The starters were back two days after the celebration ended for taking the first step to a possible World Championship.
The team pounded Brett Myers and knocked him out after 5 2/3 innings the first time all season that he failed to last at least six innings.
Drew Stubbs drove in four runs and homered. Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes hit home runs.
Last night the Reds failed to score but much can be traced to the celebration Tuesday.
Tonight the preparation for the playoffs began.
"We're looking forward to it man," Phillips said.
Phillips suffered a set back in August when he was hit on his hand by a pitch in San Francisco.
"I'm starting to get feeling back in it," Phillips said. "I feel good. You get extra energy from making the playoffs. It's like I've got my third wind. I got my second after the All-Star break."
The over emphasis on the playoffs can take its toll.
"I read a book by John Wooden," Dusty Baker said. "He said that early in his career he may have over prepared his teams and they didn't have much success. Sometimes you have to just play."
Bronson Arroyo, who set a new career high and has been through the playoffs with Boston is on the same page with his manager.
"I told reporters in Boston when they asked me that, that I was more nervous in little league when I was eight or nine in Key West. If I burn a lot of energy spewing adrenaline, I won't last very long. No one here has asked my advice but if they did I'd tell them its like our fight with St. Louis last month. The emotion of the game can take your head out of it."
The team realizes that it may be facing two-time National League Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Sure we talk about who we're going to play," Arroyo said. "It's going to be different for this team going into Philadelphia, one of the top three hostile crowds. If you ask anybody, they say they'd rather play anybody but Philly. But that's the way it is. You've got to strap it on and try to play good baseball."
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer and a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America. 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, September 30, 2010
Dusty Will Be Back Long Term
I have been working with Dusty Baker off and on for a long time. Even when he didn't know me very well, he always answered my questions as a visiting manager first with San Francisco, then with the Chicago Cubs.
Baker is a man that always speaks his mind. While he recognizes that he can't always be totally open, he will not lie to you. He treats everyone with respect.
I believe that is why this group of players responded so well to him. As someone who has had his share of bad bosses in his work life, I can tell you how much easier it is to work when a manager will stick with you when you struggle. When fans wanted the slumper of the day, be it Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, Nick Masset or Francisco Cordero, sent to baseball Siberia, Baker showed his faith in them.
People criticized the Reds for trading for often injured, Scott Rolen, it was Baker than planned rest for him so that he could make a huge contribution this season. He fought for Mike Leake to make the team over Travis Wood. It would have been easier for the team to keep Travis Wood because he already had a roster spot but Baker knew Leake would contribute.
When the organization decided to shut Leake down, Leake was able to accept it because Baker was open with him. He stressed to the pitcher that his contributions were important and that he is going to travel with them to be a part of their postseason.
There are times when he doesn't go by the manager's "book" of strategy. He always has a reason for it and will explain it if he can.
This organization is doing the right things. Walt Jocketty is doing a good job filling holes but let's not forget that previous GM's Dan O'Brian and Wayne Krivsky contributed to building the Reds minor league system.
Baker is a man that always speaks his mind. While he recognizes that he can't always be totally open, he will not lie to you. He treats everyone with respect.
I believe that is why this group of players responded so well to him. As someone who has had his share of bad bosses in his work life, I can tell you how much easier it is to work when a manager will stick with you when you struggle. When fans wanted the slumper of the day, be it Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, Nick Masset or Francisco Cordero, sent to baseball Siberia, Baker showed his faith in them.
People criticized the Reds for trading for often injured, Scott Rolen, it was Baker than planned rest for him so that he could make a huge contribution this season. He fought for Mike Leake to make the team over Travis Wood. It would have been easier for the team to keep Travis Wood because he already had a roster spot but Baker knew Leake would contribute.
When the organization decided to shut Leake down, Leake was able to accept it because Baker was open with him. He stressed to the pitcher that his contributions were important and that he is going to travel with them to be a part of their postseason.
There are times when he doesn't go by the manager's "book" of strategy. He always has a reason for it and will explain it if he can.
This organization is doing the right things. Walt Jocketty is doing a good job filling holes but let's not forget that previous GM's Dan O'Brian and Wayne Krivsky contributed to building the Reds minor league system.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Reverse Spring Houston Wins 2-0
Johnny Cueto started the game after (clinching) with 31 starts. The rest of the players in the starting lineup had about that many.
Cueto's last start was a good one. He pitched seven innings. He allowed one earned run and eight hits including a bloop double by Carlos Lee that scored the only run the Astros needed.
An error by Yonder Alonso and indecision by rookie Chris Valaika allowed the second run to score.
The only concern was a ball hit by Lee that caught Cueto on the left leg. He finished the inning.
Cueto was unconcerned about his supporting cast.
"It didn't bother me. I just have to go out and do my job. Today, I was calm and my level of concentration was better (than his last start in Milwaukee)," Cueto said.
