Loading ...I really want to beat the Braves tonight (and tomorrow, and Sunday). I mean, I really want to beat that team.
You see, I have three younger brothers. Two of them are reasonable and smart, big-time Reds fans, and all-around good guys. The other brother is smart and a good guy, too…but something is wrong with him. He’s a Braves fan. I don’t know what made him want to rage against the machine, violate our family’s tradition of living and dying with the Reds, and pick a team like Atlanta, but here we are. My dear brother is a Braves fan, and he’ll probably be coming over to watch one or two of this weekend’s games at my home.
Anyway, he’s had plenty of success over the last fifteen years, lots of good teams to cheer on. It’s my turn.
Here’s your game preview. Go Redlegs.
The Yankees got Lance Berkman.
I wish both Berkman and Oswalt would have left a few years earlier.
Well with those two departures, we should have a little eaiser time with the Stros. How many games left with them do we have and where?
I too REALLY want to beat the Braves this series.
For one thing, even when we were good in the mid-90′s, they dominated us.
For another, their fans and their chop are idiotic. It’s a form of mass idiocy.
And last but not least, that loss to them in May still REALLY sticks in my craw. Beating them in this series is a minimum. I’d like a sweep, or if it’s 2 wins out of 3, I want one of the wins to involve a late comeback.
GT!
I’d bet all of us have at least one Braves fan in our lives. I can think of two off the top of my head. That bandwagon was large in the ’90′s, taking in all kinds of impressionable youth. Sad really.
@dn4192: We have 6 games remaining against Houston, all in September. 3 at home and 3 on the road.
So far this year we’re 7-2 against them, 2-1 at home and 5-1 on the road.
I’ll bet Heyward totally doesn’t get carded.
Kueto.
I’d like to sweep the Braves, with Bobby Cox getting thrown out all three nights.
cabrera never saw a first pitch he didn’t like.
Votto almost got a homer.
He gone
Awful AB from Gomes, no idea what he was looking for on those first two pitches.
OK, so Medlen walks Rolen then strikes out the side. Could be a long night for the good guys.
that kicksave comment was the first funny thing jeff brantley has ever said.
I know Bruce has a cannon, but this early in the game I’d much rather keep the runner at 1st than go for the out at home. We’re gonna have to score more than 1 run to win anyway.
One thing is a given: with the Cards at home vs Pirates we have to sweep this weekend to avoid losing any ground.
Would love for the Bucs to smack the Cards in the face, even one game. PLEAASEE!!!!
Wow, what a way to tie it up. Balk, then a pop up that falls between everyone.
Nice havoc by BP.
Votto! 2-1!
MVP!! MVP!!
Here’s the offense!
VOTTO !!!!!!
Great 2 out hitting again from the Reds.
Votto has to be the MVP if the REDS can make it to the WS.
Rolen!!!
Rolen!!
Rolen! Small ball, baby!!
Rolen’s such a smart hitter/player.
Nice 2 out rally. A little havoc gets the pitcher rattled with Votto and Rolen coming up.
So, how about a friendly debate? Who is the REDS MVP – Rolen or Votto? The “kid” or the grizzled, savvy vet?
When is the last time we scored at least 3 runs in one inning after the first 2 batters were retired?
I think Rolen just got jammed, haha. Who cares, it’s a run.
Why is Leake not pitching tomorrow?
Votto.
@BIGred053: There was an article somewhere about that. I think his max innings this season is 180 and he’s going to get to that point too soon if they don’t start pitching him every 8 days.
@Reds03: Gee, you’re no fun. At least give a reason why Votto over Rolen.
Cueto at 72 pitches through 4. Reds will most likely be counting on the bullpen relatively early tonight.
@hoosierdad: I think at the All-Star break there were legitimate cases for Votto, Rolen, and BP. I think it has to be Votto at this point though. His numbers are better than both across the board. Rolen has been great, but he has missed a lot of games. BP has also been great (especially defensively) but his offensive numbers just aren’t on par.
