Loading ...Back to the salt mines tonight.
The Reds are on the road, and this is a fairly important road trip — at least, it’s as important as an April road trip can be. The best news is that Aaron Harang is on the mound, and that’s the guy that I’d want out there for an important game, especially against the hated Cardinals. The bad news is that the Reds have shown little life at the plate, and they’ll get beaten to death on this road trip if they don’t pick it up.
The “glass half full” take is that the offense just can’t be this bad all season, so they have to snap out of it sometime. Why not tonight?
Well, Kip Wells is pitching for St. Louis, and he has pitched pretty well this year, despite his 1-3 record. Should be a decent matchup, and I’m looking forward to it. Funny how an off-day gets me anxious for Reds baseball.
If you are as anxious as I, discuss it here.
No worries, everybody has their excuses all set. The road trip was too long. I can’t believe they’re already bitching about that.
Interesting lineup tonight. Bottom three sucks, but I like the top six, and I like the order that Narron has put them in. Good work, Narron.
Josh Hamilton CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Ken Griffey Jr. RF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Scott Hatteberg 1B
Alex Gonzalez SS
David Ross C
Aaron Harang P
Good news: Only 16% of Reds fans are imbeciles. (Though I’m glad the Enquirer is there to fan the flames.)
Look at what this dingleberry sat down and wrote.
Oh my goodness, Chris…that’s pathetic. I love these pre-emptive excuses. Reminds me of the Bowden/Linder era when they made all the excuses before the season about why they were going tolose 90 games.
At least now the excuses are limited to roadtrips, and they’re still perpetrating the fiction that we can win 90 games!
When Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman heard about the six trips, he cocked his head and said, “Sounds to me like somebody who does the scheduling doesn’t like the Cincinnati Reds very much.”
It’s Bud Selig….and it all comes back to Pete Rose!!!
When I listen to Marty, I always picture him cocking his head like that quote above.
I saw that last link Chris posted…by that “dingleberry.” That’s a mild description for that idiot. What a moronic piece of junior high garbage.
They’ll let just anyone write about baseball for a print newspaper, won’t they?
Gee, Chris, that dingleberry wrote what has been obvious about Dunn for more than two years . . . except to that small legion of people who get all weepy about OBP, which is great if you’re 1-2 hitters, but doesn’t mean squat when your main power source leaves runners stranded like hitchhikers on the turnpike.
And here’s the Cardinals lineup:
David Eckstein SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Poo-holes 1B
Jim Edmonds CF
Scott Rolen 3B
Scott Spiezio RF
Adam Kennedy 2B
Benji Molina C
Kip Wells P
Rosecrans says that it is raining in St. Loo and they may not play, or they may get started late.
I’m finally back home and in my easy chair. I don’t like being on the road in hotels, but MLB.tv makes it easier these days.
Actually, the hotel had an Extra Innings subscription, so you could get any game (for a fee, of course). I love technology.
I don’t like Hamilton leading off. I would rather see him bat fourth.
What do you do with a batter hitting .407 with a .500 obp in 27 at Bats. With 4 2b, 1 3b, 4 rbi, and 5bb.
You sit him(Freel). Thanks skip.
For outfield of Freel Hamilton and Jr.
I’ve not been in a hotel where you could watch games on Extra Innings. I’m pretty sure, however, that none of the other selections on the hotel set are as obscene as the performance of the Reds bullpen recently.
Those stats are of Wells Chek espn.com
Looking forward to seeing Hamilton lead off.
While I’m waiting for the game to start, I’m getting ready to watch the Devil Rays and Yankees. I watched them last night, as well…and I’ve never seen anything like Alex Rodriguez.
Wish he were a Red.
Interesting numbers for Freel against Wells. Small sample, so I’m not sure what to make of them, but I’m surprised Narron didn’t play him with those stats.
Wow – busy thread already! Everyone’s excited.
Those are interesting numbers, but I’m looking forward to watching this outfield tonight. If Junior and Dunn can hit like they’re capable, and Hamilton keeps it up, they’re a formidable group.
Maybe they should revisit the Dunn to first concept.
That’s what an off-day will do to you, DA.
