Monthly Archives: August 2012

August 2, 2012

Broxton’s debut with the Reds

Last Game
The Reds had to come back from deficits twice, but they finally put the game in the win column. After losing the first game in the series to end the win streak at 10, winning the third game officially starts a new streak. Final score: Padres 4, Reds 6.

Next Game
The Reds and Padres finish out the 4-game set today at 12:35 p.m. in Great American Ball Park. Johnny Cueto (RHP, 13-5, 2.39 ERA) is trying to bounce back from a rough outing last time. For the Padres, Ross Ohlendorf (RHP, 3-1, 5.05 ERA) will be trying to make the series a split.

Always Be Closing
Our shiny new non-waiver trade deadline acquisition, Jonathan Broxton, made his debut last night. Over the course of 11 pitches in the eighth inning, he got Mark Kotsay to strike out on a foul tip, John Baker to ground out to the mound, and Cameron Maybin to ground out to first.

With his last team, the Kansas City Royals, Broxton was a closer. Clearly, the Reds already had a closer in Aroldis Chapman. (Well, 2, actually, if you consider that Sean Marshall started out the year in that role before saying the secret kill word that got him blackballed. And now that I mention it, 3, if you count Ryan Madson, but he had that season-ending injury in spring training and is looking even less likely to be brought back next year now.)

I guess General Manager Walt Jocketty takes the Pokemon approach to closers (Gotta catch ’em all!), but I can’t say that it won’t be nice to have someone to fall back on on those days when Chapman just doesn’t have it.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
In his last 35 games (121 ABs), Ryan Ludwick is batting .339. He has contributed 11 home runs and 29 RBI.

August 1, 2012

Mesoraco suspended, concussed, all on the same day

Devin Mesoraco points out that Chad Fairchild is terrible at his job. Fairchild didn’t take it well.

Being Devin Mesoraco is tough right now. Following his interaction with the horrible umpire Chad Fairchild on Monday, Major League Baseball handed down a 3-day suspension. And to top off his painful day, he’s also been placed on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion.

Mesoraco will appeal the suspension. As for the concussion, that was a last-minute move 30 minutes before game time.

Mesoraco left Tuesday’s game after six innings, with the Reds at the time saying Mesoraco had dizziness from being overheated. Mesoraco collided with Padres baserunner Cameron Maybin during Monday’s game.

Catcher Dioner Navarro was called up from the Louisville Bats. There wasn’t room on the 40-man roster, so Mike Costanzo had to be designated for assignment to make room for Navarro. Hopefully, Navarro will make it to the park before emergency catchers Wilson Valdez or Miguel Cairo would need to be used.

If you’re wondering about Mesoraco serving the suspension while he’s on the DL, I’m afraid that won’t fly. He won’t be allowed to serve his suspension while disabled. When he is suspended, the Reds will have to go with just 24 players, instead of the usual 25.

August 1, 2012

Reds Fan Express, unveiled

If you were in the Banks area in Cincinnati today around lunchtime, you couldn’t miss the unveiling of the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express–a big, Reds-themed bus that’s available for groups of 40-50 to use to get to the ballpark for no additional charge if they book it through group ticket sales as part of their group purchase.




The bus will pick you up as much as 60 miles away from the park. I, unfortunately, live 125 miles away, so if I and 49 of my closest friends are going to give it a ride, we’ll have to meet up somewhere outside of Greensburg, IN. But it sounds like there’s plenty of fun stuff to enjoy on the bus, so taking advantage of the maximum ride might be even better.

Here’s the press release:

CINCINNATI, OH – FOX Sports Ohio enjoys bringing the Cincinnati Reds into the homes of thousands of Reds fans through television. Now, the network is excited to be able to bring fans to the Reds on the Fan Express to Reds Country.

With the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Reds Country, groups of Reds fans can now ride in style to watch their favorite team play at Great American Ball Park. Fans can’t miss the giant bus with its oversized images of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce on the outside. On the inside, riders will enjoy Wifi, baseball entertainment, snacks and beverages, and other FOX Sports Ohio and Reds goodies.

“The FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Red Country is an example of our unwavering commitment to the Reds organization and Reds fans everywhere,” said Alex Slemc, Director of Marketing and Communications at FOX Sports Ohio. “We wanted to develop a unique way to help the team bring groups of fans to Great American Ball Park and experience the magic of Reds baseball. It’s been a season of outstanding play on the field and record ratings on the network, and the Fan Express is a great way to celebrate.”

