Boxscore

During yesterday’s game between the Reds and Pirates, the Reds TV feed displayed a graphic that showed Aaron Harang had received the second-least amount of run support last year. I’m sure that contributed greatly to his crappy record.

The bad news is that it will only be worse this year, given the Reds’ Judy offense. Opening Day brought one run, while yesterday brought 2! Somehow I don’t expect the linear progression to continue.

Still, Harang was excellent, recording the Major’s first complete game shutout. He held the Pirates to only 3 hits.

Brandon Phillips provided the game’s only offense with a two-run home run in the first. And Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson provided the defense with an amazing glove-flip to start a double play, followed a few innings later with the start of a triple play.

With this triple play and the amateurish baserunning mistake by Jay Bruce in the previous game, the havoc that Dusty Baker promised to bring is definitely happening. Only, I don’t think the word means what he thinks it means.

Boxscore

Edinson Volquez started for the Reds yesterday and did well, until a certain shortstop billed as a defensive wiz when he was signed years ago dropped a routine double-play ball in the 5th. Then Mike Lincoln came and opened the floodgates. There’s really no overcoming spotting the opposing team a 4-spot in the 7th. Thanks, Mike!

During the time I’ve been following the Reds during their sucky years, every manager has talked about improving fundamentals. Better defense, better situational hitting, etc. Yet not a single one has delivered. Dusty Baker, of course, is no different. I would think it’s a systemic problem, if not for the lack of success by the parade of incompetent buffoons the Reds have installed in the dugout.

As for the game, the Reds offense was surprisingly present, led by Joey Votto being Mr. Badass. It wasn’t enough, of course, which leaves me conflicted.

If the Reds keep losing, then Dusty Baker will be fired. That’s an outcome that would make me very, very happy. Plus, it would be better for the team in the long run. I would immediately start liking the Reds again. But it does hurt to see them lose.

His hair would bobble wonderfully.

From a Reds press release:

Vote For the Fans Choice Bobblehead

Now through April 30, fans can vote on reds.com to decide which Reds pitcher will be featured with a 2009 bobblehead. The Fans Choice Bobblehead will be given to the first 30,000 fans on Saturday, July 18…and is part of a collectible set of four bobbleheads that fit together to form a special ballpark background. The three other bobbleheads in the series are Joey Votto (May 9), Jay Bruce (July 4) and Brandon Phillips (Aug. 15).

Note now at www.reds.com/fanschoice.

Boxscore

Well, that didn’t take long.

In his first appearance of the season for the Houston Astros, Jeff Keppinger drove in the winning run off of Cubs reliever Kevin Gregg. I bet that made the Astros think the trade was worthwhile, regardless of who that player-to-be-named-later is.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched well, going 6 innings and allowing 1 run. Ryan Dempster was good, too, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. It was the offense that was a no-show last night, at least until Keppinger stepped into the box in the bottom of the 10th. Gotta love those extra innings games. And those Cubbie losses.

I couldn’t believe it, either. It’s amazing how things can sneak up on you when you hate some of the participants so much.

Oh, Joey Votto just missed a fowl ball into the stands because of the rolled up tarp. RHM commented, “Ryan Freel would’ve caught it, but then he wouldn’t play again until May.”

Enjoy the season, everyone. And get used to those 1-0 games.