Loading ...July begins with renewed optimism and a matchup between Johnny Cueto and Jon Garland. Conventional wisdom would say the Reds should be favored in this matchup but then, conventional wisdom wouldn’t put Willy Taveras at the top of the order, either. Or maybe it would. What do I know?
(Don’t answer that. Please.)
Anyway, discuss the game here!
Not today for Willy.
Dickerson leads off. Richar playing 3rd and batting 8th.
Did the local media get scooped by the national media today on the transaction front (Sutton up, Burton down) or are the Reds going around the local guys for some reason?
According to the Fay, Sutton is in the house. Why he’s not starting at 3b wasn’t mentioned.
He does mention that Burton was pissed. He’s been pitching a lot better this month since the threat earlier this year of a demotion (or an actual demotion that got recalled when Lincoln, I think, landed on the DL.)
I ain’t got nothing to say,” he said. “Talk to Dusty.”
“I don’t want him to be happy,” Dusty Baker said. “If he’s mad at me, Dick (Pole) or Walt (Jocketty), pitch like it. He’ll be back.
“We have high hopes and big plans for him. Hopefully, this is a temporary thing.”
Dusty also pulled the ol’ “team meeting” trick today to try and rally the troops.
Perhaps the team told him to start batting Dickerson leadoff more often?
Dickerson cf
Hairston ss
Votto 1b
Phillips 2b
Nix lf
Hernandez c
Bruce rf
Richar 3b
On the pregame show, Jim Day said that Dusty said EE could MAYBE be back by next Monday. He’s hitting well enough to be called up down; I don’t really understand what’s with the hesitation.
conventional wisdom would have said that Arizona wouldn’t score 6 runs even against Arroyo
their offense is as bad as the Reds
@3 GregD
It seems to be not starting young guy right away has been the pattern of Dusty for guys like Sutton. He lets them sit on the bench at least the 1st game to get them used to the “big time” and get control of thier jitter and then will use them after that, or so it seems to me. Exception was Bruce last year
Surprised that Burton got sent down, but I can’t complain about it…even though Burton’s one of my favorite Reds.
Frankly, it’s about time they got rid of the 13th pitcher and brought up another bat.
Remember that dumb movie “Rookie of the Year” about the kid who pitches for the Cubs. My kids found it on TV, and I’m watching it now with them instead of the game.
It’s awful.
Of course, it does have America’s Greatest Actor in a starring role. I’m talking about Gary Busey, of course.
Cueto needs to give this team a lift. Waling the first batter isn’t the way to get that done.
Gary Busey looking like Buddy Holly or Gary Busey looking like he’s done every drug known to mankind (or Michael Jackson)?
Gary Busey who looks like he’s getting ready to start doing every drug known to man because he’s in a movie that clearly signals the end of whatever career he had.
Let’s hope the bats come alive.
P.S. my first RLN post from my phone. the site’s mobile layout is nice.
Cueto was super wild but he knew it and seemed upset with himself (looked like me bowling last night, just frustrating when you know you aren’t making the shots)
He threw what looked like a very high changeup, which was too fast and WAY out of the strikezone to get the K and he was even visibly pissed with that pitch.
Ah Chad, the kid movies…you’ve got to learn to view these movies through the eyes of a kid…or point them towards better movies. I recommend the Sandlot!
What was the name of that baseball movie where the kid became the owner? It was the Twins. I think Junior was in that movie.
The mobile page from my Ipod Touch won’t let me see links or comments. Anybody know why?
Luckily, my wife has been taking them to the ugh movies on her day off. Most recently hotel for dogs. I unluckily had to sit through some movie about puppies who go into outspace.
outspace = outerspace
Thommy Boy sharing the text of Dusty’s speech at the meeting in his office (did the entire roster and coaches all cram into his office?). I hope it wasn’t the actual text because it sounded pretty lame.
Shane
if are you asking from your Ipod.
Glad it’s working, ramrod. I think our mobile site is pretty good.
Some of the text from Dusty’s team meeting:
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Habor?
Don’t know the answer about the iPod. I’ll check into it.
The movie you were mentioning, Greg, is Little Big League. Another crappy one the kids will want to see one day, I’m sure.
You reminded me that we went to the movies a few months ago to see “Space Chimps.” One of the two worst movies I’ve ever seen in my life.
What did Thom say about the meeting?
GregD>
I’m asking from my laptop BECAUSE my Ipod Touch won’t let me see links or comments 
Stuff like “do you want to play in meaningful games in August and September.”
Gee, I don’t know. Do we?
some of the latest kids movies are great. I love the ice age series and madagascar. new ice age comes out soon I believe. monsters inc is another good one.
Hernandez nailed him by a substantial margin there.
Hey, Ramon cuts down a runner trying to steal.
Of course, then Cueto proceeds to walk the hitter and put another runner on immediately after that.
