About Me

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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.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Lorenzo Cain Homers In The 11th To Edge Reds





A little more than 12 hours after the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers engaged in a 13-12 slugfest, runs were at a premium on the deciding game of the series.  Lorenzo Cain turned the first pitch that Austin Brice threw in the 11th inning into his 10th home run.  It was the edge in a 2-1 win.

It marked the 22nd straight game that the Brewers hit a home run at Great American Ball Park.

Cody Reed in his first start of the season for the Reds was locked in a pitching duel with Wade Miley through the first four innings.

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Reed pitched into the fifth and ran into trouble.

Mike Moustakas and Hernan Perez singled to start the inning.  Reed fought back, striking out Erik Kratz and Miley back-to-back.  A bad break prevented Reed from pitching out of the inning.  Lorenzo Cain hit a week ground ball to the third base side of the mound.  Reed reached for the ball but knocked it past a charging Brandon Dixon, who was playing third in place of Eugenio Suarez, who was scratched with a strained back.  Cain's hit loaded the bases.  Christian Yelich, who was 6-for-6 on Wednesday, walked to drive in the first run.  Michael Lorenzen got Jesus Aguilar to fly out, ending the inning.

"We had a pretty conservative pitch count on him (Reed)," Jim Riggleman said. "He wasn't going to face any more hitters, if  I let him face Aguilar. That was going to be his last hitter so we brought in Lorenzen to face Aguilar.  The last four pitches to Yelich.  I could see him doing something with his fingers out there.  He could tell he had no feel for the ball at all. I thought there was no reason to continue. He threw the ball well.  That's a very tough lineup and they're swinging the bats pretty well. He really did a nice job.  Hopefully, next time he gets out there he pitches that way and we can get him to 90 or 100 pitches."

Reed was starting in Louisville but the Reds called him up to help out in the bullpen.  They also wanted to see how he would do with a couple starts before the end of the season.

"They told me yesterday," Reed said. "He asked me how long I could go.  I told them as long as they wanted me to go.  He told me about the number I had today. I knew after the walk to Yellich my day was over.  I mean he's a big match up guy.  I got Yellich out twice but I got a little too fine with him.  It is something to build off of for sure."

Miley was crafting a shut out.  Through five innings, he allowed one base runner in the form of a Scott Schebler double.  He went into the sixth after facing 16 batters.

"Miley worked fast," Riggleman said.  "He had a lot of guys hitting off the end of the bat."

Lorenzen held the fort with 2 1.3 scoreless innings until the Reds could get the bat on the ball enough to tie the game.  Phillip Ervin hit a one-out single. After Curt Casali struck out, Dilson Herrera doubled into the left field corner.  Third base coach, Billy Hatcher, was waving Ervin around third.  Ryan Braun's throw through Perez, the shortstop beat Ervin to the plate but pulled Kratz slightly toward the dugout.  Ervin's slide caused a late tag.  The safe call held up under review.

Sal Romano took over in the eighth.  Joey Votto in his first game back after a knee contusion, laid out to glove a smash by Yelich.  Votto's throw retired the National League's leading hitter.

Billy Hamilton appeared as a pinch hitter for Romano with one-out in the eighth.  His double off Miley put the lead run in scoring position.  Brewers' manager Craig Counsell went to his bullpen, bringing left-hander Dan Jennings in to pitch to Schebler.  Jennings fielded a ground ball as Hamilton headed to third.  The pitcher ran at Hamilton who stayed in a run down long enough for Schebler to get to second.  Jennings was injured on the play.  Jordan Lyles came on to replace Jennings and face Jose Peraza.  The Reds' shortstop hit a line drive over Braun's head in left but Braun ran it down.

Jared Hughes took the hill to start the ninth for Cincinnati. He turned in a scoreless inning.

David Hernandez struck out the side in the top of the 10th.

Joakim Soria was the Brewer's pitcher in the bottom of the 10th.  Mason Williams singled with two outs but Hamilton's bid for a double ended in the glove of Jesus Aguilar at first base.  Had the drive cleared Aguilar and headed toward the corner, the odds were good that Williams would have scored the winning run.

Brice was called up before the game to replace Robert Stephenson, who was placed on the 10-game disabled list with a tender right shoulder.  Brice gave up Cain's home run and got Yelich to fly out but appeared to be in pain and left the game with an irregular heart beat.

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"We took him out as a precaution," Riggleman said.

Brice described the discomfort.

"I lost my breath and got real light headed.  I was able to get behind the mound and catch my breath and settle down a little bit. I threw another pitch and they decided to pull me out and not mess around with it."

"I've had some stuff go on. I've had it checked out," Brice said. " It always comes up negative. It always like an electrolyte imbalance. Last night I was told I'm coming up around 1:00.  I didn't get much sleep driving here from Columbus. I was pretty jacked up in the moment. It kind of sped up on me.  My blood pressure went out the roof.  It was pretty crazy."

The pitch to Cain was another matter.


"When it comes down to the first pitch, all you're trying to do is execute," Brice said.  "You can coulda, shoulda, woulda all you want but if he gets a hold of it, he gets a hold of it.  I have to look at the tape and see how I executed the pitch."

Jackson Stephens, who was the losing pitcher in Wednesday's contest, had to take over for Brice.  Aguilar singled but Stephens kept the Reds' deficit at one.

Josh Hader entered to face the top of the Reds' order in the bottom of the 11th.  He was seeking his 11th save against three blown saves.  Hader retired Scooter Gennett and Peraza which left Votto as the last Reds' hope.  Votto grounded out to seal the deal.

Suarez was a late scratch from the lineup.

"Suarez had back spasms during batting practice in the cage," Riggleman said..  "The trainer said an hour before the game we're going to have a decision on him late.  We had two lineups made out in case.  Sure enough it wasn't getting any better.  They told us he couldn't pinch hit or anything."










Joey Votto Back Robert Stephenson To DL




The Reds activated Joey Votto from the 10-day disabled list Thursday morning and optioned Preston Tucker to Triple A Louisville.

Robert Stephenson was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a tender shoulder.and the Reds recalled Austin Brice.

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Votto was hobbled by a knee contusion from being hit by a pitch from Ryan Madson on August 4. He tried to play through the pain but was placed on the DL on August 17.

