Imagine coming home for 1st weekend homestand of season, kicking off 150 years celebration, debuting your top prospect….and blowing an 8-0 lead and losing 12-11. #Reds
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) May 4, 2019
In the aftermath of a crushing 12-11 loss to the Giants, the Reds host the second game of a four-game series today at 7:10 p.m. Eastern time at Great American Ball Park. As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first professional baseball team, the Reds will wear “throwback” uniforms both today and Sunday.
The Reds’ celebration of the 150th anniversary of professional baseball begins in earnest with a pair of throwback uniforms this Saturday and Sunday! https://t.co/JudzRNhEam#BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/rw9wsudJZO
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 3, 2019
Brian Erts posted some historical background on today’s throwback uniform earlier today here at Redleg Nation.
This afternoon, the Reds made a move which really needed to be made:
The #Reds today recalled from the Triple-A @LouisvilleBats LHP Cody Reed and optioned to Louisville OF Scott Schebler. pic.twitter.com/j9pN4vUAlu
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 4, 2019
It needed to be made because Schebler was struggling so mightily that he was not able to contribute to a team that needs players who can hit right now. He needs to get his hitting stroke together at Louisville and perhaps rejoin the Reds later in the year. And Reed will help a bullpen that is overworked.
Also, the Reds today announced the release of outfielder Matt Kemp, who is on the disabled list with a broken rib. Kemp clearly was not the player he was in the early part of last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds will eat the remainder of Kemp’s $21-million salary for 2019. In effect, that’s a little less than they would have had to eat had they released Homer Bailey outright instead of sending him to LA in the deal that brought Kemp to Cincinnati. The move opens a spot on the 40-man roster, which may be filled by the player mentioned below in the news and notes section.
Today’s moves mean you have your starting outfield for the foreseeable future set in Jesse Winker in left, Nick Senzel in center, and Yasiel Puig in right. For tonight’s game, however, only three position players are available off the bench — Kyle Farmer, Jose Iglesias and Curt Casali.
Starting Pitchers
| Name | IP | ERA | xFIP | K% | BB% |
| Dereck Rodriguez | 31 | 4.35 | 4.32 | 19.1% | 6.5% |
| Tanner Roark | 28.2 | 4.08 | 5.12 | 20.5% | 11.4% |
Judging by the statistics, the Giants would appear to have the advantage in this matchup. Righthander Rodriguez strikes out about three times as many batters as he walks. Unless he rights himself, Roark is likely a candidate for a long relief role down the road. He seems to get through his first two times through the batting order in pretty decent shape, but the wheels begin to come off when he hits that third trip through. He would also be a good candidate to serve as an “opener” pitcher who starts a game but is not expected to pitch any more than two or three innings.
Bullpen
Zach Duke has appeared in three consecutive games. No other reliever has pitched in the past two games. Robert Stephenson and David Hernandez would seem to be the freshest, having not appeared since Thursday. It’s become very clear why David Bell wanted to start the season with eight relievers. His pattern is not to allow his starting pitcher to go through the opposing batter order more than twice unless he is dominating. Then, when the bullpen is called upon, Bell is matchup-driven. Newcomer Cody Reed will probably be called upon if Roark gets into trouble early in today’s game.
Starting Lineups
| Giants | Reds |
| 2B Joe Panik | 1B Joey Votto |
| LF Mike Gerber | 3B Eugenio Suarez |
| C Buster Posey | LF Jesse Winker |
| 1B Brandon Belt | RF Yasiel Puig |
| 3B Evan Longoria | 2B Derek Dietrich |
| SS Brandon Crawford | CF Nick Senzel |
| CF Kevin Pillar | SS Jose Peraza |
| RF Steven Duggar | P Tanner Roark |
| P Dereck Rodriguez | C Tucker Barnhart |
Additional insights into the statistical history of the players in today’s game is available all season long at BaseballSavant.com.
News and Notes
So, Josh VanMeter has pretty much come out of nowhere with an amazing early-season performance. The Reds acquired him from the Padres in December 2016 in a trade that sent Rule 5 draft pick Luis Torrens to San Diego. Torrens, a catcher, had been drafted by the Reds from the Yankees organization. Torrens spent the entire 2017 season with the Padres, batting .163. Since then, he has been at the lower levels of the Padres organization.
Josh VanMeter tied a franchise record with his 4th multi-homer game of the season. He is batting .346 with a 1.189 OPS, leading the IL in HR (13) & RBI (31).
RECAP: https://t.co/3TENFjpbry pic.twitter.com/poAmz62S8F
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) May 4, 2019
Fortunately, I have to go to my granddaughter’s dance recital tonight.
“Imagine coming home for 1st weekend of season, kicking off 150 years celebration, debuting your top prospect….and blowing an 8-0 lead and losing 12-11. ”
Heads roll. In this case, Kemp and Schebler.
Lineup looks good considering posible after effects of Iglesias fouling the balls of the foot.
Significant news today. Schebler has demonstrated Considerable Power in seasons past. If he can find that stroke again he can be a potent weapon off the Bench. Kemps release must at least have had his acquiescence, as releases of Injured players against their will is a CBA violation. Reds OF looks legit right now. Reds must return from yesterdays crushing loss.
Tacitus
War of Wiil
Master Fencer.
I’m sorry, but I think those uni’s look ridiculous; especially, on David Bell. Why do the managers wear uniforms, anyways? They don’t do that in any other sport.
They didn’t think so in…1902….cause managers used to be a player as far as why they wear unis.
