Monthly Archives: May 2012

May 4, 2012

Win lunch with Drew Stubbs, Jim Day, and three young women

Got this announcement in the ol’ inbox today. I changed all the “girls” to “women.” I’m sure it violates the brand image they’re trying to create, but it’s my blog and I’ll fail to refer to adult females like children if I want to.

Have a backup plan, ladies. Your looks won't last forever.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Have you ever wanted to have lunch with a Cincinnati Reds player, a FOX Sports Ohio broadcaster, and the FOX Sports Ohio Women? Now is your chance with FOX Sports Ohio’s Lunch Bunch Sweepstakes, presented by Cincinnati Bell Fioptics.

FOX Sports Ohio and Cincinnati Bell Fioptics will be giving away lunch for two with Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs, Reds Live host Jim Day, and the FOX Sports Ohio Women Hallie, Kristine, and Sara. The winner will also win a 46″ HDTV.

Beginning Monday, May 7, Reds fans can “like” the FOX Sports Ohio Women on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foxsportsohiogirls and enter the sweepstakes at the “Lunch Bunch” tab for the chance to win.

The Lunch Bunch Sweepstakes runs through Wednesday, May 23. The official rules are located on FOXSportsOhio.com.

Lunch for two with Stubbs, Jim Day, Hallie, Kristine, and Sara? I’m sure the FSO Women don’t eat much, but lunch for two doesn’t seem like it’s going to go very far in that crowd.

May 4, 2012

The Daily Brief: Reds head to Pittsburgh

Last Game
Despite what it looked like for the first eight innings, the Reds actually pulled out a win against the Cubs yesterday 3-4. Since the first game of the series was cancelled due to rain, the win gave the Reds a split in what turned out to be a two-game series.

Next Game
The Reds head to Pittsburgh to visit lovely PNC park and take on the Pirates this evening at 7:05 p.m. Johnny Cueto seems like overkill against a Pirates team that just gave up 25 runs in its series with the Cardinals, but given the disappearing act the Reds’ offense likes to pull, that may not be the case at all. After all, the Pirates also scored 16 in that three-game series.

The Offensive Threat in Louisville
Paul Janish, long derided for being merely an excellent defensive shortstop and not a threat at the plate (Reds fans were spoiled by Larkin), is leading the AAA Louisville Bats in AVG. He’s hitting .315, while the second-place guy is only hitting .255.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds Hall of Fame is inducting the late John Reilly this year. Reilly sported a .918 OPS in 1884, plus a real nice mustache.

May 4, 2012

Game 24: Cubs 3, Reds 4

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W: Ondrusek (2-0) L: Dolis (1-2)

Boxscore

The Reds’ offense, after being absent for the first eight innings, finally made an appearance yesterday afternoon. They changed a 3-0 score to a 3-3 score and took the game into the tenth, where they finally won the split in the shortened 2-game series.

It was Homer Bailey on the mound, celebrating his 26th birthday, facing off against Ryan Dempster, who was celebrating his 35th. Bailey put in an Arroyo-like performance, giving up 3 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 1 walk through his 6 innings of service. He also served up three home run balls to various Cubs. The Cubs, as a team, had 9 home runs for the season before coming to Cincinnati this week. That wind blowing in must be a bitch.

Ludwick doesn't quite catch oneJose Arredondo, Aroldis Chapman, Sean Marshall, and Logan Ondrusek each put in a scoreless inning of relief. Marshall gave up a hit and Ondrusek walked a guy, but the pitching continues to not be the problem. Chapman, of course, struck out 2.

On the offensive side, Joey Votto was the only one doing anything for the first couple times through the order. All-in-all, he ended up going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

It was a drastically boring game through most of it. I even fell asleep for a while during the fourth inning. But then the ninth inning and Carlos Marmol happened. Willie Harris got thing started (!!) by taking a walk, and Votto followed suit. Brandon Phillips reached on an error that also scored Harris. Score 1-3.

Jay Bruce got the first proper hit of the inning with a single to right, which loaded the bases for Ryan Ludwick, who worked a walk. Score 2-3, thanks, and goodbye Marmol.

The Cubs brought in Rafael Dolis. Dolis got Mesoraco to ground into a double play, which normally would be a great thing, except the Reds had three outs left in the inning and so it turned into a sac double play that allowed Phillips to score. Score 3-3. Dolis also got Wilson Valdez to strike out swinging. Induce a GIDP and a K and get the loss: what a raw deal for Dolis.

In the top of the tenth, Scott Rolen replaced Willie Harris and Zack Cozart took over for Valdez at SS. Remember: both Harris and Valdez batted in the bottom of the ninth. I find Dusty Baker’s decisions so baffling so much of the time.

But the top of the tenth isn’t the point; it’s the bottom that matters. Cozart singled, Chris Heisey laid down the sac bunt, and then Rolen sent the sac fly to right field. Reds win 3-4, and all those folks who left in the 7th to go back to work missed the only interesting part.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 12-12: back to .500. Tonight they visit the Pirates–who have just finished being beaten up on my the Cardinals–at 7:05 p.m. Johnny Cueto takes on Kevin Correia.

May 3, 2012

Indianapolis Indians to be on MLB Network

I’m taking off my “Reds blogger” hat for a minute and putting on my “Indianapolis resident” hat long enough to tell you that next Thursday’s Indianapolis Indians game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be televised on the MLB Network.

May 10, 11:05 a.m. ET, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A Philadelphia Phillies) at Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Pittsburgh Pirates)

I believe I have some former coworkers going to the game, so I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of some really wacky software developer antics on the broadcast.

You might also be interested to know that the Minor League All Star game will be televised as well:

July 11, 7:00 p.m. ET, 25th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game

Hopefully I’ll be able to put my Reds blogger hat back on for that one.

May 3, 2012

The Daily Brief: Reds’ bats go silent again

Last Game
The Reds lost to the Cubs 3-1. Bronson Arroyo wasn’t Badroyo bad, but he ought to know that you can’t give up three runs when all you have is the likes of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto to support you. Also, someone turned all the Cubs into defensive warlocks for one game.

Next Game
An off day, a rain out, a really crappy game, and now a day game. Hope you office-dwellers didn’t want to see this one: Homer Bailey against Ryan Dempster at 12:35 p.m.

That Elusive “Winning” Word
Despite getting to .500 five times this season, the Reds haven’t not been above .500 since April 8 when they were 2-1 in the first series against the Marlins.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
It’s Homer Bailey’s 26th birthday. Billboard’s number 1 song the week he was born was Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love.