"I feel great. I'm looking forward to getting back.," Votto said.  "It was more frustrating playing so poorly. I wasn't able to play defense.  I thought it was a pretty good reason to take time off.  I felt good all year. I didn't need to rest. It was 15 fewer games that I wish I had."

Tucker, obtained in the trade for Adam Duvall, hit .189 in 17 games for the Reds with two home runs and five RBI.

"Preston is pretty much a left fielder, slugger," Jim Riggleman said.  "In today's world, it's hard to carry that.  If you're carrying six men, a threat off the bench to hit one out of the park is good.  We just don't have that luxury right now."

Stephenson made two starts for the Reds, losing both with a 9.26 ERA.

Billy Hamilton was spiked on Wednesday night when he scored on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.

"Billy's off today. He got banged up little bit on that play last night.  We'll give him a day off.  I think Billy could get in this game today if needed.  He got banged up pretty good but he's a tough kid.  I'm pretty sure he'll be back tomorrow if he doesn't get in the game today."












Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Wild Slugfest Goes To Brewers





The Reds and Milwaukee Brewers used 36 hits and nine home runs to change the lead five times before the Brewers persevered for a 13-12 win.  Jesus Aguilar the last position player for the Brewers hit his 30th home run off Raisel Iglesias for the win.

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Christian Yelich had six hits and hit for the cycle to take over the National League batting lead with a .319 average.  He started the game with a .310 average and passed Scooter Gennett, who led the league with a .313 average to start the game.

“Both clubs were really swinging the bats well," Riggleman said. "They kept putting pressure on each other. They kept coming back on each other.”



Matt Harvey got off to a bad start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

The Brew Crew opened the game with three straight hits.  Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich singled.  Travis Shaw doubled off the center field fence to score Cain.  Yelich scored on a ground out by Mike Moustakas.

Freddy Peralta, who shut down the Reds in Milwaukee, gave up a home run to Billy Hamilton to open the Reds' half of the first.  It was Hamilton's fourth of the year.

The Reds scored a run in the second after two outs to tie the game.  Tucker Barnhart hit a double.  Curt Casali's single sent Barnhart home.

Barnhart hit his ninth home run extending his career high int he fourth inning to put the Reds ahead, 3-2.

Yelich followed Cain's second hit of the game with his 26th home run to give the Brewers the lead back.  They were the first two hits in a string of five that got Harvey removed from the game.  Shaw, Ryan Braun and Moustakas singled to score a run.  Sal Romano relieved Harvey and got the Reds out of trouble with no further damage.

Yelich's home run extended the Brewers' streak of 21 straight games with at least one home run.

The Reds fought back against Peralta.  Dilson Herrara walked as a pinch hitter for Romano.  Hamilton's second hit of the game was a solid single to center.  Flame throwing All-Star Josh Hader came in to face former Brewer, Scooter Gennett, who sent a double rattling off the Reds' bullpen fence barely missing a home run.  Eugenio Suarez put the Reds up by two with his 30th home run that also gave him 95 RBI on the year.  Both are career highs.  Suarez moved into a four-way tie for third in the National League in home runs.  He trails Javier Baez by two RBI for the league lead.

Michael Lorenzen took the mound in the sixth for the Reds.   Orlando Arcia hit a one-hopper back to Lorenzen but he short hopped a throw to Casali, who couldn't dig the throw from the dirt.  Yelich doubled with one out.  Shaw's fly to center scored the sixth run of the game for Milwaukee.

The Reds scored three in their sixth.

Barnhart walked against Hader.  Casali singled.  Taylor Williams relieved Hader. Lorenzen came up intending to bunt.  He fouled off two and avoided two pitches close to hitting him.  On a 2-2 pitch Lorenzen squared to bunt, the pitch came up and in again.  The ball hit that bat and flew to the backstop.  Brewers' manager Craig Counsell wanted the strike out because Lorenzen squared to bunt.  He lost the argument with the umpires who let Lorenzen bat with two strikes.  Lorenzen launched his fourth home run of the season to put the Reds ahead 10-6.  Lorenzen flipped the bat and ran the bases with his hands in the air possibly rubbing it in Williams face.

“No, I’ve not seen that. I think they got the call right. If you try to bunt the ball there and bunt it foul, you’re out, but at that point, he wasn’t trying to bunt," Riggleman said.

Umpires Crew Chief, Bill Welke, had the official explanation.

"It was a very unusual play. I'm going to refer you to a couple rules that will clear this up.  Rule 5.09 says a batter is out when he bunts foul on the third strike.  Now we have to go to what is the definition of a bunt.  The definition on page 141 a bunt is a batted ball, not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly in the infield."

"He was in full retreat.  It was not intentionally met, non swinging attempt. He was not attempting to hit that. Therefore if he's not attempting to hit that it just becomes a foul ball.  If you saw Tony (Randazzo) point down. Tony's responsibility was to make sure the first base umpire didn't have him attempting. That was just good umpiring on Tony's part.  I know it's confusing for the people that weren't within it.  He started squaring but when he bailed out he is no longer trying to meet the ball with the bat.  When he pulled it back it is no difference than when a guy ducks down and the ball goes off the bat and goes to the backstop."

"We've scene other plays similar to that.  We understand why Counsell was questioning it because it was unusual," Welke said.

It was unusual for Lorenzen too.  He has been excellent at the plate and has had great success as a pinch hitter.

“I’ve never see that play. I’ve never had that rule come up. I was pulling my bat back, so at that point, I’m a hitter," Lorenzen said.

On the homer

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“He threw me all sliders. Once ‘Hatch” told me I was hitting, I stayed up in the box so I wouldn’t give it away. I knew I’d get another slider. I was pretty upset that I didn’t get the bunt down.”

Lorenzen wasn't as effective when he went to the mound.  Moustakas singled for his third hit. Jonathan Schoop hit his fifth home run as a Brewer and 18th of the season.  Jim Riggleman took Lorenzen out of the game, bringing on David Hernandez.

Hernandez hit Manny Pina in the jaw with a pitch.  Pina had to leave the game.  Cain's third hit was a double high off the left field wall.  Yelich hit a triple to give him the cycle as Cain scored to tie the game.  It was Yelich's second five hit game of the season.

The Reds threatened Corbin Burns in the seventh Suarez and Phillip Ervin walked.  With two outs Casali hit his third single but Yelich, who moved from right field to left field before the inning started, threw Suarez out at home to end the inning.