It is certainly not Bruce. He has been great defensively, but he has been very frustrating at the plate. These middle of the order hitters need to get going.
@Kyle: Now that’s what I’m talking about! OK, how about the REDS’ record with Votto in the line-up and out and with Rolen in or out?
Ramon has been very good this year. THat was a nice AB to turn the lineup over for next inning.
@hoosierdad: I’m not sure what the numbers are, I’d better Rolen has the edge there (although Votto really hasn’t missed too many games).
Wilkin Castillo has just hit a inside the park homer.
Tie game. Unfortunately, Cueto has not been very sharp.
McCann first pitch swinging HR. Tie game.
Cueto is also at 92 pitches. He might make it through the 6 with the bottom of the order up but that should be it.
Good Lord. Go-go Gadget Arms, Cabrera!!
You’ve got to be kidding me. Cueto loads the bases against the bottom of the order. No outs, top of the order up, Reds are in big trouble.
I tried to tell everyone 3 weeks ago there was something wrong with him but noooooooo it’s just a little slump. Look at him now- a singles hitter(when he actually makes contact) that has completely forgotten how to hit HRs. His slugging% has dropped 51 points! this month down to .425 and still dropping tonite.
If we had a ss he would’ve had one out, a guy on first, facing the pitcher.
But we don’t….
At least Dusty didn’t let Cueto throw 122 pitches.
@Barnes: Well we do but apparently Dusty hates him and makes him sit 90% of the time.
Cueto has been great lately, this is his worst start since early June. Had to happen sometime I guess. Don’t know about Bray here, I’d like to see him prove himself a bit more first. This might be where I’d bring in Rhodes and pitch him a bit in the 7th if his spot doesn;t come up.
Nice job, Bill Bray.
Bray!!!
Nice job by Bray after walking Chipper. Reds need Gomes and Bruce to do something.
Not regularly resting Cabrera to get Janish at short twice a week is inexcusable. It’s a win/win, and toothpick just can’t see it.
@Kyle: 1-2-3 inning
July (coming into tonight)
Gomes: .250/.295/.408, 4hr, 14rbi
Bruce: .205/.245/.273, 0hr, 4rbi
88 ABs for both
Now 1 HR in his last 155 ABs.
Wh@Kyle: What are Heisey’s numbers for July?
@hoosierdad: Only 30 ABs
.300/.344/.500 2hr, 3rbi
The Yankees are close to acquiring Austin Kearns.
@Kyle: Wonder if it might do Bruce some good to sit a couple of games. He sure came back a different hitter last year after the injury. DB could platoon Nix and Heisey for a couple or three days and still have Bruce as a lefty bat off the bench.
Reds had some good ABs that inning (30 pitches to 4 batters) but nothing to show for it.
@lukeukcrazy: Just ridiculous. Berkman goes from the best hitter in his lineup to one of the worst in their lineup and Kearns goes from the 4-5 hole to the 25th man. I don’t know how much I would follow baseball if my favorite team was in the AL East.
@hoosierdad: Maybe, but I’d probably keep playing him. He is great in RF and he needs to learn to go through these spells. Don’t know how much of an upgrade the other two would be, although I would play Heisey a bit more in LF and CF.
Masset looked great there.
Rhodes in to face Heyward.
Rhodes came through nicely there. The bullpen had certainly done their job so far. Now time for the offense to come on. A come from behind victory would certainly ease some of the pain from the loss in Atlanta.
OMG! First pitch!!!
VOTTO!!
Votto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MVP!!
Well, maybe that answers my own question earlier of who is the REDS MVP. Sorry I even put it out there, big guy!
Rolen!!!
Votto!! Can you image how much national attention he would be getting if he played for the Yankess or Red Sox. He’s amazing.
just a random note from a thought I had this afternoon as I poke my head in while still at work.
Votto is having an AMAZING season. If the season ended today I feel like he should be NL MVP.