A-Rod’s batting now against Scott Kazmir in the first inning. Good matchup. Kazmir has struggled this year, but I like the kid.
Kazmir is trying to keep the ball away from Rodriguez.
Ball four. A-Rod will have to wait until later to see if he can extend his hitting streak.
A-Rod has 14 homers in, what? 18 games?
Unbelievable.
I should say, that’s what an off-day followed by a Cardinals series will do to you. That hour later start time causes the nerves to jangle a bit, since we have to wait.
This series has the feeling that it’s a “make or break” series for the Reds…which is sort of scary since it’s still only April.
I remember entertaining a faint hope at the beginning of…was it last season?…that the Yankee faithful’s utter discontent with Alex Rodriguez would lead them to trade him away. No such luck.
I forgot one last reminder: that TLC program, “Home Run For Trademark” featuring the suspendeded-from-baseball Josh Hamilton of early last year, airs again tonight at 8pm and 1am. So it competes directly with the real Josh Hamilton leading off the game. Choose and perish!
I set the Tivo to tape that show, DA. I’m not proud to admit that I taped something on that network.
Still raining. Heavy rains supposed to start at 9:30.
I never understood why games in April, May, and June aren’t considered as important as the games later in season. This notion defies all logic – the games count as much now as they do at the end of the season. Any insight on this???
they should bat harang like 8th or 7th and put ross and one of the non hitters behind him
I agree, Michael. Never made sense to me, either.
Well, I’m going to help get the kids in bed. Maybe the game will start by the time I get back.
I hope so. If not, I won’t have an excuse to go into the other room and avoid my wife’s Idol show.
Anyone listening to Marty? They have the banana phone out?
dah da da da da, da da da da bananaphoooooooone…
are we going to play tonight?
Someone named Corey just asked Marty, “Do you have your shirt on? Adam from Milwaukee wanted me to ask you that.”
That’s hilarious. Was that you, Bill?
Marty is shaking his fist in Dunn\’s general direction right now, and is tallying the plate appearances since his last sac fly.
I just got on and talked to marty and got him ranting about Dunn and where he should bat, he said he “has no idea” (you know how he says that.)
Underway! Hamilton lines out and Phillips singles.
Phillips picked off. Awesome.
momentom killed
Yikes. Phillips picked off…and you talk about Brennamania…
You provoked Marty….very cool, Nathan.
You’re the game thread fan of the game.
How did Dunn reach? I just turned the game over..I didn’t realize they had started.
haha. . .he walked
harangatang time!
Bold prediction: Ross will have more hits than Poo-holes tonight.
Come on, Edwin!!!
That is a bold statement, JJ.
pujols will have at least 2 hits – he’s hitting over .400 lifetime against harang
Eckstein air-mailed that hot shot from EE.
(Yeah, that was sarcasm.)
…and here I was watching the Cubs vs. Brewers. Cubs broadcasters sound like they’re about to jump in the river.
Anyone been to the new STL park yet?
I drove by it when I was in St. Loo. Not impressed…but I’d love to see a game there.
I get the impression that Cardinals fans are passionate like I wish Reds fans were.
Alex Gonzalez is a stud!
There you go. Gonzalez ties into one. That’s pretty much exactly what I expected from him – good glove, weak bat, but rare power.
(STL broadcaster just referred to “Adam Harang.”
The 2007 Reds fan whipping boy goes yard.
2-0 Reds.
Maybe Donald Ross will do something here.
Or Alan Dunn.
Or Bronson Phillips.
Nice one, Gonzalez.
That pitch that Gonzalez punished looked like the same pitch that EdwinE pounded into the ground.
I love Edwin, but ugh…
Love that Bronson Phillips.
Love Alex Gonzalez tonight.
Gonzalez is at least 4th on the whipping boy list, Dave.
Chad is a bandwagon fan.
Ross hit that one sortof hard. (Small victories).
At least Ross hit that one hard.
He and Pujols are tied with no hits each tonight.
Great minds think alike.
I wouldn’t mind an Adam Harang on the staff.
If Gonzalez hits them like that occasionally, and picks it in the field, I’ll stay on the bandwagon.
I was a Pokey Reese fan one night, too.
Adam Harang is 13 feet, 2 inches tall.
