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The Reds play at Coors Field this afternoon for their tenth win in a row. They haven’t had a ten-game winning streak since 1999. They also have the chance for a 6-0 road trip before heading back to GABP to play the Padres and an enormously important series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Standings: Your Cincinnati Reds (60-40) enter the game tied for the best record in MLB with the New York Yankees and Washington Harpers. They continue to hold a two game lead over Pittsburgh and have stretched their lead to 6.5 games over the WLB. The Rockies (37-62) remain in last place in the NL West.
Pitching: Mat Latos (8-3, 4.30 ERA, 4.32 FIP) takes the mound for the Reds today, looking to pitch more than five innings for the first time in four starts. He’s pitched pretty well (2-1, 3.51 ERA) in four careers games at Coors Field.
In Jonathan Sanchez, the Reds face their third consecutive left-handed pitcher from the Rockies. The lefty pitched for the San Francisco Giants, where he had a 2-1 record in five starts against the Reds. Then the 29-year-old Sanchez was traded by the Giants to Kansas City for Melky Cabrera. In his 12 starts for the Royals, Sanchez (1-6) was awful, running up a 7.76 ERA. Last week, the Royals traded Sanchez to the Rockies. In his one start so far for the Rox (0-1), Sanchez gave up five earned runs in four innings.
While Votto recovers: Mark Sheldon reports: In 12 games without Joey Votto, Drew Stubbs is batting .333 (15-for-45), Scott Rolen is batting .306 (11-for-36), Brandon Phillips is batting .364 (16-for-44) and Ryan Ludwick is batting .342 (13-for-38, 4 HRs).
During the back-and-forth banter on the team plane with third base coach Chris Speier, Marty Brennaman said he would shave if the Reds won 10 in row. This happened a couple of weeks ago. The Reds have won nine in a row going into today. Speier and other witnesses reminded Brennaman of the promise when he arrived this morning. “I’m a man of my word,” Brennaman said. “I’ll do it.”
Today’s lineup: The top four remain the same. Rolen rests on the day after a night game. Frazier moves to 3B and bats fifth. Miguel Cairo fills in at 1B. Chris Heisey replaces Ludwick in LF. Hanigan catches Latos per usual. All standard fare.
Discuss the game here.
Ryan Ludwick only hit two homeruns yesterday…He was probably due for a day off so he could get going again.
I’m actually pretty shocked Valdez isn’t starting.
Honestly, not too surprised. Not as much talking about Baker’s stuff here. But, we have the series, not to mention the road trip. It’s time to make sure everyone on the club gets some time. I am surprised Valdez didn’t start, also.
I asked this in the other thread:
Would Angel Pagan be a good lead off guy?
Giants are looking for bullpen help and you would think someone like Ondrusek or Arrendondo plus a B level prospect would make that deal?
Thoughts?
You don’t see a whole lot of contending teams start swapping pieces in July.
Who would have thought before June that we’d be disappointed to see Ludwick missing from the line up?
@Jared: I’m guilty. But he’s made a believer out of me. If anyone needs a rest in the OF it’s Bruce. Ludwick’s 34 so he shouldn’t have to get the Rolen “day game after a night game” treatment. Why does Dusty just REFUSE to stick with the hot hand?
It’s the get away game on a Sunday. That means musical lineup time.
For those of you keeping count, we only have to win 73 more games in a row to beat the all time club winning streak record (1870…I didn’t even think there were any other teams in 1870). I’ve got a good feeling about this one!
@eric nyc: Even if it improves each team?
Didn’t say it couldn’t make sense, just that you don’t see it happen. I think regardless of what might help yoru team, the last thing a contender wants to do is also help another contender. Bullpen help is easy to find. Why would the Giants give up a live bat and help another first place club at the same time?
@eric nyc: Because trades can’t always be one sided?
@rfay00: I’m not sure what you want me to say. It doesn’t happen very often. There are good reasons for that. I’d bet a good amount of money it’s not a blip on either GM’s radar screen right now.
Did I just hear correctly that Marty is gonna shave his hair off if we win a 10th in a row today?
Yep. See update above.
@eric nyc: I don’t care what you say. I am just throwing around ideas like everyone else on here does.
There are a lot of sensitive people on here. If you are going to throw stuff out don’t get mad if somebody challenges you. Eric said nothing wrong.
Did what I say sound snippy? Maybe because a tone of voice can’t be determined over the internet? I don’t consider what he said to “challenge” me either.
@rfay00: Yeah but you keep asking me questions to try and refine my response. On paper it’s not a suggestion without merit, but in the real world I don’t see it ever happening. Mostly because you just don’t see first place teams start swapping starters in the middle of the stretch run. That’s what selling teams are for.
@eric nyc: Fair enough. Not sure if you took what I said before the wrong way but it wasn’t meant to be rude. Everyone has opinions.
Very important Phillies scout watching the Reds last night. I just can’t help think Jocketty’s in his hotel room haggling with the Phillies over Victorino.