Baker pulled the reverse of a typical spring training game to let his regulars catch their breath after an emotional and physical grind toward clinching the division. The team has four more games before the playoffs.
He started reserve players and September call ups at every position. Later in the game the regulars got one at bat. Baker is walking a fine line between getting players rest and keeping them sharp.
"Very few guys can turn it on and turn it off. The only players that I have seen do that was Barry Bonds and Ricky Henderson. That's rare and hard to do," Baker said.
"I haven't seen too many teams win the day after they clinched," Baker said. "Most of the team will be out there (Thursday)."
Cueto hasn't had a win in the month and it really wasn't a top of mind issue for the skipper.
""What's it been a month? We've been trying to get him off those 12 wins. (Cueto finished 12-7) He's due for a real long streak."
Cueto's last start was a good one. He pitched seven innings. He allowed one earned run and eight hits including a bloop double by Carlos Lee that scored the only run the Astros needed.
An error by Yonder Alonso and indecision by rookie Chris Valaika allowed the second run to score.
The only concern was a ball hit by Lee that caught Cueto on the left leg. He finished the inning.
Cueto was unconcerned about his supporting cast.
"It didn't bother me. I just have to go out and do my job. Today, I was calm and my level of concentration was better (than his last start in Milwaukee)," Cueto said.
Baker pulled the reverse of a typical spring training game to let his regulars catch their breath after an emotional and physical grind toward clinching the division. The team has four more games before the playoffs.
He started reserve players and September call ups at every position. Later in the game the regulars got one at bat. Baker is walking a fine line between getting players rest and keeping them sharp.
"Very few guys can turn it on and turn it off. The only players that I have seen do that was Barry Bonds and Ricky Henderson. That's rare and hard to do," Baker said.
"I haven't seen too many teams win the day after they clinched," Baker said. "Most of the team will be out there (Thursday)."
Cueto hasn't had a win in the month and it really wasn't a top of mind issue for the skipper.
""What's it been a month? We've been trying to get him off those 12 wins. (Cueto finished 12-7) He's due for a real long streak."
Leake Is Shutdown for 2010
Dusty Baker told the media that Mike Leake will not pitch again this season.
He will travel with the team for the playoffs but will not be activated on the post season roster. There wouldn't be enough time to build his arm strength back.
The Reds were concerned that the Major League schedule would be too much for the rookie who showed enough talent to skip the minor leagues completely.
"He hasn't been on the mound and the other guys are sharper. He was a bit disappointed but he was happy when he found out he would be traveling with us. I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are. He was a big part of this thing," Baker said.
He will travel with the team for the playoffs but will not be activated on the post season roster. There wouldn't be enough time to build his arm strength back.
The Reds were concerned that the Major League schedule would be too much for the rookie who showed enough talent to skip the minor leagues completely.
"He hasn't been on the mound and the other guys are sharper. He was a bit disappointed but he was happy when he found out he would be traveling with us. I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are. He was a big part of this thing," Baker said.
Bruce Blast Brings Back Memories
The title is not only a celebration of old western gibberish, alliteration and cliches. It makes me sound like I'm way old school. That I precede the term old school.
Well gosh darn it, I do.
I have covered the Reds pretty much on a daily basis starting with the 1992 season, including a lot of spring trainings but the only clinching game with as much drama was the 1972 NLCS victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Riverfront Stadium.
Only one current Red was alive then, Arthur Rhodes born in October 1969 was two weeks from turning three on October 11, 1972. The Reds and Pirates were 2-2 in the five game series. The winner was to face Reggie Jackson and the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.
I was just out of Colerain High School myself and working to save money to go to college at the United Dairy Farmers in Harrison. My regular store was in Mt. Airy but I covered in Harrison for extra hours. I was off at 2 P.M. and the game started at 3 P.M..
My father, tended bar at Wiggins Restaurant on the corner of Fifth and Vine, which is now the spot of the Westin Hotel.
I called my dad, Dick, to see if tickets were available. "Gar, I was just about to call you because Mr.Russ had an extra ticket and asked if I could use it," dad said.
I was scheduled at 7pm at the Mt. Airy Dairy Farmers and called my boss Marie Brown and asked if she could cover until 8pm because I had a ticket. A 3pm start and five hours should allow me to get there by then. She agreed, willingly. She was excited for me, actually.
The game was tight the entire way. The Reds and Pirates went back and forth. Pittsburgh held a 3-2 lead going into the Reds last at bat.
Johnny Bench led off the ninth. He hit a long fly to right field. Perhaps in the pre-Marty Brennaman you've heard the call by now, media star, Al Michaels. "Back goes Clemente, its gone!" (Hal McCoy, the Hall of Fame writer for the Dayton Daily News, was also a year away from taking over the Reds beat from Jim Ferguson.)
