. He said, "There are two things that every man thinks they can do better than any other man. One is grill steaks. The other is manage a baseball team."
"You have a lot to think about," Baker said. "You only have a couple minutes to make a decision."
Marty Brennaman and some talk show hosts were extremely critical because they thought that Baker should have sent Scott Rolen in to pinch hit.
The situation was this. Ramon Hernandez was on second base with two outs. Philadelphia starter, Joe Blanton, was still pitching with a 6-3 lead.
Leake is a rookie pitcher who already had a hit off Blanton, but Scott Rolen has over 1,800 big league hits.
The broadcasters and radio hosts were so sure of themselves but neither has been named Manager of the Year. In fact neither ever managed a game at any level.
Baker explained the move.
"I was going to take Leake out anyway," Baker said. "They weren't going to pitch to Scotty with a base open. I wouldn't. Then I lose him with six innings to go. The way the Phillies bullpen is situated, they had to use J.C. Romero (a lefthander) at some point. I wanted to save Rolen for him. I wasn't going to lose Nix that early either. Plus Leake can hit. If Hernandez would have walked or hit a single then its a different situation. Things change. Some people scratch their heads, especially when they are looking for something wrong."
I can remember Mike Hargrove standing by the batting cage in Florida. He said, "There are two things that every man thinks they can do better than any other man. One is grill steaks. The other is manage a baseball team."
"You have a lot to think about," Baker said. "You only have a couple minutes to make a decision."
Monday, June 28, 2010
Reds Respect but Don't Fear Phillies in 7-3 Win
Dusty Baker brought lefthanded reliever, Bill Bray, up from Louisville for this series.
"They have four lefties and two switch hitters," Baker said. "We feel its necessary to have three lefthanders in the bullpen. You have to respect the Phillies for what they have done. But we don't fear them."
It turns out the Reds just needed one, Bray, against the defending National League champions.
Johnny Cueto turned in his third straight all-star caliber outing. He allowed one run in eight innings. In his last 20 2/3 innings opponents have scored just two runs. Cueto didn't even need a strikeout as his teammates turned in half a dozen gold glove plays.
Orlando Cabrera made a couple, Brandon Phillips made two, including one that started an inning ending double play in the fourth. That inning started with Chase Utley hitting a gap shot to rightcenter. Drew Stubbs cut it off and threw Utley out at secondbase. Ryan Howard doubled and Jayson Werth walked but Phillips backhanded a smash behind second by Raul Ibanez and flipped to Cabrera, who barely nipped Ibanez at first.
Stubbs made a couple nice catches as did Jay Bruce.
"Too much emphasis gets put on strikeouts," Baker said. "The Phillies are quality hitters. They are hard to strikeout. They didn't go to two straight World Series because they couldn't hit. Johnny made them put the ball in play and got a lot of ground balls. That keeps his pitch count from getting to high as he is prone to do."
Using his defense was just fine with Cueto.
"I was struggling but I made adjustments," said Cueto, after allowing the leadoff batter reach in the second, third and fourth innings. "I started concentrating on keeping the ball down. I really appreciate the way the defense played."
Meanwhile, Kyle Kendrick retired the first 10 Reds' batters.
Until the Reds busted loose. Cabrera and Joey Votto had three hits. Votto has now reached base at least once in 36 consecutive games since May 15. Scott Rolen hit his 17th home run with Votto on base and had a sacrifice fly. It was the 300th home run of Rolen's career
"I don't know what to think about it," Rolen said. "I wanted to hit it yesterday. My mom and dad were here for their 45th wedding anniversary. It shows what happens when you try to hit them. But in hindsight it was good because the dinner talk was about them. Their achievement was better."
Cabrera was struggling at the plate but broke through. His ankle has been tender but he's played great defense but hit just .155 in his last 18 games.
Bray got the first two, both lefties out but Werth, a righthander singled and Ibanez hit a two-run home run with two out. Bray struck out former Red, Dane Sardinha to nail down the win.
"It was good for him to get out there," Baker said. "We had Arthur (Rhodes) warming up until we got the extra run in the eighth to make it a six-run lead. We decided to get Bill an inning."
"They have four lefties and two switch hitters," Baker said. "We feel its necessary to have three lefthanders in the bullpen. You have to respect the Phillies for what they have done. But we don't fear them."
It turns out the Reds just needed one, Bray, against the defending National League champions.
Johnny Cueto turned in his third straight all-star caliber outing. He allowed one run in eight innings. In his last 20 2/3 innings opponents have scored just two runs. Cueto didn't even need a strikeout as his teammates turned in half a dozen gold glove plays.
Orlando Cabrera made a couple, Brandon Phillips made two, including one that started an inning ending double play in the fourth. That inning started with Chase Utley hitting a gap shot to rightcenter. Drew Stubbs cut it off and threw Utley out at secondbase. Ryan Howard doubled and Jayson Werth walked but Phillips backhanded a smash behind second by Raul Ibanez and flipped to Cabrera, who barely nipped Ibanez at first.
Stubbs made a couple nice catches as did Jay Bruce.
"Too much emphasis gets put on strikeouts," Baker said. "The Phillies are quality hitters. They are hard to strikeout. They didn't go to two straight World Series because they couldn't hit. Johnny made them put the ball in play and got a lot of ground balls. That keeps his pitch count from getting to high as he is prone to do."
Using his defense was just fine with Cueto.
"I was struggling but I made adjustments," said Cueto, after allowing the leadoff batter reach in the second, third and fourth innings. "I started concentrating on keeping the ball down. I really appreciate the way the defense played."
Meanwhile, Kyle Kendrick retired the first 10 Reds' batters.
Until the Reds busted loose. Cabrera and Joey Votto had three hits. Votto has now reached base at least once in 36 consecutive games since May 15. Scott Rolen hit his 17th home run with Votto on base and had a sacrifice fly. It was the 300th home run of Rolen's career
"I don't know what to think about it," Rolen said. "I wanted to hit it yesterday. My mom and dad were here for their 45th wedding anniversary. It shows what happens when you try to hit them. But in hindsight it was good because the dinner talk was about them. Their achievement was better."
Cabrera was struggling at the plate but broke through. His ankle has been tender but he's played great defense but hit just .155 in his last 18 games.
Bray got the first two, both lefties out but Werth, a righthander singled and Ibanez hit a two-run home run with two out. Bray struck out former Red, Dane Sardinha to nail down the win.
"It was good for him to get out there," Baker said. "We had Arthur (Rhodes) warming up until we got the extra run in the eighth to make it a six-run lead. We decided to get Bill an inning."
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Indians Save Face Bop Reds, 5-3
Mitch Talbot and Shin-Soo Choo allowed the Cleveland Indians to salvage a little pride in the Ohio Cup Finale beating the NL Central leading Cincinnati Reds, 5-3
Choo hit a pair of home runs off Bronson Arroyo, who lost for the second time in nine decisions. He hit four home runs off Arroyo this season. He was 5-for-6 this year and is now 6-for-12 for his career against the Reds ace.
The Reds five-game winning streak was snapped and the Indians seven-game losing streak ended. The Reds won the Ohio Cup series, 4-2 and Choo was chosen the Most Outstanding Player.
Talbot had a big hand in it too. He allowed three hits and three walks in seven innings. Only daring baserunning by Brandon Phillips let the Reds see the plate during Talbot's stint.
Choo homered in the first off Arroyo.
"He was 3-2," Arroyo said. "I didn't want to walk him. I threw a pitch middle in. I put it just where I wanted but he hit it out."
Phillips got the run back by scoring from secondbase on a force play at second. Phillips opened the bottom of the first with a single to right. With one out Joey Votto worked a walk, reaching base at least once in each of the last 35 games. Scott Rolen hit a hard ground ball that thirdbaseman, Jhonny Peralta fielded in the hole and forced Votto. Phillips never stopped. He scored when Jayson Nix's throw home was in plenty of time but short hopped catcher, Carlos Santana.
Talbot stifled the Reds from then on.
"None of our guys had every seen him," Dusty Baker said. "We didn't see him in spring training or anything. We didn't have a lot of good swings against him. He hides the ball real well. Our guys had trouble telling whether the pitch was a fastball or breaking ball."
Choo hit a three-run home run that proved to be the lethal blow off Arroyo in the fifth.
"That was a terrible pitch," Arroyo said. "It was supposed to be four inches outside and I pulled it. It ended up right down the middle. He hit three different pitches off me for home runs. He definitely feels comfortable against me."
"We didn't lose the game," Baker said. "Talbot and Choo just beat us. When a guy has your number like Choo did with Bronson, you try different things. Most of the time, that's when you make a mistake."
Rookie Santana hit his second home run of the series off Daniel Ray Herrera in the eighth but Votto made it a game with a two-run blast of Chris Perez in the home half.
Kerry Wood blew away Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs and Laynce Nix on strikes in the ninth for his sixth save. His pitches were in the mid-90's.
The irony is that in some uneducated circles, Dusty Baker has been blamed for ruining Wood's arm. The big Texan, who pitched for the Cubs and came down with arm troubles while Baker managed him in Chicago, vehemently disagrees. They have remained friends.
Choo edged Laynce Nix in the less than prestigious Most Outstanding Player award that has been invented for this interleague, intrastate rivalry. The Indians media guide notes that Choo has won awards before. As a high school player in Jnamgu in the Pusan province of Korea won the Most Valuable Player and "Best Pitcher" in that countrie's President's Cup competition. It is the most prestigious high school tournament in Korea. In the six games of the series, Choo hit .391 with four home runs (all off Arroyo) and seven RBI.
The Reds finished interleague play with an 8-7 ledger. The Indians conclude its National League stint with a 5-12 mark.
"Interleague play has not been kind to us," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said.
The Reds held first as another player of Korean descent Bruce Chen defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in Kansas City, 10-3. Chen pitched briefly for the Reds.
Choo hit a pair of home runs off Bronson Arroyo, who lost for the second time in nine decisions. He hit four home runs off Arroyo this season. He was 5-for-6 this year and is now 6-for-12 for his career against the Reds ace.
The Reds five-game winning streak was snapped and the Indians seven-game losing streak ended. The Reds won the Ohio Cup series, 4-2 and Choo was chosen the Most Outstanding Player.
Talbot had a big hand in it too. He allowed three hits and three walks in seven innings. Only daring baserunning by Brandon Phillips let the Reds see the plate during Talbot's stint.
Choo homered in the first off Arroyo.
"He was 3-2," Arroyo said. "I didn't want to walk him. I threw a pitch middle in. I put it just where I wanted but he hit it out."
Phillips got the run back by scoring from secondbase on a force play at second. Phillips opened the bottom of the first with a single to right. With one out Joey Votto worked a walk, reaching base at least once in each of the last 35 games. Scott Rolen hit a hard ground ball that thirdbaseman, Jhonny Peralta fielded in the hole and forced Votto. Phillips never stopped. He scored when Jayson Nix's throw home was in plenty of time but short hopped catcher, Carlos Santana.
Talbot stifled the Reds from then on.
"None of our guys had every seen him," Dusty Baker said. "We didn't see him in spring training or anything. We didn't have a lot of good swings against him. He hides the ball real well. Our guys had trouble telling whether the pitch was a fastball or breaking ball."
Choo hit a three-run home run that proved to be the lethal blow off Arroyo in the fifth.
"That was a terrible pitch," Arroyo said. "It was supposed to be four inches outside and I pulled it. It ended up right down the middle. He hit three different pitches off me for home runs. He definitely feels comfortable against me."
"We didn't lose the game," Baker said. "Talbot and Choo just beat us. When a guy has your number like Choo did with Bronson, you try different things. Most of the time, that's when you make a mistake."
Rookie Santana hit his second home run of the series off Daniel Ray Herrera in the eighth but Votto made it a game with a two-run blast of Chris Perez in the home half.
Kerry Wood blew away Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs and Laynce Nix on strikes in the ninth for his sixth save. His pitches were in the mid-90's.
The irony is that in some uneducated circles, Dusty Baker has been blamed for ruining Wood's arm. The big Texan, who pitched for the Cubs and came down with arm troubles while Baker managed him in Chicago, vehemently disagrees. They have remained friends.
Choo edged Laynce Nix in the less than prestigious Most Outstanding Player award that has been invented for this interleague, intrastate rivalry. The Indians media guide notes that Choo has won awards before. As a high school player in Jnamgu in the Pusan province of Korea won the Most Valuable Player and "Best Pitcher" in that countrie's President's Cup competition. It is the most prestigious high school tournament in Korea. In the six games of the series, Choo hit .391 with four home runs (all off Arroyo) and seven RBI.
The Reds finished interleague play with an 8-7 ledger. The Indians conclude its National League stint with a 5-12 mark.
"Interleague play has not been kind to us," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said.
The Reds held first as another player of Korean descent Bruce Chen defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in Kansas City, 10-3. Chen pitched briefly for the Reds.
The Reds Make a Contender Move
The Reds sent Sam LeCure back to Louisville and recalled lefthanded reliever Bill Bray.
Bray has been out of action since the closing day of the 2008 season. The often injured remnant from the trade that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington, had surgery on May 19 after three appearances at Louisville. He failed to make the team out of spring training due to lack of work from various ailments.
LeCure did not pitch himself out of a job, in fact if anything he proved he can pitch in the majors. This move was made strictly based on immediate needs.
"LeCure has pitched pretty well. Last night was probably the worst he's pitched. That's not why we made the moves. We don't need his spot for three or four days. We've got the Phillies coming in with a lot of lefties. We need three lefties in that pen. Sometimes when you're trying to win the pennant you have to make temporary auxiliary moves sometimes," Baker said.
That is a good sign for the Reds. They are making a move based on the pennant race this year, 2010, rather than 2015 like the Indians are doing.
Cleveland traded Russel Branyan to Seattle for prospects. The Indians expected to be competitive with a lot of good young players in the pipeline. Branyan, the veteran, was supposed to help them compete until, Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley develop.
The Indians highwater mark for the season was 0-1. So they sent Branyan away and called up LaPorta, who along with Brantley, were obtained for C.C. Sabathia, last year.
"Matt is going to play everyday," Cleveland manager, Manny Acta said. "We sent him back because we didn't have enough at bats for him. Russell Brantley did everything we asked him to do. We weren't as competitive as we expected to be."
The two Ohio teams are now polar opposites. The Indians are developing prospects. The Reds are gearing up for a pennant run.
Yet the Reds are young and LeCure got valuable experience.