What the Reds could use is a replacement for Cairo. love the guy but his number is up.
What do you think Kotsay would cost? Should be able to get him for prospects, no?
Very possible but Hunter Pence would be one of those out of nowhere off the wall types of Jocketty moves.
Phillips and Pence in front of Votto should be a good line up. The question might be could either Pence or Bruce play a passable CF at this point in their careers.
ESPN had a thing earlier this week on five players that buyers should be wary of and Hunter Pence was one of those players.
I’ve said it before, and people seemed to think I was going overboard, but I still believe Dusty Baker suffers from some sort of mental illness (or perhaps “problem” is the more correct term, as “illness” might be a technical term that doesn’t technically apply in this case). I think it’s exactly the same issue that afflicts people with gambling addictions. It’s the “I just KNOW I’ll hit the jackpot THIS time” mentality, which most of us recognize as a problem, but the afflicted individual is SURE he’s right. All the stats and common sense would say the wise move is to quit gambling while you’re only a little behind (or ahead, in Dusty’s case), but the addicted gambler disregards stats and common sense, convinced it’s only a matter of time until he hits the jackpot. Dusty keeps doubling down on Cozart leading off, and, while the Reds keep winning, it’s clearly DESPITE that dumb bet. Heisey for Ludwick (rather than the slumping Bruce) seems like slapping a few hundred bucks down on a random horse because you’ve “got a hunch,” even though all the experts agree there’s a much stronger horse in the race who’s won five consecutive races. Once in a while these crazy bets do pay off, which is exactly what keeps the addicted gambler addicted.
This one crosses the line for me. Many of us have our issues with the decisions Baker makes over and over again. But mental illness? Addiction? C’mon. Look, the guy has an approach to baseball that I think is deeply flawed. But, we know Dusty well enough now to understand his reasoning. He doesn’t value OBP. He values speed above everything else. Heisey’s probably playing because of his well-documented “everybody plays” mentality. He wants his bench players to feel like they are part of the team and contributors. We may or may not agree with the approach, especially when it’s at the expense of guys who are hot, but it’s what Baker believes in. And he’s pigheaded and not going to change. And that’s all it is.
The poster even admitted that some already thought he was “overboard” when he brought up this theory previously.
Maybe we should play armchair psychologist to try to explain why he thought he needed to say something this, um, bold yet again.
But then again, perhaps he has professional qualifications or insider access by which to diagnose Baker…
Dusty defines a players role and sticks him in there, regardless of performance. He might expand or limit a guys role a little bit, but bottom line, barring injury That players roll doesn’t change. Thats why Bruce is logging is slumping a-s out there today instead of Lud-Man_Doooo. If you look at it most of the players are in the same “role” as when the season started or when they came up. Except during injuries and when the injured player comes back they go right back into their role. Thats the only way I can figure Dusty’s lineups. LOL!
@rfay00: Nah…it’s an internet message board. I think everyone’s default is to assume someone’s being snippy. That’s why I like this board so much…very little of that. Just talking baseball.
You can book it. The only move the Reds will make before the deadline will be for another right-handed reliever. I would guess bill bray would be the odd man out.
I just don’t think there is a hitter out there that would be a significant upgrade that would be worth the price.
I just hope that when Votto comes back that Dusty rearranges the lineup.
Phillips
Stubbs
Votto
Ludwick
Bruce
Frazier
Cozart
Hanigan
Just had to make a first post to say that this is the lineup that we all want, but doesn’t it just make so much sense that it’s not likely to happen? Dusty’s not going to demote Cozart from 1st to 7th because he’s convinced that he’s a leadoff-type hitter, whatever that means. (Apparently OBP is not a major factor)
That lineup is a no-brainer, just flip Stubbs and Cozart depending on who’s hot, and switch Rolen for Frazier as needed.
@eric nyc: Yes, this is a great place to talk baseball. ESPN is just awful.
I was reading a guy posting about how the Reds could trade Cairo, Valdez, and Heisey for Span…just complete idiots out there.
@RedForever: That’s my ideal lineup. Don’t even mind if Rolen plays 50% of the time and if you need to you swap Cozart and Stubbs if one’s slumping.
@zippy: Goodness gracious, more pop psychology on a baseball board…
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Twins are listening to offers for Denard Span but won’t trade him “unless they get a major-league starter back in return.”
The Twins are willing to deal Span because they can slide Ben Revere into his spot, but they don’t seem terribly anxious to move him. FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported last week that the Reds have interest in him.
If you’re going to get Span you’d might as well give them Stubbs. He has the upside to possibly be better than Span eventually, though probably would be a slight downgrade. But he costs a fraction of Span’s salary so it would even out. If they could get a minor league pitching prospect (not named Cigrani) it might be a decent move. Span doesn’t have Stubbs’ speed, but it’s not liek we ever steal any bases anyway. I’d make the move for Stubbs + Corcinco.
To follow that up, i think it would take Stubbs + a prospect to get Span. i don’t think the Reds would do that.
