Game Thread: Reds at Blue Jays — 2008.06.25
The Reds go up to the Bronx, win two of three, and all of a sudden we start thinking the Reds aren’t that bad. Then Bronson Arroyo goes out and stinks up the joint up in hockey land.
Aaron Harang and Roy Halladay in a nice little pitching matchup tonight. A win over Halladay would be very nice, and it would also be something to build on.
Discuss it here…and let’s start the discussion with answering the question of what’s wrong with Bronson Arroyo. He’s not this bad, is he?

June 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Starting at 3B, Javier Valentin.
Junior batting clean-up.
Crappy Patterson starting in CF.
Jay Bruce rf
Adam Dunn lf
Brandon Phillips 2b
Ken Griffey Jr. dh
Joey Votto 1b
Jeff Keppinger ss
Corey Patterson cf
Javy Valentin 3b
David Ross c
June 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Javy? At 3rd? What the hell is Dusty smoking?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Wow, the foolishness continues. Why not Votto lead off and Bruce 5th? Valentin at 3rd…oh boy!
June 25th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Well, it worked so far???
June 25th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Bruce strikes out, and Javy hasn’t had an opportunity yet. Just wait. I’m interested in how many errors he’ll make.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Wouldn’t make a little more sense to have Janish at ss and Keppinger at 3rd?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Looked like a bad call at 2B. Waiting for a good replay.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I think they cannot cope with Janish’s lack of offense any longer. I’m sure Brooke Jacoby has done everything he can to help PJ. :roll:
June 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I think the are not going to play Janish due to his hitting woes and only 1 run last night. Hairston to be up tomorrow off DL.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
The Toronto broadcast showed a replay. He was just barely out. Good call.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
CP with a full count, I must be dreaming!!
But in the end…another out for Outterson
June 25th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Hairston may be in route as we speak.
Why is every fly ball hit by a Red always treated as a blast when George Grande does play-by-play?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Halladay kept jamming him inside then finally got him to fly out on a pitch away. Patterson just isn’t driving the ball. He just makes contact. Cuts down on the K’s but results in even more outs. Is this the hitting philosophy now?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
The Harang woes continue
June 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Ball up but Crappy runs it down.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
A. Phillips was picked off waivers by the Mets.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Bruuuce!!
June 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Sinker didn’t sink enough and Bruce bangs out a double.
Another sinker down the middle and Dunn delivers with RISP.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Halliday must be off for Ross and Dunn to get hits.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Dunn likes that two hole. Let’s keep him there.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Too bad it took Crusty the fool half the season to figure it out.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Halladay keeps missing with the sinker/slider and now BP drives one in.
George overreacts to another fly ball. Geesh.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Griffey should have got more out that pitch. It’s the same pitch everyone else has been hitting.
If Crusty looked at stats, he would have seen that Dunn has been extremely successful in that place in the line-up.
Smart base running by the Reds? Wonders never cease.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
All or Nothing Reds!
June 25th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
JK is pressing it seems. Weak protective swing.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Why is Harang suddenly throwing nothing but fastballs?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Nice, real nice…another pathetic game except this time is on the pitching side. What a mess
June 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
At least that was a curveball. Did Crappy give up on that ball by Rios?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Quick question: what is the Sunday BananaPhone call that people are occasionally referring to in the same breath as Adam From Milwaukee?
The thing about the missing horse?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Wonder if Harang is having minor back problems. He has had back issues in the past.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
DA, I don’t know. I have been asking as well.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Dusty must be a proud papa. Crappy with a hit and a SB.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Was that the first bunt of Bruce’s professional career? I remember an attempt in his second or third game but I think this is the first time he has got one down.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Dunn just got on top of it slightly. Sinking hard shot.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
That was quick, thank God!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Has anyone else noticed that both Cueto and Harang’s K’s have dropped off pace over the last 30 days or so?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
JC had 7 K’s against the Yankees though.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Is it amazing that not a single ball has been hit to 3B? Is he some kind of repellant force?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Is nothing working for AH other than the fastball because 90% of his pitches tonight have been fastballs.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
After an eight pitch AB his first time up, Crappy follows with two two-pitch AB’s. What is Crappys’s FB to GB ratio?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
yes, Cueto had a great game against Yanks, I was just speaking in general lately. One thing is for sure Harang is not himself yet.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
AH is definitely not 100% Harang. It is like he lost his other stuff so it fastball after fasrball.
I hope this is the last inning for Halladay. His Houdini escapes are getting real old. Who does he think he is? Darryl Thompson?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Make it a quick inning, AH.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Exactly…he’s no DT
June 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Five fastballs. Four at 88 mph. One at 89 mph. He was in the low 90’s earlier in the game so he is running out of steam.
He just hit 90 again.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I guess D-Train is the nickname they are trying to hang on DT.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
That AB sealed the deal on Harang’s night. He pitched an inning to Zaun.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Crap. Bray can’t close the door, and here comes Weathers.
I’ve seen this before.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Does Dusty realize that he’s got the DH this week, and double and triple-switches aren’t really necessary?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Funny, DA. He doesn’t realize it, does he?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Weathers gives up a hit, of course, and the tying run, of course.