But I wondered just how good of a season he’s having. Well it’s good enough to use a totals stat like WAR yet compare him to Reds who played whole seasons.
Using baseball-reference’s WAR Votto has 4.5 WAR
The last 10 Reds position players with 4+ WAR?
WAR/pos Player Year
7.4 Barry Larkin 1996
5.9 Barry Larkin 1998
5.8 Ken Griffey 2000
5.5 Adam Dunn 2004
5.4 Mike Cameron 1999
5.2 Barry Larkin 1999
4.5 Joey Votto 2010
4.5 Joey Votto 2009
4.3 Adam Dunn 2005
4.1 Austin Kearns 2002
He’s on pace for 7.1 WAR which would be the 2nd best season by a Red since 1996
7+ WAR would also make it the 2nd best season by a Reds 1B in the history of the team
WAR/pos Player Year
8.1 Ted Kluszewski 1954
6.2 John Reilly 1884
6 Frank McCormick 1944
6 Frank McCormick 1940
5.9 Tony Perez 1973
5.9 Frank Robinson 1959
5.8 Frank Robinson 1960
5.5 Jake Beckley 1899
5.4 Ted Kluszewski 1955
5.3 Tony Perez 1972
5.2 Lee May 1971
5.2 Ted Kluszewski 1953
5.2 Frank McCormick 1939
5.1 John Reilly 1888
4.5 Joey Votto 2010
4.5 Joey Votto 2009
Votto for MVP!
Votto bing VOTTO BOOM!
Then again, Rolen tries to keep up! Quite a dynamic duo!
Wow, Rolen just makes it in to 3rd. This is a huge AB for Bruce coming up.
GABP looks pretty electric
Rolen to the wall!!
To third!!
The hustle!!
The magic!!
Bruce has to put this into play. Get the run in somehow.
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
There is not much positive to say about Bruce at the plate. That was a TERRIBLE AB in a very important situation.
BRUCE FAILS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tied going to the 9th. I haven’t seen GABP ever look like this.
WTG! BRUCE! Cost us yet another win by failing to do your %^&*(&^%&*()_ job!
Gotta hold ‘em here and pray the offense can win it in the bottom of the 9th.
Heisey!!!
Now he pulls Bruce? I don’t get it.
@jdarts: What, you expect DB to make sense?
HOLY EFFIN SH*T!!!!!!!! GOOD CALL BAKER!!!!!! Unreal!!
Heisey with the catch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hell yeah, amazing catch
Take that Brooks Conrad! Eat it!
I’m sure Dusty had that planned all along.
Great job by the bullpen again. Coco can pitch 2 tonight after just throwing 7 pitches.
Not this time, Brooksie.
@jdarts: I don’t understand how you can pull Bruce there either. His problems are not in the field.
I can breathe now.
@Kyle: My thoughts exactly. But hey, it worked out well I suppose.
Wow, just saw the Heisey play. Unbelievable.
Heisey!!!!
with the bat!!!
If Heisey jacks one here GABP might just blow up!
I sound like a broken record, but how can Dusty justify playing Stubbs over Heisey?
Brantley: “He (Heisey) keeps playing like this, he’s gonna earn a spot in the outfield.”
Here’s my boy OC
Bruce was taken out as part of a double switch. That’s what you do with singles hitters.
Please walk OC.
Dang
I hate OC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So now, Coco has to hold them one more inning so that either Votto or Rolen jacks one.
This one could very well already belonged to the Reds if Leake had been batting instead of Bruce in the 8th.
They should have had Patterson in. What’s wrong with this organization?
What an AB by Prado.
Gameday says that 3rd pitch was in the same place as OCab’s strikes.
Votto’s hurt
Thank you, Coco and DB. How many times will DB let him stay in when he is struggling?
When you walk two batters thats what you get. Cordero is worthless
@lukeukcrazy: actually prado
Prado’s hurt. Hand.