Geez, Ludwick just hammers the ball in Coors Field! Take a look at Ludwick’s split vs LHP & Heisey’s split agains LHP! So Mr. Baker in his infinite lack of wisdom decides to substitute Heisey for Ludwick today, in Coors Field, against a LHP. This is the person some people want leading this team to the playoffs…? Really…?
Hypothetically, what’s the lineup if you get Span?
Span
Phillips
Votto
Judwick
Bruce
Frazier
Cozart
Hanigan
Pitcher
As much as Span might be a somewhat marginal upgrade over Stubbs (in the long run), the effect it has on the top of the lineup is immense. That’s something like a .250 point uptick in OPS from your 1-2 batters.
Fairly certain the craziness talk was tongue in cheek. That said, Baker’s stubborn streak or whatever you want to call it drives me batty in regards to the lineup.
Houston is up 1-0 in the 3rd, Cubs up 2-0 in the 2nd.
@Richard Fitch: I’ll second that criticism as crossing the line. I am as critical of Mr. Baker as anyone and I do have some issues that without a doubt cross the line, but those are personal observations and opinions and I do not express them in a public forum.
@Richard Fitch: doesn’t explain why Bruce is playing and Ludwick is not. I know Heisey needs to play, but why take the hot bat out of the lineup and leave the sorry bat in. Ludwick frigging kills the ball in Coors field!
@eric nyc: Yes, exactly. The need for Span or DeJesus or someone like them is grossly exacerbated by the managerial decisions made by Mr. Baker regarding the lineup. Without those decisions, a change would not be nearly as critical at this point.
Wow…it was fun listening to Chris Welsh skirt the issue of Ludwick not starting today…
“He’ll be available to Dusty late in the game off the bench!”
@zippy: Am I the only one who gets the sarcasm in this post?
Actually, it appears that he went out of his way to show that it WASN’T sarcastic…
You do know I can hear your conversation, right?
@Richard Fitch: I’m sorry, but I don’t understand Dusty’s “reasoning” at all. I can repeat it, but I don’t understand it. Saying “I value speed at the top of the lineup” for a guy who rarely gets on base and hardly ever attempts a steal is simply nonsense. He might as well say he values shortstops at the top of the order, or guys with Z’s in their name. It is completely irrational, and I don’t know when someone does something so counter-productive — something that potentially messes up their livelihood — I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t be willing to acknowledge there’s a serious mental glitch there. You can say it’s just “stubbornness” to keep irrationally putting Cozart at the top, but you can also say the same thing about the guy who keeps spending half his salary on lottery tickets. What’s the difference, exactly?
Ramon Hernandez catching for the Rockies.
Cubbies up 2-0 in bottom of 3rd. DeJesus has a triple (in Wrigley Field no less) aided by Beltran trying to play CF.
What is the average number of pitches in a typical Cozart AB? It can’t be much higher than 4.
I’m reminded by a fellow Reds fan, that any trade to get a guy to hit in the leadoff spot or top of the order would have to include Stubbs. The only way Dusty sits him is if he plays for another team.
Walk for Stubbs. Way to go Drew. It’s important to make Sanchez throw strikes. And we’re usually not the greatest team at doing that.
Will Stubbs try to steal on Ramon?
Yes.
Answer: yes.
(and that’s me quoting me!)
Marty:
“Dusty said before the game, When Votto comes back, Brandon will go right back to the #4 spot in the order”
@zippy: Well, stubborn may be a quality of a guy that blows half his money on lottery tickets, but it’s also much so more than that. Not sure you can extrapolate Dusty’s baseball stubbornness to mental illness. In fact, I know you can’t. You’ve had a couple of people who have attempted to get you off the hook by claiming your intent is sarcasm. But the way you’ve framed your remarks and doubled down on them, I disagree.
I just think it’s in poor taste. And wrong. And I’ll leave it at that.
I enjoy your presence here, btw.
There’s a nice early lead.
This whole getting-guys-on-base-and-running idea seems to be a good one.
Nice job by BP to work that AB
Loving me some BP this year.
@zippy: Maybe you’re just hearing the voices in Baker’s head…
Anyway, there’s a game on. I’m ready to talk REAL baseball…
@zippy: Now who has mental illness. ur hearing people typing…..ooooohhhhhhh…….
Sanchez looks like garbage. Let’s beat up on him.
Or we could just make it really easy on him. Sheesh.
Bruce may be slumping bad but he’s taken plenty of pitches against the Rockies in this series.
Why are we stealing bases when the guy obviously can’t throw a strike?
@Richard Fitch: Actually, I went out of my way to say perhaps “mental illness” isn’t the correct term. I’m not sure how anyone can possibly say that he doesn’t have some sort of “problem,” since he keeps making the same mistake over and over and over, despite having lots of people advising otherwise. What does a person call this sort of consistently counter-productive behavior, if not a “problem”? (And “stubbornness” isn’t exactly a nice trait to attribute to another person, is it? Why is that acceptable?)
