The Reds stay out west tonight to take on the red-hot Dodgers. While the Reds have played pretty good since since the All-Star break, going 5-2 in 7 games, the Dodgers have been even hotter going a perfect 6-0 since the break. With sweeps of both Washington and Toronto, the Dodgers have propelled themselves into 1st place in the NL West. One of these two hot teams is due for some losses! It might as well be the Dodgers!
Mat Latos takes to the hill to face Zach Greinke. Both have been solid this year so expect a pitcher’s duel. Of course, that is if Greinke can cool off the Reds offense that was on fire in San Francisco.
Only 7 more West Coast games! The Reds need to put the hammer down, take care of business on the left coast, and return home with all the momentum just gained in San Francisco! GOOOOOO REDS!
Latos could get through eight innings.
Mes almost hit that ball out of the stadium.
Did I miss something? Did George Grande just say that Ricky Henderson was the greatest leadoff hitter of all time?
Can I suggest Pete Rose instead?
@Steve Mancuso: Of course. Ricky had more power, and all those stolen bases, but somehow I still say Pete was the ultimate spark at the top of the order. And he did make things happen on the bases, just ask Ray Fosse.
@Steve Mancuso: Ricky thinks Ricky was.
With the Phillies getting swept, are they sellers now?
@Hunt4RedsOctober: I would think so. Their “window” is shut.
@Hunt4RedsOctober:
Have to be in my opinion. No one in that division is playing all that well though (I’m still suspicious about the Braves) so who knows.
two on and a pinch hitter coming up.
@preach: Big at-bat coming here.
Pinch hit a .240 hitter for a .400 hitter? Sweet!
@Hunt4RedsOctober: How sweet it is!
Frozen. Good job Mat!
No earned runs for Latos through 7.
Looks like Latos is done for the night.
@Steve Mancuso: 93 pitches. But the way the pen has been going, can’t argue if he comes out (but I might later).
Marmol is warming up in the pen. This might get real interesting.
Heisey has reverted back, the last few games, to the guy who cannot control the strike zone. Another reason why Paul was the right call tonight, as exhibited by working a very tough pitcher for a walk.
Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, I’d say. Pete Rose was great, but Henderson had a higher OBP, SLG, and was 100 times better as a base stealer.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: More talented than Pete, yes. But so were a lot of other guys. I’ll take Petie – he has tangibles and loads of intangibles.
@redskaph: Better performance than Pete, and not by a little bit, either.
TOOTBLAN!
Well that was bad.
uh, that didn’t work out well.
Reds just lost a run, probably, because of Choo. I love the guy, but that was an terrible, Lonnie Smith-style error.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Choo goes kou kou?
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Would-be perfect time to use Chapman in the 8th, but …
The HR at bat by Bruce might have been the best AB of his life. That was awesome.
@Hank Aarons Teammate:
Last at bat of the season last year will always be Jay Bruce at his best. Even without getting a result
Dusty is determined to teach Latos that he needs to go 110-115 pitches no matter what. I don’t like the idea of Latos facing the 1-4 guys; they’ve had some good ABs against him.
I’d@Hank Aarons Teammate: Good observation/analysis.
I’d@Hank Aarons Teammate: Will be kinda interesting to see Marmol in a non-save spot. He’s tends to be kinda interesting, period.
Right now, I have a bad feeling.
Once again, one strike away from the 9th and someone gets a hit. Latos pitched well to Puig and Gonzalez, but that was terrible, one more breaking ball in the dirt and the inning is over.
Parra deserved that bit of luck, because that was strike 3, unless the ump also made a mistake on strike 1. They were the same pitch.
I would myself have brought Chapman in to face Ethier for the 4 out save, but it’s amazing how no one complains when the bullpen is pitching well in the 8th inning.
The reason why for so many teams it does not matter so much if the stopper only pitches the 9th is because quite often, the setup guy is just about as good, or better, than the stopper. Think Melancon/Grilli. The Reds, on the other hand, sometimes have a large difference between what Chapman is doing and what the rest of the pen is doing, especially with Marshall out. But the way Parra is going, especially vs lefties, it’s not that bad to have Parra face Ethier.
Why is Devin Mesoraco bunting?
I’m just totally lost. Aside from the fact that he’s a horrible bunter, Izturis is on deck, and Marmol can’t throw strikes. ???
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Not as lost as the guy running the show.
Please tell me we aren’t having our hottest hitter sacrifice his out.
@Steve Mancuso: See above.
Jack H in for batting, yay, so hot
I like seeing Marmol out there. Makes me smile.
@preach: Yep. Makes me smile a lot.
Slay the Dragon, Choo. Slay the Dragon.
choo finally made redemption, which jk always delete my posts?!
Alright Chappy, give Hollywood a good show.
Hairston must think he still plays for Dusty.
I don’t understand why Chapman isn’t throwing more sliders.
Reds win!! Kinda wanted to see Chapman v Puig there with the bases loaded. 🙂
I don’t get Chapman. He throws a nearly unhitable slider to a fastball only pitcher to get strike two, then throws three really fast fastballs for balls (one of them to the fence). Is that bad coaching, bad catching or just a pitcher that believes the hype about his fastball?
Big Win!
Gained ground on the Buccos, hold steady on the Cards. Fantastic start to the left coast trip. Good night, all.
One down. Three to go. Great performance by Mat Latos and the offense.
@Hank Aarons Teammate:
1. If you say Henderson’s a better hitter than Pete, (leadoff or whatever) you’re wrong. If you say he’s a bigger jerk than Pete, you’re probaly wrong unfortunatly.
Grew up in the Midwest & Pete & Joe Morgan were my favorite players. But its not close Ricky was the greatest lead off hitter in the history of the game.