Loading ...It’s the finale of a four-game set in Houston tonight, and the Reds are attempting to win their second straight series against a division opponent. Sure, they’re the poor sisters of the NL Central, but they’re division rivals nonetheless. I’ll take 3 out of 4.
Bronson Arroyo is on the mound for the good guys; Mike Hampton pitches for the Astros. The Baseball Reference preview is here.
Discuss the game here….
Not feeling good for tonight…Bronson has gotten rocked by most of the guys in their lineup and Hampton is a lefty which will mean a couple more automatic outs in the lineup for the reds.
is it just me, or are all of thom’s clothes seem WAY to big for him in all of his commercial spots? sidenote, other than ray st. clairs roofing spots, there seems to be less new spots for business in heavy commercial rotation on fsn.
i plan on catching the bats vs. mud hens this thursday in the glass city (along w/ friday-saturday games in cincy vs. atlanta. sounds like a near 50 degrees difference from opening day’s icefest, ugh), does anyone know with sundays rain out when homer will be pitching again for the bats?
The good news is that Janish and Hanigan are in the line-up. Dusty had some interesting words about Arroyo having his own personal catcher:
BAKER INSISTS he isn’t big on a pitcher selecting a personal catcher, but he heard Arroyo express concerns during spring training when catcher Ramon Hernandez was away playing in the WBC and they didn’t work much together.
“Hanigan and Arroyo work well together, plus Arroyo has a different set of signs,” said Baker. “I don’t like that designated catcher sort of thing, but the way things have worked out is good. Hanigan has caught everybody, but Ramon probably caught Arroyo the least amount of time from the time he got back to spring training.”
Of Arroyo’s spring training concern, Baker said, “I heard him. He didn’t say anything to me, but I heard him. It’s important. Very important that guys work together.”
Dusty’s BS stream on Gonzalez:
As for Gonzalez, the day off is part of a plan and has nothing to do with his close to zero batting average. As for Hanigan, “Bronson is 2-0 with him, so it’s a perfect time. And Gonzo? What’s he played, three games in a row? I’ll try to push him to four (three in Chicago and Friday night at home). We’ll give him Saturday off, a day game, and then we’ll push him to five or six games in a row.”
Bruce took batting practice and looked to have no ill effects from the checked swing or whatever it was that sidelined him. He could be used to PH tonight and should play tomorrow at Wrigley.
willy, couldnt be more impressed with this guys hitting early on.
Deliver, Eddie.
nice! get some EE!!!
Nice job, Eddie!!!
Little ball!!!
Before that RBI single by Encarnacion, the Reds had not scored a run off an Astros starter in the series (19 innings). That’s pathetic.
But nice two-out hit by Encarnacion. 2-0, good guys.
Let’s cool off Tejada tonight.
Maybe EE will start to hit the ball now.
Bruce wanted to play tonight, but Dusty says it’ll be tomorrow.
18-19 mph difference between the Arroyo curveball and fastball. As long as he can keep locating those it should be a good night for him.
I think Arroyo should get a couple of days off to get his head back offensively. His eyes really looked like a deer in the headlights at the plate. Do you suppose Dusty thinks it is more important to build up his games played or get his stroke back?
Dusty doesn’t believe in personal catchers? Sure worked for Maddux.
With the LHer Hampton, that is probably a good decision even if it is Ronald McDonald starting in place of him.
Sorry about that I meant Gonzo not Arroyo.
Earn some PT here, Hanigan.
Any offense from Janish is icing on the cake.
earn some PT here, janish. nice.
Dusty probably fears that if he give Gonzo a couple of days off that Janish will build up too strong of a case to leave him in the line-up. As I say that, Janish singles.
George can sure make you sick of a guy. I am there on Bako. It is about the third time he has brought him up so far this year. Man.
Janish really is hitting the ball well.
“Not feeling good for tonight…Bronson has gotten rocked by most of the guys in their lineup and Hampton is a lefty which will mean a couple more automatic outs in the lineup for the reds.”
Can I go out on a limb and say that we might not be seeing the Berkman, Tejada, and Lee that we’ve all come to know and hate in the past?
Also, Janish continues to make a case for himself.
Nice bunt! Small ball!
Can Fast Willie Parker get an RBI?
I’m still sick of Bako from last year. I, too, would appreciate if George would just shut up from time to time.
These Houston announcers love them some Willy Taveras.
Arroyo would have been safe if he had gone at least 75% on running to first base. Oh well, he’s the pitcher.
here! here! on george grande not knowing when to shut his mouth, i dont know how welsh does it, seriously.
Welsh just bites his tongue and can’t wait til he either gets a day off or a Thom game.