Because calling someone “stubborn” and calling them “mentally ill” are on two entirely different planes. Surely you can see that, yeah? And Dusty’s problem is that he’s a lousy baseball manager from a tactical point of view. End of story. At least for me.
@Richard Fitch: Well, now it seems you’re the one being stubborn. First I went out of my way to say the term “mental illness” might not apply, and perhaps “problem” is a better term, then I emphasized this point when you accused me of calling him mentally ill, and your response to that point is to say that it’s unfair of me to call him “mentally ill.” So either you’re extremely stubborn yourself, or you’re not really reading what I’m writing.
Super Todd looked complete befuzzled in that ab.
Awful pitcher, 2 walks, a hit, a stolen base…and 1 run scored.
Fail.
As poorly as Sanchez pitched that inning we should have scored more than one run. We have to be patient at the plate. Frazier swung way out of the strike zone. Sanchez will walk the house if we let him.
Houston and Pittsburgh swapping leads.
Is it just me or does it seem like the Reds don’t teach base runners how to get an optimal jump? It seems like the overall strategy of a Reds runner is to take a safe lead and simply use his speed and hope for a mediocre throw to be successful. Or doing what BP just seemed to do: look at the pitcher and guess. You’d think they’d have Joe Morgan teaching these guys.
Or Barry Larkin.
Latos has had three straight games of only pitching five innings or less. He needs to get back to flooding the strike zone.
More importantly the Rockies starters are all on 80 or 85 pitch count limits if I remember correctly, so more walks means faster bullpen visit.
Latos can’t find the plate.
Marty talking now about the hair cut promise. “Yes, I’ll shave my head.” “It’s gonna happen if they win this game.” “You can’t back down from what you said.” “So we shall see what we shall see.”
Victorino is 3-3, with a HR, a stolen base, and 2 runs against solid pitching. I think if you could still get him for Logan O, you do it.
Does he pitch?
Another walk (to Fowler) ends up scoring a run ahead of a home run.
He’s not Frazier.
Yeesh…
I must have blinked
When are these pitchers going to figure out leadoff walks will kill you! It’s something they should know when they’re 12 yrs old.
They’ve been watching our leadoff hitters and assuming leadoff hitters will never attempt to draw a walk.
If Latos can settle down we should be able to score plenty off of Sanchez.
No help from Cozart there
Anyone else can’t wait to get out of Denver?
In this ballpark, no lead is safe.
Bad throw by Cozart but Cairo is a terrible 1st baseman.
Or we could just keep making stupid mistakes and hand it to them.
I’m a Latos fan but if the playoffs started tomorrow I think I’d want him at the 5 spot
@RedForever: How was that possibly Cairo’s fault?
It wasn’t. it was just an added observation.
I think Latos will settle down and we’ll be fine but all this first inning scoring in Denver sure makes me miss home.
Latos has some real life on his fastball in this thin air.
Latos was absolute nails after the home run.
Looks like the HR woke Latos up a bit.
Latos is one of the slowest pitchers in baseball. Good lord.
Former Reds gets called up.
White Sox purchased the contract of INF Ray Olmedo from Triple-A Charlotte.
He’s taking Eduardo Escobar’s spot as the White Sox’ utility infielder. Olmedo was batting .273/.340/.335 in 80 games for Charlotte.
At least it was Rutledge that homered.
Fantastic hustle by Heisey – going hard all the way!
Tripleeeee
@Steve Mancuso: He put just about every pitch exactly where Hanni asked for it after the HR
Wow…Nice hit, Heisey.
Well, that was easy to reset.
Nice job Cairo. Only your 7th RBI though.
Good fundamental baseball again.
Last night’s 9-7 may look like a pitcher’s duel in 1968 compared to today the way it’s started.
And an RBI by Cairo! Already contributed enough for the whole game.
Miggiy with a big time sac!
Didn’t Mat give up 5 solo HRs his last start vs Colorado?
I think any non-pitcher on this team not named Rolen or Cairo could have legged out that Hanigan grounder for a single.
Cueto and Leake are pretty fast too, when they run.
@Mwv: Thought of that as soon as i said it.
Houston up 4-2 now on the Bucs.
4-2 stros!
@LVW: Yeah…
Astros now up 4-2 bot. 5
You’d think Latos would avoid the fastball. Someone turns on one of them and it’s gone here.
Marty: More and more we are all starting to feel like the club isn’t going to do anything (make a trade).
Sheldon: I agree, they won’t do anything to overpay. And I don’t think they should.
Marty: I agree.
The extra wild card spot is making teams wait longer and longer to commit to selling. Coolstandings.com has the Phillies’ playoff odds at 0.3%. I kinda think they are waiting to see how they do against the Braves this weekend. Then, perhaps, the price for Victorino may drop enough to get a deal done. It’s understandable that the Phillies would wait for the last minute to max out on Shane.