He’s walked three of the first seven batters. Who does he think he is? Homer Bailey?
Pixar needs to make a baseball movie.
I didn’t care much for Ice Age or Madagascar, but I love all the Pixar movies (with one exception).
But your general point is absolutely true…most kids movies these days are good enough that I really enjoy taking the kids to every one of them.
oh no. not another injury.
Oh no. Cueto having back problems?
on the bright side no hitter thru 2. says a lot about how terrible bronson is.
So if a player hits the Tundra does he get a different Tundra or the one he just put a big dent into and/or broke a window out of?
Yeah, I didn’t mean to put down all kids movies. I’ve always liked the Disney/Pixar stuff. I like Bedtime Stories w/ Adam Sandler.
A lucky fan chosen at random gets the Tundra. I’m not sure if they’ll repair the broken window before giving it to the winner.
Do they have to figure out how to drive the Tundra off that location out there?
What was Welsh talking about giving out toothbrushes and toothpaste?
That last pitch by Johnny Q. was nasty.
Is Microsoft so hard up that they advertise during Reds games?
What’s the Reds record after Dusty Baker team meetings? Zero for ever how many team meetings he had?
OUT!
Thank you, Mark Berry.
Can we fire Mark Berry too?
Mark Berry has to be the worst third-base coach in the league.
Richar out to AAA for Edwin.
Yeah, Upton had the ball as Richar was reaching 3rd base. Who sends a player there, esp on that arm?
With one out let the batter try to drive him in. That is a bad call by the 3rd base coach.
And now the inning is over with no runs across. Wonderful.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings
Lost in the aftermath of Mark Berry’s stupid decision to send Richar was the fact that Dickerson smacked that ball pretty good.
Can anyone still justify for me how in the hell Taveras still plays over Dickerson? Seemingly every AB Dickerson is driving the ball all over the place.
And he’s a FAR better center fielder to top it off.
need a stat monkey to look up how many runners have been thrown out at third or home this year. I feel its very high this year… that’s just a gut feeling though. only time you send that runner is maybe with two outs.
at least cueto has settled.
Can anyone still justify for me how in the hell Taveras still plays over Dickerson? Seemingly every AB Dickerson is driving the ball all over the place.
No, they cannot.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4289811
And yes, ol’ CW was going on about how Procter & Gamble should bring a toothbrush and toothpaste promotion to the GaBP. His idea then goes in a really weird direction where he proposes that in the 7th inning all the fans brush their teeth ans set a new world record. Im not kidding, and unfortunately either was the Crafty Lefthander. eek..
Expect Taveras to start and lead off tomorrow against the LHer.
Is there a reason Cueto is struggling so much with control?
How is it possible that damn near every fan in this city sees that, yet the manager doesn’t? I hate to beat a dead horse, but it’s so brutally obvious that Dickerson should get the nod against EVERY righty without question.
cueto isn’t long for this game with the number of 3 ball counts he’s gone to in addition to the walks. 78 pitches in the 4th inning…
Jason, I was really hoping that maybe I had missed some very important point to that toothbrushing story that would have made it all make sense. Obviously, I didn’t.
Where’s George tonight? Getting his happy injections?
secretly hoping willy pulls his hamstring. give bruce a break too… want to see more of gomes.
Cueto appears to be having some back pain tonight.
jim, last night thom mentioned he is on tv thru the weekend. so I assume gg is on vacation or something.
Here’s a pitcher with a 5-plus era and we haven’t dented him yet.
I think Thom always does the Arizona series.
This game has been about as exciting as watching paint dry. Although a lot of games have been that way this year.
Reds are hittin the sh** out of the ball tonight.
Im guessing ol’ GG is prepping for the 4th of July with the family Grande. I could only imagine how much red, white and blue decor ol’ GG has up outside his abode. Im pictureing the outside of his home on the 4th is as excessive as The Griswolds in Christmas Vacation. If theres 2 things GG loves more than its Sean Casey and the 4th of July.
If anyone is watching the game on FSN, did you just hear Jim Day say “scoreless game at Nationwide Arena”? I’m confused.
….id like to know what they are, we know its not the word “damn”.
Jim just confused his hockey job with the Reds. Awesome
Since they put EE on 60 day DL they will have to release someone from the 40 man to bring him back. Will it be Richar again? Can he make through waivers again? Think they might be showcasing him for a possible trade?
Lousy cut on strike to for Ramon.
Slide please.
mark – yes & yes & yes
Nice hit by Hernandez.
Let’s go, Jay!!!!!
I’m with you guys tonight and I have the computer because the wife is really, really mad at me.
I’ve got the game. I’ve got the computer. I really wasn’t wrong. I will treat it as life being good.
Would anyone claim Richar?
A pop-up to CF? I thought pop-ups were fly ball into the infield.