I see Marty is going to take some days off at the beginning of May with Dan Hoard filling in.
nice grab mcdonald!!! very nice!
Nice grab! Way to go Dusyt’s boy!
Nice play by Darnell, but he took a strange route to the ball. Has he played much RF?
i saw that as well with, hoard. wonder why that is?
Nice catch by Ronald even though he looked a little awkward.
Must have decided Merker was a bust.
i saw that as well with, hoard. wonder why that is?
I think Marty wants to go see Dunn play in St. Louis when the Nats go there.
Now, Darnell took a good route to that one and got it back into the infield quickly. That was a good play.
McDonald looks like a Gold Glover tonight.
Not neccessarily a nice play by McDonald. The ball practically bounced straight to him.
Nice carom for the Reds.
nicely done, y-city.
Good try for the DP. Just hit too slowly.
nicely done hannigan.
hannigan! 3 for 3.
Hanigan builds his case for starting. Dusty ignores it.
Hannigan!! What a throw!
Pretty good arm on Hanigan, huh?
Anybody explain why Hernandez plays?
Does anyone else think of the “Bourne” movies when they hear “Michael Bourne?” Maybe it’s just me.
I would say it’s the $8mm they’re paying him.
its just you, man. its just you.
Thank goodness orioles are paying half.
Alright, just checking.
Thank goodness they’re paying Ryan Freel, too.
does anyone think hairston looks like the chris kattan charachter from snl ‘mango’? no?…come on, it is so there.
I think he looks like Oscar from The Office.
ok ok, i see oscar. good call.
Oooh that was ugly.
Freel is 2 for 15 for the Orioles. He does have five walks though.
Wow, I just checked and Freel is hitting .133.
Phillips could use a day or two off too.
He also got hurt today. If any of you saw that play, did you think it didn’t look so serious that he should have come out of the game? Maybe that’s just me being cynical or judging from the couch, but it didn’t look that bad.
Odd selection of pitches to Bourne.
That looked like the same pitch Brandon Phillips got away with earlier.
Why can’t FSOH have a text poll on how freakin’ annoying George Grande is?
My wife is kicking me out of the room with the HD so she can watch some program. I have to go downstairs and watch the non-HD broadcast.
Do I have any recourse against her? This seems like such a travesty of justice.
She says that I make her watch baseball (in HD!) six days a week, and that I should be able to give her the television on occasion. That’s a strong point in her favor.
Does anyone find this sort of ball entertaining? This is one of the first times I’ve really watched, and it’s a bunch of awkward hacks and weak base hits, and they’re leading. Is this what it’s been like?
That would be the first text poll I would participate in.
“what a rifle”?? really george? it was a routine throw, ugh. i need my dvr so i can sync wlw with game, damn that sig other of mine and her monday night gossip girl rituals!
Is George Grande annoying?
Text your answer (YES, YES, YES, or ONLY MOST OF THE TIME) to FSN Ohio.
Chris,
I think we’re watching two not-so-good teams going at it and this is the product.
Chad, I was just given the choice of (1) internet and The Amazing Race on Tivo here; or (2) the Reds and the treadmill in the basement. Given how Hampton is making the Reds look, I’m up here for a while, anyway.
i fight that battle as well, chris. tough spot.
Grande, for all his blather, missed the fact that Janish and Berkman are both Rice guys. (Or did he say that 50 times earlier in the weekend?)
My own laziness is a factor, as well.
I’d get on the treadmill. The Reds are bad, but… reality television?
I tried to sync my DVR with the radio last week and my DVR kept hiccuping so I gave up. Any tips here?
I only watch the Reds six days a week. I don’t know what my wife is complaining about.
Would you make this trade? George Grande for Tim McCarver?
There was a mention of Janish being a Rice guy tonight.
Never tried to sync the DVR with the radio. I should try that sometime.
But is it better to listen to Marty moan than it is to hear the relentlessy chirpy George Grande?
I had to watch Chuck…maybe I should watch it again since the Reds are winning.
Hanigan with a hit.
He’s no great shakes, but given the competition at catcher, shouldn’t Hanigan be playing more than once a week?
I like Marty’s b-tchiness. It’s honest.. most of the time.
TAR is a great show.
Yes, they mentioned Janish, but not Berkman – I realized it when Berkman gave him a friendly shove after Janish’s hit.
Janish has hit 2 balls harder than Gonzo has in a week.
