Game Thread: Cubs at Reds — 2008.05.05
The biggest question surrounding tonight’s game is whether there will be more Cub fans or Red fans in the stands at Great American Ballpark.
So, what — if anything — do the Reds need to do to improve this club? Thoughts?
Discuss that, and tonight’s game, right here….
May 5th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Condolences to Junior on the loss of his friend. He’s out of the line up tonight and likely for the next few days.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
This will be a big series for the Reds as the Mets loom at the end of the week and you know how they play on the road. You know how it is with losing teams…when the bats wake up, the pitchers are getting rocked and when the pitchers bear down, there isn’t a peep from the regular lineup. I expect that to happen this series.
As for the squad itself, it’s ink or swim time right now. Oops, sorry about that Bronson. Anyway, ol’ Big Lettuce Bob’s unhappiness with the poor record will be heightened by the sight of Cubs fans outnumbering the local folks. It’ll drive him crazy!
And to make a 22 year old rookie feel like he has to pitch damn near a perfect game is not fair to this talented young man. I figure Ryan Dempster would love to shove it to the Reds tonight. My prediction?? The Reds win tonight and drop the next two. And look out this weekend.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Guess Griffey talked his way back into the line up according to the DDN,
May 5th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Insane that Bray was sent back down to make room for Weathers.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Great first inning for Cueto.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I’d rather have Bray than Cueto any day of the week. And twice on Sunday.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Oops! That should read Weathers, not Cueto!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Anyone else have DirecTV? The game is supposedly in HD, but I can’t find it on DirecTV…just in standard definition.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Infield single vs. the shift for Junior. Nice…hopefully he won’t get out on the bases like Freel would have.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I was wondering the same thing Chad. I have DirecTv and can’t find it.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Now BP hits a 32-hopper to third base and gets another infield single.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I’ve become spoiled by HD. Don’t like to watch a game without it now.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
E-4, and the Reds have bases loaded with one out….and they haven’t even been able to hit one out of the infield!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thanks, Cubs defense.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I’d love to put a hurting on Dempster tonight.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Come on, Reds. Shut up the critics.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Ooh, ball four might have been strike three. But I’ll take it.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I have the game in HD on DirecTV channel 638-1.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
What was Dunn thinking there? Perfect pitch.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Are you in the Cincinnati market, renbutler? I’m not, but I have the baseball package, so they won’t let me watch it on 638-1….just on 722.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I love Dunn, but there’s a perfect example of why he is the most criticized player in town. That WAS a perfect pitch…with a full count and bases loaded. He needs to be driving that pitch, and instead he watches it go right by.
Again, I love the guy, he’s my favorite player, but that was just BAD.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Ok, Chad, yes, I’m in Indy, so FSN Cincinnati is my RSN. Can’t help you with Extra Innings.
Woo-hoo Kepp!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Kepp comes thru with the bloop single, and it’s 2-0!!!
I just knew the REds were gonna leave bases loaded again, as usual. Glad I’m wrong!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Keppinger does it again.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I subscribe to all the regional sports networks, but it won’t let me watch the games on those channels, just on the Extra Innings channels.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’m sick of Dunn watching strike three.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I’m not sick of Cueto throwing strike threes. That’s three k’s in 4 batters now.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I bet Dusty is sick of Dunn watching strike threes too. Want to bet Dunn is on the bench tomorrow?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Cubs batting coach tossed?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Cueto really has a problem with the longball, even when he’s pitching well.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Cueto gives a HR
May 5th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Now a hit batter. Hope Cueto isn’t rattled here.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Wish Reds hitters would hit a mistake like that.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Come on Johnny
May 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Thom and Welsh are speculating that Mario Soto’s presence has helped Cueto improve (over the two or three starts when Soto wasn’t with the team).
May 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Bako trys to give a run away
May 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Where’s Johnny Bench when you need him?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Maybe he’s filming a new baseball bunch episode
May 5th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Man! 5 of 6 K-ed!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
5 K’s for Cueto
May 5th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Jack one, Johnny!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Cueto is good.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Do you know how hard it is for a left handed kid to convince his little league coach to allow him to be a catcher so he can be like his idol Johnny Bench? I never got to be a catcher!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
at pitching. Not hitting.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
That’s a sad story, Mike.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Don’t pitchers hit in San Pedro de Macoris?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
My little league coach let me play catcher (and I even wore number five). But I was terrible anyway.
If I could play Little League now, I would kick some butt.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Ryan “The Brain Surgeon” Freel makes an out.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Ah, my daughter plays catcher for her freshman highschool team, living the dream! LOL
Her idea to catch not mine, LOL
May 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
More like Ryan “Frontal Lobotomy” Freel.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
It would be cool to dig in against a Little Leaguer and jack a few out!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Griff is gonna do something big tonight so he can dedicate the game to his friend.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
What is that funky thing Ryan Dempster is doing with his glove as he delivers a pitch?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Griffey obviously was looking for something other than that pitch.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Thank you, Junior!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Somebody should instruct Welsh on sample size.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Working out just like I thought. The Reds will win this one, relax and bit and get their butts handed to them…..in the Queen City and later in Queens.