Moustakas led off the eighth inning with his 25th home run of the season.  Schoop singled but Jared Hughes came on and induced a double play and struck out Kratz.

Joakin Soria entered the game for Milwuakee.  Hamilton singled for his fourth hit of the game.  Jose Peraza was hit by a pitch.  Gennett forced Peraza at second.  Hamilton scored on a wild pitch that bounced off Kratz and toward the pitcher.  Soria flipped to Kratz as Hamilton slid home.  The home plate umpire Tony Randazzo ruled that Hamilton missed the plate and was tagged out.  The Reds won the replay review and the game was tied.  Suarez flied out to end the inning.

Raisel Iglesias started the ninth.   Yelich had an infield single in the inning.

Jeremy Jeffress took the mound for the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth.  He walked Ervin and Barnhart with one out.  Casali struck out looking.  Mason Williams flied to Yelich in left.

Aguilar led off the 10th with his 30th home run off Iglesias. Jackson Stephens replaced Iglesias.  He struck out the first two batters he faced but Perez doubled and scored on a single by Kratz.

Brandon Dixon, the Reds' last player off the bench, hit his fourth home run off Jeffress to close to within a run.  Suarez grounded out to end the game.

Hamilton left the game after scoring in the eighth.

“He’s a little banged up," Riggleman said. "We’ll see how he is. We’ll probably give him the day off tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s not too serious.”























Lefties Are Scarce Amir Garrett Disabled Cody Reed Gets A Start





Amir Garrett was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a heal and ankle were tweaked over the weekend.  The Reds' were hoping treatment would take care of it but decided to bench Garrett and recall Jackson Stephens, who was dealing with a knee problem.

Garrett has been ineffective since he was hit on the foot with a line drive by Ender Inciarte of the Atlanta Braves on June 26.  Since then Garrett appeared in 21 games, pitching 16 innings, allowing 15 earned runs for an ERA of 8.44.  Opponents hit .329 off him in those games and have a .413 on-base-percentage.

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"I re aggravated my foot.  It probably stems from when I hurt it earlier in the year," Garrett said.  "I Chicago I threw a pitch and Happ lined out.  I think I just landed wrong, twisted it or something.  I felt a sharp pain.  I was at the point when I said I can't do this.  I'd be hurting the team if I pitched with it."

Cody Reed will start on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.  Reed has been working out of the bullpen while the Reds have used a six-man starting rotation.  The Reds expected to make a deal for Matt Harvey but both the trade deadline and the eligibility for the playoffs has expired.  Harvey oould still be traded after he clears waivers but would not be eligible for the playoffs.  With 30 games left in the season unless a complete collapse of someone's starting rotation occurs, it wouldn't be wise to trade for a pitcher that would be a free agent.

The Reds wanted to see if Reed could be effective as a starter in the Major Leagues after he had a good season for Louisville in Triple A.

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"I walked in yesterday.  I told them that I was ready if they needed me to throw out of the pen.  They said maybe Thursday," Reed said. "I threw a pen then they told me that I'd start Thursday.  They told me when I got sent down they wanted me to be a starter.  I was really excited when he called my name when the bases were loaded in Chicago.  It's an opportunity to make a start in the big leagues. I'm not going to worry about short notice."

The Reds are left with one left-hander, Wandy Peralta, in the bullpen.

"You'd prefer to have two left-handers in the bullpen," Jim Riggleman said.  "We have to have right-handers be more effective against left-handed batters.  That's a challenge."

The Reds will have two days to cover because the roster expands for September call ups.

"I don't know if we have a left-hander we'd be calling up," Riggleman said.  "We're going to get a lot of right-handed on left matchups.  It will be a good test for our guys moving forward."


There are three left-handed pitchers on Louisville's roster.  Brandon Finnegan, Kyle Crockett and Juan Martinez.   Finnegan is already on the 40-man roster.  Crockett pitched in Cincinnati earlier in the year and cleared waivers to be removed from the 40-man.  Martinez was signed by the Reds in 2011 and has never pitched above Double A until he was assigned to Louisville on August 26.  He was just brought off the DL in Pensacola.

"I don't know about Finnegan," Riggleman said.  "We haven't talked about who the call ups are.  Until now, I've never thought of it as who the left handers would be.  I know Crockett is down there.  Being one down, it is a possibility we could add a left hander that way when the roster expands on Friday."

Finnegan was a starter in Cincinnati and when he first was sent to Louisville.  He missed nearly all of 2017 with injury.  He started eight games in Louisville but appeared in the last 19 games out of the bullpen.  Finnegan is 2-10 with a 7.21 ERA.  He has allowed nine earned runs in his last 12 innings over his last 10 appearances.

Joey Votto worked out before the game.  He remains on the disabled list.




Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Reds First Inning Burns Brewers





Billy Hamiliton set the tone by leading off the bottom of the first inning with a single off the Milwaukee Brewers' starter, Junior Guerra.  The four-run first inning he ignited led to a 9-7 win.

That was the best news Guerra had in the inning.  It was downhill from there.  Jose Peraza belted his ninth home run exceeding his career total coming into the season.  Scooter Gennett singled,  Eugenio Saurez doubled down the third base line.  Scott Schebler, in his first home game since July 4, struck out.  Phillip Ervin walked and Tucker Barnhart hit a two-run single that second baseman, Travis Shaw, couldn't handle.  Shaw, until the acquisition of Mike Moustakas, was the Brewers' third baseman.

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While Anthony DeSclafani was retiring the first six Brewers in order, the Reds tacked on two more runs off Guerra in the second.  Hamilton singled again but was caught stealing.  Peraza was held to a single this time.   Gennett singled to send Peraza to third base.  Jordan Lyles replaced Guerra.  Suarez and Schebler walked, giving Schebler credit for the RBI.  Ervin hit a low line drive to Moustakes.  Apparently, third base umpire inadvertently ruled a catch.  Moustakas threw to second to force Schebler as Gennett scored but Suarez, relying on umpire Lance Barrett's call thought he was out on the throw to second and went to the Reds' dugout.  The umpires huddled and sent Suarez back to third.  Barnhart flied out to end the inning, making the play academic.

Orlando Arcia singled with one out in the third for the Brewers' first hit off DeSclafani.