I can’t imagine Tim McCarver being more annoying than George Grande.
i know right. only have one hd tv in house, i take about 5 on hd tv and the rest in bedroom. i can live w/ that….if it wasnt for the fact i had to listen to captain happy face and his magical glass of joy juice!!!! the guy is draining. i need my cowboy fix, but cant sync it w/ dvr. these are the top problems i live with in life, egh.
Honest, yes….but many times it’s also incredibly ill-informed. Yeah, he’s being honest, it’s what he really believes, but he’s right about things less and less these days.
Get back to me when he criticizes Brandon Phillips about loafing like he criticizes others.
Would you make this trade? George Grande for Tim McCarver?
Tough call. Is there a announcer to be named later included in the deal?
I heard that Marty said, after Cueto walked a couple guys, “quite frankly, I don’t know if he’s EVER going to get it.”
That’s the sort of nonsense that drives me up the wall. At the same point in his career, Greg Maddux’s ERA was a run or more higher than Cueto’s. Wonder what Marty would’ve said about him.
That was an awesome double play
mccarver or grande, color me stumped. tough question.
The double pay stats prove that DPs don’t equal wins.
Rice again!
Y-City: You get Gary Majewski back, in addition to McCarver.
On the Astros broadcast (Reds aren’t in HD on DirecTV tonight, and I haven’t yet been kicked out)….
They were doing an interview with Paul Janish’s family in the stands and, of course, Janish grounded into a double play.
Could I have Drew Henson instead.
chris, that is to funny. i thought the same thing when he said it friday night, great point and agreed 100pct.
I’m no big fan of Grande, but I’ll take him over McCarver every day of the week, and twice on Sundays. Tim McCarver is simply a moron.
7 pitch inning for Arroyo. Nice.
chuck is a good show, a rarity these days for network television.
How many pitches has Arroyo thrown overall through four innings?
I love Grande. Never seen a Reds game without him.
Well George has a great family and more than that he is a great MAN.
I’m surprised George Grande didn’t do that interview with Janish’s family. He likes to talk about how he knows everyone’s parents so much… as if he was invited to do Christmas with them last year or something.
Chuck is awesome. If they cancel it I may cry.
Ugh, network television. I watch one — count ‘em, ONE — show on network television. America’s Funniest Videos, with the kids.
Never heard of Chuck. Is it new?
Arroyo’s only thrown 48 pitches, 30 of them strikes
i will be weeping as well, signed a few petitions to keep it on over the last week. save chuck!
48 pitches for Arroyo thus far.
Chuck is a good show. Adding Scott Bakula a few episodes has sparked renewed interest in Quantum Leap.
It’s in the second season.
Outside of the first Ab, Willy T has been hosed the last two times.
sarah can be very attractive one minute and totally sub-par the next, wo is with me on this? yes, i know this is a reds blog, not chuck. bare with me here.
America’s Funniest Videos is a network show? I just figured it was in endless syndication.
A lot of man love for Chuck going on here.
dave coulier still host? does a tee ball to the crouch still win every week? oh wait, it was bob saget not uncle joey.
I like Elly. Yummy. Arroyo is being very stingy with the pitches tonight. Someone remind him that’s not allowed.
Isn’t it the “Dancing with the Stars” guy?
And, I just popped my Redlegsnation cherry by posting on yesterday’s game thread. Ha.
Well, I can say it again here: Those were the worst two consecutive ABs I’ve seen in my life. Look at a perfect first strike; foul off a bad breaking pitch; look at the third strike. WTF?
Bronson seems to be throwing more fast balss than usual.
You still watch America’s Funniest Videos? Come on Chad, expand your horizons!!
what do you think chris welsh would have to say about george grande after a few beers, a shot of jameson and a jtm? seriously, he has to get annoyed, right?
Depends on which season.
There are multiple crotch videos, two trampoline clips, and two pinatas in each episode. Still funny, even without Bob Saget.
Wow, 57 pitches through 5!
Chris, you watch American Idol. You have no room to make fun of me.
I was at a banquet where Hal McCoy spoke and he said that Welsh wouldn’t replace Joe because Marty hated him. What do you think Marty thinks of George.
That’s funny stuff, Jason. Along the same lines, if I drank every time George Grande said “Silver Bat,” I’d be a gonner already.
Was that the first Quantam Leap reference in Nation history?
Smiling scoreboard. What the heck does that mean anyway?
I would like to see/watch a game in which they just throw every Reds announcer in the booth. Have Marty, Thom, Grande, Welsh, and the Cowboy just go at it.
It would be like Harry Carey doing a game. The on the field stuff would be secondary to whatever was going on in the booth. Marty would go off on some tangent about some emailer, Brantley would be talking about a hot dog he had for lunch or the wings he was going to eat after the game. Grande would be talking about how good a ball player Corey patterson is because he is fast. Meanwhile Welsh would be having seizures in the background listening to everyone else babble.