Their ace reliever, Dave Giusti, was in his second inning of work. Pittsburgh manager, Bill Virdon brought in Bob Moose after Tony Perez and Denis Menke followed with singles. George Foster ran for Perez.
The Reds tied the score. It wasn't a walk off home run like the one Bruce belted last night but set off a loud celebration. The crowd sensing more excitement.
Hal McCrae was the batter. Moose threw a pitch in the dirt that catcher, Manny Sanguillen couldn't block and Foster raced home with the pennant.
The lady sitting next to me hugged me. I high fived her husband. People were so excited the traffic stopped on the cut of the hill, for fear of an earthquake.
My car was parked at the fountain square garage. Guess where the celebration was. I called Marie and explained that I couldn't get out of the garage. I thought I would be fired until she told me not to worry about it. She had watched it on a 12" black and white TV set up on milk crates. "Once, the run scored, I knew you wouldn't make it in," she explained.
Please post comments about the exciting games you have experienced.
Well gosh darn it, I do.
I have covered the Reds pretty much on a daily basis starting with the 1992 season, including a lot of spring trainings but the only clinching game with as much drama was the 1972 NLCS victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Riverfront Stadium.
Only one current Red was alive then, Arthur Rhodes born in October 1969 was two weeks from turning three on October 11, 1972. The Reds and Pirates were 2-2 in the five game series. The winner was to face Reggie Jackson and the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.
I was just out of Colerain High School myself and working to save money to go to college at the United Dairy Farmers in Harrison. My regular store was in Mt. Airy but I covered in Harrison for extra hours. I was off at 2 P.M. and the game started at 3 P.M..
My father, tended bar at Wiggins Restaurant on the corner of Fifth and Vine, which is now the spot of the Westin Hotel.
I called my dad, Dick, to see if tickets were available. "Gar, I was just about to call you because Mr.Russ had an extra ticket and asked if I could use it," dad said.
I was scheduled at 7pm at the Mt. Airy Dairy Farmers and called my boss Marie Brown and asked if she could cover until 8pm because I had a ticket. A 3pm start and five hours should allow me to get there by then. She agreed, willingly. She was excited for me, actually.
The game was tight the entire way. The Reds and Pirates went back and forth. Pittsburgh held a 3-2 lead going into the Reds last at bat.
Johnny Bench led off the ninth. He hit a long fly to right field. Perhaps in the pre-Marty Brennaman you've heard the call by now, media star, Al Michaels. "Back goes Clemente, its gone!" (Hal McCoy, the Hall of Fame writer for the Dayton Daily News, was also a year away from taking over the Reds beat from Jim Ferguson.)
Their ace reliever, Dave Giusti, was in his second inning of work. Pittsburgh manager, Bill Virdon brought in Bob Moose after Tony Perez and Denis Menke followed with singles. George Foster ran for Perez.
The Reds tied the score. It wasn't a walk off home run like the one Bruce belted last night but set off a loud celebration. The crowd sensing more excitement.
Hal McCrae was the batter. Moose threw a pitch in the dirt that catcher, Manny Sanguillen couldn't block and Foster raced home with the pennant.
The lady sitting next to me hugged me. I high fived her husband. People were so excited the traffic stopped on the cut of the hill, for fear of an earthquake.
My car was parked at the fountain square garage. Guess where the celebration was. I called Marie and explained that I couldn't get out of the garage. I thought I would be fired until she told me not to worry about it. She had watched it on a 12" black and white TV set up on milk crates. "Once, the run scored, I knew you wouldn't make it in," she explained.
Please post comments about the exciting games you have experienced.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Division Title...This One Belongs To The Reds
Jonny Gomes said it best.
"This was a storybook season with a storybook ending."
Jay Bruce, who many fans thought should be sent to the minor leagues in mid-season, paid off Dusty Baker for the faith that he had in him.
"I wasn't thinking about a home run. I wanted to hit the ball hard," a champaign soaked Bruce said.
He hit the ball hard in the sixth off tough lefthander Wandy Rodriguez with the bases loaded but former Red Jeff Keppinger turned it into a double play. Leaving the game tied 2-2.
Faith was rewarded again on the first pitch from another lefthander, Tim Byrdak.
"No team has dealt with adversity like this team does," said Gomes, who also popped out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.
The script had been written as Gomes said. Bruce hit it high and far into the September night. The ball landed well over 400 feet on the green terrace in front of the batter's eye in centerfield. The blast set off fireworks and a very wet celebration.
As Bruce rounded thirdbase, he saw a crowd at home plate jumping for joy as he cast aside his batting helmet ."I saw the guys that I worked so hard with all year long. I wouldn't be here without them."
The winning pitcher was Aroldis Chapman. Chapman got most of the attention in spring training as most people assumed that St. Louis would capture the Central Division again.