The Brewers mounted a fourth inning threat.  With one out Jesus Aguilar singled to center.  Shaw walked.  Ryan Braun's single loaded the bases with one out.  DeSclafani struck out Moustakas swinging.  Erik Kratz hit a solid single to center to score Aguilar but Hamilton, who leads the National League in outfield assists, notched his 12th with a strike to Barnhart to nail Shaw to end the inning.

"I thought DeSclafani threw the ball very well against a very good lineup," Jim Riggleman said.  "He was in trouble there.  He minimized the damage just giving up a run right there.  That was huge."

Christian Yelich opened the sixth inning with a long home run off the batter's eye in center field.  It was the 24th of the season for Yelich and cut the Reds' lead to 6-2.  The Brewers have hit at least one home run at Great American Ball Park in 20 straight games dating back to September 13, 2016.

"I gave up some hard hit balls to Yelich and Kratz there," DeSclafani said.  "But for the most part I got some weak contact.  Billy definitely saved me.  He got me out of that inning."

Normal Reds' slayer, Eric Thames was not in the lineup.  He has hit 4 home runs against the Reds in the last two season, including four this year.   Brewers' manager Craig Counsell wasn't swayed by Thames recent success against the Reds.  "I don't necessarily buy into that if there's a red uniform out there that he's going to play well," Counsell said.  "Ryan Braun has been swinging the bat well.  At this point Ryan is the solution for us in the second half.  He's gotten hot.  That is a little bit of the cause.  Eric had a couple of big hits.  He hasn't been red hot. certainly."

Braun is also the leader for home runs by a Reds' opponent at GABP.  Braun has 26.  Lance Berkman is next with 23 and Albert Pujols hit 20.

The Reds got the run back against Dan Jennings and Matt Albers in the bottom of the sixth.  Peraza led off with his third hit.  Suarez reached base for the fourth time with a walk.  With two outs Ervin drove in his second run of the game with a single to right, scoring Peraza.

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DeSclafani's night ended two outs into the seventh after Hernan Perez hit a run scoring double to drive in Moustakas, who singled.  Jared Hughes relieved DeSclafani.   Lorenzo Cain drew a walk.  Yelich made it a one-run game with his second home run of the game.  It was hit first career two-home run game.  Aguilar grounded out to end the inning.

"I'm feeling good. I feel like its been the same plan since I got back. I'm just trying to throw quality strikes. I am feeling good my last four outings.  I hope I can finish up strong," DeSclafani said.

DeSclafani was charged with four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on seven hits and a walk.  His record improved to 7-4.

"Jared Hughes has done a great job for us this year,' Riggleman said.  "He wasn't sharp tonight.  It was unfortunate that a couple runs were charged to DeSco but you know what, he won the game."

The Reds rebuilt the lead in the bottom of the seventh.  Mason Williams singled.  Hamilton popped up a bunt but Peraza's fourth hit preceded Gennett's two-run triple off Joakin Soria.  Suarez struck out.  Soria fanned Schebler to end the inning.


Scooter's done that a lot for us this year," Riggleman said.  "There were some good at bats, leading up to that.  Soria has been throwing the ball pretty good but Scooter had a real good at bat and was able to keep that ball fair."

"They're the type of team, you get ahead early and if you don't tack on a couple runs in the middle innings, they'll get back in it," said Gennett of his former teammates.  "Yellich hit the two home runs.  The last one made it 6-7 so you have to tack on a couple more."

Wandy Peralta got two outs in the eighth but allowed a single.  Raisell Iglesias entered the game to try to earn a four-out save.  He had been successful in 23 of his 27 attempts.

Thames made his presence known in the ninth but grounded out.  Perez singled and Cain doubled to put runners at second and third with Yelich representing the tying run.  Yellich grounded out as Perez scored.  Aguilar was the last man standing between the Reds and a tie game.  The count went full before Aguilar struck out swinging.  Iglesias had his 24th save.










Scott Schebler Home At Last





Scott Schebler last played at Great American Ball Park against the Chicago White Sox on the Fourth of July.

The left-handed batter was batting leadoff.  Schebler had a .276 batting average and a .352 on-base-percentage at a time when the Reds' offense was humming.   Schebler lost an argument with the right field wall in St. Louis in the eighth game of a nine-game road trip. He missed the next 42 games with a sore shoulder.

Schebler returned last weekend in Chicago against the Cubs but his start Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers marks the first time he's been in the lineup at home.

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"I don't even know how many days it's been," Schebler said.  "It seems like it's been forever.  I'm excited to get back out there in front of the home crowd.  We seem to play better at home, so we can get a little win streak going before we get back on the road."

The Reds play just three against the Brewers before they hit the road again to visit St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

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In the 42 games that Schebler missed, the Reds were 18-24, hit 259 and scored 171 runs or 4.07 per game.  Earlier in the year both Schebler and Eugenio Suarez missed games between April 8 and April 26.  During the 63 games when the Reds had both Suarez and Schebler in the lineup the Reds were 33-30, hit .266 and scored 323 runs or 5.12.

"We needed someone to hit behind Suarez," said Jim Riggleman of the Reds' hitter who is among the National League leaders in batting average, .293, home runs, 29 and RBI, 93. "We need left handed bats in our lineup."

The Reds are now without Joey Votto, who was due to come off the disabled list but will work out the next two days before he is cleared to play.  Jesse Winker, who was in the process of a fine season before a shoulder injury put him out for the season.  Winker was hitting .299 with seven home runs, 43 RBI and was on base at a .405 clip before he was shut down on July 23.








Sunday, August 19, 2018

Reds Seven Run Third Helps Sweep Giants




The Reds didn't get a hit off San Francisco Giants starter Andrew Suarez in the first two innings.  The third inning was another matter.

The Reds collected seven hits in a seven-run third inning to dominate the Giants 11-4 final game in the three-game series.  The Reds have won each of the last six meetings at Great American Ball Park.  The Reds defeated the Giants 6-3 on May 16, the final game of a three-game series in San Francisco.  The Reds win the season series 4-2.

The Giants scored first of an effective Luis Castillo.  His defense let him down in the second inning.

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Evan Longoria led off with a single.  Nick Hundley hit the ball softly back to Castillo.   In his haste, Castillo bounced his throw to the shortstop side of second base.  Scooter Gennett fielded it with his foot on second base but the double play did not happen.  Steven Duggar hit a high line drive straight at Dilson Herrera, who was playing left field for just the second time in his professional life.  Herrera froze in place and when he reached for the ball it bounced off his glove for a double.  Gorkys Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly that scored Hundley, who shouldn't have been on base in the first place.