“Even without Bob Saget.” ??? He was the biggest reason I didn’t want to watch the show.
nicely done, EKy. a GG drinking game should be available somewhere online. we should probably start it and play it here every wednesday night game.
Chuck is a decent show. We like “The Office” but most network shows are awful. I am happy Mythbusters is new again, but for the most part I would be ok without watching any tv. Too many other things to do. I do need to get a home kit for the XM, so I can listen to games at night. I’m too cheap to pay for extra innings.
I thought Marty and Welsh did a pretty good job together last season and the one game this season.
I watched One (1) season of American Idol!
I have narrowed my network tv to 4 shows. Friday Night Lights gets my nod as must see tv.
LMAO, Chris W. thx!
You could also drink every time he says “Buccos” when we play the Pirates or “Reds killer” when we play anyone else.
I hope the score stays right here until Hampton goes out. I have him on 2 fantasy teams.
exactly, and every time he says ‘Yep’ or whenever the aflac duck quacks and makes him giggle.
“That’s the sort of nonsense that drives me up the wall. At the same point in his career, Greg Maddux’s ERA was a run or more higher than Cueto’s. Wonder what Marty would’ve said about him.”
this is something I don’t think many fans understand. Very few pitchers are great right away. Even young top prospects who make a splash when they first get the bigs usually have a rocky year or so
Cueto is 23 and has 33 starts. His ERA+ is 95. SO/9 8.3 and SO/BB 2.3
Maddux in his first 2 seasons had 32 starts (he was younger) had a 75 ERA+ and a worse SO rate and SO/BB rate
two things. Maddux was younger so it is difficult to make the comparison but I did do some research into this a few years ago looking at HOF bound pitchers and you’d be amazing how many of them were not very good in their first 30-40 starts
even looking quickly at some of the current best experienced active starters here is a quick breakdown.
Santana had a below average ERA his first 2 season/14 starts ages 21-22
Oswalt started out great right away but was slightly older in his first season at 23
Johnson had a below average ERA his first 3 seasons/60 starts ages ages 24-25
Halladay started out good right away
Zambrano started out good right away
Smoltz was horrible his first 15 or so starts
Cueto’s peripherals are great and for his age that’s usually a sign he’s going to be good. I expect great things from Cueto starting any day now
George and Thom are always bustin Welsh’s balls over the JTM commercials (and rightfully so). But I bet he just wants to punch them in the face sometimes.
..or calling him “jockretty”. ugh.
Who knows whether Hal really knew what he was talking about or just making up negative news.
no doubt.
Jerry Harriston Jr.
I was at a banquet where Hal McCoy spoke and he said that Welsh wouldn’t replace Joe because Marty hated him.
Who doesn’t Marty hate?
Was that the first Quantam Leap reference in Nation history?
Likely. It was almost as obscure as The Pretender (not to be confused with The Pretenders).
Smiling scoreboard. What the heck does that mean anyway?
George missed his calling to be Mr. Rogers successor.
Chris W, that was hilarious! Great scenario.
Jason, did you know there is a Carl Sagan (Cosmos) drinking game? You drink a shot every time Carl says “billions and billions.”
Why did Hal say this at a banquet? Was that in a speech? Was this a roast or something?
Hampton’s a bulldog.
I honestly believe I’ve seen every clip played on AFV (America’s Funniest Videos) at least three times. I still love the clip where the lady says to her grandma “Where are we Grandma?” and she replies, in a funny (to me) voice “Mexico.” Not quite, they were in China. Comedy gold.
ive often wondered the same markcc, in regards to marty’s thoughts on gg. would love to know how they all feel about each other…or lets be honest, just george “smiling scoreboard” grande.
“Even without Bob Saget.” ??? He was the biggest reason I didn’t want to watch the show.
Yeah, I know, I was just kidding. The show was unwatchable until he left. Even now, it’s best just to watch with the sound off.
The stands are packed!
A question was asked, Will Chris Welsh replace Joe? Welsh had been the guest speaker the year before.
Chris W, it’s okay to watch a season of “Idol”…..if you are a fourteen year old girl.
Does anyone else hear the clanking noise in the background of the game? It drives me nuts. I hear it on ESPN games, FOX game of the week games. I can’t figure out what it could be.
I agree. And so you don’t feel too bad, my wife makes me watch AFV with her a lot.
My Dad, who was/is a marine and is the manliest man I know, watches American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.
y-city, you werent lying.
http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~garret/personal/cosmos.html
I won’t argue with a Marine.