Radish Roberto must be getting a rash!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
BIG strike zone tonight. But fairly consistent, at least.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Dunn at least hit a two run homer to make up for watching strike three in the first.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
We sort of ignored Dunn’s HR.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
WoW! Gutsy!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
If I could play Little League now, I would kick some butt.
Yeah, I’d be way better than before. Who’s backup now?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Wow! Great play by Cueto on the Dempster sac bunt attempt to turn two!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Love to see that kind of lay-it-on-the-line play, especially when it pays off as big as that.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Wonder how old Soriano really is.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I really like Thom and Welsh on the tv games. Maybe it’s just the absence of George Grande, but it’s the best the Reds have to offer on television.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Dunn is a four-time member of the 40 - 4 club.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
lol
May 5th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Thom and Chris have a nice balance. Little negativity and none of that GG sunshine.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Why didn’t they send Mario Soto out to the mound?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Shut the door. Johnny.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Give us one more good inning, Johnny.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I hate that Wendy’s commercial for the chicken wraps with that ditzy acting redhead. She acts like she has the IQ of Ryan Freel.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
My wife has commandeered the television. I’m switching to gamecast, I guess.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Focus, Johnny!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Quite a play to deny Griffey #598.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
What is she watching on TV?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Thanks, Mario Soto. Nice rebound performance for Cueto.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Whew - anxious Cubs swing early, make outs, and keep Cueto’s pitchcount below danger levels.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
108 pitches is plenty, and that’s a good outing for Cueto. Really was a nice rebound performance.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
She’s watching a movie: “Gone Baby Gone”.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
What is with all of the leaping catches tonight?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I make her watch sports all the time, so I have to give up the television sometimes.
Guess I could go into the bedroom to watch the game, but the Reds haven’t been worth the effort.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Who is coming in to pitch?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Mike Lincoln.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
How to fix the Reds.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Or this.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I figured Lincoln would be the one to go when Weathers was ready, but he’s really been a steady reliever. I like the guy.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Mike Lincoln has quietly been…well, quiet. But boring is pretty good for a member of a Reds’ bullpen in recent years.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Doesn’t his motion look funky?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
The Amazing Bako!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Yeah, but it works.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Bako with a double. Geez, he’s been good.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Waiting for the result after “In play, no out” on GameDay is KILLING ME!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
It looked like Freel was out to me, but it ’s very hard to tell.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Marty is having a laughing fit - while arguing the call at first Piniella apparently said something intensely amusing to his old buddy Billy Hatcher down at first. We should have a ‘caption contest’ over what he said to him.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
“If the Reds got calls like that while I was here you’d never have made an out at all in the Series!”
May 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
BP, draw a walk and let JV smack a slam!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I would have liked to have heard it….
May 5th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Cubs suspecting that Dusty had something stupid on.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I hate the bunt there in the 8th
May 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Will somebody translate Thommy’s stats talk? I’m a visual learner.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Wow, Freel stole second and didn’t make some stupid out on the bases.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
er, I meant the 7th
May 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Blech, BP and Griffey both look lost up there.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Soriano is 1 year younger than Julio Franco…so he’s 62.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
They didn’t waste time running Weathers out there.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Why not take three shots at driving in the leadoff double?
Especially with Stormy in there for the 8th. Needed a big inning in the 7th.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Crap, here comes Weathers.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Nice job by Weathers to guide that line drive to Dunn’s glove.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Sounds like Jim Leyland ripped the Tigers a new butt hole yesterday. Interesting. A manager displaying anger and displeasure with his team’s play.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I have mixed feelings about Stormy. He’s got so much competitive fire…
May 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Soto’s quite the hitter.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Happy birthday, Tommy Helms. Is he sober these days?
Also, Ron “Warning Track” Oester. If he had played at Crosley he might have been a 40 - 4 player.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
JAAAAAYYY
TEEEEEEE
EEEEEMMMMMM!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Weathers scares me. He threw six straight sliders to DeRosa there.
Guess it will be Coco in the ninth.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Stormy’s back with a couple bolts of lightning!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Old Stormy is back and we are looking for a win. He is back on the roster with the 24 other men….THEY’RE TOGETHER AGAIN!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Let’s go!
back-to-back-to-back BUNTS!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Oh Kerm….
May 5th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Isn’t Cordero’s nickname from francisCO COrdero? Most folks refer to him as Coco Cordero. Isn’t that like saying MLB baseball?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Wow, Greg’s a stickler for nickname accuracy.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Corey Patterson is in the game! Rest easy….