"Sam understood why we did it," Baker said. "I told him he can pitch here. Just go down and perfect his stuff even more. He'll be back. I don't know when but he'll be back. Learn from whatever experience he had here. He can work in long relief. He'll fit in because he can pitch. He was upset because he was walking so many because they weren't clobbering him."
The Reds are now so deep as an organization that they probably won't need to make a trade next month.
Bray and Edinson Voquez are coming back after surgery and their healing has the effect of a blockbuster trade without losing prospects for the future.
"I feel like I'm back to where I was before," Bray said. "I've heard different things from guys that have come back. Some guys took a year. Arthur (Rhodes) took nine months. I've been watching Volquez throw. He's coming back stronger. It's unbelievable. It's been 10 months for him. They say in 16 months you really know what you're going to have but I feel like I'm back to where I was before. I'm hoping that I will continue to get stronger."
Bray has been out of action since the closing day of the 2008 season. The often injured remnant from the trade that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington, had surgery on May 19 after three appearances at Louisville. He failed to make the team out of spring training due to lack of work from various ailments.
LeCure did not pitch himself out of a job, in fact if anything he proved he can pitch in the majors. This move was made strictly based on immediate needs.
"LeCure has pitched pretty well. Last night was probably the worst he's pitched. That's not why we made the moves. We don't need his spot for three or four days. We've got the Phillies coming in with a lot of lefties. We need three lefties in that pen. Sometimes when you're trying to win the pennant you have to make temporary auxiliary moves sometimes," Baker said.
That is a good sign for the Reds. They are making a move based on the pennant race this year, 2010, rather than 2015 like the Indians are doing.
Cleveland traded Russel Branyan to Seattle for prospects. The Indians expected to be competitive with a lot of good young players in the pipeline. Branyan, the veteran, was supposed to help them compete until, Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley develop.
The Indians highwater mark for the season was 0-1. So they sent Branyan away and called up LaPorta, who along with Brantley, were obtained for C.C. Sabathia, last year.
"Matt is going to play everyday," Cleveland manager, Manny Acta said. "We sent him back because we didn't have enough at bats for him. Russell Brantley did everything we asked him to do. We weren't as competitive as we expected to be."
The two Ohio teams are now polar opposites. The Indians are developing prospects. The Reds are gearing up for a pennant run.
Yet the Reds are young and LeCure got valuable experience.
"Sam understood why we did it," Baker said. "I told him he can pitch here. Just go down and perfect his stuff even more. He'll be back. I don't know when but he'll be back. Learn from whatever experience he had here. He can work in long relief. He'll fit in because he can pitch. He was upset because he was walking so many because they weren't clobbering him."
The Reds are now so deep as an organization that they probably won't need to make a trade next month.
Bray and Edinson Voquez are coming back after surgery and their healing has the effect of a blockbuster trade without losing prospects for the future.
"I feel like I'm back to where I was before," Bray said. "I've heard different things from guys that have come back. Some guys took a year. Arthur (Rhodes) took nine months. I've been watching Volquez throw. He's coming back stronger. It's unbelievable. It's been 10 months for him. They say in 16 months you really know what you're going to have but I feel like I'm back to where I was before. I'm hoping that I will continue to get stronger."
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Whoo Hoo Reds Win Ohio Cup Retain First Place 6-4
In a war within the state, it was a battle of brother against brother.
The Cleveland Indians claimed Jayson Nix on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday just before taking on their southern rivals. The Reds already had older brother Laynce.
General Dusty Baker started Laynce in place of his leading RBI man, Jonny Gomes.
"Masterson (Cleveland starting pitcher Justin) is tough on righthanders. Nix has a better chance," Baker stated before the intrastate contest.
Cleveland manager Manny Acta started Jayson Nix at secondbase.
The Reds older brother made a nice running catch on Jayson in the second inning but the younger brother got even with a double down the leftfield line in the fourth off Sam LeCure to set up the Tribe's two-run inning.
"It's the first time in the big leagues we played against each other. We played a few times against each other a couple years ago in Triple A," Nix said.
He does not think that his mom will ground him for stealing a hit from his younger brother.
"You can't switch up the way you play because you're playing your brother," Nix said. "He hit that one hard. It was fun playing him. I'm glad we won."
The 3-1 lead held until Masterson, lost mastery in the fifth. A single by Drew Stubbs and a errant pick off attempt put Stubbs in position to score. Micah Owings in relief of LeCure singled him home. Masterson walked the next two batters and Joey Votto's high chop to first got the Reds even.
A bleeding infield hit off the end of Jay Bruce's bat started the sixth. a wild pitch put Bruce on second and Nix, the elder untied the game with a single. The Reds scored twice more before the inning was done.
"The pitch was his specialty, a sinker away. I was able to hit it where Jay could score," Nix said.
"We tried to load the lineup with lefties. Masterson has that sinker to righties and got a lot of ground balls with it. You know you have a good team when you can substitute one guy with another," Baker said.
Daniel Ray Herrara, Arthur Rhodes, who tied a major league record by not allowing a run in his 33rd straight appearance, Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero closed the door.
"The bullpen was the story tonight," LeCure said. "I didn't have a good game but I can sleep better tonight because we won. The bullpen was phenomenal."
The Reds took a 4-1 lead in the six-game Ohio Cup series with one game to play.
St. Louis won this afternoon so the victory helped the Reds retain its half game lead in the NL Central.
"The Ohio Cup is fine but its more important that we stay ahead of the Cardinals," Baker said.
The Reds will close interleague play with a winning record. They are currently 8-6 with Sunday's series finale tomorrow.
When interleague play first started the Indians were perennial contenders. This season their highwater mark is 0-1. They lost opening day and that's the closest they've been to .500.
The Cleveland Indians claimed Jayson Nix on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday just before taking on their southern rivals. The Reds already had older brother Laynce.
General Dusty Baker started Laynce in place of his leading RBI man, Jonny Gomes.
"Masterson (Cleveland starting pitcher Justin) is tough on righthanders. Nix has a better chance," Baker stated before the intrastate contest.
Cleveland manager Manny Acta started Jayson Nix at secondbase.
The Reds older brother made a nice running catch on Jayson in the second inning but the younger brother got even with a double down the leftfield line in the fourth off Sam LeCure to set up the Tribe's two-run inning.
"It's the first time in the big leagues we played against each other. We played a few times against each other a couple years ago in Triple A," Nix said.
He does not think that his mom will ground him for stealing a hit from his younger brother.
"You can't switch up the way you play because you're playing your brother," Nix said. "He hit that one hard. It was fun playing him. I'm glad we won."
The 3-1 lead held until Masterson, lost mastery in the fifth. A single by Drew Stubbs and a errant pick off attempt put Stubbs in position to score. Micah Owings in relief of LeCure singled him home. Masterson walked the next two batters and Joey Votto's high chop to first got the Reds even.
A bleeding infield hit off the end of Jay Bruce's bat started the sixth. a wild pitch put Bruce on second and Nix, the elder untied the game with a single. The Reds scored twice more before the inning was done.
"The pitch was his specialty, a sinker away. I was able to hit it where Jay could score," Nix said.
"We tried to load the lineup with lefties. Masterson has that sinker to righties and got a lot of ground balls with it. You know you have a good team when you can substitute one guy with another," Baker said.
Daniel Ray Herrara, Arthur Rhodes, who tied a major league record by not allowing a run in his 33rd straight appearance, Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero closed the door.
"The bullpen was the story tonight," LeCure said. "I didn't have a good game but I can sleep better tonight because we won. The bullpen was phenomenal."
The Reds took a 4-1 lead in the six-game Ohio Cup series with one game to play.
St. Louis won this afternoon so the victory helped the Reds retain its half game lead in the NL Central.
"The Ohio Cup is fine but its more important that we stay ahead of the Cardinals," Baker said.
The Reds will close interleague play with a winning record. They are currently 8-6 with Sunday's series finale tomorrow.
When interleague play first started the Indians were perennial contenders. This season their highwater mark is 0-1. They lost opening day and that's the closest they've been to .500.
Jay Bruce Comparison
Dusty Baker broke into major league baseball as a teammate of the great Hank Aaron. Aaron took interest in Baker, teaching him the finer points of being a major leaguer.
Baker and Aaron started careers at around 20 years of age, much like Jay Bruce. Baker is trying to pass on what he learned from Aaron plus the experience that he earned.
Through the magic of Baseball Reference, I have compiled all three players through the first 283 games of their career. Bruce completed his 283rd game on Friday night.
These statistics show the relative progress that Bruce has made and the areas that could be improved.
283 Games Avg HR RBI Strikeouts
Bruce .252 52 144 205
Baker .297 25 138 122
Aaron .296 42 178 102
Baker and Aaron started careers at around 20 years of age, much like Jay Bruce. Baker is trying to pass on what he learned from Aaron plus the experience that he earned.
Through the magic of Baseball Reference, I have compiled all three players through the first 283 games of their career. Bruce completed his 283rd game on Friday night.
These statistics show the relative progress that Bruce has made and the areas that could be improved.
283 Games Avg HR RBI Strikeouts
Bruce .252 52 144 205
Baker .297 25 138 122
Aaron .296 42 178 102
Friday, June 25, 2010
Reds Win Fourth in a Row, Retake First in 10-3 Win
The Reds rebounded from last week's lost weekend in Seattle, spanking cross-state rival Cleveland.
The offense scored just one lone run against the Mariners and were swept but bounced the Oakland Athletics in three straight, impersonating the 1990 Reds. Johnny Cueto was in the role of Jose Rijo with eight innings of shutdown, lockout pitching.
Aaron Harang pitched well in the last game of the Seattle series but all he got out of his six inning, three-hit, one-run effort was a losing kick in the teeth as the Reds scored nothing.
Tonight, Drew Stubbs and the rest of the offense made amends. Stubbs tied a career high with four runs batted in. He started the scoring off Aaron Laffey, who will never be confused with former Indian and current Mariner ace, Cliff Lee. He touched Laffey with a two-run home run in the second inning. That was two more than Lee allowed the Reds last Friday in Seattle. He added a two-run single in the fifth.
"Even though he hasn't hit well at times, he continues to drive in runs," Dusty Baker said.
In spite of his .236 average he passed Jay Bruce in the RBI column with 35 to Bruce's 33.
"I think we just ran into good pitching in Seattle," Stubbs said. "I think we're back on track. We want to ride it out as long as we can. This game is full of ups and downs."
Stubbs, who hit his eighth home run, and his teammates are currently up.
Harang liked the early lead.
"It makes you put your mind at ease. It lets you pitch your game without worrying that one or two mistakes will beat you," Harang said.
While the Reds were routing the Tribe from Cleveland, the Kansas City Royals and Matt Greinke were blanking its cross-state rivals in Missouri. Greinke defeated the Reds on June 13 costing them a game in the standings to St. Louis. Tonight he evened it up, beating the Cardinals, 4-2.
The Reds lead the Central Division by half a game.
The offense scored just one lone run against the Mariners and were swept but bounced the Oakland Athletics in three straight, impersonating the 1990 Reds. Johnny Cueto was in the role of Jose Rijo with eight innings of shutdown, lockout pitching.
Aaron Harang pitched well in the last game of the Seattle series but all he got out of his six inning, three-hit, one-run effort was a losing kick in the teeth as the Reds scored nothing.
Tonight, Drew Stubbs and the rest of the offense made amends. Stubbs tied a career high with four runs batted in. He started the scoring off Aaron Laffey, who will never be confused with former Indian and current Mariner ace, Cliff Lee. He touched Laffey with a two-run home run in the second inning. That was two more than Lee allowed the Reds last Friday in Seattle. He added a two-run single in the fifth.
"Even though he hasn't hit well at times, he continues to drive in runs," Dusty Baker said.
In spite of his .236 average he passed Jay Bruce in the RBI column with 35 to Bruce's 33.
"I think we just ran into good pitching in Seattle," Stubbs said. "I think we're back on track. We want to ride it out as long as we can. This game is full of ups and downs."
Stubbs, who hit his eighth home run, and his teammates are currently up.
Harang liked the early lead.
"It makes you put your mind at ease. It lets you pitch your game without worrying that one or two mistakes will beat you," Harang said.
While the Reds were routing the Tribe from Cleveland, the Kansas City Royals and Matt Greinke were blanking its cross-state rivals in Missouri. Greinke defeated the Reds on June 13 costing them a game in the standings to St. Louis. Tonight he evened it up, beating the Cardinals, 4-2.
The Reds lead the Central Division by half a game.
Thrilla in Wrigleyvilla
Mal content and all around big kid Carlos Zambrano took on more than he could chew and also said something to Lou. Lou Piniella that is.
Zambrano, who is really a pretty nice kid, has a problem with his temper as big as his 6'5" frame and powerful right arm. Today, with cameras upon him. Zambrano went to battle with Derrick Lee his teammate. Lee is a truly classy individual, who has no such temper issues.
Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker managed both players.
"I wouldn't mind getting a seat for that one," Baker said. "I'd get some popcorn and sit back and watch. D. Lee doesn't say anything."
It wasn't the first time the big man battled with a teammate. He had a fight on the bench with a teammate. He had a shoving match with catcher Michael Barrett a few years ago.
Lou Piniella, who is no stranger to blowing his stack, was quoted by MLB.com.
"I'm embarrassed," Piniella said postgame. "Carlos should be embarrassed. We'll see exactly what comes out of this. There's no question he's got to control his emotions better than this. He's a grown guy. There's no need for it. I know darn well it's not going to be tolerated."
Zambrano was suspended indefinitely by the Cubs.
Zambrano, who is really a pretty nice kid, has a problem with his temper as big as his 6'5" frame and powerful right arm. Today, with cameras upon him. Zambrano went to battle with Derrick Lee his teammate. Lee is a truly classy individual, who has no such temper issues.
Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker managed both players.
"I wouldn't mind getting a seat for that one," Baker said. "I'd get some popcorn and sit back and watch. D. Lee doesn't say anything."
It wasn't the first time the big man battled with a teammate. He had a fight on the bench with a teammate. He had a shoving match with catcher Michael Barrett a few years ago.
Lou Piniella, who is no stranger to blowing his stack, was quoted by MLB.com.
"I'm embarrassed," Piniella said postgame. "Carlos should be embarrassed. We'll see exactly what comes out of this. There's no question he's got to control his emotions better than this. He's a grown guy. There's no need for it. I know darn well it's not going to be tolerated."