For what its worth my wife hates it. No sense of humor.
On the subject of TV shows, Monk and Psych are two we watch though their schedule of new shows is so hard to follow. Obviously, the Office is priceless.
I’d be happy if there was a Seinfeld Channel.
Whoa! What a DP started by Arroyo!
Nice play by Arroyo.
I meant to post this a minute ago, but…
Welcome, Charlie (post 124)! Hope you’ll be around in the game thread often. We have a good time in here most of the time.
Plus, you can pad your comment totals for the Top Commenters race (looks in mirror).
That homerun just hit the roof of my house.
Thank God we got that DP.
Crap! Who woke up Berkman?
That stinks. I’not sure we can score again.
Kurt, I think that clanking is in your head.
Glad we got that DP before the Berkman blast.
That homerun just hit my car.
Get him outta there!
I hear the clanking noise…and now you will too!
Earth to Bronson….
That stinks. I’m not sure we can score again.
These game threads are killing my post total. Next year I’ve got really pad the stats from January through March.
Wait…weren’t we winning about 45 seconds ago?
What was he thinking?
Put a fork in him.
Thank God Hunter Pence is a moron.
I do NOT watch AI. My wife on the other hand, she Tivo’s it and watches it while I am at work.
Fortunately I have the WIFE that will watch Reds games with me 7 DAYS A WEEK! haha
You better watch out. I’ll have your son batting 12th tomorrow in T-Ball!
Not to change sports or anything, but the Bulls are down 2 with 20 seconds left.
Bah. I’m going to play Call of Duty. After Janish bats…
I hate the Celtics.
ol’ jesse and daddy wags, def have to be included in drinking game.
Nice hit. Now I have to watch.
Janish has to get in the line-up more.
So Arroyo stayin in.
Bat him 12th, Chris. Everyone gets to bat in t-ball, so he’ll get the same number of ABs he would get if he were leading off!
Plus, he’d get to hit a homer at the end of every inning and round the bases.
I hate the NBA.
I think Gonzo needs another day off.
Okay, someone really is going to have to create the official George Grande/Jeff Brantley drinking game.
hahaha.. Jesse and Daddy wags definitely.
The butcher boy play?
I can’t believe he bunted with 2 strikes.
Man, Ray Allen is clutch.
Back to Willy Taveras now.
HAHA Actually I’m using the strategy of the team we played the other day. Bat the weaker kids first so that they don’t hit the little dribblers and get the other kids out at home.
Plus, if I batted your kid last, he’d pass up every other runner on the base paths en route to his homerun.
jason, we’ve got to invent this George Grande drinking game. We can sell it through Redleg Nation.
Cincinnati needs an NBA team again. Royals, anyone?
butcher boy
A strategy where the hitter first shows he intends to bunt, pulls back the bat when the pitcher begins the delivery, and takes a quick swing at the pitch. Generally used by weaker hitters such as pitchers.
For JB, you can drink every time he says “Popeyes” or “annnd he walked him” or “See ya later it’s a tater.”
Janish has as many hits tonight as Gonzo has all season.
Go Celtics!!! So you can get it handed to you THIS YEAR by the Lakers in the finals!
Should’ve taken “Uh Oh Arroyo” out as he wasn’t fooling anyone the last inning and we could use a hit…like from Ownings.
At least Dusty has the foresight to have someone warming.
or, a double on Billy, Billy, Billy!
As you know, Chris (because you’ve seen me run), he gets all his athleticism from his mother.
And I love the fact that you’re thinking through t-ball strategy.
im def in on this venture, all in.
They just showed Harang in the dugout. He really DOES have a dorito on his chin.
“A strategy where the hitter first shows he intends to bunt, pulls back the bat when the pitcher begins the delivery, and takes a quick swing at the pitch. Generally used by weaker hitters such as pitchers.”
Or, according to Tom Browning, the bastard play.
Back from The Amazing Race. Catching up on the game. Sure glad we don’t have a HR-dependent offense like those stupid Astros.
GG Drinking Game Entry: “Pull-hols.”
Tejada plays better defense off of roids.
Another hit by Taveras. Kid can play!
Mike Hampton is out, Chris.
Hey now, I’d like to be counted in on this drinking game, too.
A Chris Welsh drinking game would only need to include “Butcher Boy” to result in mass alcohol poisoning. I swear he’s said that phrase 18 times tonight.
Taveras is going to steal second on this pitch.
Hairston’s practice swing irritates me.
At least we won’t be drunk this season from “it’s gonna beeeeee……gawun!”
It’s hard to take a guy out after 5 innings, 1 run and 57 pitches, but it did cross my mind too.