Harang’s real brother.
Let’s try that again. Little Harang was best friends with my ex-girlfriend’s brother.
Adam Harang sounds like Bill Brasky.
Bring on the Brasky jokes. (Hurray!)
Least favorite Cardinal?
(I have a hard time choosing, with all the options: Edmonds, Eckstein, LaRussa…)
Some nights, Aaron Harang reminds me of Bill Brasky.
Did you know that I once saw Harang scissor-kick Angela Lansbury?
Love the Brasky jokes.
K
No question for me. Least favorite Cardinal: David Eckstein.
I’m pretty sure I used to pick on Eckstein in high school. He looked at my girl during study hall.
So many Cardinals to dislike, so little time. Edmonds and LaRussa are my top 2.
Aaron Harang drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
Yeah, I didn’t think abotu LaRussa. I hate that guy.
David Ross has a LaRue-like cannon behind the plate.
And Adam Harang mans the .50 caliber on top of the ice cream truck.
Harang named the group Sha Na Na. They did not want to be called that.
I love how Bill Brasky pops up here in the game thread a few times every season.
If you haven’t seen Brasky, I’m sure there are clips on YouTube. It’s worth your time.
Nice hit for Bronson.
2 hour American Idol tonight, according to Joe Buck? Wow, my wife is going to be downstairs for a long time (she just started watching it on Tivo).
If it weren’t for the rain delay, I’d get to watch the whole game before Idol was over.
Way to go Brayden. Don’t get picked off now.
Harang once punched a hole in a cow just to see who was coming up the road.
Isn’t it time for Junior to hit one deep?
If anyone would know the details of American Idol it is Joe Buck, that is for sure.
I’ll take a walk, but Junior really needs to get the power going.
Please now, EdE…hit one hard.
Joe Buck is a Thom Brennaman wanna-be.
And his father, God rest his soul, was the worst announcer I’ve ever heard.
The announcers are saying that hit EdE in the shoulder area, but it looked like the hand to me. Looked like the area that always got Jeff Bagwell in trouble (I think HBP’s broke it a couple of times).
Way to swing at the first pitch, Hatteberg!!! Brook Jacoby has a prize waiting for you!
I hope Erwin is ok.
FWIW, I agree about Jack Buck. He was terrible. Almost ruined the 1990 World Series for me.
Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration.
Erwin. Ha!
I think my opinion of Encarnacion’s future value would not be the same if his name were Erwin.
Harang goes up and in on Adam Kennedy (or David Eckstein…I can’t tell them apart) with the first pitch in the bottom of the third.
Also, Harang’s family crest is a picture of a barracuda eating Neil Armstrong.
Buck is still talking about American Idol.
That show makes me throw up in my mouth a little.
Did Molina really just get an infield hit. First time ever.
“Cincinnati….is champions…of baseball!!!!”
Great impression of Buck, Chris.
Two on and no outs, and Harang escapes unscathed.
Hey, did you know that the character of Johnny Appleseed was based on Harang? Except for the part about planting apple trees… and not raping men.
Ummmmm….. okay.
You can’t stop Alex Gonzalez. You can only hope to contain him.
Gonzalez with a double.
Sac fly for Harang.
Hope Dunn is taking notes.
Gonzalez, Ross, and Harang just created a run.
I love this game.
So with a runner on third and one out, and the pitcher up…Can Harang get him in?
Very interesting little ball there. Ross hits a ball off the ground to advance AG to 3rd. They let Harang swing away, and he pops his way into a sac fly (thanks to Duncan for having no arm).
As I type, it happens. Hard-hit sac. fly for Harang. 3-0.
Is anyone else surprised that Duncan has a candy arm, given who his father is?
(hard-hit for Harang, anyway)
I think my favorite thing about Hamilton is his strike zone judgment. Because it tells me that the rest of it is not a fluke.
Harang with an RBI!
Also, Harang breastfeeds John Madden.
That was a pitch to hit. Hamilton rolled it over.
Yeah, I agree, Chris. It’s something that I’ve latched onto that gives me some hope that this kid is for real.
He hasn’t looked very good tonight, though.
I heard Thom praising Hamilton’s zone judgment on the Cards pre-game show. He’s contractually-obligated to bash the Reds on FSN, but he can speak well when he’s on another network.