@zippy: I read exactly what you’ve written. You’ve moved from “mental illness” to “addiction” and now to “problem” in quotes. We all get your point. Whatever it’s morphing into, it’s inappropriate IMO.
That’s all. If that’s being stubborn on my part, so be it.
Hou. bases loaded no one out. McDonald already at 100 pitches.
He can’t avoid fastballs, his entire pitching approach is based around that mid-90′s heater.
Good at bat by Cozart, took those outside pitches this time then went after a 3-1 ball that caught too much of the plate.
ANOTHER leadoff triple! And Astros piling on!
Chris Johnson got traded to Arizona today.
5-2 Houston, could be a big inning. Need to get them out of CoCo range.
How bout Cozy looking at a few pitches before he spanks a trip!
Or not, still.. 5-2 Houston.
Those sacrifice flies don’t show up in RISP, the great measure of productive clutchiness.
Stubbs’ eighth RBI on the road trip.
When does a single, walk, or double with a runner on 1st and a single or walk with a runner on 2nd without the run scoring show up as a “failure” for a hitter? in BRS%
If it were up to me, we’d never talk about any measure of “clutch” hitting. But RISP is ridiculously stupid as well as meaningless. It’s only quoted frequently because it’s simplistic and because it’s quoted frequently.
You can’t say BP isn’t earning every cent of that contract so far.
Chris Johnson was the guy who tore us up in that series right?
@Richard Fitch: There hasn’t been any morphing. My first post called this a “problem,” and I stand by that term. I think it’s inappropriate to say that was inappropriate. Disagree if you want, but I don’t see anything more inappropriate about saying I think Baker has a problem than saying he’s “stubborn.” I’m just trying to be more specific about the cause of his stubbornness.
I really thought Bruce had that one…
We get on the team for Ludwick being out of the lineup while a slumping Bruce plays … let’s all recall for just a second the same complaints about running a needs-to-retire Rolen, a will-never-hit-better Stubbs, and a he’s-not-what-he-was Ludwick over the past few months. They’ve all contributed lately, and there’s hope they will continue to do so. Bruce has to have to chance to do the same ahead of the pennant race.
It all isn’t working at once, and it never will, but it is working.
In the case of Stubbs, I remain decidedly unconvinced. How much of his recent prowess is about Cordero and an atmosphere in Coors Field that tends to flatten out breaking pitches? Seems like everybody is squaring up the ball in this ballpark. I’m anxious to see how Stubbs hits when we get back home, breaking pitches start breaking again, and the competitions stiffens and we start facing better pitching staffs.
Phillies losing today. It was a Roy Halladay start against the Braves. I think the Phillies were legitimately on the fence about buying or selling. If they go on to lose this game, I think they’ll sell. Whether the Reds end up making a trade with them still depends on what other teams are willing to offer. It’s hard to look at a team on a nine game winning streak and make a major move.
We really should be piling on this guy more. Everyone’s getting solid bats on the ball.
To be fair, as much as we get on players like that.. we also cheer hard for them when they do well. Look at all the comments in these threads for Bruce hits, Bruce walks, Stubbs/Cozarts hits, etc. We’re fans.
I love how all the basball talking heads make such an issue about all the players that will be moved before the “daedline”, and every year it is overblown.
I really don’t expect the Reds to do anything. Nor should they, unless it is a win-win.
Fowler is tough…
Man Cuttledge is just on fire. He can’t get out.
Cuttledge, Ruttledge…whatever.
Pirates rallying now in the top of the 6th.
It sure is a pain to get MLB game day to tell you anything that’s going on right now once you’ve clicked on something
Is there a reason the Frazier is only playing one infield position today?
He likes Marty’s hair.
McCutchen up w/ bases loaded and 2 out.
@LVW: I think that was a comment on the value of risp stats, not the player
Mine was a comment on the value of BRS%.
Latos is working too hard for these outs. Need him to go at least 6 today if not 7. Though I guess Simon is probably available.
I’m not sure the Reds really NEED to make a move, and they certainly don’t need to make a blockbuster trade, but I really can’t believe they can’t find a way to trade some combination of Heisey, a relief pitcher, and/or a prospect for a solid left-handed bat. Not an everyday starter, necessarily. Just a solid left-handed hitter so we’re not relying 100% on XPaul. I’m not sure why that deal can’t be made.
‘Stros get out of it.
McCutchen pops out. Inning over, no runs.
McCutchin flies out to leave em loaded!
McCutchen pops out to second in Houston with bases loaded to end the inning, still 5-2. Vottomatic he is not.
Houston gets out of the jam, remains 5-2 Astros.
Good job Mat; it’s vital to have the shutdown inning after a Reds score today.
Splashy play by CarGo, but it only had to happen because he got an AWFUL jump on it. He took two steps in the clear opposite direction before he made the right read.
The Jim Edmonds approach to making web gems.
This ballpark is crazy. Two triples and a double from Ryan Hanigan?
6-2 Houston, they really want a win this time.