Zambrano was suspended indefinitely by the Cubs.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Reds Bust Loose Against Former Miami Redhawk, Take Back First
The silent Reds bats got the wake up call early this morning.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers, Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw, made the league's leading offense look the puny math class whiz with tape on his glasses. The Reds managed just two runs in the first two games of the series.
Heck, Bronson Arroyo drove in more than that in his first at bat off former Miami Redhawk, John Ely.
"Hitting was more fun. I didn't have my good stuff," Arroyo said. "It was the worst stuff I've had in a long time."
Corky Miller walked with two outs and Jay Bruce, who doubled on secondbase. Presumably, the idea was to work on Arroyo. But alas, Arroyo emptied the bases with a line drive home run to left that caused Ely to double over in pain as soon as the bat met the ball.
Dusty Baker felt the joy. The last time he saw Arroyo hit a ball out, Baker managed the Cubs. The long haired hurler hit a home run in his first two Reds starts both off the Chicago's Glendon Rusch.
"I turned to (bench coach) Chris (Speier) and told him it was about time for Bronson to go deep," Baker said. "He said call those more often. I told them I don't feel them all the time."
It was sweet revenge for Arroyo, who had walked A.J. Ellis and Jamey Carrol after two outs in the top of the second inning, only to have Ely line a run scoring single toe leftcenter.
The awakened Reds hitters picked up the cue.
Joey Votto cracked a two-run home run in the third. Brandon Phillips lifted a solo shot in the fifth. A walk to Scott Rolen and a single by Jonny Gomes, caused Ely to matriculate to the showers. Bruce delivered the seventh run with a single to right off reliever, Justin Miller.
Arroyo had uncharacteristic control problems walking six in the first seven innings but a trio of uncommon but well executed firstbaseman-to-shortstop-to-pitcher (3-6-1) double plays kept the Dodgers from scoring for a change, after it scored 18 runs in the first two games.
"I didn't have command of anything," Arroyo said. "The only thing I had was my sinker and I didn't have much velocity on it. I was lucky to get ground balls right at Joey."
It look like pitcher's fielding practice (PFP) on the back fields of Arizona.
"It was PFP at its finest," Baker said. "Bronson works as hard on his fielding as anyone. Votto works hard on it everyday. He'll work on it even harder since he saw the fruits of his labor. I don't think I've ever seen three of those in a game."
The career high six walks was the only complaint that Arroyo could have triggered as he excelled in three phases of the game. He worked seven complete, allowing just five mostly harmless singles and just the one run.
The 7-1 win put the Reds a half game ahead ot the St. Louis Cardinals, that had the day off.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers, Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw, made the league's leading offense look the puny math class whiz with tape on his glasses. The Reds managed just two runs in the first two games of the series.
Heck, Bronson Arroyo drove in more than that in his first at bat off former Miami Redhawk, John Ely.
"Hitting was more fun. I didn't have my good stuff," Arroyo said. "It was the worst stuff I've had in a long time."
Corky Miller walked with two outs and Jay Bruce, who doubled on secondbase. Presumably, the idea was to work on Arroyo. But alas, Arroyo emptied the bases with a line drive home run to left that caused Ely to double over in pain as soon as the bat met the ball.
Dusty Baker felt the joy. The last time he saw Arroyo hit a ball out, Baker managed the Cubs. The long haired hurler hit a home run in his first two Reds starts both off the Chicago's Glendon Rusch.
"I turned to (bench coach) Chris (Speier) and told him it was about time for Bronson to go deep," Baker said. "He said call those more often. I told them I don't feel them all the time."
It was sweet revenge for Arroyo, who had walked A.J. Ellis and Jamey Carrol after two outs in the top of the second inning, only to have Ely line a run scoring single toe leftcenter.
The awakened Reds hitters picked up the cue.
Joey Votto cracked a two-run home run in the third. Brandon Phillips lifted a solo shot in the fifth. A walk to Scott Rolen and a single by Jonny Gomes, caused Ely to matriculate to the showers. Bruce delivered the seventh run with a single to right off reliever, Justin Miller.
Arroyo had uncharacteristic control problems walking six in the first seven innings but a trio of uncommon but well executed firstbaseman-to-shortstop-to-pitcher (3-6-1) double plays kept the Dodgers from scoring for a change, after it scored 18 runs in the first two games.
"I didn't have command of anything," Arroyo said. "The only thing I had was my sinker and I didn't have much velocity on it. I was lucky to get ground balls right at Joey."
It look like pitcher's fielding practice (PFP) on the back fields of Arizona.
"It was PFP at its finest," Baker said. "Bronson works as hard on his fielding as anyone. Votto works hard on it everyday. He'll work on it even harder since he saw the fruits of his labor. I don't think I've ever seen three of those in a game."
The career high six walks was the only complaint that Arroyo could have triggered as he excelled in three phases of the game. He worked seven complete, allowing just five mostly harmless singles and just the one run.
The 7-1 win put the Reds a half game ahead ot the St. Louis Cardinals, that had the day off.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Rolen and Baker Ejected From Game, Reds From First? 6-2
During the frustration of falling behind the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in the sixth inning, Home plate umpire, Hunter Wendelstedt called Scott Rolen out on a 3-2 pitch that appeared low.
Rolen protested and Wendelstedt ejected the veteran thirdbaseman. Dusty Baker sprinted to the scene to continue the discussion and was run as well, the second and third ejections of the season.
"Scott never says anything, but he saw it the same way I saw it," Baker said.
"I thought it was low. He didn't agree. That happens all the time. I take responsibility for my at bat and my actions," Rolen said. "It was a game changing at bat. I reacted to that."
The Reds were attemping one of their patented comeback rallies.
Rookie Mike Leake, throttled the Dodgers for four innings but a two-run double by James Loney in the fifth and a two-out, three-run home run by National League leading hitter, Andre Ethier put the Reds in a hole.
"I don't like to lose but my first loss is out of the way," Leake said. "Walking De Witt to start the sixth was a big mistake. A four pitch walk, it was kind of a weird at bat. Every outing is a learning experience whether its good or bad."
But Brandon Phillips walked and advanced to third on Joey Votto's single to start the bottom of the sixth against Clayton Kershaw but Rolen was called out. Jonny Gomes settled for a sacrifice fly to get the Reds on the board.
The Reds mounted another threat in the seventh, loading the bases with one out but Drew Stubbs lined out to Rafael Furcal then beat Gomes to secondbase for a double play.
Manny Ramirez hit his seventh home run off Jordan Smith in the ninth and Hong-Chih Kuo gave up Chris Heisey's third pinch hit home run and fourth overall but completed the, 6-2 Dodger win.
Mike Leake suffered the first loss of his career.
The St. Louis Cardinals were down a run in the sixth inning to the Seattle Mariners. If the lead holds the Reds will retain a share of first place. If not the Reds will trail by a game in the National League Central.
"Kershaw was pitching lights out," Baker said. "Some of the things that happened, happen when you're not going good. Sometimes there's no explanation. Nothing lasts forever, not the good times or the bad times. We're in good position because we gave ourselves a little cushion by being over .500 for when a spell like this comes up."
Rolen protested and Wendelstedt ejected the veteran thirdbaseman. Dusty Baker sprinted to the scene to continue the discussion and was run as well, the second and third ejections of the season.
"Scott never says anything, but he saw it the same way I saw it," Baker said.
"I thought it was low. He didn't agree. That happens all the time. I take responsibility for my at bat and my actions," Rolen said. "It was a game changing at bat. I reacted to that."
The Reds were attemping one of their patented comeback rallies.
Rookie Mike Leake, throttled the Dodgers for four innings but a two-run double by James Loney in the fifth and a two-out, three-run home run by National League leading hitter, Andre Ethier put the Reds in a hole.
"I don't like to lose but my first loss is out of the way," Leake said. "Walking De Witt to start the sixth was a big mistake. A four pitch walk, it was kind of a weird at bat. Every outing is a learning experience whether its good or bad."
But Brandon Phillips walked and advanced to third on Joey Votto's single to start the bottom of the sixth against Clayton Kershaw but Rolen was called out. Jonny Gomes settled for a sacrifice fly to get the Reds on the board.
The Reds mounted another threat in the seventh, loading the bases with one out but Drew Stubbs lined out to Rafael Furcal then beat Gomes to secondbase for a double play.
Manny Ramirez hit his seventh home run off Jordan Smith in the ninth and Hong-Chih Kuo gave up Chris Heisey's third pinch hit home run and fourth overall but completed the, 6-2 Dodger win.
Mike Leake suffered the first loss of his career.
The St. Louis Cardinals were down a run in the sixth inning to the Seattle Mariners. If the lead holds the Reds will retain a share of first place. If not the Reds will trail by a game in the National League Central.
"Kershaw was pitching lights out," Baker said. "Some of the things that happened, happen when you're not going good. Sometimes there's no explanation. Nothing lasts forever, not the good times or the bad times. We're in good position because we gave ourselves a little cushion by being over .500 for when a spell like this comes up."
A Bad Birthday
Dusty Baker was 61-years old on Tuesday.
At least one thing he wished for when he blew out the candles was a Reds win but the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers did not start well. Then it got worst.
On top of a 12-0 loss, the leagues top hitting team was shutout for the second time in a week.
Aaron Harang faced Hiroki Kuroda, who bested the Reds and Harang on April 21 in a 14-6 win.
The Dodgers wasted no time. Rafael Furcal doubled to start the game, one of his career tying five hits. When the inning ended, the Dodgers had a three-run lead. It got worse, While Kuroda held the Reds in check, the Dodgers put a pair of runners on to start the fifth. The Dodgers batted for two and a half hours, thanks to the second round of thunderstorms to rake the Cincinnati area in as many days.
Harang gave way to young Logan Ondrusek, who allowed the Dodgers to dampen Baker's birthday spirits more than the rain. The Dodgers added three more runs, to go up 6-0. They doubled that production by game's end.
Between the time it took the Dodgers to pound out 19 hits and the deluge, it was nearly 1am eastern time before the loss was recorded. Thus Baker escaped losing on his birthday.
Small consolation but a fact non the less.
The Reds had a couple bright spots, Drew Stubbs had three hits and Jordan Smith made a successful debut, becoming the only one of five Reds pitchers to avoid being scored upon.
At least one thing he wished for when he blew out the candles was a Reds win but the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers did not start well. Then it got worst.
On top of a 12-0 loss, the leagues top hitting team was shutout for the second time in a week.
Aaron Harang faced Hiroki Kuroda, who bested the Reds and Harang on April 21 in a 14-6 win.
The Dodgers wasted no time. Rafael Furcal doubled to start the game, one of his career tying five hits. When the inning ended, the Dodgers had a three-run lead. It got worse, While Kuroda held the Reds in check, the Dodgers put a pair of runners on to start the fifth. The Dodgers batted for two and a half hours, thanks to the second round of thunderstorms to rake the Cincinnati area in as many days.
Harang gave way to young Logan Ondrusek, who allowed the Dodgers to dampen Baker's birthday spirits more than the rain. The Dodgers added three more runs, to go up 6-0. They doubled that production by game's end.
Between the time it took the Dodgers to pound out 19 hits and the deluge, it was nearly 1am eastern time before the loss was recorded. Thus Baker escaped losing on his birthday.
Small consolation but a fact non the less.
The Reds had a couple bright spots, Drew Stubbs had three hits and Jordan Smith made a successful debut, becoming the only one of five Reds pitchers to avoid being scored upon.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Reds Change Relievers
Enerio Del Rosario has major league stuff but minor league command. The Reds sent the highly thought of righthanded reliever back to Triple A Louisville and recalled Jordan Smith from Double A Carolina.
The Reds are looking for someone to fill the gap from starter to closer and allow Arthur Rhodes to heal in his eighth inning setup role.
"Most of our starters have been going six and a fraction innings," Dusty Baker said. "The seventh is an important inning. (Logan) Ondrusek has been doing a good job but he can't do it by himself."
The Reds think highly of both Del Rosario and Smith.
Baker went on record that Smith threw the hardest sinker in spring training camp.
"We like what we've seen from Del Rosario. He has the stuff its a matter of location," Baker said.
Smith, who has the makeup to be a major league closer, didn't have pretty numbers but David Bell, the Carolina manger gave the big righthander a good report.
"My ball has been moving real good lately," said Smith, who stands 6'4" and weighs in at 220 lbs. "I started to get in a good rhythm the last three or four weeks."
Notes:
Ryan Hanigan took batting practice with the pitchers today. He reported that it went pretty well but his fractured thumb is still hurting. "I feel it when I catch the ball," Hanigan said. "I've tried some padding but none that work with the mitt. It's frustrating but I hope that in three or four days, I will only feel it when I catch the ball wrong or something.".........Brandon Phillips is back in the lineup after missing Sunday with a cramp. "He had treatment on the off day," Baker said. "He feels better. He's been playing with it for awhile anyway. I just told him to play smart.".......Today is Dusty Baker's 61st birthday.
The Reds are looking for someone to fill the gap from starter to closer and allow Arthur Rhodes to heal in his eighth inning setup role.
"Most of our starters have been going six and a fraction innings," Dusty Baker said. "The seventh is an important inning. (Logan) Ondrusek has been doing a good job but he can't do it by himself."
The Reds think highly of both Del Rosario and Smith.
Baker went on record that Smith threw the hardest sinker in spring training camp.
"We like what we've seen from Del Rosario. He has the stuff its a matter of location," Baker said.
Smith, who has the makeup to be a major league closer, didn't have pretty numbers but David Bell, the Carolina manger gave the big righthander a good report.
"My ball has been moving real good lately," said Smith, who stands 6'4" and weighs in at 220 lbs. "I started to get in a good rhythm the last three or four weeks."
Notes:
Ryan Hanigan took batting practice with the pitchers today. He reported that it went pretty well but his fractured thumb is still hurting. "I feel it when I catch the ball," Hanigan said. "I've tried some padding but none that work with the mitt. It's frustrating but I hope that in three or four days, I will only feel it when I catch the ball wrong or something.".........Brandon Phillips is back in the lineup after missing Sunday with a cramp. "He had treatment on the off day," Baker said. "He feels better. He's been playing with it for awhile anyway. I just told him to play smart.".......Today is Dusty Baker's 61st birthday.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Reds Drop an 11 Inning Game to Kansas City, 6-5
Kansas City Royals manager, Ned Yost has been to Great American Ball Park before. He knows the lay of the land from his stint as the Milwaukee Brewers manager.