Of course, Cordero only gives up 1 hit but 2 runs score because he can’t throw strikes. I feel like Micah Owings is back blowing another extra inning game.
Baker slow to pull pitchers again. That 6th inning with Cueto was just brutal.
Oc got ejected for arguing balls and strikes and will have to pay some money.
Coco had blown 20% of his save chances this year (though technically this wasn’t a save situation).
Great job by Smith. Lousy job by DB. What else is new?
I can’t take three more years of that. He needs to do some learnin’ about it or get.
And lineups. And resting 35 year old shortstops.
Why was Gomes still in LF? He just doesn’t get very good jumps on the ball. Don’t you want your best defense in the game in xtras?
Look on the bright side. Maybe OC will get a day off and PJ will get a start. Nah, Cairo would start. Go batboys are hard to find! lol
Because Heisey went to RF to replace our weak hitting, very good defending JB.
When did Patterson ever hit .366 here like Leake is right now?
How about PJ with the game winner here?
Wha? Cairo is batting for Janish? Who plays SS in the 11th if we go there…Cairo??
@Barnes: Bruce is hitting over .300 in the past 10-games. I would’ve put Heisey in LF, even if he did make that amazing catch.
DB had made some stupid moves, but tonight takes the cake.
@wanderinredsfan: Me too. I was playing devil’s advocate or something. Bruce is the RF, regardless if he’s hit a HR in 150 AB or not.
And Stubbs strikes out. Again. Good night.
This was as good as GABP has ever been tonight. And while there were some great moments, the end result is another painful loss to the Braves. Bruce and Cordero really killed the Reds tonight. I don’t really know what else to say, very frustrating.
Chalk that one up to DB. Hopefully, WJ will bring in “his guy” next year. Gotta be an improvement. Would love to see RS from the Bats have a go at it.
Gotta pray the Bucs can clip the Cards wings tonight.
And during this 10 games that he’s hitting .300, his slugging% has DROPPED from .430 to .421 and his on base% had DROPPED from .330 to .328.
This loss is all on Bruce- he gets that run home in the bottom of the 8th, Reds win.
Actually, I agreed with batting Cairo for Janish in that situation. He had a better shot against Wagner. You worry about the 11th if you get there.
Stubbs strikes out, as expected. His 3 swings and misses were all on sliders out of the strike zone.
Geez – lay off Bruce. You expect any batter to pick up that runner from 3rd every time? Thom Brennaman certainly does. Sorry, but if it was that easy, teams would score a lot more runs than they do.
You’ve got to give props to Venters in that at-bat, too. He was dealing some nasty sliders in that series of pitches.
My take is that the game was lost when they did not take the lead in the 8th. In the process a lot of the underlying weaknesses of the team were exposed. Bear with me…..
In the 8th, with Rolen on 3rd and 1 out, if you trust your closer to protect a 1 run lead, you take down Bruce for Cairo. That is the exact sort of situation they signed Cairo for. Lefty pitching, game on the line; single or sac fly will win it. But then for it to make sense to use Cairo, you also have to trust that the hitter behind him can put the ball in play if they pitch around or walk Cairo to get the DP back in order or just because they don’t want to decide the game on his at bat . And of course Stubbs can’t be trusted to do that.
So there you go. Bruce looked bad against a very tough leftie but he was probably allowed to go up there because the manager A) did not trust his closer to hold a one run lead and B)he did not trust the batter in the next slot to get the job done if they pitched around his pinch hitter.
I’m certain other folks may have a different read but that is mine.
I wonder if that sequence and the 10th inning (both halves) might convince Walt to pull the trigger on something in the next 16 hours or so after all…..
@Aaron: how can Dusty justify ANY of his “decisions”?
@Barnes: @LVW: glad to know it’s a team game
Bruce has been the 5th most valuable position player on the team. And not even Mauer or Pujols “gets it done” every time. I have a scary feeling Bruce will become the next scapegoat (aka Dunn)