I liked Garland when he was with the White Sox. They had a pretty good staff.
Double and stranded. Doesn’t look like much has changed in the new month….
Once again Cy Young is on the mound against the Reds.
Is that guy with the World of Warcraft cap a member of the Reds scouting staff?
Once again Cy Young is on the mound against the Reds.
There are games when Cy Young’s corpse would be lights out against the Reds.
Speaking of corpses, when are they ever going to bury Michael Jackson? Are they trying to make him bigger than Elvis? Ain’t going to happen. Elvis is still the King.
Elvis isn’t really dead, though.
alright, 1,2,3 and now the top of the order coming up. Let’s get this guy.
Dickerson with another hit but where is he going to play?
Huh, Dickerson with another hit. Maybe he should lead off more often. Naaah…
Just run. Forget the sacrifice and just run. Your odds are just as good tonight.
I’m in agreement, preach.
Hit and run. It worked. If it slipped through then you have a runner on third. Good move.
I would pitch around Votto. Hope they don’t listen to me.
Man! Did you see how fast Dickerson was going, Dusty?
Votto with the RBI bleeder. Good running by Dickerson. Havoc, baby.
Vottomatic!
I like the way that kid plays…no reason he should be on the bench, unless it’s a lefty pitching…Taveras sucks!
I liked that. It was foul, but Brandon was trying to stroke it to right.
I’d be willing to be Taveras wouldn’t have scored on that hit, judging by his lack of baserunning prowess this season.
Just another reason to be a “front runner” and play Dickerson.
Come on, Nix. Be studly!
Whoa! A shot of Dusty bonding with Dickerson in the dugout. One can only hope.
“Can anyone still justify for me how in the hell Taveras still plays over Dickerson? Seemingly every AB Dickerson is driving the ball all over the place.”
Quit trying to get into Crusty Baker’s head…it’s empty
Nix hit it hard. Did you see the stats on our bullpen? Tremendous.
I think you may be jinxing the bullpen preach.
Take him out now!!
If Rhodes gets out of this inning…he’s the bomb
Take who out, me??!!!?? Sorry.
Da bomb.
Wow, that was close!
Take me out to the ballgame!
Way to be Art!
I knew he had it all along!
Rollie Fingers!
Whew…that was almost as nailbiting as that jam Arthur pitched out of earlier this year in Milwaukee. I think that was bases loaded no outs though.
Bruce bunting over for Richar? At least Hernandez is still clutch.
Speaking of jams…there’s a storm brewing in the bull pen :worried:
Er.. never mind my last comment.
You know, we need to get Gomes more playing time so I can see Owings pinch hit more often.
Well, I was going to complain about Janish instead of Hanigan but I guess it worked…except running by Bruce :poke:
Does this team not practice baserunning, or are they just inept on the basepaths? Seriously, coaches and players.
Not the best running job there. Low havoc factor.
I don’t know if Bruce would have scored on that anyway, but it was still a mental lapse none the less. Oooh, can’t take a strikeout there. Ugh.
:poke: :-(( :emotion: :worried: X(
I don’t think it was such bad baserunning by Bruce. Gomes held up a little too, and he had the play in front of him.
Bruce probably would have been nailed at home anyway. Berry is awful.
Do you think this team executes well? (rhetorical question)
Let me guess Jerry has a lifetime .142 average against tis guy.
You know, I just realized that if you look at the stats for the guys currently in the lineup it almost looks like the Reds are fielding a normal major league team tonight.
Random Question: Has anyone figured out a good reason why Bruce’s BABIP is so low? It can’t stay that low, right? If it gets better at all he almost has to have a monster second half.
great ABs from Gomes and Janish
but wow does Dickerson look completely lost vs left handers
Gomes was aggressive at the plate. He went up there looking like he was going to get a hit and was going to fight to do it.
A storm’s brewing.
My wife just asked if she could put in a movie, just as I saw D**** W******* walk to the mound.
We’re now watching “Last Chance Harvey”.
Started out watching the game on DVR so I just caught up and have not read any of the threads. Two quick comments: 1) What an awful decision by Mark Berry to send the runner from third with the top of the lineup coming up and only one out. Cost us a run.
2) WTF was Jay Bruce doing. Horrible base running. Cost us a run.
Let me say it now: David Weathers for Cy Young award. You heard it here.
Chad, it’s time to invest in another TV.
Votto with his second hit.
JasonL I’ve wonder about Bruce’s bad luck for a while now
The only thing I’ve seen is that he’s hitting fewer line drives and more fly balls
He’s being slightly more patient (swinging at fewer pitches) this year, he’s swinging at fewer pitches out of the strike zone, he’s make more contact with the pitches he is swinging at, his BB rate is up, and his SO rate is down. I just don’t get it
Vottomatic
On Bruce’s BABIP:
Part of the reason it is lower is because he is hitting more fly balls and less line drives. That said, it is still incredibly low and I would think that it would almost have to come up to the .250 range or higher.