"No lead is safe ever. And on the reverse their lead is never safe. The ball really carries in this park when it gets hot ," Yost told Kansas City writers, who have never been here before.
The Cincinnati Reds, who are the tenents in GABP, jumped out to a 4-0 lead. They got a pair of infield hits sandwhiched around a sacrifice by Brandon Phillips and a base-advancing ground out to score one in the first. A leadoff double by Jay Bruce followed by run scoring singles by Drew Stubbs and Corky Miller, his first since being recalled, pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second. Bruce blasted his ninth home run of the season, leading off the fourth.
Bronso Arroyo allowed just one hit over the first four frames until Yost's proficy came true.
Former Red Jose Guillen singled to start the fifth. Alberto Callapso singled right after Guillen, who scored on Yuniesky Betancourt's double. Callapso was trapped off third on Chris Getz bouncer to Joey Votto. but Scott Podsednik singled to plate Betancourt. Catcher Jason Kendall grounded a hight bouncing ball up the middle that Orlando Cabrera speared and tossed to Brandon Phillips, whose relay did not get to first in time to double up Kendall. Firstbase umpire Tim Welke started the out sign but quickly threw up the safe signal. The replay backed up his final answer. Arroyo got out of the inning with a 4-3 lead.
Betancourt hit a two-run home run off Arroyo in the fifth. It left Kansas City with an unsafe lead to protect.
"It was I shouldn't have given up and it hurt us, especially with the command I had and the few pitches I made," Arroyo said.
"Betancourt killed us," Baker said. "He drove in almost all their runs (4)."
Kyle Farnsworth and Robinson Tejeda were up to the task, throwing three scoreless innings.
Blake Wood wasn't up to it. Phillips extended his hitting streak with a ground single to center. He stole second, his ninth as Votto walked. Scott Rolen hit a ball to deep left center but Phillips didn't get a good read on it and had to settle for third as Scott Podsednik, couldn't quite reach it for the catch. Jonny Gomes fouled out to the Kendall but Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 5.
Francisco Cordero set down the Royals easily in the top of the ninth.
Kanekoa Texeira was the Royals choice in the bottom of the ninth.
Pinch hitter, Laynec Nix singled to right. Pinch hitter, Ramon Hernandez bunted him to secondbase. Nix went to third on Cabrera's grounder to short. Phillips walked.
Yost brought in his lone lefthander, Dusty Hughes to face Votto, who lifted a fly to center to end the threat, sending the game to extra innings.
The Reds were 5-1 and the Royals 3-2 in OT.
Daniel Ray Herrera blanked the Royals in the 10th.
The Royals countered with Victor Marte.
Rolen singled to start the 10th. Gomes singled. Bruce popped foul to the shortstop..Stubbs struck out looking. Miguel Cairo hit for Herrera. Cairo forced Gomes at second with a ground ball to short.
Micah Owings the long man was called on in the 11th. He walked Billy Butler and Brayan Pena with one out. Callaspo flied to shallow right. Betancourt singled to score Butler as the throw was cut by Votto to get Pena for the third out.
"I thought we had a chance at Butler at the plate," Baker said. "He doesn't run that well and he made a wide turn at third. I don't know if Joey saw that but Pena was not the winning run."
Baker clearly thought the throw should have gone through. Hernandez threw up his arms from his catching position as Butler scored.
Marte warmed up on the mound because their closer, Joakim Soria was the last pitcher left besides starters. Yost decided to make the switch though before Hernandez led off the 11th.
"I was going to have Marte go two or three innings if it was tied. When we went ahead, I had to use the closer to finish it," Yost said. "I would have had a position player pitch if they tied it. It was typical National League baseball."
Hernandez singled and Cabrera bunted him to second. Phillips singled again but the slow footed Hernandez had to stop at third. Votto fouled out to third on the first pitch, leaving it up to Rolen to get the run home. He stepped in with four singles in five at bats. But he lined hard to left to end the contest.
"Soria throws a lot of double plays," Baker said. "We couldn't afford a double play in that situation. It almost work we had runners on first and third with one out. We just couldn't get them in. We've been so good at that lately."
.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 14 games. It is the longest active streak in the major leagues.
"No lead is safe ever. And on the reverse their lead is never safe. The ball really carries in this park when it gets hot ," Yost told Kansas City writers, who have never been here before.
The Cincinnati Reds, who are the tenents in GABP, jumped out to a 4-0 lead. They got a pair of infield hits sandwhiched around a sacrifice by Brandon Phillips and a base-advancing ground out to score one in the first. A leadoff double by Jay Bruce followed by run scoring singles by Drew Stubbs and Corky Miller, his first since being recalled, pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second. Bruce blasted his ninth home run of the season, leading off the fourth.
Bronso Arroyo allowed just one hit over the first four frames until Yost's proficy came true.
Former Red Jose Guillen singled to start the fifth. Alberto Callapso singled right after Guillen, who scored on Yuniesky Betancourt's double. Callapso was trapped off third on Chris Getz bouncer to Joey Votto. but Scott Podsednik singled to plate Betancourt. Catcher Jason Kendall grounded a hight bouncing ball up the middle that Orlando Cabrera speared and tossed to Brandon Phillips, whose relay did not get to first in time to double up Kendall. Firstbase umpire Tim Welke started the out sign but quickly threw up the safe signal. The replay backed up his final answer. Arroyo got out of the inning with a 4-3 lead.
Betancourt hit a two-run home run off Arroyo in the fifth. It left Kansas City with an unsafe lead to protect.
"It was I shouldn't have given up and it hurt us, especially with the command I had and the few pitches I made," Arroyo said.
"Betancourt killed us," Baker said. "He drove in almost all their runs (4)."
Kyle Farnsworth and Robinson Tejeda were up to the task, throwing three scoreless innings.
Blake Wood wasn't up to it. Phillips extended his hitting streak with a ground single to center. He stole second, his ninth as Votto walked. Scott Rolen hit a ball to deep left center but Phillips didn't get a good read on it and had to settle for third as Scott Podsednik, couldn't quite reach it for the catch. Jonny Gomes fouled out to the Kendall but Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 5.
Francisco Cordero set down the Royals easily in the top of the ninth.
Kanekoa Texeira was the Royals choice in the bottom of the ninth.
Pinch hitter, Laynec Nix singled to right. Pinch hitter, Ramon Hernandez bunted him to secondbase. Nix went to third on Cabrera's grounder to short. Phillips walked.
Yost brought in his lone lefthander, Dusty Hughes to face Votto, who lifted a fly to center to end the threat, sending the game to extra innings.
The Reds were 5-1 and the Royals 3-2 in OT.
Daniel Ray Herrera blanked the Royals in the 10th.
The Royals countered with Victor Marte.
Rolen singled to start the 10th. Gomes singled. Bruce popped foul to the shortstop..Stubbs struck out looking. Miguel Cairo hit for Herrera. Cairo forced Gomes at second with a ground ball to short.
Micah Owings the long man was called on in the 11th. He walked Billy Butler and Brayan Pena with one out. Callaspo flied to shallow right. Betancourt singled to score Butler as the throw was cut by Votto to get Pena for the third out.
"I thought we had a chance at Butler at the plate," Baker said. "He doesn't run that well and he made a wide turn at third. I don't know if Joey saw that but Pena was not the winning run."
Baker clearly thought the throw should have gone through. Hernandez threw up his arms from his catching position as Butler scored.
Marte warmed up on the mound because their closer, Joakim Soria was the last pitcher left besides starters. Yost decided to make the switch though before Hernandez led off the 11th.
"I was going to have Marte go two or three innings if it was tied. When we went ahead, I had to use the closer to finish it," Yost said. "I would have had a position player pitch if they tied it. It was typical National League baseball."
Hernandez singled and Cabrera bunted him to second. Phillips singled again but the slow footed Hernandez had to stop at third. Votto fouled out to third on the first pitch, leaving it up to Rolen to get the run home. He stepped in with four singles in five at bats. But he lined hard to left to end the contest.
"Soria throws a lot of double plays," Baker said. "We couldn't afford a double play in that situation. It almost work we had runners on first and third with one out. We just couldn't get them in. We've been so good at that lately."
.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 14 games. It is the longest active streak in the major leagues.
Reds Drop an 11 Inning Game to Kansas City, 6-5
Kansas City Royals manager, Ned Yost has been to Great American Ball Park before. He knows the lay of the land from his stint as the Milwaukee Brewers manager.
"No lead is safe ever. And on the reverse their lead is never safe. The ball really carries in this park when it gets hot ," Yost told Kansas City writers, who have never been here before.
The Cincinnati Reds, who are the tenents in GABP, jumped out to a 4-0 lead. They got a pair of infield hits sandwhiched around a sacrifice by Brandon Phillips and a base-advancing ground out to score one in the first. A leadoff double by Jay Bruce followed by run scoring singles by Drew Stubbs and Corky Miller, his first since being recalled, pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second. Bruce blasted his ninth home run of the season, leading off the fourth.
Bronso Arroyo allowed just one hit over the first four frames until Yost's proficy came true.
Former Red Jose Guillen singled to start the fifth. Alberto Callapso singled right after Guillen, who scored on Yuniesky Betancourt's double. Callapso was trapped off third on Chris Getz bouncer to Joey Votto. but Scott Podsednik singled to plate Betancourt. Catcher Jason Kendall grounded a hight bouncing ball up the middle that Orlando Cabrera speared and tossed to Brandon Phillips, whose relay did not get to first in time to double up Kendall. Firstbase umpire Tim Welke started the out sign but quickly threw up the safe signal. The replay backed up his final answer. Arroyo got out of the inning with a 4-3 lead.
Betancourt hit a two-run home run off Arroyo in the fifth. It left Kansas City with an unsafe lead to protect.
"It was I shouldn't have given up and it hurt us, especially with the command I had and the few pitches I made," Arroyo said.
"Betancourt killed us," Baker said. "He drove in almost all their runs (4)."
Kyle Farnsworth and Robinson Tejeda were up to the task, throwing three scoreless innings.
Blake Wood wasn't up to it. Phillips extended his hitting streak with a ground single to center. He stole second, his ninth as Votto walked. Scott Rolen hit a ball to deep left center but Phillips didn't get a good read on it and had to settle for third as Scott Podsednik, couldn't quite reach it for the catch. Jonny Gomes fouled out to the Kendall but Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 5.
Francisco Cordero set down the Royals easily in the top of the ninth.
Kanekoa Texeira was the Royals choice in the bottom of the ninth.
Pinch hitter, Laynec Nix singled to right. Pinch hitter, Ramon Hernandez bunted him to secondbase. Nix went to third on Cabrera's grounder to short. Phillips walked.
Yost brought in his lone lefthander, Dusty Hughes to face Votto, who lifted a fly to center to end the threat, sending the game to extra innings.
The Reds were 5-1 and the Royals 3-2 in OT.
Daniel Ray Herrera blanked the Royals in the 10th.
The Royals countered with Victor Marte.
Rolen singled to start the 10th. Gomes singled. Bruce popped foul to the shortstop..Stubbs struck out looking. Miguel Cairo hit for Herrera. Cairo forced Gomes at second with a ground ball to short.
Micah Owings the long man was called on in the 11th. He walked Billy Butler and Brayan Pena with one out. Callaspo flied to shallow right. Betancourt singled to score Butler as the throw was cut by Votto to get Pena for the third out.
"I thought we had a chance at Butler at the plate," Baker said. "He doesn't run that well and he made a wide turn at third. I don't know if Joey saw that but Pena was not the winning run."
Baker clearly thought the throw should have gone through. Hernandez threw up his arms from his catching position as Butler scored.
Marte warmed up on the mound because their closer, Joakim Soria was the last pitcher left besides starters. Yost decided to make the switch though before Hernandez led off the 11th.
"I was going to have Marte go two or three innings if it was tied. When we went ahead, I had to use the closer to finish it," Yost said. "I would have had a position player pitch if they tied it. It was typical National League baseball."
Hernandez singled and Cabrera bunted him to second. Phillips singled again but the slow footed Hernandez had to stop at third. Votto fouled out to third on the first pitch, leaving it up to Rolen to get the run home. He stepped in with four singles in five at bats. But he lined hard to left to end the contest.
"Soria throws a lot of double plays," Baker said. "We couldn't afford a double play in that situation. It almost work we had runners on first and third with one out. We just couldn't get them in. We've been so good at that lately."
.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 14 games. It is the longest active streak in the major leagues.
"No lead is safe ever. And on the reverse their lead is never safe. The ball really carries in this park when it gets hot ," Yost told Kansas City writers, who have never been here before.
The Cincinnati Reds, who are the tenents in GABP, jumped out to a 4-0 lead. They got a pair of infield hits sandwhiched around a sacrifice by Brandon Phillips and a base-advancing ground out to score one in the first. A leadoff double by Jay Bruce followed by run scoring singles by Drew Stubbs and Corky Miller, his first since being recalled, pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second. Bruce blasted his ninth home run of the season, leading off the fourth.
Bronso Arroyo allowed just one hit over the first four frames until Yost's proficy came true.
Former Red Jose Guillen singled to start the fifth. Alberto Callapso singled right after Guillen, who scored on Yuniesky Betancourt's double. Callapso was trapped off third on Chris Getz bouncer to Joey Votto. but Scott Podsednik singled to plate Betancourt. Catcher Jason Kendall grounded a hight bouncing ball up the middle that Orlando Cabrera speared and tossed to Brandon Phillips, whose relay did not get to first in time to double up Kendall. Firstbase umpire Tim Welke started the out sign but quickly threw up the safe signal. The replay backed up his final answer. Arroyo got out of the inning with a 4-3 lead.
Betancourt hit a two-run home run off Arroyo in the fifth. It left Kansas City with an unsafe lead to protect.
"It was I shouldn't have given up and it hurt us, especially with the command I had and the few pitches I made," Arroyo said.
"Betancourt killed us," Baker said. "He drove in almost all their runs (4)."
Kyle Farnsworth and Robinson Tejeda were up to the task, throwing three scoreless innings.
Blake Wood wasn't up to it. Phillips extended his hitting streak with a ground single to center. He stole second, his ninth as Votto walked. Scott Rolen hit a ball to deep left center but Phillips didn't get a good read on it and had to settle for third as Scott Podsednik, couldn't quite reach it for the catch. Jonny Gomes fouled out to the Kendall but Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 5.
Francisco Cordero set down the Royals easily in the top of the ninth.