Latos really hit that ball on a line. Unlucky right AT the shortstop. I wish we’d be doing more against Sanchez. We’ve apparently quit trying to take walks after that worked a bit in the first inning.
Nice try, Latos. I’ll take that kind of contact every time though.
@LVWI don’t know what that means, but mine was a comment on how you were challenging someone who agree swith you
????? I’ve never said average with runners in scoring position is meaningless.
I’ve never been sure why everyone talks about Hanigan as if he’s the slowest guy on the planet. He’s the slowest of the everyday players, and he’s a catcher, but I’ve never thought of him as being particularly slow. I actually think of him as having above-average speed for a catcher. Am I the only one?
I don’t know…whenever I see him play in person I can’t help but laugh at how slow he looks.
I wonder if Marty is confident his hair will grow back?
Frazier says no.
Astros are pouring it on.
Super Todd!
Great play by a leaping Super Todd Frazier. A snow cone, sure. But that’s because he knew exactly how much he had to jump to catch it.
Frazier only snow coned it so the ump could see it better. He normally would have caught it with his teeth.
As long as Ramon Hernandez is still around, Hanigan will not be the slowest guy on earth.
I think he might be the reason I don’t see Hanigan as being particularly slow.
Todd Frazier does not respect your game.
I thought Keven Mitchel was the slowest player. Could have just been my impression though.
Or rather, Kevin. Talk about bad spelling.
Lest we forget, Kevin Mitchell was Todd Frazier before Todd Frazier was Chuck Norris. There’s video proof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyFgu9CiZRo
@LVW: So true!
Latos at 61 pitches after 4 innings.
Ha…calm down, Cozart. That didn’t look anything like a double.
How about this 1-2 combination! Baker is a genius!
A freakin’ genius!
Blind squirrels find nuts eventually
There we go, finally jumped on this Sanchez guy.
BAM!
The great road trip continues for Drew Stubbs. 10 RBI on the road trip. Clutch hit (again, without a RISP).
You’ve made your point. Every hit is a clutch hit. Bruce just had a clutch hit with the bases empty, didn’t he.
Stubby!
Stubbsie!
You knew with how hard we’ve been hitting Sanchez today a couple were going to start leaving the yard.
Atl. beats the Phils again. Let the sell off begin.
BP injured.
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE
Jay just exploded that ball.
Home runs coming in bunches…. again. What a bomb!
Who ever said we could only score at GABP?
BP looked like he tweaked his knee on that big hack. I hope he’s ok.
Bruce CRUSHED that homer (20), WAY above the Rockies bullpen.
Well I called it…
My only suggestion at this point would be don’t take a razor to Marty’s head until to streak ends.
Cubs threatening in the 7th against the WLB, ahead 2-1.
@Steve Mancuso: but was there a risp?
Bruce can look SO bad, but on hits like that I’m not sure there’s a better looking swing in the NL.
Is BP ok?
We’ve gotta get Super Todd some stickem for those batting gloves.
Let’s start a petition for BP to get an MRI.
Was thinking the exact same thing. I’d say go ahead and pull him now, no matter what.
Chris Heisey looked TERRIBLE with those two swings.
The Reds should pull Phillips from the game and get ice on his knee/hamstring/ankle whatever it is. Get him off the field.
Don’t want to get ahead of things here, but if the Reds win and the Pirates lose, this has got to be rather demoralizing for them. Reds have been playing without Votto, mostly on the road, and Pirates will have lost ground while playing the Cubs and Astros.
I hope Dusty is keeping him out to be safe…
Houston up 6-3 in the 8th, Chicago up 1-2 in the 7th, and just for sh*ts and giggles the Nats losing 5-3 in the 7th in case we wanted to REALLY say we have the best record in the NL.
Smart move pulling BP. 4 run lead, play it safe.
9 of our last 17 hits have been triples or homers!
Also, this should represent the only time in the history of baseball that Wilson Valdez bats #3 in a major league lineup. You’re watching history, folks!
sarcasm?
Well, kind of. I mean it was a joke but I can’t believe Wilson Valdez has ever batted third on a major league lineup or ever will again barring something like this.
Cubs/WLBs tied.
Maybe I’ll renew the “Trade for Eric Young” mantra. He can play second base as well as center/left. And if they hurry, they won’t have to spring for airfare to get him to Cincy.
Phillips out for “cramping in his left calf”
Oops. Didn’t notice you’d already posted this.
Latos is absolutely burying the ball in the bottom of the strike zone tonight. Loving that.
(Really looking ahead…)
The probable pitchers for Reds in the Pirates series next weekend: Latos, Leake and Bailey.
The Pirates have an off day on Thursday, so it’s hard to predict exactly. My guess: Wandy Rodriguez, McDonald and Barnett.
Barnett would be a day out of order, but on his five-day schedule because of the off-day. Push Eric Bedard back a day.
What is the Reds record without Votto right now?
10-2…hopefully soon to be 11-2.