The Reds bounced back in a huge way.

Herrera singled off Andrew Suarez to lead off the third with the Reds' first hit.  Curt Casali doubled down the line into the left field corner.  Herrera scored to tie the game.  Castillo bunted and reached base when first baseman Brandon Belt couldn't pick up the ball.  Billy Hamilton his a sacrifice fly.  Then the tsunami started that Andrew Suarez couldn't survive.  Jose Peraza singled.  Gennett tripled. Eugenio Suarez hit his career-high 27th home run and took over the National League lead with 91 RBI.  Phil Ervin walked.  Tucker Barnhart singled.  Herrera struck out but Casali's second hit of the inning came in the form of an RBI single that ended the day for Andrew Suarez. Castillo bounced to the mound against Ty Bach to offer mercy to San Francisco.

"It was an awesome inning," Casali said.."I'm sure I've had two hits in an inning at some point in my career but not in the big leagues.  Any time you put up a crooked number against a club like that it's important. Luis did an awesome job.  When he puts the ball where I ask him to, it's easy for me and we give opposing hitters fits."


Hamilton tripled in the top of the seventh.  Jose Peraza hit his eighth home run of the year off Blach.  It was Peraza's second in as many days.

Castillo was cruising.  He retired 16 of 17 until Duggar hit a two-out double in the seventh inning.  It looked like would finish the seventh when Hernandez hit a routine ground ball to Peraza at short.  Barnhart in his second adventure at first base missed the throw because his glove broke.  The ball went right through the webbing.  Duggar scored.  Hernandez scored on a pinch hit double by Hunter Pence.  Amir Garrett relieved Castillo.

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"The weak pop up I caught in the same inning. It didn't break," Barnhart said  "Of all the times it had to break, it breaks then.  It was close to breaking.  I told Luis I felt bad.  He said forget it the glove broke.  I told him I know but every time a ball's in the dirt and I don't block it, I feel bad."

Castillo by rights could have been through the seventh inning with a shutout.

"The glove breaking on Barnhart, those things are part of the game," Castillo said. "Sometimes those things happen and you just have to focus on the next batter."

Castillo picked up his seventh win against 10 losses and dropped his ERA under 5.00 to 4.86 with 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits.  He had no walks. Castillo struck out nine for the second time in four starts.


"Everything was working for me today," Castillo said.  "I was commanding my change up. My slider was good and I was throwing strikes. I think like last year. I'm able to throw my pitches in any situation."

The Giants first signed Castillo in 2011.  He was a hot commodity, being traded to the Marlins, then to the Padres, back to the Marlins, then finally to the Reds for Dan Straily.

"That was the team that gave me the opportunity to be a professional baseball player," Castillo said.

Hamilton's two-run triple his second of the game drove in two runs.  Casali had his third hit.  Brandon Dixon doubled in front of Hamilton's hit into the right field corner.  Aristides Aquino struck out in his first Major League at bat.

The Giants scored a token run off Garrett in the eighth.  An infield hit and throwing error by Peraza put Joe Panik at second.  Panik moved up on a passed ball by Casali.  Pinch hitter Chase d'Arnaud hit an RBI double.  Garrett struck out the last two batters.

D'Arnaud, an infielder, was called on to mop up for the Giants.  The Reds have used position players to pitch four times this season. d'Arnaud allowed one hit in a scoreless inning.

Wandy Peralta chipped in with a scoreless ninth.

The Giants scored just four earned runs in the series. They are 47-15 when they score for or more runs in a game, including Sunday.  They have a 14-49 record when the score three or fewer.  San Francisco ranks 14th in the NL with a .229 batting average, a .286 on-base-percentage and a .306 slugging percentage for August.

"Sometimes it is when you play a club," Jim Riggleman said.  "We had a hot Cleveland team then we get a Giants team that's been struggling with the bats. We got them at the right time.  We had a lot of good at bats today.  We've done a lot better against left-handed pitchers the last couple weeks."

The Reds rallied to have a winning 5-4 homestand and as my colleague Jeff Wallner said, "San Francisco left its heart in Cincinnati."










Reds Lineup Experimental





The Reds lineup since Joey Votto was placed on the disabled list has had a vastly different look.  Falling out of the pennant race is a factor in the Reds willingness to experiment.

"I don't personally use playing the spoiler as a motivation but you are less likely to experiment for the integrity of the pennant race," Riggleman said.  "With the wild card there are more teams in a race."

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There are also three divisions meaning three possible close division races.  Still the Reds need to answer questions about their future and see if they can find alternatives for players.  Who can play another position if needed?

Tucker Barnhart will play first base against San Francisco Giant left-hander Andrew Suarez.  Dilson Herrera will get his third career start in left field.  Barnhart is starting at first base for the second time in three games.

The Reds have yet to use, young Aristedes Aquino, who was called up from Double A Pensacola on Friday.  One of the reasons for the flux in the Reds lineup is the shoulder injury to Scott Schebler.  The latter will play three rehab games for Pensacola, joining the team in Chicago next weekend.

The Reds had shown a lot of progress until Jesse Winker went down with a serious shoulder separation.  He was second in the National League to Votto in on-base-percentage.  Schebler was providing power to the lineup when he jammed his shoulder into a wall in St. Louis before the All-Star break, attempting to make a catch.  Votto was drilled in the knee with a pitch from Ryan Madson on August 4.   Votto tried to play through the pain but it became obvious it reduced his effectiveness.

For good or evil it has been a break for Phillip Ervin, Mason Williams, Brandon Dixon and Herrera to enable them to prove they can play at this level.

Ervin is hitting .288.  He was hitting .289 in Louisville when he was called up for the second time this season.  Ervin hit five home runs in 48 games in Louisville.  He hit three in 43 games for the big club, including the walk off game winner on Friday night.

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Williams is hitting .279 with the Reds in 20 games.  He hit .280 in 87 games in Louisville.

Herrera was hitting .297 with seven home runs in 50 games with Louisville.  He hit .298 in 20 games in Pensacola and is hitting .188 in 25 games in Cincinnati with three home runs including one against Madison Bumgarner on Saturday.

