Monthly Archives: September 2012

September 22, 2012

Game 151: Dodgers 3, Reds 1

By
Zeldink
Posted at 1:31 pm

Team12345678910RHE
Dodgers (78-73)1000000002370
Reds (91-60)0000100000140
W: Belisario (8-1) L: LeCure (3-3) S: League (13)

Boxscore

Bronson Arroyo threw 8 innings of 1-run baseball, as well as driving in the team’s lone run.

The Cincinnati Reds had their first chance to win their division last night, thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals choking at the last minute against the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, the Reds’ offense was not up to the challenge.

Bronson Arroyo had another nice start, this time going 8 innings and allowing 1 run on 6 hits and no walks. He struck out 4. During that time, the offense managed one meager run, and that was driven in from Arroyo’s bat.

The game stayed tied at 1-run apiece through regulation, and extra innings were forced. Sam LeCure started the top of the 10th, but quickly got into trouble. He hit his first batter. Two sacrifice bunts later–one of which did not result in any outs–LeCure walked the bases loaded.

At this point, substitute manager Chris Speier called on Sean Marshall to attempt to escape the 1-out, bases-loaded jam. Marshall started out well, striking out Andre Ethier. But the next batter, Matt Kemp, singled to right field, driving in 2 and giving the Dodgers the lead.

The Reds managed nothing but a walk in the bottom of the 9th in their failed comeback attempt.

The Reds’ magic number remains one. Assuming the Cardinals don’t collapse against the Cubs again, the Reds will attempt to clinch the division this afternoon at 4:05 pm. Mat Latos goes for Cincinnati, while Stephen Fife goes for the Dodgers.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central.
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September 21, 2012

Game 150: Reds 5, Cubs 3

By
Zeldink
Posted at 10:14 am

Team123456789RHE
Reds (91-59)000000500590
Cubs (58-92)0000001113110
W: Cueto (18-9) L: Corpas (0-2) S: Simon (1)

Boxscore

Didi Gregorius drives in Denis Phipps to break the shut-out and give the Reds the lead.

Remember when Johnny Cueto became the first National League pitcher to get his 17th win? Yeah, that was the last time Cueto got a victory, 4 starts ago. But finally, on his 4th try, he picked up his 18th victory.

Cueto wasn’t Cueto, but he was pitching against the Chicago Cubs, so it didn’t matter. Over 6 innings, Cueto allowed no runs on 5 hits with a season-high of 4 walks. He struck out 2. But thanks to the offense finally coming through in the top of the 7th, he was able to get the win.

That top of the 7th inning was the only time the Reds scored. The lack of runs could’ve been due to the minor league line-up the Reds were using, but again, it was the Cubs. And in the 7th, the lineup they scored 5, which was one more than they needed.

With runners on 1st and 3rd, Didi Gregorius singled to right to break the scoreless tie. Then Joey Votto pinch-hit for Cueto and laced the 2nd pitch he saw into left field to drive in another run. Xavier Paul and Henry Rodriguez finished out the scoring with hits of their own.

The bullpen was shaky, with Jose Arredondo, Logan Ondrusek, and Alfredo Simon all allowing runs. Considering the small number of runs the bullpen’s been allowing lately, it was kind of nice for them to allow some when the team had a big lead.

In the end, the 5-run deficit the Cubs faced was too much to overcome. The Reds won by a score of 5-3, sweeping the series and lowering their magic number to 2. Should the St. Louis Cardinals lose to the Cubs tomorrow and the Reds defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Reds will clinch the division. Bronson Arroyo will go against Joe Blanton at 7:10pm.

Posted in Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central.
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September 21, 2012

Reds’ Baker to miss at least 3 games for health reasons

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:19 am

Last Game
The Reds clinched a playoff berth yesterday when they swept the Cubs. Johnny Cueto broke his losing streak by pitching 6.0 innings and allowing 0 runs on 5 hits. He also walked 4, which isn’t very good, but I like the shut-out part.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds return home to host the Dodgers. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 12-8, 3.74 ERA) will take the mound against Joe Blanton (RHP, 1-4, 6.07 ERA). Like Cueto yesterday, Arroyo today is hoping to bounce back from a rough outing his last time out. First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

The Cardinals play a day game tomorrow in Chicago. If they lose, the Reds will be playing to clinch the division tomorrow night. I wonder if tickets are going to be scarce this weekend.

Dusty Baker walks across the outfieldBaker undergoing further tests
Dusty Baker missed Wednesday night’s game to go to the hospital for chest X-rays. He thought he might have pneumonia.