One Red is tubby.
Griffey and Conine were discussing Chuckie Carr today, per the StL color man.
Chuckie was Tony Womack before Tony Womack. But nothing like Womack, off the field.
Tubby players have diminished range.
Ah, the things you learn listening to “the other guys’” announcers…
I’ve got a hunch the Reds announcers are either A) Bashing Dunn for not hitting a sac fly last inning (even though he wasn’t up) or B) Talking about the veteran relievers who “know” the game.
I was wondering when the beat writers were told it was okay to bash Cormier (they all started doing it at exactly the same time), then I remembered he was French(-Canadian), so it’s cool.
Spezio’s on the list, too.
Kennedy’s likely to join it.
Spezio’s idiotic dyed soul patch ranks just behind Edmonds among Cards I hate.
Funny, Ceeker. I bet you’re right.
And Chris, that whole Cardinals team is irritating. Other than Pujols and Rolen, I can’t think of a single player I like.
Marty is going to kill Dunn if he doesn’t get a sacrifice fly here.
Tubby guys can hit.
Finally! I knew Junior was due!
Oh boy, Griffey! I love it. First of the year.
Nice shot, Griffey.
Wait, what did Dunn do? I turned away and missed it. I assume he struck out.
We got no tubby guys on our team. If we did we’d be sending a mixed message after cutting Josh Hancock last spring for showing up Tubby. Everyone make sure you run all the way to first too or you’ll sit. Yeah, right.
Even Edwin gets a hit!
Not exactly a frozen rope, but I’ll take what I can get from EE.
Funny, Tom.
Things suddenly going the Reds’ way on offense. Flyballs are dropping in, grounders are find holes, and a few would-be warning track shots are sneaking out.
I think Alex Gonzalez is Bill Brasky!!! Or A-Rod.
He’s my new favorite player. For at least one night.
What is this thing you call “offense”? I’m not familiar with this concept.
I don’t believe what I’m seeing out of Gonzalez tonight. But I like it!
8-1. Sweet to come alive in St. Louis.
Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the opposing pitcher.
Even Harang gets a hit!
Harang with career hit number 16.
Harang was 8 for 74 last year. 2005 is the one that killed me – 2 for 74.
Brew crew beating the Cubbies.
Ragtag, I think Alex Gonzalez read your post during the rain delay and got fired up!
“Interesting lineup tonight. Bottom three sucks,”
I just noticed that Chris is cheating on us over at Rosecrans’ blog.
Suppan throwing a shutout.
Ross is 0-3 and his average has dipped below .100 once again…but who cares! And he hasn’t even struck out.
What are you doing over there, Mr. James?
Ha, Michael. I’ll have to post that every night!
Super Karate Monkey Death Car
Uhhhhh….nuthin’.
So, how about that Gonzalez, huh?
This reliever Tyler Johnson has 11 appearances this year. St. Louis is playing in their 19th game. LaRussa-ball.
Was that a News Radio reference for Mr. James, Chris?
One of the funniest shows ever.
No, Chad. Best. Show. Ever.
I didn’t think anyone would associate my name with that show. It wasn’t exactly popular like Seinfeld.
‘Your last name is Garelli?”
All of a sudden, baseball is fun again.
But keep in mind…the bullpen may be making an appearance soon. A 7 run lead is not enough.
In Praise of NewsRadio: the last great studio audience sitcom, tragically cut down in its prime.
Now that we’ve started, I’m going to have to throw out references the rest of the game thread.
“Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave… there is a saying, I cried… because I had no desk until I met a man who had no feet… and the no feet guy explained that there was such a thing as a budget… and WNYX was way way over it. The End.”
That’s encouraged, DA. I’m surprised to find a little NewsRadio sub-culture here. And very pleased.
Glad to see Junior get his first homer. He didn’t play until the end of spring break so he is probably just getting warmed up now.
Gazziza Dilznoofus it’s Bill McNeal saying get with the crezappy taste of Rocketfuel Malt Liquor… Rocketfuel’s got tha upstate prison flavor that keeps you ugly all night long. So when you wanna get sick remember, nothing makes yo’ feet stank like Rocketfuel Malt Liquor… DAMN! It’s crezappy!!!”