Kanekoa Texeira was the Royals choice in the bottom of the ninth.
Pinch hitter, Laynec Nix singled to right. Pinch hitter, Ramon Hernandez bunted him to secondbase. Nix went to third on Cabrera's grounder to short. Phillips walked.
Yost brought in his lone lefthander, Dusty Hughes to face Votto, who lifted a fly to center to end the threat, sending the game to extra innings.
The Reds were 5-1 and the Royals 3-2 in OT.
Daniel Ray Herrera blanked the Royals in the 10th.
The Royals countered with Victor Marte.
Rolen singled to start the 10th. Gomes singled. Bruce popped foul to the shortstop..Stubbs struck out looking. Miguel Cairo hit for Herrera. Cairo forced Gomes at second with a ground ball to short.
Micah Owings the long man was called on in the 11th. He walked Billy Butler and Brayan Pena with one out. Callaspo flied to shallow right. Betancourt singled to score Butler as the throw was cut by Votto to get Pena for the third out.
"I thought we had a chance at Butler at the plate," Baker said. "He doesn't run that well and he made a wide turn at third. I don't know if Joey saw that but Pena was not the winning run."
Baker clearly thought the throw should have gone through. Hernandez threw up his arms from his catching position as Butler scored.
Marte warmed up on the mound because their closer, Joakim Soria was the last pitcher left besides starters. Yost decided to make the switch though before Hernandez led off the 11th.
"I was going to have Marte go two or three innings if it was tied. When we went ahead, I had to use the closer to finish it," Yost said. "I would have had a position player pitch if they tied it. It was typical National League baseball."
Hernandez singled and Cabrera bunted him to second. Phillips singled again but the slow footed Hernandez had to stop at third. Votto fouled out to third on the first pitch, leaving it up to Rolen to get the run home. He stepped in with four singles in five at bats. But he lined hard to left to end the contest.
"Soria throws a lot of double plays," Baker said. "We couldn't afford a double play in that situation. It almost work we had runners on first and third with one out. We just couldn't get them in. We've been so good at that lately."
.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 14 games. It is the longest active streak in the major leagues.
Colerain Cardinal Pitcher Dominating Florida State League
Daniel Osterbrock was promoted to Advanced A Ft. Myers by the Minnesota Twins. The 2005 Colerain Grad is a lefthander hurler in the Minnesota Twins organization.
He was promoted after he authored a seven-inning no hitter at Beloit in the Midwest League.
At first Osterbrock struggled after the move from lower A to advanced A. He lost his first four starts but in his last three outings, he has allowed just one earned run in a total of 19 2/3 innings.
Duneden, Brevard County and Lakeland have managed just seven hits in those innings and he has walked just five, none in his last start. He has fanned 10 combined in his three victories.
He was promoted after he authored a seven-inning no hitter at Beloit in the Midwest League.
At first Osterbrock struggled after the move from lower A to advanced A. He lost his first four starts but in his last three outings, he has allowed just one earned run in a total of 19 2/3 innings.
Duneden, Brevard County and Lakeland have managed just seven hits in those innings and he has walked just five, none in his last start. He has fanned 10 combined in his three victories.
Colerain Cardinal Pitcher Dominating Florida State League
Daniel Osterbrock was promoted to Advanced A Ft. Myers by the Minnesota Twins. The 2005 Colerain Grad is a lefthander hurler in the Minnesota Twins organization.
He was promoted after he authored a seven-inning no hitter at Beloit in the Midwest League.
At first Osterbrock struggled after the move from lower A to advanced A. He lost his first four starts but in his last three outings, he has allowed just one earned run in a total of 19 2/3 innings.
Duneden, Brevard County and Lakeland have managed just seven hits in those innings and he has walked just five, none in his last start. He has fanned 10 combined in his three victories.
He was promoted after he authored a seven-inning no hitter at Beloit in the Midwest League.
At first Osterbrock struggled after the move from lower A to advanced A. He lost his first four starts but in his last three outings, he has allowed just one earned run in a total of 19 2/3 innings.
Duneden, Brevard County and Lakeland have managed just seven hits in those innings and he has walked just five, none in his last start. He has fanned 10 combined in his three victories.
Homer Bailey Has a Setback
Homer Bailey was to throw a bullpen today but soreness in his shoulder caused a cautionary delay.
"The soreness is in a different place in my shoulder," Bailey said. "I didn't feel it in the game on Tuesday. I didn't feel it Wednesday. It is alarming but not life threatening, so I'm not too concerned."
Bailey is being examined by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck tonight. Sam LeCure will start on Sunday. It will be the third start that Bailey has missed.
"The soreness is in a different place in my shoulder," Bailey said. "I didn't feel it in the game on Tuesday. I didn't feel it Wednesday. It is alarming but not life threatening, so I'm not too concerned."
Bailey is being examined by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck tonight. Sam LeCure will start on Sunday. It will be the third start that Bailey has missed.
Homer Bailey Has a Setback
Homer Bailey was to throw a bullpen today but soreness in his shoulder caused a cautionary delay.
"The soreness is in a different place in my shoulder," Bailey said. "I didn't feel it in the game on Tuesday. I didn't feel it Wednesday. It is alarming but not life threatening, so I'm not too concerned."
Bailey is being examined by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck tonight. Sam LeCure will start on Sunday. It will be the third start that Bailey has missed.
"The soreness is in a different place in my shoulder," Bailey said. "I didn't feel it in the game on Tuesday. I didn't feel it Wednesday. It is alarming but not life threatening, so I'm not too concerned."
Bailey is being examined by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck tonight. Sam LeCure will start on Sunday. It will be the third start that Bailey has missed.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Reds Rally to a 7-6 Win, Lead Division by 1 1/2 Games
Brandon Phillips in the leadoff slot was as it was brief.
Phillips tied the contest with a two-run triple, his fourth hit of the game and scored on Joey Votto's single up the middle in the eighth inning.
Aging Orlando Cabrera was to get the day off so Paul Janish played shortstop and Phillips was moved up a spot from what has become his normal two spot in the batting order.
"At first I was just trying to move them over, get one in and get (Chris) Heisey (who doubled ahead of him) to third. When I got two strikes, I was trying to drive them in and it worked out," Phillips said.
Phillips spent most of last season in the cleanup spot to split lefthanded batters, Votto and Jay Bruce. With the addition of Scott Rolen it frees him to bat in other spots.
"I just tried to have good at bats and take some pitches. I can hit anywhere in the lineup and try to be a team player," Phillips said.
"It's great when you have guys like Cabrera and Brandon that can hit all over the lineup. I mean Brandon's hit cleanup, fifth, third and first," Dusty Baker said.
Mike Leake failed to last into the fifth inning for the first time in his brief career. He allowed four runs on 11 hits but didn't pitch as badly as the numbers indicated.
"It's not that Leake was throwing poorly, they were finding holes and flairing balls," Baker said. "He fought and fought."
The Reds were behind 4-0 in the middle of the third but rallied against emergency reliever, Denny Bautista.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, strained his right quad muscle hitting into a double play with the bases loaded. It was the first of three straight innings in which the Giants hit into double plays with the bases jammed.
Juan Uribe hit into one of them in the fourth, started by a diving stop by Janish. Phillips started a nifty one in the fifth by backhanding a hard hit ball by Freddy Sanchez.
"Those were big by Janish and Brandon," Baker said. "That saved a lot of runs. You know how I feel about defense especially up-the-middle defense."
The defensive plays kept Leake and the Reds in striking distance until they started the offense against Bautista.
Leake, who was hitting .417, walked to open the inning. Phillips extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single to right. Janish bunted to advance them and popped it up but Bautista couldn't make a diving catch and the bases were loaded. Votto walked to start the scoring. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly to right. Jonny Gomes and Bruce singled to tie the score.
San Francisco tied it when Rolen failed to come up with what would have been a double play ground ball. Buster Posey would have scored from third anyway but Leake would have had the bases empty and two outs. Instead the his relief Enerio Del Rosario had to coax another double play to escape.
The Giants added another marker in the seventh when Sanchez singled home Aaron Rowand.
Both bullpens held until Guillermo Mota entered the eighth for San Francisco.
Ramon Hernandez singled and Heisey, who was a double switch replacement doubled to set up Phillips heroic triple.
The 13th win in its last at bat was the result for Cincinnati that added a half game to the lead over St. Louis which has the day off. It is the latest the Reds have led its division since 2002.
"The comeback wins show that we believe in ourselves," Phillips said.
Phillips tied the contest with a two-run triple, his fourth hit of the game and scored on Joey Votto's single up the middle in the eighth inning.
Aging Orlando Cabrera was to get the day off so Paul Janish played shortstop and Phillips was moved up a spot from what has become his normal two spot in the batting order.
"At first I was just trying to move them over, get one in and get (Chris) Heisey (who doubled ahead of him) to third. When I got two strikes, I was trying to drive them in and it worked out," Phillips said.
Phillips spent most of last season in the cleanup spot to split lefthanded batters, Votto and Jay Bruce. With the addition of Scott Rolen it frees him to bat in other spots.
"I just tried to have good at bats and take some pitches. I can hit anywhere in the lineup and try to be a team player," Phillips said.
"It's great when you have guys like Cabrera and Brandon that can hit all over the lineup. I mean Brandon's hit cleanup, fifth, third and first," Dusty Baker said.
Mike Leake failed to last into the fifth inning for the first time in his brief career. He allowed four runs on 11 hits but didn't pitch as badly as the numbers indicated.
"It's not that Leake was throwing poorly, they were finding holes and flairing balls," Baker said. "He fought and fought."
The Reds were behind 4-0 in the middle of the third but rallied against emergency reliever, Denny Bautista.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, strained his right quad muscle hitting into a double play with the bases loaded. It was the first of three straight innings in which the Giants hit into double plays with the bases jammed.
Juan Uribe hit into one of them in the fourth, started by a diving stop by Janish. Phillips started a nifty one in the fifth by backhanding a hard hit ball by Freddy Sanchez.
"Those were big by Janish and Brandon," Baker said. "That saved a lot of runs. You know how I feel about defense especially up-the-middle defense."
The defensive plays kept Leake and the Reds in striking distance until they started the offense against Bautista.
Leake, who was hitting .417, walked to open the inning. Phillips extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single to right. Janish bunted to advance them and popped it up but Bautista couldn't make a diving catch and the bases were loaded. Votto walked to start the scoring. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly to right. Jonny Gomes and Bruce singled to tie the score.
San Francisco tied it when Rolen failed to come up with what would have been a double play ground ball. Buster Posey would have scored from third anyway but Leake would have had the bases empty and two outs. Instead the his relief Enerio Del Rosario had to coax another double play to escape.
The Giants added another marker in the seventh when Sanchez singled home Aaron Rowand.
Both bullpens held until Guillermo Mota entered the eighth for San Francisco.
Ramon Hernandez singled and Heisey, who was a double switch replacement doubled to set up Phillips heroic triple.
The 13th win in its last at bat was the result for Cincinnati that added a half game to the lead over St. Louis which has the day off. It is the latest the Reds have led its division since 2002.
"The comeback wins show that we believe in ourselves," Phillips said.
Reds Rally to a 7-6 Win, Lead Division by 1 1/2 Games
Brandon Phillips in the leadoff slot was as it was brief.
Phillips tied the contest with a two-run triple, his fourth hit of the game and scored on Joey Votto's single up the middle in the eighth inning.
Aging Orlando Cabrera was to get the day off so Paul Janish played shortstop and Phillips was moved up a spot from what has become his normal two spot in the batting order.
"At first I was just trying to move them over, get one in and get (Chris) Heisey (who doubled ahead of him) to third. When I got two strikes, I was trying to drive them in and it worked out," Phillips said.
Phillips spent most of last season in the cleanup spot to split lefthanded batters, Votto and Jay Bruce. With the addition of Scott Rolen it frees him to bat in other spots.
"I just tried to have good at bats and take some pitches. I can hit anywhere in the lineup and try to be a team player," Phillips said.
"It's great when you have guys like Cabrera and Brandon that can hit all over the lineup. I mean Brandon's hit cleanup, fifth, third and first," Dusty Baker said.
Mike Leake failed to last into the fifth inning for the first time in his brief career. He allowed four runs on 11 hits but didn't pitch as badly as the numbers indicated.
"It's not that Leake was throwing poorly, they were finding holes and flairing balls," Baker said. "He fought and fought."
The Reds were behind 4-0 in the middle of the third but rallied against emergency reliever, Denny Bautista.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, strained his right quad muscle hitting into a double play with the bases loaded. It was the first of three straight innings in which the Giants hit into double plays with the bases jammed.
Juan Uribe hit into one of them in the fourth, started by a diving stop by Janish. Phillips started a nifty one in the fifth by backhanding a hard hit ball by Freddy Sanchez.
"Those were big by Janish and Brandon," Baker said. "That saved a lot of runs. You know how I feel about defense especially up-the-middle defense."
The defensive plays kept Leake and the Reds in striking distance until they started the offense against Bautista.
Leake, who was hitting .417, walked to open the inning. Phillips extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single to right. Janish bunted to advance them and popped it up but Bautista couldn't make a diving catch and the bases were loaded. Votto walked to start the scoring. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly to right. Jonny Gomes and Bruce singled to tie the score.
San Francisco tied it when Rolen failed to come up with what would have been a double play ground ball. Buster Posey would have scored from third anyway but Leake would have had the bases empty and two outs. Instead the his relief Enerio Del Rosario had to coax another double play to escape.
The Giants added another marker in the seventh when Sanchez singled home Aaron Rowand.
Both bullpens held until Guillermo Mota entered the eighth for San Francisco.
Ramon Hernandez singled and Heisey, who was a double switch replacement doubled to set up Phillips heroic triple.
The 13th win in its last at bat was the result for Cincinnati that added a half game to the lead over St. Louis which has the day off. It is the latest the Reds have led its division since 2002.
"The comeback wins show that we believe in ourselves," Phillips said.
Phillips tied the contest with a two-run triple, his fourth hit of the game and scored on Joey Votto's single up the middle in the eighth inning.
Aging Orlando Cabrera was to get the day off so Paul Janish played shortstop and Phillips was moved up a spot from what has become his normal two spot in the batting order.
"At first I was just trying to move them over, get one in and get (Chris) Heisey (who doubled ahead of him) to third. When I got two strikes, I was trying to drive them in and it worked out," Phillips said.