He apparently did not, but stayed in the hospital anyway to have an irregular heartbeat checked out. No official word yet on the test results, but according to Reds.com, Walt Jocketty saw him in the hospital:

“He looked good, very good. He was in good spirits. He seemed to be feeling good,” Jocketty said.

Bench coach Chris Speier filled in for Baker Wednesday and yesterday, and apparently will today as well. Baker does plan to be on-hand, just in case the team celebrates clinching the division. John Fay says not to expect any champagne showers, though:

The Reds didn’t whoop it up at all after the game, despite clinching at least a Wild Card spot….I’m guessing the celebration for clinching the National League Central will be a lot more subdued than in 2010.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
One for the heartbreaking file: with their loss last nigth, the Pirates are under .500 for the first time since May 29 when they were 24-25. Poor Pirates. I really enjoyed seeing them as a legitimate contender this season.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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September 20, 2012

A few more NLDS tickets to see the Reds

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:27 am

Last Game
The Reds had the lead before I even turned on the television broadcast. They were completely dominating through the first five innings, and I was ready to decrement the Magic Number.

Then, suddenly, Mike Leake gave up a 2-run homer to Alfonso Soriano in the sixth inning, plus 1 more run, that got the Cubs within 1. Poor J.J. Hoover was left to his own devices after loading up the bases with walks and singles and ended up walked in a run to tie it up in the eighth.

Eventually the extra innings were upon us. The Reds finally managed a run in the top of the eleventh, and I got to decrement the Magic Number after all. Just 3 more to go, guys.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals beat the Astros, making it impossible for the Reds to clinch the division in Chicago. The next home series against the Dodgers is the soonest they can clinch now.

Johnny Cueto’s first pitch of the 2012 season.

Next Game
The Reds finish up the series with the Cubs today at 2:20 p.m. This may be just what Johnny Cueto (RHP, 17-9, 2.92 ERA) needs to get back on track.

Cueto has been the victim of 3 losses in his last 3 starts. That’s pretty surprising from our Opening Day starter ace, but it isn’t surprising when you consider that he’s given up 16 runs in that amount of time.

That being the case, the Reds’ offense had better be ready to touch up his opponent, Jason Berken (RHP, 0-1, 4.50 ERA), for a few as well.

Your Chance to Listen to a Busy Signal for an Hour
John Fay says that the Reds told him that they’re going to have a bank of tickets available for you to try to call in to buy on Friday morning:

A limited number of tickets for potential National League Division Series games at Great American Ball Park will go on sale by phone only at 9:00 a.m. Friday at (513) 381-REDS (7337)…this allotment of tickets is for fans without computers or internet access and for fans not selected in the online ticket opportunity…there is a limit of 4 tickets per phone transaction, while supplies last…no tickets will be available at the Great American Ball Park ticket office.

We’ll have to take his word for it, because I can’t find a single whiff of this information on Reds.com, nor in a press release, nor in any email communication. Of course, given that they’re specifically targeting people “without computers or internet access,” maybe that part makes sense.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Todd Frazier is the Reds’ nominee for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given in honor of a player’s contribution to the community above-and-beyond his contribution at the plate. Among other things, Frazier saved a man’s life this year by administering the Heimlich Maneuver. You can cast your vote for Frazier by on MLB.com.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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September 19, 2012

Game 148: Reds 3, Cubs 1

By
Zeldink
Posted at 7:34 pm

Team123456789RHE
Reds (89-59)000003000340
Cubs (58-90)000000010140
W: Bailey (12-9) L: Germano (2-8) S: Broxton (26)

Boxscore

Last night, thanks to an excellent start from Homer Bailey, the Cincinnati Reds returned to their record to a season-high 30 games over .500.

Bailey has been pitching much better of late, certainly placing himself into the consideration for a playoff rotation spot. Over 7 1/3 innings, Bailey allowed 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. The outing improved his record to a career-high 12 wins. He joins fellow starters Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, and Bronson Arroyo with at least 12 wins.

The offense was held largely in check by the Chicago Cubs except for one inning. In that inning, the 6th, Joey Votto, Ryan Ludwick, and Jay Bruce all walked to load the bases. The next batter, Scott Rolen, flew out to the center fielder. It was a hit that was deep enough for a normal runner to attempt to tag up and score from 3rd base, but Votto barely budged. That surgically repaired knee was not going to be tested.

Thankfully, it didn’t have to be. The next batter, Ryan Hanigan, came through with a bases-clearing double that gave the Reds all the runs they’d need. Plus, it allowed Votto to basically walk home.

The win reduced the Reds’ magic clinching number to 4. Mike Leake will attempt to reduce that further tonight when he starts against Chris Rusin at 8:05pm.

Posted in Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central.
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