Boy Rutiledge can move, too. Good looking ballplayer. Him, Tulowitzki, and Gonzales should anchor a pretty nasty lineup next year. They should definitely hold on to Fowler…that’s a good ball club if you can get some pitching.
Trade candidate Shane Victorino showcased himself well in Sunday’s loss to the Braves, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run, stolen base and two runs scored.
He took Tim Hudson deep in the fourth inning. The home run was the Flyin’ Hawaiian’s ninth of the year, while the swipe was his 24th. Victorino’s OPS has been way down all season, but he is hitting .357 with four extra-base hits, three RBI and five steals in 15 games since the All-Star break. The odds are high he finds a new home before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline.
TV is saying BP has a calf cramp. That would be great news, obviously.
Third time in 3 innings the Astros have loaded the bases now, wow. Bucs really having an off night with their pitching.
9-3 now Astros.
Houston up 9-3 in the 8th!
They have to win one eventually don’t they?
Heard last night that the Reds have a 36-2 record (including last night) when Stubbs scores a run.
Hanigan COASTS in with a STAND-UP double.
TWO doubles for Hanigan?
In dog years, that’s like three triples.
OR would it have been 2 triples for anyone else?
Apparently there is a guy on the Astros named “Marwin Gonzalez.” Guess anything’s possible.
Wouldn’t be nice to be up 4 or 5 games come next weekend? It would really put the pressure on the bucs.
Love to keep this lead where it is so we can give Chap the day off
Of course as soon as I type that Gonzalez rips a double.
Last 10 game win streak was last century(1999).
I wonder if we can swing a trade for CarGo. Maybe offer Heisey and the entire AA team.
Need a double play here from Ramon.
Whats this Marty’s gonna shave his head business, they’ll have to use a jackhammer to clean off ‘ol helmet hairs dome. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I would love to see it.
Cubs w/ 2 on and 1 out, bot. 8.
Cozart is so smooth in the field. Can’t believe he’s a rookie out there.
2 on 1 out for the Cubs in the bottom of the 8th. Still tied 2-2.
K-Rod has got to be the dumbest pitcher in baseball. 3 times! this week he’s walked a guy with a multi run lead and the bases empty late.
The man’s a shell of his former self.
Brewers roughing up the Nats staff today.
First really bad strike call I’ve seen this ump make today. Anything’s refreshing after that nonsense last night.
KRod for Mil = Coco if CIN would’ve signed him this year.
One real bad pitch for Latos today. Nice outing so far. If he gets through this inning it’ll really put a cap on the roadtrip.
Who is it that wants EY Jr? He could be had for a minor prospect. He’d only be an upgrade over Cairo.
Exactly! That’s why I want him. He could be had for almost nothing, and he’d be an upgrade.
You send him out for the 8th? Just over 100 pitches, he looks like he’s good for 10-20 more. Be great to rest the bullpen.
Yes. Definitely.
Astros are well on their way to blowing it. Would be better off with CoCo still out there than Chuckie Fick, 3 straight singles and a wild pitch, none out.
That kind of stuff only happens when my one of my pitchers is in line for a win
Ok…just curious…What is the approx age of Marty’s new bride….
Frazier has not looked good at the plate today.
Houston squeaks it out 9-5, final!
Nice 1-2 tandem on travel day…Heisey-Cairo.
washington is losing, pirates lost to houston. gotta root for the redsox tonight. reds could have the best record in all of baseball by the end of the night. ALL OF BASEBALL!!!!!!
The Nats just won’t go away in Milwaukee. I really hope we hang on and take this division because I don’t want to face them in the first round of the playoffs.
As much as I hate his lineups, especially on Sundays…I think we have only lost on Sunday once…I think? Still hoping someone lets me know how old Marty’s new spouse is?
The way everyone from Stubbs to Ludwick and now Heisey has been hitting on this road trip, it really makes it seem like trading for extra an extra bat is unnecessary. Have to keep in mind that we’ve faced some pretty bottom of the barrel pitching lately though.
@hydeman: she looks half his age.
I would say I’m afraid Cozart’s two hits will keep him at the top of the order for the foreseeable future, but of course so would an 0-5 with four strikeouts, so I’m glad he got a couple hits today.
Kind of surprised to see Latos back out there.
Very. He’s at 100 pitches and the bullpen is plenty rested.
Only at 100 pitches, been rolling since the homerun in the first, big lead and a tired bullpen. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t out there.
How can bringing Latos back out instead of pinch hitting possibly be a good idea?
Hell if he gets out of this quick I wouldn’t be surprised to see him out there for the 9th.
I realize this probably won’t be a popular statement.. but I’d really like to see Bray out there in this game with a safe lead. He needs work and we need to figure out if he’s worth having around.
I was just going to say this, but was afraid to for the backlash. Good for you.
I don’t call a 5 run lead in Coors safe.
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! 4-2
@Mwv: if he’s not better than Latos@115 pitches I think you have an answer
Cubs walk off HR in the 10th from Rizzo! Cards lose!
Anthony Rizzo just homered for the Cubs…Cubs Win!