Nice call Joe West.
Nice call, Joe West.
LOL, Kurt, I agree about that practice swing. I’m easily annoyed, though.
loaded for Votto!!
Has George self-corrected from “Har-ris-ton” to the proper “Hair-ston” pronunciation?
Let’s hand Geary another loss, eh?
If they don’t score on this golden opportunity, I’m going to get drunk tonight.
I wonder what kind of was they use on those ford trucks to make them so shiny.
Bases loaded, one out. How will Dusty HAVOC! us right out of this inning?
Not was…WAX
I’m finally able to laugh about last year’s lead off hitter and CF…it feels great too.
Hit and run?
TRIPLE STEAL!!
I’m really not digging the 3d view on mlb’s Gameday. I hate how the view moves any time I accidentally drag my mouse across it, and the view ought to be from the ump’s POV by default.
If Votto hits into a double play I am going to kill 3 kittens.
Make’em pay, Joey!!!
Let’s go Byrdak. Serve it up.
Maybe we can get George to read the Lottery Number twice. That should be good for a shot of Tequilla
oh man, many yuks had tonight on game thread along with chuck convos. cant beat that, now back to gg drinking game does he say “beep beep jeep lineup” anymore? and def, “crafty lefthander chris welsh (awkward stare at chris)
This is another Rice guy.
And a pathetic tribute to my lack of baseball knowledge. I have NEVER heard of Byrdak.
I wonder if Janish sharpened his cleats today, Kurt
A triple steal. That would almost be worth the havoc just for the entertainment value of that.
oh crap
Drink a gallon of rum every time George says “damn.”
GET OUT
What are you crapping about, Kurt? Votto is still up.
The lefties have had Joey all tied up today.
Votto!!! CLutch!!
YEAH BABY!
That looked like a home run
Votto comes through!!!!
Never mind!
Weren’t we losing about 10 seconds ago?
JOEY!!!!!
Damn high wall.
Whoohoo. Stupid Harriston.
I’m glad I didn’t go play Call of Duty.
Astros can’t like their pitcher giving that up with an 0-2 count.
I LOVE Chris’ suggestion at comment number 246.
Nice hustle, worth a shot with a .180 hitter coming up.
It’s pretty safe/obvious to say Votto is carrying this team.
What do you mean what am I crapping about? This is the Reds, how many times is that runner left out there on third?
Drink a gallon of rum every time George says “damn.”
Great one!
You can tell Welsh is not impressed with Brandon Phillips.
Man they played that ball perfect off the wall…if not for that it would easily be another run.
Welsh is a lonely voice in the wilderness, as far as this organization goes.
Call me crazy, but I don’t give Vottiston a fastball down the middle with an 0-2 count.
So, now that we’re winning again, can we get back to important things?
No one has told me what “Chuck” is.
this is me tipping my cap to # 246 as well, nicely done.
Phillips needs to sit for a few games!
I do NOT like these motorcycle PSAs. Anyone else getting them?
Time to get Arroyo out of there.
Get Rhoades in there!!
Can we include repetitive TV commercials in the GG drinking game? That motorcycle safety commercial ought to be worth some form of alcohol abuse.
You know a show I never watched before but have recently began to enjoy… The King of Queens.
WHY IS ARROYO STILL IN THERE?
Why is Arroyo still in?
I’m still looking for some one to drink with in Chicago Thursday and Friday.
Put afork in him.
Dusty is insane.
FWIW, I’m aiming for top ten in the Commenters race before the end of the game tonight.
Votto, in my best Mike Gundy voice, “is a man.”
Chuck at NBC
http://www.nbc.com/Chuck/
We’re on pace for a nice high number of comments. May not top the cincy/SD debacle of last season, but nonetheless, a nice total.
“City folk juuust don’t get it.” Drink.
“For purchase or refi, I’m your guy. Call Tommie Mac…” Drink.
Those two overaged spokes-daughters for the garage door guy. Drink.
Is Welsh whisteling????
we could do that, st. clair roofing is huge this year. i hate the “your watching reds on fsn” spots, you can see them read the q cards, especially coco.
Dusty is insane.
Not the first time we’ve heard that in the game thread.
I don’t get the motorcycle thing either. Maybe they should ley Cordero read the spot. We might understand better.
I’m glad Arroyo is still in there! hah
We almost had a “they got em!” drink there.
“Yessiree three!”
Janish doesn’t waste time getting rid of the ball. These DPs are nailing the runner at 1B by 10 to 15 feet.
Chuck is an action-comedy television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an “average computer-whiz-next-door” who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working in the CIA; the message embeds the only remaining copy of the world’s greatest spy secrets into Chuck’s brain.