Might have been an out, though, if ONCE AGAIN, David Ross could catch a stupid ball being thrown to him from the OF.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
What kind of catch attempt was that by Ross? Maybe it took an AstroTurf bounce.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Ross is TERRIBLE fielding throws.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
NEWSFLASH! David Weathers gives up a hit to the first batter, and a run scores.
NEWSFLASH AGAIN! Throw dropped by David Ross.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I can understand a tricky AstroTurf bounce but position your frickin’ body so you block it and maybe can grab a bounce off the chest.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
If Ross isn’t going to catch a throw from the outfield, the least he could do is park his butt on top of the dish…someone call Mike Scioscia, he needs to learn to block the plate
June 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I told you, I’ve seen the Weathers/Ross act before. I give it two thumbs down.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I hate Dusty Baker…Bray has ERA of 2.64 against Right Handers, and David Weathers 4.67…please explain why this man continues to manage in the Major Leagues…I say fire him and bring up Rick Sweet!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
The Reds have hit Halladay fairly hard tonight but as usual Lady Luck flips them off.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Lady Luck would go unnoticed if it weren’t for Dusty the F&#&#@!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Score five runs early against Halladay, with Harang on the mound…if the Reds can’t win games like this, they can’t win any.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Cito Gaston knows his job is to build the psyche of his team. I applaud him for recognizing what his job is.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Love the Toronto fans holding up VOTTO signs.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I love Votto’s bat more…a double there, runners on second and third with two outs.
At the plate: Kepp!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Votto! Now, can they bring them in…Go Kepp!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Votto with his first Canadian hit!!! Congrats,Hoser!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I think they want to pitch to CP, they know he sux but DB doesn’t !!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
They’ll bring in a LHP and dumba$$ Dusty won’t pinch hit for his butt-bud! I’ll take bets!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Flyball 9 is my bet.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
A pinch-hitter! It’s a glimmer!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Whoa!!! PHing for Crappy. Hopper bunting?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
You lose, mhopp. Fortunately.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Thank God, I lose!!! If Hopper fails, it won’t happen again!! :mrgreen:
June 25th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
1.31 ERA!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Ump feels bad for Hopper!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hopper knows how to get on Dusty’s good side…he’s down to .220 heading for the sub .200 like CP!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Weathers back for the 7th, and he promptly gives up two hits on the first two pitches. I dislike David Weathers as much as any Red since Danny Graves.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
So…why is Weathers still in the game?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Now it’s 3 hits on 3 pitches! Weathers sucks so bad….
June 25th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Oh, that’s why. Apparently the Reds hadn’t given up their quota of hits yet, and Weathers is the fastest way to get there.
Wow. Three pitches, three hits? Sometimes you gotta just tip your cap to Weathers, you know?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Why in the hell is Burton not in and why did he take Bray out in a close game!! I am convinced that Dusty Baker is hanging with Pete Rose and does not want to win!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Oh, he’ll bring Burton and Cordero in when there is a large Reds lead instead of when there’s a close lead. It has to go back to the management!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
load the bases, 1-2-3 double play…weathers had a plan all along
June 25th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
That was a pretty good trick, gotta admit. Gives the Reds a little momentum, even, if you go in for that.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Lady Luck takes a break from screwing the Reds.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Stormy was just trying to get Dusty to choke on one of those toothpicks…I like the idea!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I had already conceded the lead to the Jays. I would have bet a lot of money that Weathers would have given up some runs, and I would have lost.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Nice hit for Janish.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I am just checking in, I knew we were going to have comments about Weathers, Ross, Triple switches in American league parks, etc. But I want to comment on the end of the inning: After the broken bat double play, did anyone else notice that hardly anyone in the Reds dugout moved? They just seem so lifeless right now.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Maybe it was disbelief that held them motionless.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Hit one for JP, Adam Dunn.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Remember when Reggie Jackson hit a homer in Oakland and shook his fist at Charlie Finley?
June 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Bruce below .300, the morale is in the dumps, need a new manager with some fire
June 25th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
First pitch out, way to go!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Dunn has an eight-pitch AB followed by Phillips grounding out on the first pitch. Sigh.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Anyone else pick up overtones to that Quiznos commercial?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Burton not exactly pounding the strike zone here.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Georgia has a little something cooking in the bottom of the 9th at the CWS…down 6-1 w/ 2 on and no out.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Burton gets the job done, too bad Crusty the clown didn’t bring him in with the lead like a smart manager would.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
The good news is that we have seen the last of Sorry Outterson for this game. Despite Dusty’s affinity for him, he can not put him in the game to get another out.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Fresno State just won the CWS. Unbelievable. What a cinderella story.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Ryan being deceptively fast.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Speaking of the Quizno’s commercial: Is it really necessary to put on the screen when the lady is eating the $5 bill “Dramatization, do not attempt”? If you are dumb enough to do it, you don’t understand what a ‘dramatization’ is. (And, yes, Jim…I diverted the Quizno’s comment. Just the preach in me, I guess)
June 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
At least Votto gets a 9 pitch out rather than a 1 pitch out like BP
June 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Someone needs to point out to Dusty that you CAN bring in your closer when it is a tie game and you are the home team. At least Toronto knows enough to that.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I like Keppinger and Votto together in the lineup. They both are decent at working the opposing pitcher unlike most the Reds.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
In a litigation happy world, I fully understand the disclaimer’s necessity.