The Reds are using a six-man rotation to see if Robert Stephenson can make the last step.  The Reds' first round pick in the 2011 draft, is in his third and final option year.  In 2019 Stephenson has to either stay on the Reds' 25-man roster or be exposed to waivers.  In two starts Stephenson is 0-1 with 7.94 ERA.  Most disturbing is the nine walks he's issued in 5 2/3 innings.

Cody Reed is projected as a starter but he is now working out of the bullpen.  So far this season in seven games he owns a 5.23 ERA.  Reed is 0-1  with one start.

"We've talked to the veteran starters about the situation we're in," Jim Riggleman said.  "Danny Darwin have both mentioned it to them.  We have to look at some people and make some decisions about next year.  We will get out of this as soon as possible.  There was speculation the Matt Harvey would have been traded before the deadline.  That would have taken us out of the six man.  That didn't happen so now we have to look at performances and decide who would come out. We need to find out who can handle the bullpen if they do come out.  I think it will be one more time, if that."

Matt Harvey admits it is more difficult to stay sharp with the extra day of rest.

"It is hard to stay sharp when you're used to going every fifth day.  You feel a little out of whack.  The guys are calling me the Saturday starter like in college," Harvey said.







Saturday, August 18, 2018

Reds Maul Madison Bumgarner To Take Second Game From Giants




Two aces started on the mound Saturday at Great American Ball Park in the Reds' 7-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Bumgarner is a four-time All-Star and 2014 World Series Most Valuable Player.  Harvey was an All-Star in 2013 and former ace of the New York Mets.

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Harvey allowed just two base runners in five innings.  Joe Panik reached on an error by Eugenio Suarez and Buster Posey walked.  Harvey committed a balk that put runners on second and third with one out but struck out Brandon Belt and retired Evan Longoria on a routine fly to center.

"I knew I had to execute pitches in the inning with runners at second and third," Harvey said.

Bumgarner missed 60 games with a broken finger on his left hand sustained in his final start in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 23.  He was hit on his pinky finger when Whit Merrifield hit a line drive past the mound.

In 11 of Bumgarner's 13 previous starts, he had allowed three or fewer runs.  In the other two he allowed four.  The Reds scored six (five earned) after one hit by Phillip Ervin in the first three innings.

Jose Peraza hit his seventh home run to lead off the fourth inning.  Scooter Gennett followed with a single.   Suarez struck out and Ervin flied out but Dilson Herrera walked.  Brandon Dixon hit a broken bat double down the right field line that scored two runs.

"Peraza is putting the barrel on the ball.  He got us on the board and had a big game, Jim Riggleman said. "Sometimes when you're playing a good team, you need a little luck.  Bumgarner was pitching good then we get a broken bat hit to get us a couple runs."


The Reds ambushed Bumgarner in the fifth.  Peraza hit a one-out double.  Gennett singled off Bumgarner's glove to put runners on first and third.  Suarez walked.  Ervin hit a sacrifice fly to score Peraza and when the throw from Steven Duggar in center field eluded Posey, Gennett raced home with the fifth run.

Herrera hit his third home run leading off the sixth.

Harvey got two outs in the top of the sixth.  Panik hit a ground ball to the hole at short and just beat Peraza's throw to break up the no-hitter.  Posey singled to send Panik to third.  Harvey got out of the inning when Brandon Belt flied out to center.

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The Giants hit two singles in the seventh with one out.  Reds' manager Jim Riggleman brought Cody Reed into the game.  Reed retired a pair of pinch hitters to preserve the shutout.

Harvey finished with 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk. It was the third game Harvey pitched into the seventh inning, the second straight game he's done so.  For the time being the Reds are using a six-man rotation rather than the traditional five-man set up.

"Matt was really, really sharp.  He's going deep into games. He's going every six games that makes it tough to stay sharp.," Riggleman said.

"After a successful outing last time, it is big to have another.  I'm getting there.  Health is the biggest thing.  It is hard to stay sharp when you're used to going every fifth day.  You feel a little out of whack.  The guys are calling me the Saturday starter like in college," Harvey said.

Suarez moved into a tie for the National League lead in RBI with his 89th.  He followed Gennett's one-out double with a single to center off Hunter Strickland, who returned from a long stint on the disabled list.  Strickland missed 50 games with a fractured right hand.

Reed allowed two hits and a walk to open the eighth.  Riggleman waited for Austin Slater to be announced as a pinch hitter, then brought in Michael Lorenzen with the bases loaded and no outs.

Lorenzen struck out Slater.  Longoria hit into a force play at Andrew McCutchen scored from third. Brandon Crawford struck out, leaving two Giants' runners stranded.

Lorenzen closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.









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Billy Hamilton Ninth To First With His Glove Baby





Francona manager of the American League Cleveland Indians was asked about the logic of batting the pitcher eighth and Billy Hamilton ninth, could not come up with an explanation.

"I've heard it explained but I don't remember the explanation," Francona said.  "We like to push our pitchers back as far as possible. I'd bat them 10th if I were allowed."

Hamilton has batted ninth 93 times this season.  Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants, Hamilton will bat leadoff for the 11th time this season.  He hit eighth in one game.

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The leadoff batter is most likely to be the man to get a fifth at bat in a game.  The idea is to put someone in that spot who will get on base frequently.  The National League average for all batters is .320.  Hamilton's OBP is .310.  On May 6, Hamilton had been on base .322 percent of the time.  He is o off .12 points since then.  Hamilton singled last night to extend his hitting streak to nine games, however.

Hamilton's on-base-percentage dipped to .277 on June 16 but since then has been on the rise.

It is necessity and injury that prompted manager Jim Riggleman to make the move now.

"With so many guys out of the lineup (Scott Schebler, Jesse Winker, Joey Votto), I thought it was a good time to go ahead and try Billy there again," Jim Riggleman said.  "I didn't want to put him there and take him out again.  I hope he stays there.  Hopefully, that's the place he could help the ball club the most.  His play in the last month or so has indicated, now is the time to do it."

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Hamilton likes the move.

"It is a better feeling that you're playing every day.  I won't say it's a transition.  It's back to being normal," Hamilton said.  "I like to be out there more."

Hamilton was pleased to see his name on the line up card in the leadoff spot on Friday.

"Yesterday was like Christmas for me.  I saw the lineup. I went to Jim and asked him if his hand slipped or something.  I put it like that. I was just messing around with him," Hamilton said.  "It is good to be up there.  I talked to Scooter the other day.  He said it is yours to get back.  It is something that I take pride in."