Instead I see the ‘stache up in the pen, who we already know is fine.
I said it a little while ago, and I’ll say it again: the Reds have themselves a pitching staff.
I know it’s fun to get Latos the complete game or whatever but we’re headed into a big series soon with the Bucs and Bray has yet to come in that I can remember in a low-stress situation to actually get a chance to pitch an inning without fearing a quick hook. I could be wrong but I’d just like to see him rather than a known quantity during junk time like this.
I said the same thing last night. As the season wears on, the key to keeping this bullpen fresh might be Masset and Bray. Last year, part of the Braves epic collapse was Kimbrel’s fade at the end. Since Bray has come back, he’s been put in high leverage situations and kept on a short leash. This is Bray’s April. People forget that.
Ditto here. On the tube, they said before the game, Baker would do anything to keep from having to use Chapman again. Sorry, but this is what I don’t like about Baker. The only person who chooses to use Chapman as much or little as he does is Baker. He does have other staff out there. No none who have shown as much dominance as Chapman, we all have seen going from last year (Coco and no one else) to this year, wondering who would close. It is always good to have another guy. There is nothing in the rule book that says someone other than the closer can get a save. Most all closers started out as something like a set up guy. Chapman did. We have set up guys. There is no reason in the world Baker couldn’t have used someone else for some games besides Chapman. Baker trying to say hoping for a blowout or complete game where he won’t have to use Chapman. Sorry, don’t buy it for one minute. The only person who keeps rolling Chapman out there is Baker.
@RKReds: I think she’s in her late 30′s.. Who da man?………. MARTY da Man!
Bucs lose, Cards lose, Reds win.
Frazier’s due.
@Mwv: I’ve seen bray plenty…..I know what he looks like….
Poor WLBs. Reds keep winning without Votto, and they’ve just lost a series to the (stupid) Cubs.
When was the last 11 game winning steak?
1957
Reds should start wearing little broom emblems on their uniforms.
There goes Marty’s hair.
Reds win! Reds win! Marty needs to shave his head! lol
REDS WIN!!!!! And as Marty just said, “my head will be shaved absolutely bald!”. Got heeeem!! Get those shears ready, Homer Bailey, on Fri.!!!
What a road trip. It was fun but I’ll be happy to see them back in the land of breaking balls that break.
I think we all know dusty, he’s letting Bruce know he has confidence in him. Bruce needs the attention and confidence from his team. You don’t get someone out of a slump by sitting him on the bench.
This one crosses the line for me.Many of us have our issues with the decisions Baker makes over and over again.But mental illness?Addiction?C’mon.Look, the guy has an approach to baseball that I think is deeply flawed.But, we know Dusty well enough now to understand his reasoning.He doesn’t value OBP.He values speed above everything else.Heisey’s probably playing because of his well-documented “everybody plays” mentality.He wants his bench players to feel like they are part of the team and contributors.We may or may not agree with the approach, especially when it’s at the expense of guys who are hot, but it’s what Baker believes in.And he’s pigheaded and not going to change. And that’s all it is.
Entirely agree. And, it is to a fault. Most definitely, a fault. Being patient with young players is fine. Bruce is in his, what, 4th, 5th season? The guy is, what, mid twenty’s? If the man can’t handle taking the bench for a game or two, he’s in the wrong profession. Only MVP caliber players like Votto get that kind of treatment of playing everyday including through slumps, not regular players like Bruce and Stubbs. It’s worked before, resting players actually helping them.
I think we all know dusty, he’s letting Bruce know he has confidence in him. Bruce needs the attention and confidence from his team. You don’t get someone out of a slump by sitting him on the bench.
This one crosses the line for me.Many of us have our issues with the decisions Baker makes over and over again.But mental illness?Addiction?C’mon.Look, the guy has an approach to baseball that I think is deeply flawed.But, we know Dusty well enough now to understand his reasoning.He doesn’t value OBP.He values speed above everything else.Heisey’s probably playing because of his well-documented “everybody plays” mentality.He wants his bench players to feel like they are part of the team and contributors.We may or may not agree with the approach, especially when it’s at the expense of guys who are hot, but it’s what Baker believes in.And he’s pigheaded and not going to change. And that’s all it is.
I think we all know dusty, he’s letting Bruce know he has confidence in him. Bruce needs the attention and confidence from his team. You don’t get someone out of a slump by sitting him on the bench.
This one crosses the line for me.Many of us have our issues with the decisions Baker makes over and over again.But mental illness?Addiction?C’mon.Look, the guy has an approach to baseball that I think is deeply flawed.But, we know Dusty well enough now to understand his reasoning.He doesn’t value OBP.He values speed above everything else.Heisey’s probably playing because of his well-documented “everybody plays” mentality.He wants his bench players to feel like they are part of the team and contributors.We may or may not agree with the approach, especially when it’s at the expense of guys who are hot, but it’s what Baker believes in.And he’s pigheaded and not going to change. And that’s all it is.