Loading ...In nine games, the Cincinnati Reds went from a virtual tie for first place in the National League’s Central Division and the wild card lead to six games behind the Cardinals in the Central and trailing the wild card by 2½ games.
They did by losing eight of those nine games to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego on the road.
“It wasn’t very good, but I think we’re still breathing,” Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
On Monday, Narron told the media members gathered around his desk that the road trip produced good pitching but poor run production from his team (9-for-80 with runners in scoring position) and more reason to believe the teams they played are in the best parts of their seasons.
“I have not seen this club play tight, I have not seen them press,” Narron said. “I’ve just seen us get beat, I’ve seen teams play better than us.” …
“I believe we can get back on a roll,” Narron said. “We just need to do it real quick.”
Indeed.
As we have come to expect these days, Narron is wrong. Only a fool would say that a team in the midst of a 1-9 stretch just so happened to catch each opposing team at the best part of their season.
Here’s the question: is Narron lying? Is he trying to cover his ass because his team just choked big-time? Or are we just catching a glimpse into Narron’s fantasy world, where losing streaks are never your fault, because, after all, how can you help it if you happen to face 3 consecutive teams who are all peaking?
Narron wouldn’t be doing his job if he announced right now that his team simply wasn’t good enough to beat out those same teams for the final playoff spot. After the season is over he can be as realistic as he wants, but right now he has to keep the team motivated, keep them believing that they still have a chance. Some call that self-deception; but right now I see managing.
Anyone think a trademark ’sans-Griffey winning streak’ is at hand? I do.
this last stretch has been PAINFUL … I hope they can snap out of it and at least make a run at the wild card
i’m with you DA, i was hesitant to bring it up, but i think this team genuinely plays better without him, for whatever reason. I’m ready to see freel making grabs out there, and a lineup that doesn’t have a below average hitter in the middle.
Below average for the season, but … Griff was the only player in-step during the road trip, as he was for much of August. Without him clubbing balls all over the place in SF, we may well have gone 1-9 on the road trip. Normally I’d say it’s not a big offensive drop-off, but Denorfia cannot possibly replace Junior when he is in a groove, as he has been.
I do agree, however, that Freel is the best defensive option in CF; when I saw how close Griff was to catching Alou’s double in the 2nd yesterday, it was painful, because 1) Freel would’ve gotten to it, and 2) it’s a reminder that Griffey’s defense isn’t what it used to be, by a very long shot.