Those over-aged spokes daughters kill me.
Last season, my son used to run out of the room when they came on “because one of them has a big neck.”
The redundant “Coco Cordero.” Drink.
Double play! Sweet!
HAHA. Does that mean a Merton Hanks long neck, or a Kevin James thick neck?
Did Hairston just bluff a toss into the stands??
She is in Chuck.
http://www.popoholic.com/images/yvonne-strahovski-shower-01.jpg
We’re on pace for a nice high number of comments.
Maybe a record for a nine inning game.
Chad, does our new server host some NBC chatroom? I keep getting “Chuck” propaganda.
Kurt, I thought you were fooling around with that description of Chuck. But I checked….
Sounds bizarre.
All these close games are going to eventually give me a heart attack.
The Chrysler/Jeep commercials are more irritating than Hairston’s practice swing.
Did Hairston just bluff a toss into the stands??
John Franco did that to me when he was with the Mets during warmups. I’ve hated him ever since.
Long neck.
GG Drinking game: drink a long neck when you see the long neck.
It is a really good show. Next week is the season finale. I’m afraid it will be the last show.
nicely done, # 294. amy and erin are very odd lookin indeed.
I feel like NBC went out and tried to find someone who looked like Jim from The Office. Between Jim, Chuck, and Jimmy Fallon, they’ve cornered the market on messy-haired charmers.
I have you topped EkyRedsFan… I once got flipped off by Dave Justice during BP. And I was 12!!
I tell you Joey Votto has to be one of the top 10 under 27 players in the game
Speaking of network babes, Emily Deschanel (Bones) ranks up there.
He better watch his back next time out there.
Watch out guys… I bet George Grande knows Amy and Erin and their dad.
LaTroy!! I missed him.
Johnny Gomes 0 for 5 tonight batting .161 at AAA
“He double dribbles it.” Should be a drink for a new dumb comment.
I’ll take Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights FTW
What do you think would happen if they made ballplayers just get in the box without going through all their OCD rituals?
“Great garage door salesman? Yes. But more importantly, a great father, and a great man.”
Chris W isn’t lying. I was there when he got flipped off by Justice. It was great.
Does GG know what “burly” means?
Wow… That is bad. And Justice being a Cincinnati guy too. Wouldn’t have thought that one.
Height: 6′ 5″ , Weight: 195 lb.
Kurt, we may not have to worry about Jeep/Chrysler commercials next year.
http://www.chuckonline.net/2009/01/sign-this-petition-to-renew-chuck-for.html
Or next month for that matter.
I guess when a 12 year old yells that “You Suck” for not tossing you a ball, you get the ol’ Bird!
The Astros suck pretty bad, don’t they?
Junior patted his right butt cheek at me from third base one time when I yelled that Edmonds would have scored on the base hit Junior stopped at third on.
“Great garage door salesman? Yes. But more importantly, a great father, and a great man.”
HAHA! “And I really look forward to our annual family ski trips to Vermont.”
The game thread comment will definitely carry an asterisk for Chuck-related spam.
Did he call Hawkins burly?
I signed the petition. Nice AB by Dickerson.
Yes. “Big and burly.” Which is why I looked up LaTroy’s vitals.
Nice AB here.
Ha…maybe I should add “Chuck” to the spam filter.
Good at bat Dickerson.
GG drinking game- ” “Hi, Hello, and Welcome”
Pretty good AB by Dickerson there.
HAVOC!!
Awesome AB there. Top friggin notch.
Even better when you consider how many pinch hitters go up there hackin’ (and usually get excused by the announcers). See Harris, Lenny.
“Twin killing” Drink drink drink.
I wish there were someone who could advise me whether we’re on the smiling side of the scoreboard. I can never remember.
ouch
GG drinking game- “get em on, get em over, get em in”
Switching to a Rosales topic,
with the Reds lacking a RH outfield bat why not give Rosales some reps in left field at Louisville?
OUCH.
Oh crap. There’s Dusty’s reason for not starting Janish for the next week and a half.
Janish is going to be out for six weeks now, I bet. Welcome to the majors, Adam Rosales.
Come on LAYNCE. Put it out of reach!
Off-topic (but perhaps less so than Chuck). Anyone ever read The Road by Cormac McCarthy? I just finished that last night. What a great book.
I swear… Welsh is whistling.
Good one, Jason (346). “Play add-on” also qualifies.
Louisville won, scored 7 runs, Rosales 1 hit and Castillo is hitting .333 although he has only played 5 games.
“Nubbed.” Drink.