Huh, I thought he was being less patient, but I’m not looking at the stats so I’m probably wrong. I have observed he’s more likely to hit pop flys this season.
BP with the DP. Great.
Phillipsmatic DP
Yuck. OK, it’s time for some hot CoCo.
One minute after a leadoff hit the inning is over.
How ’bout these ahole bhole commericals?
Yeah, you’re right, Jim. We now have an HD DVR downstairs, but don’t have an HD television for it yet. Just the HD TV upstairs.
Why didn’t I ask for a tv for my birthday?
Listening to Thom talk about Votto stealing bases in the minors but not at the MLB level. Is the lackluster running game due to Dusty’s mentality? All that talk during the off season but we have seen no more of a running game than we saw last year or the year before. It’s just talk, which is really what Dusty does best.
Time for the Birdman
I’m sure so much of the extra running was predicated on WT getting on base.
I sure hope they don’t butcher boy Hairston. He’s not good enough to deal with it.
Never mind. Go CoCo!
That’s 2!
oh and I posted this in another thread a while ago but someone at Beyond the Boxscore also took a look at Bruce’s poor BABIP
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/6/25/922615/jay-bruce-and-balls-in-play
they didn’t come to any conclusion as to why but the shocking thing that stood out for me was that it’s already cost him around 20 hits this seasons, which is amazing
I think this is our mandatory all-star.
Taveras doesn’t run in those rare occasions when he does get on base. It’s just more Dusty BS.
I really like CoCo. Probably not a good use of limited resources to sign him for so much…but I really like him.
According to Fangraphs page on Bruce, his walk rate is up from 7.4% to 10% and k rate is down 26.6% to 21.5%.
It sure isn’t going to be anyone going to the AS game.
Boy there are some Jay Bruce apologist on here. If that was Brandon Phillips not scoring on that base hit to single he would have been killed on here. There was no excuse for him not scoring ont that. There is no way that ball would have been caught.
“Taveras doesn’t run in those rare occasions when he does get on base. It’s just more Dusty BS.”
Exactly. I have never been more underwhelmed at a base runner. That’s a large part of my disdain.
Hunter Wendlestedt blows behind the plate
I don’t know: there were several comments about the poor base running.
The Colorado 1B coach must have been pushing him off the bag last year for him to get those steals.
Agreed Annapolis.
Sweet!! This one belongs to the REDS!!
This one belongs to the Reds!
And this one belongs to the Reds!!!
We beat Cy Young!
This bullpen has been worth every penny. How bad would this team be without Massett, Herrera, Weathers, Rhodes and Cordero. Three games out with this offense? Unbelievable.
Whew…hitting we don’t need no stinking hitting tonight (although they had 9 hits).
Positive – gutsy pitching performances and a slam-the-door appearance by Cordero.
Negative – offense, what offense?
We win, and TOS still is true. Sheesh. Great pitching up and down.
Preach-Not really, with several people saying he wouldn’t have scored. Don’t get me wrong, Brandon Phillips bring a lot of this stuff on himself, but Jay Bruce is a horrible baserunner (this isn’t the first time.
Imagine if Dickerson would have been on the bench and Taveras in as usual? :-((
some numbers on Bruce
line drive %: 21.1% (2008), 13.6% (2009)
fly ball %: 34.2% (2008), 48.4% (2009)
but when it comes to patience (depending on how you define that)
BB%: 7.4% (2008), 10% (2009)
SO%: 26.6% (2008, 21.5% (2009)
so he’s striking out less and walking more
% swing at pitches outside the strike zone: 30.4% (2008), 27.6% (2009)
% swinging: 51.2% (2008), 48.6% (2009)
and when he is swinging he’s making more contact
pitches per plate appearance: 3.8 (2008), 4 (2009)
so he is being more patient
I do think it boils down to popping up more than hitting line drives combined with bad luck
I’m really not use to the Reds offense scoring line a good offense would
leadoff guy gets on twice, our #3 hitter gets two hits, one of them knocking in the leadoff hitter for the only run and rbi
The Reds had the lead off guy on 3 or 4 innings tonight and only scored once…not a good stat
Not executing
“Not executing” == not hitting
completely unrelated to this game or the Reds but I have a scoring question
bases loaded, 2 outs, batter strikes out but the catcher doesn’t catch the ball
the batter takes off towards 1st but unlike most situations the catcher does not tag him or throw to 1st he touches home plate for the 3rd out
I assume the pitcher still gets the credit for the K
but how is the runner at 1st scored? It’s sort of like a fielders choice?
K, FC, runner on third out 2-U
thanks Annapolis
I hadn’t seen that before and was thinking Fielders Choice but FC seemed a little strange because the ball wasn’t exactly in play.