Speaking of Tubby, here’s Josh Hancock! How we lookin’?
speaking of Dingleberry, where is Mr. Redlegs?
You win, Jimmy.
Your prize is the skull of George “Goober” Lindsay.
Hancock looks like Cy Young.
“That is a very cunning plan. But today is not the day for cunning plans or crazy capers!”
“Dave, you never want to do any cunning plans or crazy capers!”
The Arroyo bobblehead commercial is horrible.
Gonzo makes the play!!!!
Every Reds’ starter has got at least on base at least once except…drum roll…David Ross!
Dublecane?
I am a cipher; a cipher, wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce.
I hope you guys are looking these quotes up on the web. If not I’m a little frightened.
Uhhhhh…be afraid.
It’s a hit for Ross!
Who the hell are these guys???
Spiezio made that catch look interesting.
Like his facial hair?
This has been a real relief to listen to this game unfold.
“You know Dave, whenever I have a bee in my bonnet . . . I find it helps to take my hat off.”
It sure would be nice if the Reds could put together a nice win streak.
I think they called timeout and gave Ross the ball he hit!
Spiezio wasn’t even close to hitting that ball.
Harang looks like Harang tonight. if that makes sense
If passing out grades, what grade do you give Dick Pole so far?
Exactly 100 pitches for Harang through 7. Hit the showers, buddy, good job.
Has Spiezio ever played in the outfield before because he looks real uncomfortable out there?
Duncan, not to be outdone by Spiezio, falls down and makes the catch.
hmm, Naron takes Dunn out…There’s something unique
Good question, Y-City Jim. Before last season Spezio had played just a handful of innings in RF or LF. Last year he had 35 games in LF, and with defensive switches had the equivalent of 24 full games in left. He made only 34 catches – very small sample but that’s an extremely low range factor.
Stanton, the “wily old reliever who’s a veteran” up in the pen. I’m thinking Harang wants a complete game just to keep the bullpen from imploding yet again.
Narron takes Dunn out but leaves Harang in. Huh. What.
It is deeply satisfying see the Yankees suffering in a losing streak and at the bottom of their division. How much money will Steinbrenner spend to try to fix them?
119 pitches and counting.
There goes Harang…
Let the teeth gnashing and bullpen bashing begin.
This game has been almost as much fun as the News Radio quotes.
But the bullpen is about to enter. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
I hope they let Stanton finish it out all the way.
Me too.
Don’t try to confuse the issue with half truths and gorilla dust.
and it’s 8-2.
Stupid bullpen.
The fact is, the woman wanted me. And the fact that she couldn’t have me made her quite simply, insane….with what the great poets have called, Manimal Lust.
I hate the bullpen.
so it begins.
Did I mention that I hate the bullpen?
Eh, it’s one run. As long as they avoid a Grave meltdown, it’s cool. That said, it’s been discouraging to watch Stanton’s performance as a left-handed specialist.
Think positive. Love the bullpen.
Three outs to go. We can do that, right?
Right?
This is turning into a late game. Here I’ve already missed The Daily Show.
“I don`t know what caffeine does for you. But I`m pretty sure without it…your head caves in.”
What’d David Ross smiling about?
The bullpen needs our love. Love heals all.
If I were “hitting” like him, I’d be frowning.
Let me tell you something, little Miss… Advertising pays our bills, alright… advertising pays your salary… advertising is what made this country great… What was the Constitution of the United States?… No! It is an advertisement… an advertisement for liberty… when in the course of human events… I’m telling you… that’s up there with ‘Put a Tiger in your tank’ and ‘Where’s the beef’… Don’t you understand? I’m sorry… I’ve got to get some air… Hell if it wasn’t for advertising… you know what you two’d be doing, huh? You two’d be giving out Sesame Street tote bags during PBS pledge breaks… ‘cept they wouldn’t say Sesame Street on them.. Nooo… they wouldn’t say that… that would be….? ADVERTISING!!! That’s Right!! Hell, if you two had your way there probably wouldn’t even be any Sesame Street would there?… Would there?!! There’d be no Ernie would there… Nooooo…. there’d be no Bert… bye bye, bye bye to Grover… bye bye to Cookie Monster… NO! There’d be no Snuffleupagus, would there, and get that trash can… cause there’d be no Oscar the Grouch… NOT TO MENTION… KERMIT, THE DAMN FROG!!!!