The injuries have put Hamilton between a variety of guys who he never played with before.  Saturday Dilson Herrera will make his second ever start in left field.  Hamilton is lending out his spare gloves.

"I have a couple extra gloves that I lend out, not the one I use in the game.  That's my baby there. I've used it for six years," Hamilton said.  "It's old.  I love it. I have to keep.  It fun actually to play with different guys left and right because you never know what you're going to get.  It's fun to see Dilson out there and have some communication with the guys."

Hamilton's favorite glove does not have his name on it.

"A lot of guys tell me, this is the Major Leagues.  You've got to have your name on it," Hamilton said.  "I don't have a name for it.  I just call it my baby.  I don't have an actual name for it yet. I just call it my baby.  It is getting worn a little bit but I'm not getting rid of it. I'll have to keep getting new strings."

The name "Triple slayer" was suggested for it.

"Triple slayer, ok, that sounds pretty good. I might give it a new name," Hamilton said.w










Friday, August 17, 2018

Casey Kelly Pitches Against Dad's Team Dad Wins






Phillip Ervin's third home run of the season off Ray Black, leading off the 11th inning allowed the Reds to beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1.

It was Grateful Dead and family night at the ballpark with a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Reds.

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Music by Jerry Garcia's 70's band provided the soundtrack for the Friday Fireworks but a family dispute needed to be settled first.

Casey Kelly the son of the Reds' bench coach Pat Kelly started the game for the Giants.  Derek Rodriguez was supposed to make the start but the son of Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez was injured by rushing onto the field to play peace maker in a fight against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Pat Kelly would be able to watch his son pitch from the Reds' bench.  For further irony, Pat Kelly, who had seven big league at bats, has been a coach and manager in the minor leagues, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.  Kelly managed both Ivan and Derek Rodriguez in the Puerto Rican winter leagues.

The Reds got nine hits off Casey Kelly but just one run.  Billy Hamilton opened the game with a single but Kelly picked him off.  The Reds got two more hits in the first but stranded the runner.

Tucker Barnhart, making his first ever big league start at first base for the injured Joey Votto, hit a double to open the Reds' second inning.  Curt Casali, the catcher, singled to score Barnhart.  It gave the Reds' starter Anthony DeSclafani an early 1-0 lead.

"It was good.  After the first inning or two after I got comfortable over there," Barnhart said.  "It is interesting to feel fresh after an 11-inning game. I'm not used to that at all."

Kelly four more singles and a walk in his 4 1/3 innings of work but left with the game tied.

"Casey pitched a great pitched a good game.  He's new to it and they're trying to get him stretched out," Riggleman said.  "I know Pat (father Pat Kelly) is proud of him."

Now that it is over the nervous father could reflect on it.

"It was good. I enjoy watching him pitch," Pat Kelly said.  "I knew he was fighting out there a little bit command wise.  Considering he pitched a couple innings Wednesday, he did a nice job.  I think Boch (Giants manager Bruce Bochy) got him out of there at the right time.  He was up to 75 pitches and he wasn't getting his breaking ball over.  I thought Boch made a great move right there and bringing the guy (Reyes Moronia) to strike out the guys, worked out well."

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Casey Kelly was also the high school teammate of the Reds' Scooter Gennett for two years.

"He was really good," said Gennett, who played with Kelly at Sarasota High School.  "He could throw 95.  He played shortstop and I played second.  When he pitched I played shortstop."

DeSclafani pitched into the eighth.  He even struck out the last batter he faced but a wild pitch put runners on first and third after McCutchen singled and stole second with two outs.

He finished with 7 2/3 innings. DeSclafani allowed one run on six hits and a walk. It was his longest outing this season and the third in a row that he's pitched at least seven innings.

"I know, I'm capable of going seven or eight innings," DeSclafani said.  "I feel comfortable out there.  I'm focused on location."

"That was the best I've seen the ball come out of his hand since I've been here," Riggleman said. "He is getting sharper.  He pitched a great game."


Jim Riggleman called for Jared Hughes to pitch to Buster Posey.  The move worked Posey cooperated with a ground ball to Peraza at shortstop.

Reyes Moronia, Mark Melancon, a former Pirates,  Tony Watson, another former Pirate and Sam Dyson shut out the Reds over 4 2/3 innings.

Hughes and Raisel Iglesias stifled the Giants to send the game to the 10th inning.

The Reds lost three video challenges in the game.  Jose Peraza was called out stealing in the fifth inning, the Reds' challenged and lost.  Mason Williams was ruled safe on close play at first in the eighth.  The Giants challenged and won.

Gorkys Hernandez appeared to hit into a double play to end the 10th.  The Giants challenged and won again. The tide appeared to be turning in favor of the Giants after the reprieve McCutchen hit his third single, sending Hernandez to third but Iglesias rose to the challenge and struck out Alen Hanson swinging to complete his second scoreless inning.

Ray Black came in to pitch for the Giants in the 10th and struck out the side.

David Hernandez entered to pitch for the Reds in the 11th and got the win to improve to 5-0.

Ervin's homer was his first walk off hit in the Major Leagues.

"It is a great feeling.  It was fun.  I'm excited," said Ervin, who recalled his last such heroic event was against Auburn in his sophomore year at Samford University.










Joey Votto To DL, Tucker Barnhart To First Base, Aristedes Aquino Promoted From Double A





When Joey Votto was hit by Ryan Madson or Washington on August 4, the Reds gave him a couple days off.   Lately it has become clear that Votto has not been effective because of the injury.

After limping on the bases and in the field the Reds, who are going nowhere this season decided to shut Votto down for at least 10 days.

"After the game the other night (Wednesday), Steve Bauman our trainer and Joey both came in and told me they were fighting an up hill battle.  It wasn't getting better," Jim Riggleman said.  "We said we had to shut it down.  It looked ok early in the game but the more he was standing around it didn't look comfortable."

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The Reds dipped to the Double A level to promoted Aristedes Aquino, a 23-year old outfielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Aquino signed in 2011 as a 16-year old was hitting .249 with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and just set the franchise record for home runs with 18.  His first appearance for the Reds will be his first above Double A.