May 5th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I don’t care what anyone calls him, as long as it’s not the losing pitcher of tonight’s game.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Oh no. Tying run to the plate with no outs.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
When was the change-up invented?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Go ahead run to the plate with no out.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Uh-oh. Hmmm.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Come on cococo, buckle down!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Door slamming time.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Whoa! I thought Patterson misjudged that ball.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Wow. Cubs hitters aren’t having trouble with his fastball.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Bako’s getting a workout on blocking here.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Walking the tightrope.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
!@#$% Did Soriano and Pie get a walk in the same game? Geez!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Dumb move by the Cubs.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Gift out!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Wow, what happened there on the play at the plate?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I’m catching up on Tivo - it sounds like an ice cream wagon was driving around the ballpark during the first two innings.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
What the hell - is this Scott Williamson or Danny Graves out there? Craziness.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
End it now, Cordero!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Good call at home. The last angle from the first-base dugout showed it.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Is Weathers still out there? Seems like a stormy inning.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Bako earning his paycheck this inning.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Unbelieveable. Anyone doubt D. Lee will pull it off?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Put Lee away now!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Chad, pitch in dirt kicked away from Bako, runner on 3rd tried to score, but was tagged out on VERY close play at the plate by Cordero.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dang, Votto, throw it!
Survival.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Almost a dumb move by Votto.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
About effing time!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Like the fire I saw tonight!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Adventuresome Win!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
And this one belongs to the Reds…
May 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Wow, tense ninth!!! Great win.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
That is the difference between a $46 million closer and an old retread. Even without his best stuff (but with some help from the defense) he figured a way to close it out.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
That is the difference between a $46 million closer and an old retread. Even without his best stuff (but with some help from the defense) he figured a way to close it out.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Nothing like making me bite my nails right up until the umpire called Lee out at first. Votto really scared me right there.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
That is the difference between a $46 million closer and an old retread. Even without his best stuff (but with some help from the defense) he figured a way to close it out. WOW
May 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I think that’s the first start all season for Cueto where the Reds scored more than 3 runs.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Probably the most exciting win of the year, and I gave up the television to my wife for the last four innings.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Sorry, computer went a little crazy with the commenting
May 5th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Any word today on whether Arroyo had an MRI?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hadn’t heard that about Arroyo. Was he supposed to have had an MRI?
I hope he had one. There has to be an explanation.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Sometimes it takes a little help from the opponent to get a winning streak going. 5 unearned runs, running into an out in the 9th. Let’s hope the Reds can roll with this!
Will Dunn be more remembered tonight for his bases loaded strikeout or his important two-run homerun?
May 5th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Dusty said before the game that nothing was found wrong with Arroyo. I’m guessing that means they just keep running him out there.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
What homerun? :roll:
Poor Dunn won’t get any respect from the “fans” until the Reds own announcers give him some respect. I want to see Dunn a lifelong Red, but if I were him I’d want to take the first bus to anywhere else…good chance other fans/announcers will treat him right.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Cincinnati.com is remembering the called third strike. Who do these people think is going to step into his place? Jerry Hairston? Corey Patterson?
May 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Marty just credited Dunn with the winning blow of the game FWIW.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I sure hope that this is the beginning of a winning streak. Of course, I hope that with every win, but one of these days my wish will come true….
May 5th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Good ol’ Thom reminded me all too much of his father again tonight. When the Reds loaded the bases, he started off on some rant about how “these are the situations in which every team hits the cover off the ball” except for the Reds. Really, Thom? Everyone generally hits better with the bases loaded than they do on average? Really? Is there, perhaps, some statistic you’d like to show me to prove this point or are you just going on a crazy old man rant years before you’ve earned that right?
May 5th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
MLB batting avg is .258. MLB avg with bases loaded is .256. NL with bases loaded .231.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I’ll add that the Reds are .179 with bases loaded.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Wow. I would actually think hitters do better with the bases loaded, simply from the fact that you’ve got a pitcher who doesn’t “have it” that particular night, or at least inning.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
But it goes back to the whole “clutch” argument where clutch doesn’t actually exist and, long term, everyone really bats the same in all situations. There’s practically no difference between .256 and .259.
And while the Reds are currently hitting poorly in that situation, Thom’s theory that everyone traditionally hits above the mean in that situation is ridiculous. I’m sure the FSN research department is brought to tears every time Thom, George, or Jeff make one of there completely unsupportable claims.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:08 am
What this team has to do to get back on track is DFA Fogg, send Belisle to the bullpen, bring up Homer Bailey, DFA Mercker, bring Bill Bray back up, DFA Patterson, and bring up Jay Bruce. The only tough decision out of all of that was Mercker, but Bray is too good to let rot down in AAA.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:41 am
The Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies are discussing a trade with the Reds to get back Josh Fogg.
The Rockies are facing several injuries in their starting rotation. They are reporting Fogg’s salary is in excess of $1million. (I’ve read conflicting accounts anywhere from league minimum to $1 million via local media.)
“Fogg, rotting in the Reds’ bullpen with approximately $1.2 million left on his deal, represents an ideal candidate. He won 10 games for the Rockies last season and is so well-liked that one teammate predicted he would receive a standing ovation if he walked back into the clubhouse.
But there is a bit of poker involved. The Reds could face a roster decision soon if they bring up prized pitcher Homer Bailey, so Colorado is reluctant to give up much if Fogg is going to be cut. “
May 6th, 2008 at 11:15 am
My guess is Krivsky had some sort of plan with Fogg, along the lines of letting him have a decent first half and then unloading him to a team desperate for pitching. Then put either Belisle or Bailey in the rotation. So much for that idea, but if any team is interested in this guy, ship him out.