Phillips spent most of last season in the cleanup spot to split lefthanded batters, Votto and Jay Bruce. With the addition of Scott Rolen it frees him to bat in other spots.
"I just tried to have good at bats and take some pitches. I can hit anywhere in the lineup and try to be a team player," Phillips said.
"It's great when you have guys like Cabrera and Brandon that can hit all over the lineup. I mean Brandon's hit cleanup, fifth, third and first," Dusty Baker said.
Mike Leake failed to last into the fifth inning for the first time in his brief career. He allowed four runs on 11 hits but didn't pitch as badly as the numbers indicated.
"It's not that Leake was throwing poorly, they were finding holes and flairing balls," Baker said. "He fought and fought."
The Reds were behind 4-0 in the middle of the third but rallied against emergency reliever, Denny Bautista.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, strained his right quad muscle hitting into a double play with the bases loaded. It was the first of three straight innings in which the Giants hit into double plays with the bases jammed.
Juan Uribe hit into one of them in the fourth, started by a diving stop by Janish. Phillips started a nifty one in the fifth by backhanding a hard hit ball by Freddy Sanchez.
"Those were big by Janish and Brandon," Baker said. "That saved a lot of runs. You know how I feel about defense especially up-the-middle defense."
The defensive plays kept Leake and the Reds in striking distance until they started the offense against Bautista.
Leake, who was hitting .417, walked to open the inning. Phillips extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single to right. Janish bunted to advance them and popped it up but Bautista couldn't make a diving catch and the bases were loaded. Votto walked to start the scoring. Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly to right. Jonny Gomes and Bruce singled to tie the score.
San Francisco tied it when Rolen failed to come up with what would have been a double play ground ball. Buster Posey would have scored from third anyway but Leake would have had the bases empty and two outs. Instead the his relief Enerio Del Rosario had to coax another double play to escape.
The Giants added another marker in the seventh when Sanchez singled home Aaron Rowand.
Both bullpens held until Guillermo Mota entered the eighth for San Francisco.
Ramon Hernandez singled and Heisey, who was a double switch replacement doubled to set up Phillips heroic triple.
The 13th win in its last at bat was the result for Cincinnati that added a half game to the lead over St. Louis which has the day off. It is the latest the Reds have led its division since 2002.
"The comeback wins show that we believe in ourselves," Phillips said.
Leake Roughed Up for the First Time
Mike Leake is human.
The light hitting San Francisco Giants have scored four runs on seven hits in the first three innings. Aaron Rowand hitting .225 and benched for lack of offense on Wednesday hit a solo home run as did Aubrey Huff.
Leake struck out the first two hitters but allowed two hits and a walk in the first as the Giants jumped in front.
At the plate however, Leake, hitting an amazing .417 drew a walk and advanced as Brandon Phillips singled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, grounded into a double play to end the third and did not return to the mound. Denny Bautista is the emergency reliever and the Reds have scored two runs and are still batting in the third.
The light hitting San Francisco Giants have scored four runs on seven hits in the first three innings. Aaron Rowand hitting .225 and benched for lack of offense on Wednesday hit a solo home run as did Aubrey Huff.
Leake struck out the first two hitters but allowed two hits and a walk in the first as the Giants jumped in front.
At the plate however, Leake, hitting an amazing .417 drew a walk and advanced as Brandon Phillips singled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, grounded into a double play to end the third and did not return to the mound. Denny Bautista is the emergency reliever and the Reds have scored two runs and are still batting in the third.
Leake Roughed Up for the First Time
Mike Leake is human.
The light hitting San Francisco Giants have scored four runs on seven hits in the first three innings. Aaron Rowand hitting .225 and benched for lack of offense on Wednesday hit a solo home run as did Aubrey Huff.
Leake struck out the first two hitters but allowed two hits and a walk in the first as the Giants jumped in front.
At the plate however, Leake, hitting an amazing .417 drew a walk and advanced as Brandon Phillips singled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, grounded into a double play to end the third and did not return to the mound. Denny Bautista is the emergency reliever and the Reds have scored two runs and are still batting in the third.
The light hitting San Francisco Giants have scored four runs on seven hits in the first three innings. Aaron Rowand hitting .225 and benched for lack of offense on Wednesday hit a solo home run as did Aubrey Huff.
Leake struck out the first two hitters but allowed two hits and a walk in the first as the Giants jumped in front.
At the plate however, Leake, hitting an amazing .417 drew a walk and advanced as Brandon Phillips singled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.
San Francisco starter, Todd Wellemeyer, grounded into a double play to end the third and did not return to the mound. Denny Bautista is the emergency reliever and the Reds have scored two runs and are still batting in the third.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Reds Beat San Francisco 6-3 Hold 1/2 game Lead.
Francisco Cordero fanned Freddy Sanchez to seal a 6-3 win over the Giants.
Aaron Harang allowed just two runs in seven innings to even his record at 5-5. It is the same Aaron Harang that many fans wanted out of the rotation after his first four starts.
At the time Dusty Baker said, "We need Aaraon Harang. We need him to win. He's only had four starts man, if it was after 14 starts it would be another story."
Tonight Harang made his 13th start. After four starts he was 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. He has methodically won five of his seven decisions and trimmed overe three runs a game off his ERA to 5.17.
"It was definitely tough early in the season to get that far behind," Harang said. "It was a tough start last time but I tweaked some things in the bullpen and focused on keeping the ball down. I knew they (Giants) were agressive so I wanted to let them get themselves out."
Orlando Cabrera, the veteran who knows that he will get tomorrow off, had four hits to snap an 0-for-13 slide. He scored three runs and narrowly missed scoring a fourth.
"We bounced back after the last two games," said Cabrera, who hit three doubles. "I wanted to take extra batting practice but Dusty asked why? He said I've been centering the ball but I wasn't getting any hits. Sometimes I like to feel better when I'm hitting the ball and nobody is catching it. Its something mental. I did and I feel better."
Baker defended his middle relief before the game.
"I don't like separating a team like they do in football, defense and offense. Sometime during the season, your starting pitching will struggle, your hitting will struggle. We have to pick each other up. Early in the season we weren't getting the starting pitching. Then we weren't hitting. I was thinking today. Until we get the bullpen straight, let's just score more runs. How about that? This team is tough to score on but they can be scored on."
On cue, Cabrera led off with a single. A couple of ground outs put him on secondbase with two outs. Scott Rolen delivered him with a double, one of six for the Reds.
San Francisco phenom, Buster Posey, hit his first career home run off Harang with a man on to give San Francisco a brief lead.
The Reds tied the game with a run in the third. Cabrera stroked a one-out double. Joey Votto snapped an 0-for-11 streak with an infield single. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez walked Rolen and Jonny Gomes to bring Cabrera home. Jay Bruce attempted to bust the game open with a long line drive to leftcenter that Pat Burrel ran down on the warning track.
Drew Stubbs belted his seventh home run off the batter's eye in centerfield off Sergio Romo.
Harang pitched out of trouble with the help of a vengeful Bruce in the seventh.
Posey and Eli Whiteside singled with on out. Harang fanned pinch hitter, Travis Ishikawa but walked Andres Torres. Harang went to 3-0 with Freddy Sanchez, a former batting champion with a .338 average. But came back and got him on a line fly to the gap in rightcenter, that Bruce ran down.
Daniel Herrara, Logan Ondrusek and Cordero held off the Giants over the last two innings while Gomes drove in Votto and Rolen in the seventh to build the cushion that Baker asked for before the game.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 12 games....Scott Rolen has hit an extra base hit in five straight games. "He's an All-Star and is playing like one," Baker said.......The Reds got seven hits off Jonathan Sanchez which is the most he's allowed this season. Sanchez had 2.63 ERA at the start of the game....
Aaron Harang allowed just two runs in seven innings to even his record at 5-5. It is the same Aaron Harang that many fans wanted out of the rotation after his first four starts.
At the time Dusty Baker said, "We need Aaraon Harang. We need him to win. He's only had four starts man, if it was after 14 starts it would be another story."
Tonight Harang made his 13th start. After four starts he was 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. He has methodically won five of his seven decisions and trimmed overe three runs a game off his ERA to 5.17.
"It was definitely tough early in the season to get that far behind," Harang said. "It was a tough start last time but I tweaked some things in the bullpen and focused on keeping the ball down. I knew they (Giants) were agressive so I wanted to let them get themselves out."
Orlando Cabrera, the veteran who knows that he will get tomorrow off, had four hits to snap an 0-for-13 slide. He scored three runs and narrowly missed scoring a fourth.
"We bounced back after the last two games," said Cabrera, who hit three doubles. "I wanted to take extra batting practice but Dusty asked why? He said I've been centering the ball but I wasn't getting any hits. Sometimes I like to feel better when I'm hitting the ball and nobody is catching it. Its something mental. I did and I feel better."
Baker defended his middle relief before the game.
"I don't like separating a team like they do in football, defense and offense. Sometime during the season, your starting pitching will struggle, your hitting will struggle. We have to pick each other up. Early in the season we weren't getting the starting pitching. Then we weren't hitting. I was thinking today. Until we get the bullpen straight, let's just score more runs. How about that? This team is tough to score on but they can be scored on."
On cue, Cabrera led off with a single. A couple of ground outs put him on secondbase with two outs. Scott Rolen delivered him with a double, one of six for the Reds.
San Francisco phenom, Buster Posey, hit his first career home run off Harang with a man on to give San Francisco a brief lead.
The Reds tied the game with a run in the third. Cabrera stroked a one-out double. Joey Votto snapped an 0-for-11 streak with an infield single. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez walked Rolen and Jonny Gomes to bring Cabrera home. Jay Bruce attempted to bust the game open with a long line drive to leftcenter that Pat Burrel ran down on the warning track.
Drew Stubbs belted his seventh home run off the batter's eye in centerfield off Sergio Romo.
Harang pitched out of trouble with the help of a vengeful Bruce in the seventh.
Posey and Eli Whiteside singled with on out. Harang fanned pinch hitter, Travis Ishikawa but walked Andres Torres. Harang went to 3-0 with Freddy Sanchez, a former batting champion with a .338 average. But came back and got him on a line fly to the gap in rightcenter, that Bruce ran down.
Daniel Herrara, Logan Ondrusek and Cordero held off the Giants over the last two innings while Gomes drove in Votto and Rolen in the seventh to build the cushion that Baker asked for before the game.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 12 games....Scott Rolen has hit an extra base hit in five straight games. "He's an All-Star and is playing like one," Baker said.......The Reds got seven hits off Jonathan Sanchez which is the most he's allowed this season. Sanchez had 2.63 ERA at the start of the game....
The Reds Beat San Francisco 6-3 Hold 1/2 game Lead.
Francisco Cordero fanned Freddy Sanchez to seal a 6-3 win over the Giants.
Aaron Harang allowed just two runs in seven innings to even his record at 5-5. It is the same Aaron Harang that many fans wanted out of the rotation after his first four starts.
At the time Dusty Baker said, "We need Aaraon Harang. We need him to win. He's only had four starts man, if it was after 14 starts it would be another story."
Tonight Harang made his 13th start. After four starts he was 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. He has methodically won five of his seven decisions and trimmed overe three runs a game off his ERA to 5.17.
"It was definitely tough early in the season to get that far behind," Harang said. "It was a tough start last time but I tweaked some things in the bullpen and focused on keeping the ball down. I knew they (Giants) were agressive so I wanted to let them get themselves out."
Orlando Cabrera, the veteran who knows that he will get tomorrow off, had four hits to snap an 0-for-13 slide. He scored three runs and narrowly missed scoring a fourth.
"We bounced back after the last two games," said Cabrera, who hit three doubles. "I wanted to take extra batting practice but Dusty asked why? He said I've been centering the ball but I wasn't getting any hits. Sometimes I like to feel better when I'm hitting the ball and nobody is catching it. Its something mental. I did and I feel better."
Baker defended his middle relief before the game.
"I don't like separating a team like they do in football, defense and offense. Sometime during the season, your starting pitching will struggle, your hitting will struggle. We have to pick each other up. Early in the season we weren't getting the starting pitching. Then we weren't hitting. I was thinking today. Until we get the bullpen straight, let's just score more runs. How about that? This team is tough to score on but they can be scored on."
On cue, Cabrera led off with a single. A couple of ground outs put him on secondbase with two outs. Scott Rolen delivered him with a double, one of six for the Reds.
San Francisco phenom, Buster Posey, hit his first career home run off Harang with a man on to give San Francisco a brief lead.
The Reds tied the game with a run in the third. Cabrera stroked a one-out double. Joey Votto snapped an 0-for-11 streak with an infield single. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez walked Rolen and Jonny Gomes to bring Cabrera home. Jay Bruce attempted to bust the game open with a long line drive to leftcenter that Pat Burrel ran down on the warning track.
Drew Stubbs belted his seventh home run off the batter's eye in centerfield off Sergio Romo.
Harang pitched out of trouble with the help of a vengeful Bruce in the seventh.
Posey and Eli Whiteside singled with on out. Harang fanned pinch hitter, Travis Ishikawa but walked Andres Torres. Harang went to 3-0 with Freddy Sanchez, a former batting champion with a .338 average. But came back and got him on a line fly to the gap in rightcenter, that Bruce ran down.
Daniel Herrara, Logan Ondrusek and Cordero held off the Giants over the last two innings while Gomes drove in Votto and Rolen in the seventh to build the cushion that Baker asked for before the game.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 12 games....Scott Rolen has hit an extra base hit in five straight games. "He's an All-Star and is playing like one," Baker said.......The Reds got seven hits off Jonathan Sanchez which is the most he's allowed this season. Sanchez had 2.63 ERA at the start of the game....
Aaron Harang allowed just two runs in seven innings to even his record at 5-5. It is the same Aaron Harang that many fans wanted out of the rotation after his first four starts.
At the time Dusty Baker said, "We need Aaraon Harang. We need him to win. He's only had four starts man, if it was after 14 starts it would be another story."
Tonight Harang made his 13th start. After four starts he was 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. He has methodically won five of his seven decisions and trimmed overe three runs a game off his ERA to 5.17.
"It was definitely tough early in the season to get that far behind," Harang said. "It was a tough start last time but I tweaked some things in the bullpen and focused on keeping the ball down. I knew they (Giants) were agressive so I wanted to let them get themselves out."
Orlando Cabrera, the veteran who knows that he will get tomorrow off, had four hits to snap an 0-for-13 slide. He scored three runs and narrowly missed scoring a fourth.