That last quote sounded like a Dave Barry saying.
Nice hit there Hindenburg.
Ross is 1-4, he’s basically on fire tonight!
With Jim’s talk about loving the bullpen, I have to quote Bill McNeal:
“Jimmy, when love is unrequited, the whole world is a load of crap… Dylan Thomas, 1988.”
Looked like Ross was charging the mound there after fouling one off his foot.
So we need to love the bullpen and the bullpen needs to love us or else it’s just all crap?
Something like that, Jim. Don’t ask me.
Ross with another hit, and an RBI to boot. Prepare for the apocalypse!
Ross has a 2 HIT game.
Ross has a 2 HIT game.
Ross has a 2 HIT game.
*checks to see if the sky is falling*
Better put Thompson on a suicide watch after giving up a rope to Ross.
Now even Buck is on the Reds for first-pitch hacking…
Not to toot my own horn, but I did predict that Ross would have more hits than Poo-holes tonight.
I hope they can give at least half this much support for Arroyo tomorrow.
Aaaaah, I was hoping Dunn would have a chance to get a sacrifice fly.
5 straight singles, 1 run…
So much for that whole speed thing with this team!
Good call, Jimmy James.
*2 runs* is what I meant, but still…
And a double play ends that inning. Here’s to the bullpen!
Spiezio isn’t much more graceful at 1B.
Yes! It was a lot like the Monster Mash, except this was definitely not a graveyard smash.
JavaMan, just know we love ya, man!!
8 run lead, three outs to go, Danny Graves isn’t even in the state….
….they can’t blow this one, can they?
Can they?
Java Man makes my heart sing.
Hamilton has now played all three outfield positions tonight…
Think Narron likes him a lot?!
Leadoff single.
Yes, they can, RT.
I like him a lot.
0-2 pitch… And it’s a hit.
Coffey would be fairly decent if he learned how to put away hitters on the 0-2 and 1-2 counts especially…
Two on, no out. What’s happened to Coffey? He can’t even close out an eight run game.
Get well soon, Coffey.
I’m just realizing I should have saved my caffeine quote for Coffey’s entrance.
Cormier warming up. Narron is doing all he can to screw this one up.
Three hits in a row, and the bases are loaded.
Cormier is up in the pen. That makes me feel much better.
I can’t take another monumental collapse to the Cards like the one two years ago.
3 straight hits, bases loaded, still no outs.
Whatever happened to the decent Coffey, I want him back.
Java, I would LOVE if you would pitch INSIDE!!
uh. Todd Coffey. My oh my.
Triple play time?
They’re setting up the game-ending triple-play. Right?
Double play. that was huge.
Time to send Coffey to Louisville. 13 appearances, stunk during most of them…too much slack.
Can Hamilton pitch?
nice DP. Prob won’t need Hamilton now.
Yay!
See what LOVE will do. LOVE is all we need!
And this one belongs to the Reds.
…been awhile since we’ve been able to say that!
Nice win to start the road trip.
What the world needs now…is love, sweet love.
Love the Big Road Machine!!!
“What the world needs now…is love, sweet love.”
What the Reds needs now!!
What the Reds need now, is more hits, hits, hits. It’s the only thing, that’ there’s just too little of.
Not tonight, thankfully. Let’s hope they can keep it up.
Glad to get the win. We needed that.
After Harang left, though, I kept seeing this in my mind. Glad there wasn’t a repeat of that.
I’m off to bed, folks. Thanks for the fun evening. A Reds win, News Radio quotes, and even some Bill Brasky mixed in. What a night.
I couldn’t wait to see the boards after Coffey loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth and Cormier was warming up. I just knew the warm feelings would be a-flowin’. Nice win. It is a shame that we are up 8 runs in the ninth and I’m squeamish about our bullpen. 8 run lead–ninth inning–and I’m concerned about losing–something’s not quite right with that, now is it?
This bullpen scares me. Even with an 8 run lead.