No problem, preach. I just wondered if it was as obvious as I thought. I don’t expect or desire any further insight to it.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
The hopelessness of being a Reds fan - one figures we are destined to lose this game.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Blue Jays with no walkoff wins on the year…what’s the chances the Reds keep it that way?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Lawyers, Preach.
I have had it with Dave Weathers. Completely had it. Oh, and Dave Ross is just pathetic.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Haven’t scored since the third.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Use your closer in the ninth in a tie game. Huh. What a novel concept. I bet if if goes on much longer we will see the long man pitch. Gee, what CRAZY strategy. What do you think, Dusty?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
CeeKer, I can’t believe you left Dunn off that list after his last AB.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Had the opportunities though.
Ross is pathetic. Unfortunately Bako is even more pathetic.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
In other words Preach, where’s Josh Fogg?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
This team has had an effective roster about 3 days this season. (And that’s with the caveat that they still had 3 catchers, which I’ve just come to accept as a given.)
June 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
George Grande: “It’s going to stay in the park.”
Ya’ think? Dunn was almost in the infield when he caught it. Does GG have no depth perception?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Anybody else watch the CWS game? I don’t know that I’ve seen a guy hit the ball harder in 4 ABs than that Detwiler kid.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I don’t know, Jim, but GG is ROCKING that Sipowitz tonight.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Terrible throw by Ross.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Scott Rolen. Just who we want to see.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Good work by Burton.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Even though Burton without his best stuff does the job, Stormy Weathers and Lincoln couldn’t do it with their good stuff!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I still can’t believe we were up 5-0 on Halladay and blew it.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Did you see how upset Wells was with his popout? It was just like when he found out his parents named him ‘Vernon”.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Give NH a chance to steal then bunt to get him to 3B.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hopper on! Uh on, bunt please!?!?!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I went to school with a kid named Vernon but it was his last name.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
If I were a Blue Jay fan, I’d be yelling and screaming right now. You are simply foolish to walk a batter who is TRYING to bunt and give you a free out.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Looks like Wolf is competing with Stormy Weathers, we’ll see but I like his idea!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Ross does something right!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Just a deep fly ball, JB.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Carlson has one nasty looking ERA and opponent BA.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
NH is no CP, otherwise Dusty would have had him steal 2nd and be bunted to 3rd.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Is “Vernon” any worse than “Cito”? Methinks not.
Cito is turning the wheels trying to guide his team out of this pickle. If the pitcher coming in can throw above 93mph, Junior’s going to have a tough time.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I’m a little jealous of the Zaun/Barajas platoon. I have catcher envy. A common malady for Reds fans.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Did I say Junior? Nevermind, it’s Jay Bruce.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
RBI for Bruce!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Bruce hasn’t looked real comfortable at the plate lately, but he did a good job here. Nice two strike swing to drive in that run.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Bruce gets the job done when in a clutch situation, good enough we hope.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I am leaning toward ridding the team of Dunn, he really can’t hit good pitchers
June 25th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Cordero is in it to win it!
Let’s go, Coco.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
The Reds need the Jays pitching coach, Brad Arnsberg. Toronto has some nice pitching.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Toronto has an impressive bullpen.
C’mon Cordero. Nail it down.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
CooooooooooooooooooCooooooooooooooooooo.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I am leaning toward ridding the team of Dunn, he really can’t hit good pitchers.
If he can hit bad pitchers then we better keep him because the rest of the team cannot.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
“Really, a great effort by David Weathers….”
So says George Grande.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
And this one belongs to the Reds….
June 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Whew!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
That was terribly undramatic.
Glad this ended well.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
The Reds win (on the road)!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
The American League sucks.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Chris Welsh: “They were really demoralized after last night’s game.”
Get over it, Reds. Good teams only take what is constructive from a game.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Whew, they win it…this George Grande must be a real fool.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
this George Grande must be a real fool.
That’s an understatement. George is surreal.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
That was terribly undramatic.
Graves or Weathers could still be closing. That would make some drama for you.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Toronto’s bullpen is good, but still no walkoff wins. Something wrong there. Game winning RBI for JB !!!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
You have to have some offense to have much in the way of walk-off wins. Despite what we have seen the past two nights, the Jays offense has been pretty dismal.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Wonder if Toronto would be interested in Crappy Patterson?
June 25th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
If they didn’t have Scott Rolen they would probably want Javier Valentin to play 3B.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
What keeps Weathers employed? Is he someone’s nephew? Or does he have incriminating photos of someone in charge?
June 26th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Given Harang’s struggles since the relief outing in SD, why was he left in for 118 pitches after struggling through 5 last night?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
He must not be hurting Greg, I’d say just because he wanted to get the last out of the inning but it took a million pitches just to get the 2nd out. I was just glad at the idea that he must not be hurting, given a history of back problems