"We bounced back after the last two games," said Cabrera, who hit three doubles. "I wanted to take extra batting practice but Dusty asked why? He said I've been centering the ball but I wasn't getting any hits. Sometimes I like to feel better when I'm hitting the ball and nobody is catching it. Its something mental. I did and I feel better."
Baker defended his middle relief before the game.
"I don't like separating a team like they do in football, defense and offense. Sometime during the season, your starting pitching will struggle, your hitting will struggle. We have to pick each other up. Early in the season we weren't getting the starting pitching. Then we weren't hitting. I was thinking today. Until we get the bullpen straight, let's just score more runs. How about that? This team is tough to score on but they can be scored on."
On cue, Cabrera led off with a single. A couple of ground outs put him on secondbase with two outs. Scott Rolen delivered him with a double, one of six for the Reds.
San Francisco phenom, Buster Posey, hit his first career home run off Harang with a man on to give San Francisco a brief lead.
The Reds tied the game with a run in the third. Cabrera stroked a one-out double. Joey Votto snapped an 0-for-11 streak with an infield single. San Francisco starter, Jonathan Sanchez walked Rolen and Jonny Gomes to bring Cabrera home. Jay Bruce attempted to bust the game open with a long line drive to leftcenter that Pat Burrel ran down on the warning track.
Drew Stubbs belted his seventh home run off the batter's eye in centerfield off Sergio Romo.
Harang pitched out of trouble with the help of a vengeful Bruce in the seventh.
Posey and Eli Whiteside singled with on out. Harang fanned pinch hitter, Travis Ishikawa but walked Andres Torres. Harang went to 3-0 with Freddy Sanchez, a former batting champion with a .338 average. But came back and got him on a line fly to the gap in rightcenter, that Bruce ran down.
Daniel Herrara, Logan Ondrusek and Cordero held off the Giants over the last two innings while Gomes drove in Votto and Rolen in the seventh to build the cushion that Baker asked for before the game.
Notes:
Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 12 games....Scott Rolen has hit an extra base hit in five straight games. "He's an All-Star and is playing like one," Baker said.......The Reds got seven hits off Jonathan Sanchez which is the most he's allowed this season. Sanchez had 2.63 ERA at the start of the game....
Local Kids in The Draft
The Cincinnati Reds selected a pair of local baseball players in the free agent draft this week.
The Reds took LHP Joel Bender, 6'5" 205 out of Oak Hills High School in the 27th round. Cincinnati selected Jacob May, a 5'10" 180lb, shortstop from Lakota West High.
Alex Wimmers from Moeller High was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the first round. Wimmers pitched at Ohio State. The 6'2" RHP was the 21st overall selection. Moeller's 2010 ace, David Whitehead, was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35th round. The RHP is 6'4 215. He was 9-1 for Moeller this year with his only loss a 1-0 game to Elder in the state semi-finals.
Other Local Players taken, LHP Brian Garman (519) out of UC by the Milwaukee Brewers, LHP Kevin Johnson out of UC (1276) by the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros picked LHP Thomas Shirely from Xavier (273). Miami University RHP, Jamaal Hollis was picked (998) by the Chicago White Sox. With pick (1345) the New York Yankees took LHP David Middendorf from the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Middendorf pitched for LaSalle High School. His teammate at Northern, Jarrett Casey was taken by the Chicago White Sox (968). Casey is a lefthanded pitcher. RHP Dusty Isaacs was picked (1497) by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Lebanon High School. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Miami outfielder, Adam Eaton with pick (571). The Colorado Rockies took 3B, Jayson Langfels with the (500) pick from Eastern Kentucky University. (It's my alma mater)
The Los Angeles Dodgers took Steven Matre from the College of Mount St. Joe in the 39th round. The RHP is 6'2 and 215 lbs. He attended Purcell Marian High School. Matre missed the entire 2010 season but in his first three years saved 32 games, three shy of the NCAA Division III record. The Dodgers scouts had seen him pitch before he had "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow. Chances are he would have been taken higher without the injury.
The Reds took LHP Joel Bender, 6'5" 205 out of Oak Hills High School in the 27th round. Cincinnati selected Jacob May, a 5'10" 180lb, shortstop from Lakota West High.
Alex Wimmers from Moeller High was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the first round. Wimmers pitched at Ohio State. The 6'2" RHP was the 21st overall selection. Moeller's 2010 ace, David Whitehead, was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35th round. The RHP is 6'4 215. He was 9-1 for Moeller this year with his only loss a 1-0 game to Elder in the state semi-finals.
Other Local Players taken, LHP Brian Garman (519) out of UC by the Milwaukee Brewers, LHP Kevin Johnson out of UC (1276) by the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros picked LHP Thomas Shirely from Xavier (273). Miami University RHP, Jamaal Hollis was picked (998) by the Chicago White Sox. With pick (1345) the New York Yankees took LHP David Middendorf from the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Middendorf pitched for LaSalle High School. His teammate at Northern, Jarrett Casey was taken by the Chicago White Sox (968). Casey is a lefthanded pitcher. RHP Dusty Isaacs was picked (1497) by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Lebanon High School. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Miami outfielder, Adam Eaton with pick (571). The Colorado Rockies took 3B, Jayson Langfels with the (500) pick from Eastern Kentucky University. (It's my alma mater)
The Los Angeles Dodgers took Steven Matre from the College of Mount St. Joe in the 39th round. The RHP is 6'2 and 215 lbs. He attended Purcell Marian High School. Matre missed the entire 2010 season but in his first three years saved 32 games, three shy of the NCAA Division III record. The Dodgers scouts had seen him pitch before he had "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow. Chances are he would have been taken higher without the injury.
Local Kids in The Draft
The Cincinnati Reds selected a pair of local baseball players in the free agent draft this week.
The Reds took LHP Joel Bender, 6'5" 205 out of Oak Hills High School in the 27th round. Cincinnati selected Jacob May, a 5'10" 180lb, shortstop from Lakota West High.
Alex Wimmers from Moeller High was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the first round. Wimmers pitched at Ohio State. The 6'2" RHP was the 21st overall selection. Moeller's 2010 ace, David Whitehead, was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35th round. The RHP is 6'4 215. He was 9-1 for Moeller this year with his only loss a 1-0 game to Elder in the state semi-finals.
Other Local Players taken, LHP Brian Garman (519) out of UC by the Milwaukee Brewers, LHP Kevin Johnson out of UC (1276) by the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros picked LHP Thomas Shirely from Xavier (273). Miami University RHP, Jamaal Hollis was picked (998) by the Chicago White Sox. With pick (1345) the New York Yankees took LHP David Middendorf from the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Middendorf pitched for LaSalle High School. His teammate at Northern, Jarrett Casey was taken by the Chicago White Sox (968). Casey is a lefthanded pitcher. RHP Dusty Isaacs was picked (1497) by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Lebanon High School. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Miami outfielder, Adam Eaton with pick (571). The Colorado Rockies took 3B, Jayson Langfels with the (500) pick from Eastern Kentucky University. (It's my alma mater)
The Los Angeles Dodgers took Steven Matre from the College of Mount St. Joe in the 39th round. The RHP is 6'2 and 215 lbs. He attended Purcell Marian High School. Matre missed the entire 2010 season but in his first three years saved 32 games, three shy of the NCAA Division III record. The Dodgers scouts had seen him pitch before he had "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow. Chances are he would have been taken higher without the injury.
The Reds took LHP Joel Bender, 6'5" 205 out of Oak Hills High School in the 27th round. Cincinnati selected Jacob May, a 5'10" 180lb, shortstop from Lakota West High.
Alex Wimmers from Moeller High was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the first round. Wimmers pitched at Ohio State. The 6'2" RHP was the 21st overall selection. Moeller's 2010 ace, David Whitehead, was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35th round. The RHP is 6'4 215. He was 9-1 for Moeller this year with his only loss a 1-0 game to Elder in the state semi-finals.
Other Local Players taken, LHP Brian Garman (519) out of UC by the Milwaukee Brewers, LHP Kevin Johnson out of UC (1276) by the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros picked LHP Thomas Shirely from Xavier (273). Miami University RHP, Jamaal Hollis was picked (998) by the Chicago White Sox. With pick (1345) the New York Yankees took LHP David Middendorf from the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Middendorf pitched for LaSalle High School. His teammate at Northern, Jarrett Casey was taken by the Chicago White Sox (968). Casey is a lefthanded pitcher. RHP Dusty Isaacs was picked (1497) by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Lebanon High School. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Miami outfielder, Adam Eaton with pick (571). The Colorado Rockies took 3B, Jayson Langfels with the (500) pick from Eastern Kentucky University. (It's my alma mater)
The Los Angeles Dodgers took Steven Matre from the College of Mount St. Joe in the 39th round. The RHP is 6'2 and 215 lbs. He attended Purcell Marian High School. Matre missed the entire 2010 season but in his first three years saved 32 games, three shy of the NCAA Division III record. The Dodgers scouts had seen him pitch before he had "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow. Chances are he would have been taken higher without the injury.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Reds Fall to Giants 6-5
Johnny Cueto was throwing hard with no lingering effects of the blister that caused him to leave a start early last month.
"It was a matter of location," Dusty Baker said. "He was throwing hard but getting the ball up early. They had a lot of two strike hits. That doesn't usually happen."
Cueto gave up two runs in the second inning and again in the third. In the second opposing pitcher, Barry Zito, came to the plate with runners on first and second. Cueto got ahead of him 1-2 but put the next pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zito singled both runners home on the next pitch. San Francisco added two more in the third on a single by Juan Uribe that followed Aubrey Huff's double with a man on.
After that Cueto pitched three scoreless innings.
"He was missing his spots but he kept us in the game," Hernandez said. "After two bad innings, he didn't get out of whack. He kept his focus."
As the Reds have been doing all year, they rallied back. Scott Rolen walked to start the second. One out later Jay Bruce doubled and Rolen had to make an abrupt stop at third when Mark Berry threw up the stop sign. Drew Stubb hit a sharp single to right to get Rolen home but it was hit too hard to score Bruce. Zito got Hernandez to end the inning on a 6-4-3 double play.
Rolen tripled off Aaron Rowand's glove in the fourth with one out. Jonny Gomes hit a fly to deep left to plate a run. Bruce hit his eighth home run to bring the Reds within one at 4-3.
While Cueto battled and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth that ended with Stubbs tracking Andres Torres line drive to deep center, the Reds took the lead.
With two out and no one on, Bruce got his third hit of the game, a single. Zito walked Stubbs and Hernandez. Miguel Cairo, who got his stroke back filling in for Joey Votto last week, singled to left to put the Reds up 5-4.
Daniel Herrera couldn't hold the lead in the seventh. Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval singled and advanced on a ground out. Enerio Del Rosario relieved and Uribe singled the Giants into the lead.
It was the fifth time that Cueto has been the victim of a blown save, that's the most that any major league pitcher has suffered.
"We can't wear Arthur (Rhodes) out," Baker said. "His foot is hurting him. We wanted to stay away from him. Someone else has to step up in the bullpen. Arthur's a man. He's a warrior. But the right side of our bullpen outside of Coco (Francisco Cordero) and Micah (Owings) are young and inexperienced."
"It was a matter of location," Dusty Baker said. "He was throwing hard but getting the ball up early. They had a lot of two strike hits. That doesn't usually happen."
Cueto gave up two runs in the second inning and again in the third. In the second opposing pitcher, Barry Zito, came to the plate with runners on first and second. Cueto got ahead of him 1-2 but put the next pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zito singled both runners home on the next pitch. San Francisco added two more in the third on a single by Juan Uribe that followed Aubrey Huff's double with a man on.
After that Cueto pitched three scoreless innings.
"He was missing his spots but he kept us in the game," Hernandez said. "After two bad innings, he didn't get out of whack. He kept his focus."
As the Reds have been doing all year, they rallied back. Scott Rolen walked to start the second. One out later Jay Bruce doubled and Rolen had to make an abrupt stop at third when Mark Berry threw up the stop sign. Drew Stubb hit a sharp single to right to get Rolen home but it was hit too hard to score Bruce. Zito got Hernandez to end the inning on a 6-4-3 double play.
Rolen tripled off Aaron Rowand's glove in the fourth with one out. Jonny Gomes hit a fly to deep left to plate a run. Bruce hit his eighth home run to bring the Reds within one at 4-3.
While Cueto battled and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth that ended with Stubbs tracking Andres Torres line drive to deep center, the Reds took the lead.
With two out and no one on, Bruce got his third hit of the game, a single. Zito walked Stubbs and Hernandez. Miguel Cairo, who got his stroke back filling in for Joey Votto last week, singled to left to put the Reds up 5-4.
Daniel Herrera couldn't hold the lead in the seventh. Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval singled and advanced on a ground out. Enerio Del Rosario relieved and Uribe singled the Giants into the lead.
It was the fifth time that Cueto has been the victim of a blown save, that's the most that any major league pitcher has suffered.
"We can't wear Arthur (Rhodes) out," Baker said. "His foot is hurting him. We wanted to stay away from him. Someone else has to step up in the bullpen. Arthur's a man. He's a warrior. But the right side of our bullpen outside of Coco (Francisco Cordero) and Micah (Owings) are young and inexperienced."
Reds Fall to Giants 6-5
Johnny Cueto was throwing hard with no lingering effects of the blister that caused him to leave a start early last month.
"It was a matter of location," Dusty Baker said. "He was throwing hard but getting the ball up early. They had a lot of two strike hits. That doesn't usually happen."
Cueto gave up two runs in the second inning and again in the third. In the second opposing pitcher, Barry Zito, came to the plate with runners on first and second. Cueto got ahead of him 1-2 but put the next pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zito singled both runners home on the next pitch. San Francisco added two more in the third on a single by Juan Uribe that followed Aubrey Huff's double with a man on.
After that Cueto pitched three scoreless innings.
"He was missing his spots but he kept us in the game," Hernandez said. "After two bad innings, he didn't get out of whack. He kept his focus."
As the Reds have been doing all year, they rallied back. Scott Rolen walked to start the second. One out later Jay Bruce doubled and Rolen had to make an abrupt stop at third when Mark Berry threw up the stop sign. Drew Stubb hit a sharp single to right to get Rolen home but it was hit too hard to score Bruce. Zito got Hernandez to end the inning on a 6-4-3 double play.
Rolen tripled off Aaron Rowand's glove in the fourth with one out. Jonny Gomes hit a fly to deep left to plate a run. Bruce hit his eighth home run to bring the Reds within one at 4-3.