Maybe he whistles when he thinks of something he knows he shouldn’t say to George.
Man, we need some more runs.
For what it’s worth, we used to have a little widget that linked to the top 25 most commented-on posts. It didn’t work when we upgraded the software.
I have a new one that I think will work; I just need to find time to install it.
Seems like the top post had 460+ comments. Maybe more.
Gracie combat?
Cross your fingers. It’s “Rhodes Time.”
Off-topic (but perhaps less so than Chuck). Anyone ever read The Road by Cormac McCarthy?
No but you peaked my interest. McCarthy wrote “No Country for Old Men.” Correct?
Definitely need runs, Rhodes is due to get hit too
Chris, I read “The Road” not more than two months ago. I really, really enjoyed it.
For another book that’s in that same vein, you should read “Blindness” by Jose Saramago. Chilling.
http://www.amazon.com/Blindness-Jose-Saramago/dp/0151002517/ref=ed_oe_h
It’s his perfect stats that worry me. You know he’s due a meltdown.
Why is Dusty using Rhodes against RHP’s? He does much better against LHP’s
There goes Hairston.
funny about burly
burly is Thomas, Thome, Howard, Hafner, Jenks, Broxton, Putz (that guy is huge), and of course DUNN
Back to Hariston for Georgie-poo.
Grande just said “Harriston” twice in two seconds. So, no, he hasn’t corrected himself.
Now Harriston is hurt. Sheesh, he’ll be out for two months too.
Told you
Hairston, DL with Janish.
Yes, Jim. Same guy. I tried “All the Pretty Horses” a while back, but couldn’t get into it. It seemed over-written. “The Road” isn’t.
What the hell was he doing?
Crap, someone mentioned Dunn. There’s sure to be a fight now.
We were having so much fun in the game thread tonight, too.
Harry’ston
My oldest kid and one of Welsh’s are seniors in the same class in high school, so I’ve seen him at several kids’ birthday parties and such over the years.
Anyway, I was talking to him at one of those things and (inappropriately, I admit) asked him about George and all his crappiness. I must say he was very diplomatic. He just kind of smirked, shook his head, and went, “Ehhhh…”
It was pretty clear he didn’t want to discuss it.
Jumping into the wall.
I like Matsui.
“The Road” is underwritten, if anything. I’ve never read anything else by McCarthy (picked The Road up on a suggestion from a friend), but I was impressed.
Tejada has a fat head.
I tried to ignore the Dunn thing.
Why is Votto playing 2nd?
This doesn’t look good. Arthur Rhodes is a situational lefty. Emphasis on situational. I’m not sure I’d rather see Stormy in there right now or not though.
Me too, Mark. Thanks.
I would try the Kindle sampler of that book, Chad, but it’s not available on e-format yet.
Totally coincidentally, my next book is the World Without Us.
http://www.amazon.com/World-Without-Us-Alan-Weisman/dp/B001C2E0QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240281125&sr=8-1
Man, Votto is playing closer to 2b against Tejada
A walk here wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. It could set up a double play to get out of the inning.
Tejada has a fat head from all that HGH he never took.
Rhodes is pitching too much. He’s an old man.
I agree. I’d rather talk about Chuck than Dunn.
I’m starting to get nervous here….
Lets get two here. Berkman is the Stros version of Bill Hall however!
Why Dusty WHY???
Nice
Got lucky there.
That’ll work. 1 more Arthur!
Does he stay in?
Turning Berkman around is a good reason to use Rhodes.
Not sure I give Dusty that much credit, but it can’t hurt.
Now facing C. Lee????
If you think you are nervous now wait until Weathers comes in.
Rhodes will face Arthur. Good job Georgie.
Again, GG has no idea what he’s talking about. Anyway, this is the 4th straight RH Rhodes has faced.
Looks interesting, Chris. Just bought it for the Kindle.
Do you love your Kindle or what? It’s the greatest toy I’ve purchased in a long time.
Popup was good, but 3-0 now. If Rhodes can work his way out of this one, I’ll be impressed.
Speaking of John Franco, my buddy and I were down in the blue seats before a game back in the mid-80s, and my friend asked Franco for an autograph on his program as he was finishing up some throwing.
As he was running back to the dugout, Franco (with an extremely irritated look on his face) simply reached up, grabbed the pen and program, quickly signed, then (literally) without ever even looking at him, THREW the program and pen back at friend. All the while he’s groveling, “Thank you, Mr. Franco! Thank you!”
I still give him heck about that one to this day.
Was Lee seriously walking to 1B on that pitch?
Rhodes is working the bling.
Does our 8th inning guy ALWAYS have to load the bases?