"I am thankful for the opportunity," Aquino said through interpreter Julio Murillo. "I've worked for more consistency to have more quality at bats.  I was surprised to get the news.  They pulled me out of the game last night.  I thought, 'they pulled me out of the games against a team I hit the best, (Jacksonville). I told my family. They are very happy."

As for first base, Tucker Barnhart makes his first career start at a position he has never, ever played, except for three innings in blow out games this year..

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"I have asked any body and every body what to do at first base," Barnhart said.  "I am going to approach it like a catcher and knock it down whenever I can.  Hopefully, I don't trip and fall trying to cover first base."

The Reds wouldn't even contemplate this move if they were in a pennant race.

"Really Tucker is a ball player. I could probably put Scooter (Gennett) there.  He's probably never played it but I know he could do it.  We've had Tucker take ground balls there," Riggleman said.  "We wanted to prepare to do that in the first place.  I like to get left-handed hitters in the lineup that's why Tucker's in there.  It may not go well.  I don't know.  I've talked about giving Tucker a break from his knees and put him at first base. Unfortunately, where we are in the standings, this is when you can experiment with things like this.  You wouldn't want to do this when you're two games out and you lose a game because a ball goes through his legs.  I couldn't sleep at night."

Barnhart just wants to be out on the field.

"I would and anybody in the clubhouse would," Barnhart said.  "It is coming to fruition today.  I was really nervous when Jim sent me a text.  It was actually about 10:30 in the morning, telling me that I was going to be at first base.  I asked him if he was drinking already on an off day. He said yes as a matter of fact and followed it up by saying, 'I'm serious."

"My son rolled me ground balls this morning.  That got me ready," Barnhart joked.

Brandon Dixon has become Dick's Sporting Goods and lent Barnhart his glove.

"He has the key to the community first baseman's glove," Barnhart said.  "Casali used it. I'm going to use it. Dilson (Herrera) used it in New York.  I didn't have time to break in a first base glove.

Barnhart worked for a half hour with Freddie Benevides before the game.




Casey Kelly Vs Pat Kelly Father Son Matchup At GABP





It is father versus son when the San Francisco Giants challenge the Reds on Friday at Great American Ball Park.

Pat Kelly, who has been an integral part of the Reds' player development since 2007, managing at Sarasota, Bakersfield, Pensacola and Louisville.  Kelly was a bench coach on the Reds' staff in 2007 when Pete MacKanon was the Reds' interim manager in 2007.  This year he replaced Jim Riggleman as the Reds' bench coach when Riggleman replaced Bryan Price as manager, 18 games into the season.

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Casey Kelly, his 28-year old son will start for the Giants against the Reds on Friday.  Derek Rodriguez, the son of Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez, was scheduled to start against the Reds but was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.  Casey was released by the Iowa Cubs on July 20.  The Giants signed him on July 29.

Casey Kelly was drafted in 2008 by the Boston Red Sox as shortstop out of Sarasota High School i where he was a teammate of the Reds' Scooter Gennett.

The elder Kelly worked for the Reds managing its Gulf Coast League rookie team in Sarasota.  Kelly managed against his son that season during that 2008 season.

Tonight will be different.  Pat Kelly started the season as the manager of the Triple A Louisville Bats.  When Bryan Price was fired as the Reds' manager on April 19.  Pat Kelly came to the Reds, setting the stage for the father son match up.

It may not have happened except for the fight between the Giants and Dodgers in Los Angeles Tuesday night.

Rodriguez knew the situation was about to erupt.

"Being in Puerto Rico and watching my dad over the years you kind of know stuff starts to heat up," said Rodriguez who was on the dugout steps ready to run out on the field.  "I was standing there.  I wasn't warmed up.  I just ran out.  I felt it a little when I ran out but I felt it more when I was pulling guys off.  I thought it was a cramp.  It was with me the next day and I had an MRI.  I should be alright by the weekend.  If this was an American League game I could probably pitch."

The grade one strain of Rodriguez' hamstring opened the door for the Kelly's family feud.

"We didn't know until last night," said Pat Kelly.  "They had the day off and we thought they would adjust the rotation. "It's interesting. I have the best seat in the house. In a perfect world, he throws six shutout innings and we beat the relievers.  As a competitor you want to win."

Both father and son were pumping each other for information.

"Yeah our guys were asking if he could hit.  I told them they moved him from shortstop and made him a pitcher.  There had to be some deficiencies.  I told them he was a 5'9" sidearm knuckle ball pitcher.  I had to be pretty quiet today.  I went to breakfast with him and he wanted to know about our hitters."

The Reds had the same situation last season when Luke Farrell pitched for the Reds against the Boston Red Sox, who were managed by his father John.

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"It was interesting," Pat Kelly said.  "I talked to Botch (Giants' manager Bruce Bochy) a couple times in spring because he managed his son last year.  I talked to John (Farrell).  I had his son in the Dominican and John came down to watch him.  I talked to him then.  I always talk to those guys, even Pudge (Ivan Rodriguez) because he played for me in winter ball  and Derek played for me."

"I talked to those guys because it is unique and your emotions are unique in those situations," Kelly said.

Bochy knows what Kelly is going through.

"I feel for his father," Bochy said.  "There is nothing more nerve wracking than watching you son pitch in a Major League game and you're on the field.  Of course you're on the other team. I'm sure as soon as he found out Casey was pitching, he started getting nervous.  He is going to be a lot more nervous than Casey is.  Trust me."


Bochy's son Brett pitched in seven games for the Giants in 2014 and 2015 before being granted free agency in October 2015.  He has not been signed at the age of 30.

"It's got to be pretty cool to be in the dugout, watching your son pitch in a Major League game," Bochy said.  "It's a moment he'll never forget.'

Kelly and Bochy worked together in San Diego.

"I was talking about it.  Both of them played a position too but when they got on the mound, you get more nervous," Bochy said.  "The time I brought Brett in from the bullpen, I didn't realize that was the first time that ever happened, ever in Major League baseball.  It was an emotional time for me. I was nervous, excited.  I just remembered telling him how to pitch (Juan) Uribe.  I told him to throw strike one and get him to chase but he didn't chase."

Brett Bochy walked Uribe, who played for Bruce Bochy with the Giants.

The Kelly family will be represented in the stands by Mrs. Kelly the wife and mother, their older son Chris, who is a scout with San Diego, their daughter and Casey's fiance.

"They're not here to see me," Pat Kelly said with a nervous laugh.



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