While Cueto battled and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth that ended with Stubbs tracking Andres Torres line drive to deep center, the Reds took the lead.
With two out and no one on, Bruce got his third hit of the game, a single. Zito walked Stubbs and Hernandez. Miguel Cairo, who got his stroke back filling in for Joey Votto last week, singled to left to put the Reds up 5-4.
Daniel Herrera couldn't hold the lead in the seventh. Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval singled and advanced on a ground out. Enerio Del Rosario relieved and Uribe singled the Giants into the lead.
It was the fifth time that Cueto has been the victim of a blown save, that's the most that any major league pitcher has suffered.
"We can't wear Arthur (Rhodes) out," Baker said. "His foot is hurting him. We wanted to stay away from him. Someone else has to step up in the bullpen. Arthur's a man. He's a warrior. But the right side of our bullpen outside of Coco (Francisco Cordero) and Micah (Owings) are young and inexperienced."
"It was a matter of location," Dusty Baker said. "He was throwing hard but getting the ball up early. They had a lot of two strike hits. That doesn't usually happen."
Cueto gave up two runs in the second inning and again in the third. In the second opposing pitcher, Barry Zito, came to the plate with runners on first and second. Cueto got ahead of him 1-2 but put the next pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zito singled both runners home on the next pitch. San Francisco added two more in the third on a single by Juan Uribe that followed Aubrey Huff's double with a man on.
After that Cueto pitched three scoreless innings.
"He was missing his spots but he kept us in the game," Hernandez said. "After two bad innings, he didn't get out of whack. He kept his focus."
As the Reds have been doing all year, they rallied back. Scott Rolen walked to start the second. One out later Jay Bruce doubled and Rolen had to make an abrupt stop at third when Mark Berry threw up the stop sign. Drew Stubb hit a sharp single to right to get Rolen home but it was hit too hard to score Bruce. Zito got Hernandez to end the inning on a 6-4-3 double play.
Rolen tripled off Aaron Rowand's glove in the fourth with one out. Jonny Gomes hit a fly to deep left to plate a run. Bruce hit his eighth home run to bring the Reds within one at 4-3.
While Cueto battled and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth that ended with Stubbs tracking Andres Torres line drive to deep center, the Reds took the lead.
With two out and no one on, Bruce got his third hit of the game, a single. Zito walked Stubbs and Hernandez. Miguel Cairo, who got his stroke back filling in for Joey Votto last week, singled to left to put the Reds up 5-4.
Daniel Herrera couldn't hold the lead in the seventh. Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval singled and advanced on a ground out. Enerio Del Rosario relieved and Uribe singled the Giants into the lead.
It was the fifth time that Cueto has been the victim of a blown save, that's the most that any major league pitcher has suffered.
"We can't wear Arthur (Rhodes) out," Baker said. "His foot is hurting him. We wanted to stay away from him. Someone else has to step up in the bullpen. Arthur's a man. He's a warrior. But the right side of our bullpen outside of Coco (Francisco Cordero) and Micah (Owings) are young and inexperienced."
Reds Draft Miami Hurricanes Catcher
Yasmani Grandal, a switch hitting catcher from the University of Miami Florida with the 12th pick in the 2010 free agent draft.
Grandal is the cleanup hitter for the Hurricanes.
He was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox but chose to play college baseball. He is the third straight college player the Reds have picked in the first round and second in three years.
The Reds took Yonder Alonso out of the same University of Miami in 2008 and Arizona State pitcher, Mike Leake last year.
Grandal is 21-years old, junior is 6'2", 210 lbs and a native of Miami. He graduated from Miami Springs High School.
The catcher, was hitting .412 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI for Miami. He also hit 23 doubles.
Chris Buckley the Reds Senior Director of Amatuer Scouting said, "We are excited to get him. We didn't think he would fall to us. Starting catchers are very hard to find. He has a plus arm. He's thrown out 40 percent of base runners on steal attempts. He has power from both sides of the plate."
Grandal is the cleanup hitter for the Hurricanes.
He was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox but chose to play college baseball. He is the third straight college player the Reds have picked in the first round and second in three years.
The Reds took Yonder Alonso out of the same University of Miami in 2008 and Arizona State pitcher, Mike Leake last year.
Grandal is 21-years old, junior is 6'2", 210 lbs and a native of Miami. He graduated from Miami Springs High School.
The catcher, was hitting .412 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI for Miami. He also hit 23 doubles.
Chris Buckley the Reds Senior Director of Amatuer Scouting said, "We are excited to get him. We didn't think he would fall to us. Starting catchers are very hard to find. He has a plus arm. He's thrown out 40 percent of base runners on steal attempts. He has power from both sides of the plate."
Reds Draft Miami Hurricanes Catcher
Yasmani Grandal, a switch hitting catcher from the University of Miami Florida with the 12th pick in the 2010 free agent draft.
Grandal is the cleanup hitter for the Hurricanes.
He was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox but chose to play college baseball. He is the third straight college player the Reds have picked in the first round and second in three years.
The Reds took Yonder Alonso out of the same University of Miami in 2008 and Arizona State pitcher, Mike Leake last year.
Grandal is 21-years old, junior is 6'2", 210 lbs and a native of Miami. He graduated from Miami Springs High School.
The catcher, was hitting .412 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI for Miami. He also hit 23 doubles.
Chris Buckley the Reds Senior Director of Amatuer Scouting said, "We are excited to get him. We didn't think he would fall to us. Starting catchers are very hard to find. He has a plus arm. He's thrown out 40 percent of base runners on steal attempts. He has power from both sides of the plate."
Grandal is the cleanup hitter for the Hurricanes.
He was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox but chose to play college baseball. He is the third straight college player the Reds have picked in the first round and second in three years.
The Reds took Yonder Alonso out of the same University of Miami in 2008 and Arizona State pitcher, Mike Leake last year.
Grandal is 21-years old, junior is 6'2", 210 lbs and a native of Miami. He graduated from Miami Springs High School.
The catcher, was hitting .412 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI for Miami. He also hit 23 doubles.
Chris Buckley the Reds Senior Director of Amatuer Scouting said, "We are excited to get him. We didn't think he would fall to us. Starting catchers are very hard to find. He has a plus arm. He's thrown out 40 percent of base runners on steal attempts. He has power from both sides of the plate."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ken Griffey Jr. Hungs Up His Spikes After 22 Years
It probably should have happened after last season. It was becoming clear that Ken Griffey Jr. had lost bat speed. It was time for him to step aside.
I covered him for 10 years and got to know him about as well as someone outside of his family and teammates could. We used to insult each other's instituitions of learning, his being Moeller High and mine being Colerain.
I would walk through the clubhouse with my Colerain shirt on and hear him yell accross the room, "Colerain sucks." At one time I jokingly asked him to step outside. You should have seen the look of shock on some of the player's faces. They could not believe that someone dared to speak to him in that manner.
His teammates put him on a pedestal because of his immense talent. I can't count how many current players, including Mike Leake, that named him as their favorite player as a kid.
Griffey would do anything for his teammates. Most nice things that he did were unpublicized. He wanted it that way.
You can look up his stats if you want but I will not recite them here. I will remember a fun loving man, who at times was misunderstood by his teammates. He wanted to be just one of the guys but his immense talent would not allow that. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that a lot of his peers did not understand.
The first time 5'6" Dan Herrera walked into the Reds clubhouse in June right after the third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown was run, Griffey asked, "Didn't I just see you riding in the Preakness."
Like Marty Brennaman, you were better off coming back at him than to get upset or simply take it. He loved it when someone would come back with a quip.
One day in Spring Training he walked into the Hal McCoy Press Room complaining about what we wrote about him. He was half serious but half joking, "Maybe I should sneak around me in a trenchcoat and trench vest," I looked up from my computer and said, "That would make you a trench vestite." McCoy burst out laughing and Griffey was at a loss for words. He later laughed about how I turned the tables on him.
As much as he claimed to be at war with the media, you could count on him for a quote but you had to finesse it. You would let him talk about non baseball topics, like his electronic gadgets, his boat, "The Chosen One" or his kids. Once he addressed what he wanted to talk about he would answer baseball questions.
He claimed disinterest but always knew what was going on about others interests. He watched Colerain play Elder last year on TV and emailed me about it. Hal McCoy said that Griffey was the very first to congratulate him on his election to the Hall of Fame. He also recently called Hal about the loss of his dog.
I sincerely wish him the best.
I covered him for 10 years and got to know him about as well as someone outside of his family and teammates could. We used to insult each other's instituitions of learning, his being Moeller High and mine being Colerain.
I would walk through the clubhouse with my Colerain shirt on and hear him yell accross the room, "Colerain sucks." At one time I jokingly asked him to step outside. You should have seen the look of shock on some of the player's faces. They could not believe that someone dared to speak to him in that manner.
His teammates put him on a pedestal because of his immense talent. I can't count how many current players, including Mike Leake, that named him as their favorite player as a kid.
Griffey would do anything for his teammates. Most nice things that he did were unpublicized. He wanted it that way.
You can look up his stats if you want but I will not recite them here. I will remember a fun loving man, who at times was misunderstood by his teammates. He wanted to be just one of the guys but his immense talent would not allow that. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that a lot of his peers did not understand.
The first time 5'6" Dan Herrera walked into the Reds clubhouse in June right after the third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown was run, Griffey asked, "Didn't I just see you riding in the Preakness."
Like Marty Brennaman, you were better off coming back at him than to get upset or simply take it. He loved it when someone would come back with a quip.
One day in Spring Training he walked into the Hal McCoy Press Room complaining about what we wrote about him. He was half serious but half joking, "Maybe I should sneak around me in a trenchcoat and trench vest," I looked up from my computer and said, "That would make you a trench vestite." McCoy burst out laughing and Griffey was at a loss for words. He later laughed about how I turned the tables on him.
As much as he claimed to be at war with the media, you could count on him for a quote but you had to finesse it. You would let him talk about non baseball topics, like his electronic gadgets, his boat, "The Chosen One" or his kids. Once he addressed what he wanted to talk about he would answer baseball questions.
He claimed disinterest but always knew what was going on about others interests. He watched Colerain play Elder last year on TV and emailed me about it. Hal McCoy said that Griffey was the very first to congratulate him on his election to the Hall of Fame. He also recently called Hal about the loss of his dog.
I sincerely wish him the best.
Ken Griffey Jr. Hungs Up His Spikes After 22 Years
It probably should have happened after last season. It was becoming clear that Ken Griffey Jr. had lost bat speed. It was time for him to step aside.
I covered him for 10 years and got to know him about as well as someone outside of his family and teammates could. We used to insult each other's instituitions of learning, his being Moeller High and mine being Colerain.
I would walk through the clubhouse with my Colerain shirt on and hear him yell accross the room, "Colerain sucks." At one time I jokingly asked him to step outside. You should have seen the look of shock on some of the player's faces. They could not believe that someone dared to speak to him in that manner.
His teammates put him on a pedestal because of his immense talent. I can't count how many current players, including Mike Leake, that named him as their favorite player as a kid.
Griffey would do anything for his teammates. Most nice things that he did were unpublicized. He wanted it that way.
You can look up his stats if you want but I will not recite them here. I will remember a fun loving man, who at times was misunderstood by his teammates. He wanted to be just one of the guys but his immense talent would not allow that. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that a lot of his peers did not understand.
The first time 5'6" Dan Herrera walked into the Reds clubhouse in June right after the third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown was run, Griffey asked, "Didn't I just see you riding in the Preakness."
Like Marty Brennaman, you were better off coming back at him than to get upset or simply take it. He loved it when someone would come back with a quip.
One day in Spring Training he walked into the Hal McCoy Press Room complaining about what we wrote about him. He was half serious but half joking, "Maybe I should sneak around me in a trenchcoat and trench vest," I looked up from my computer and said, "That would make you a trench vestite." McCoy burst out laughing and Griffey was at a loss for words. He later laughed about how I turned the tables on him.
As much as he claimed to be at war with the media, you could count on him for a quote but you had to finesse it. You would let him talk about non baseball topics, like his electronic gadgets, his boat, "The Chosen One" or his kids. Once he addressed what he wanted to talk about he would answer baseball questions.
He claimed disinterest but always knew what was going on about others interests. He watched Colerain play Elder last year on TV and emailed me about it. Hal McCoy said that Griffey was the very first to congratulate him on his election to the Hall of Fame. He also recently called Hal about the loss of his dog.
I sincerely wish him the best.
I covered him for 10 years and got to know him about as well as someone outside of his family and teammates could. We used to insult each other's instituitions of learning, his being Moeller High and mine being Colerain.
I would walk through the clubhouse with my Colerain shirt on and hear him yell accross the room, "Colerain sucks." At one time I jokingly asked him to step outside. You should have seen the look of shock on some of the player's faces. They could not believe that someone dared to speak to him in that manner.
His teammates put him on a pedestal because of his immense talent. I can't count how many current players, including Mike Leake, that named him as their favorite player as a kid.
Griffey would do anything for his teammates. Most nice things that he did were unpublicized. He wanted it that way.
You can look up his stats if you want but I will not recite them here. I will remember a fun loving man, who at times was misunderstood by his teammates. He wanted to be just one of the guys but his immense talent would not allow that. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that a lot of his peers did not understand.
The first time 5'6" Dan Herrera walked into the Reds clubhouse in June right after the third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown was run, Griffey asked, "Didn't I just see you riding in the Preakness."
Like Marty Brennaman, you were better off coming back at him than to get upset or simply take it. He loved it when someone would come back with a quip.
One day in Spring Training he walked into the Hal McCoy Press Room complaining about what we wrote about him. He was half serious but half joking, "Maybe I should sneak around me in a trenchcoat and trench vest," I looked up from my computer and said, "That would make you a trench vestite." McCoy burst out laughing and Griffey was at a loss for words. He later laughed about how I turned the tables on him.
As much as he claimed to be at war with the media, you could count on him for a quote but you had to finesse it. You would let him talk about non baseball topics, like his electronic gadgets, his boat, "The Chosen One" or his kids. Once he addressed what he wanted to talk about he would answer baseball questions.
He claimed disinterest but always knew what was going on about others interests. He watched Colerain play Elder last year on TV and emailed me about it. Hal McCoy said that Griffey was the very first to congratulate him on his election to the Hall of Fame. He also recently called Hal about the loss of his dog.
I sincerely wish him the best.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)