You are right, they look a little off
Nibbler Roark….no wonder he gets too 100 pitches in 5 innings…
I just don’t get his first quote after being traded to the Reds “Attack attack attack..” was he being sarcastic?
And we’re off! Imagine what you guys would be complaining about if you had actually given up a run
Puig, no doubt about that hit. Coming around.
This team has to lead the league in TOOTBLANs and overall bad baserunning.
Puig needs to be sat down right now. He should have been warned yesterday when he did the same thing – today, it should be he sits.
The roster movements of the day, should indicate that Puig isn’t sitting. Period. Nor should he.
Be sat for the day. I didn’t think that needed to be said.
Oh I understood, No way would I punish initiative on the base paths. didn’t work that time, has worked multiple times before
The guy gets three hits last night, the pitcher is in the on deck circle…come on DB…..
Votto finally breaks the out streak with the walk….. and then immediately scores. Peraza with the walk…. (good job, giving credit where it is due) and he scores too. Reds out the gate hard 2 days in a row.
The Giants are getting Marty Fostered with this strike zone tonight.
is that phrase going to enter the RLN vernacular now?
Another gift on the basepaths. Good grief.
If the ground is dry Puig is no doubt safe. After looking at the replay I actually think he was safe. But If the reds don’t want to look at it oh well. Puig 2-2 though
I thought he was safe initially, but the replays were conclusive, IMO. Barely out.
Fair enough, also fair enough, the way the ball was hit an attempt at a double was reasonable.
Roark Dealing tonight.
Roark 65 through 4 maybe his lowest output of the year…
Barnhart is tired of your lack of faith
Was that Joey, with the stolen base? He isn’t having hitting trouble, he is turning into billy Hamilton.
Thom keeps saying took a home run away…I don’t believe that was out, it would have been nice for Senzel, but it looked short to me….
Agree with that. I think it would have hit off the top of the wall. No way was that equivalent to an Edmonds or Hamilton robbery. Almost an Ozuna moment for the centerfielder.
Rodriguez went to the wind up….Hamilton would have been on third….lol
Roark has thrown 79 pitches. Time for the beloved manager to take him out.
Derek Deitrich’s Actions after a home run off the bat are CLASSIC, that slow turn and…..just wow.
Evidently Nick Senzel needs to talk with Deitrich about his homerun trot.…. NICK
GABP special for Dietrich! Followed by Senzel!!!!!
Save some for tomorrow boys……wait…….what? On second thought, keep pouring it on.
Tommorows matchup will be the Proverbial Pitching duel of the series. Castillo v Samargia (sp)
That was 7 or 8 rows deep for Senzel. Not a cheapie.
Could start a new era for the Reds? Senzel might give them a spark on offense. DD needs to play every time vs RHP
It would be nice if Reed got a few innings?
Cody Reed fans didn’t have to wait long
Nice comeback Cody. Needed that.
Good outing by Roark. Funny it was the Giants 6-7-8 hitters that got to Roark. He didn’t give up a hit to the top 5 in SF’s lineup.
Nice K by Reed after getting behind 3-0 in the count.
He didn’t nibble as much and was really good.His stuff plays.Not over powering but good enough if he doesn’t nibble.The run support helped obviously as it does with all starters.Room for error is a good thing.
Puig finally found a way to get on base without making an out.
Puig also is tired of your lack of faith. 3 H game.
2 hits and 2 rallies nullified by him making outs on base running errors.
All eight position players have scored a run.
YOU get a run, and YOU get a run…
Reed is back.Another solid move by the Reds.Just never understood why he was sent down to begin with.Swing and miss stuff from a lefty is a good thing.Fastball command and that wipe out slider plays
Liked the way Reed pumped his fist into his glove on the way back to the dugout. He was pumped.
3 I’d in 1.1 IP. Excellent.
3 K’s. Sheesh.
To Cap off yesterdays/this mornings conversation about professionalism in baseball. Look at Nick Senzel, came up yesterday. Ready to play. In 48 hours all the 1st are out the way. walk, hit, run, homerun, etc. There is no, ‘he is nervious in the zone. He needs time. Repeated excuses that seem to last for years waiting for a corner that is never turned.’ Even his defense, which isn’t what I would call aesthetically pleasing is still good. He was ready to play DAY 1. He was ready to win, day 1.
Yet you argued that schebler should have been the c.f. from opening day,we have discussed this more than once you and I,I said sensei is the real deal and you disagreed
Its cause I had forseen his injury.
No really, I said that and I will stand by it. And I would say it again. 2 reasons.
1. Schebler was destroying the ball in the spring. Senzel was not. You cant just go giving things to people, lest they start expecting it. Look at Jose Peraza. They Gave him the 2B, then SS, then 2B job again. He has lost them all, (and he will be riding the bench when scooter returns. Granted the injury was a slight setback, but it gave him the fire that lit him up and had him entering GABP in 5th gear.
2. Service time, Duh, I mean really, you all want to sit here and talk about 2020 and 2021 and not talk about service time? ‘but San Diego did it’ yea, and where is Tatis now, On the IL, racking up MLB service time, not providing anything for the Padres and as he is injured they cant option him either. Granted Senzel was supposed to be up sooner then this, but that kind of player, you get all the control you can. Every time, Schebler was the Opening day CF
Is it these old uniforms or does Reed look 10 to 15 pounds lighter?
Roark didn’t look lighter. Reed must have lost weight.
hate to see Sheb loss his spot but he had more than a chance