“FOX Sports Ohio understands the passion of Reds fans. Their broadcasts of Reds games are simply the best in the business. The Fan Express is an innovative way for FOX Sports Ohio to extend the live experience from the living room to the ballpark,” stated Phil Castellini, Chief Operating Officer of the Reds.

FOX Sports Ohio’s Fan Express to Reds Country is available on select dates throughout the remainder of the Reds regular season to groups of 40-50 fans for the use of transport to and from Cincinnati Reds games. It can travel up to a 60 mile radius of Great American Ball Park. Groups can book it by calling the Reds groups sales department at 513-765-7600.

When the Reds are not playing at home, the Fan Express to Reds Country will be seen at various events throughout Cincinnati. For a schedule of Fan Express appearances, please visit www.foxsportsohio.com.

The Fan Express can be tracked on Twitter by following @FOXSportsOH and using the hashtag #FanExpress. Fans can also check out photos and updates on the network’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FOXSportsOhio.

August 1, 2012

Game 103: Padres 6, Reds 7

Team123456789RHE
Padres0006000006101
Reds10500010-791
W: Marshall (4-3) L: Marquis (6-10) S: Chapman (22)

Boxscore

The Reds bounced back from the series-opening loss against the Padres to win last night, 6-7.

Homer Bailey got the start, and he was great through 3 innings of work. Then some dark magic befell him in the fourth and he was out of the game before he could even get the third out. Ultimately he was credited with 6 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks.

Sam LeCure came in for long relief and put in the next 2.1 innings of work. He allowed 0 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk. Sean Marshall worked the next 2.0 followed by Aroldis Chapman for the ninth, and neither allowed so much as a baserunner. That’s the strong bullpen we know and love.

On the offense, things were gliding along merrily. Chris Heisey led off the first inning with a double and Ryan Ludwick knocked him in four batters later to give the Reds the very early lead. Then they just tacked on more in the bottom of the third: Ludwick hit a 3-run homer and Todd Frazier hit a 2-run shot two batters later.

It felt like a pretty safe lead until the tiki curse caught up with Bailey in the very next inning and it was tied at 6. Fortunately, Brandon Phillips contributed a solo shot in the seventh, just before the left-calf strain he’s been battling pulled him out of the game. He’s expected to be out no less than a few days. Good thing he got his turn to be hero over with.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 62-41, best in Major League Baseball. Tonight they continue the 4-game set with the Padres at 7:10 p.m. in Great American Ball Park. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 6-6, 3.76 ERA) takes on Kip Wells (RHP, 2-3, 3.82 ERA).

August 1, 2012

Phillips injured in win over Padres

Last Game
The Reds got off to a 0-6 lead in the third inning, but then let the Padres tie it back up in the top of the fourth. Luckily, the relief pitching was on and Brandon Phillips had one more solo shot to contribute in the seventh. Final score: Reds 7, Padres 6.

Next Game
If the Reds can win tonight, they can ensure no less than a split of the four-game series against the Padres. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 6-6, 3.76 ERA) was pretty darn great the last time he faced the Padres (he pitched a 3-hit shutout complete game), and also in his last outing against the Rockies (he put in 6.2 innings of shutout work). Tonight he defends against Kip Wells (RHP, 2-3, 3.82 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Injury Bug
Catcher Devin Mesoraco left the game last night in the seventh with dizziness. It was purportedly caused by getting overheated, and reports say he seemed OK after the game. Get that guy some Gatorade and move on.

More disconcerting: Brandon Phillips left the game last night in the eighth with a problem in his left calf. You may recall him leaving the Rockies game a couple days ago with trouble in the same place. At first it looked like a mild strain, but now it looks like it might be something more serious. We don’t have details yet, but I wouldn’t expect to see BP in the line-up for a few days.

If the Reds can go 12-3 without Joey Votto, hopefully losing Phillips won’t cause them to crumble. It’s about the pitching keeping up their end of the bargain and the offense continuing to share hero duties on a nightly basis.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Washington Nationals lost last night, so now the Reds are in sole possession of the best record in Major League Baseball: 62-41