No one really expected the Reds $30 investment to pay off so soon.
Chapman preserved the tie with some 100 mile an hour pitches, two strikeouts and a ground out.
Bruce, however, has been a star on the rise for a long time. He came alive when the team needed him most, down the stretch, with his game winning heroics, Bruce has hit .358 with nine home runs and 16 RBI in his last 17 games.
The much criticized manager, who has now taken three different teams to the playoffs was drenched, jumping up and down, and enjoying the celebration.
"This is a special group, special guys and a special feeling. I love this team big time," Baker said.
His boss was drenched but equally pleased.
The man who brought Baker in Bob Castellini, who said at the time he bought the team, "We're just not going to lose anymore," calmly talked to reporters.
"We knew we had the combination and the depth. We have a lot of work to do but it doesn't get any better than this in life."
"This was a storybook season with a storybook ending."
Jay Bruce, who many fans thought should be sent to the minor leagues in mid-season, paid off Dusty Baker for the faith that he had in him.
"I wasn't thinking about a home run. I wanted to hit the ball hard," a champaign soaked Bruce said.
He hit the ball hard in the sixth off tough lefthander Wandy Rodriguez with the bases loaded but former Red Jeff Keppinger turned it into a double play. Leaving the game tied 2-2.
Faith was rewarded again on the first pitch from another lefthander, Tim Byrdak.
"No team has dealt with adversity like this team does," said Gomes, who also popped out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.
The script had been written as Gomes said. Bruce hit it high and far into the September night. The ball landed well over 400 feet on the green terrace in front of the batter's eye in centerfield. The blast set off fireworks and a very wet celebration.
As Bruce rounded thirdbase, he saw a crowd at home plate jumping for joy as he cast aside his batting helmet ."I saw the guys that I worked so hard with all year long. I wouldn't be here without them."
The winning pitcher was Aroldis Chapman. Chapman got most of the attention in spring training as most people assumed that St. Louis would capture the Central Division again.
No one really expected the Reds $30 investment to pay off so soon.
Chapman preserved the tie with some 100 mile an hour pitches, two strikeouts and a ground out.
Bruce, however, has been a star on the rise for a long time. He came alive when the team needed him most, down the stretch, with his game winning heroics, Bruce has hit .358 with nine home runs and 16 RBI in his last 17 games.
The much criticized manager, who has now taken three different teams to the playoffs was drenched, jumping up and down, and enjoying the celebration.
"This is a special group, special guys and a special feeling. I love this team big time," Baker said.
His boss was drenched but equally pleased.
The man who brought Baker in Bob Castellini, who said at the time he bought the team, "We're just not going to lose anymore," calmly talked to reporters.
"We knew we had the combination and the depth. We have a lot of work to do but it doesn't get any better than this in life."
Bruce Wins the Division.
Houston starts lefthander Tim Byrdak in the ninth.
Jay Bruce hit the first pitch to Centerfield to win the Division crown for Cincinnati.
Fireworks abound.
It was dead center and well over 400 feet. His 22nd of the season.
Jay Bruce hit the first pitch to Centerfield to win the Division crown for Cincinnati.
Fireworks abound.
It was dead center and well over 400 feet. His 22nd of the season.
Pittsburgh Extends Lead to 4-2 in Top of the Sixth.
Garret Jones drove in his third run of the game with an infield single. Pittsburgh is still batting with runners on first and second in the 6th.
Going To the Ninth 2-2
The Reds stranded Scott Rolen at firstbase in the bottom of the eighth.
Fireballing Aroldis Chapman is coming in to face Chris Johnson, Bret Wallace and Angel Sanchez in the top of the ninth.
The Astros beat Chapman on September 17 in Houston.
Fireballing Aroldis Chapman is coming in to face Chris Johnson, Bret Wallace and Angel Sanchez in the top of the ninth.
The Astros beat Chapman on September 17 in Houston.
Reds Tie the game. Pittsburgh Holds a 3-2 Lead Into the 4th inning.
Orlando Cabrera and Joey Votto singled to start the sixth. Scott Rolen worked a walk to load the bases.
Jonny Gomes battled Rodriguez for 10 pitches before he popped foul to the firstbaseman.
Brandon Phillips tied the game with an infield single.
When the Reds went to Houston last week, Dusty Baker, sat Jay Bruce against Rodriguez because, "he gives Jay the blues."
Bruce hit the ball hard but Jeff Keppinger started a 4-6-3 double play to limit the Reds to one run.
Jonny Gomes battled Rodriguez for 10 pitches before he popped foul to the firstbaseman.
Brandon Phillips tied the game with an infield single.
When the Reds went to Houston last week, Dusty Baker, sat Jay Bruce against Rodriguez because, "he gives Jay the blues."
Bruce hit the ball hard but Jeff Keppinger started a 4-6-3 double play to limit the Reds to one run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)