Daily Archives: October 1, 2012

October 1, 2012

Game 159: Reds 4, Pirates 3

By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:53 am

Team123456789RHE
Reds (96-63)0020000024103
Pirates (77-82)002010000370
W: Marshall (5-5) L: Hanrahan (5-2) S: Chapman (37)

Boxscore

A day after losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th, the Cincinnati Reds returned them the favor.

Xavier Paul and Drew Stubbs celebrate after Paul tied the game.

Of course, having the offense show up early enough in the game to provide Johnny Cueto with his 20th win of the season would have been too easy. No, the Reds had to keep all of that scoring until the end.

Still, Cueto finished the year strong. In his final start, he went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned), 6 hits, and 1 walk. He struck out 6. If he’d pitched a scoreless 8th or the offense had woken up before the 9th, he would’ve had the win. Heck, if the defense hadn’t screwed the pooch and allowed so many unearned runs, he would’ve gotten the win. I guess that just shows you how meaningless of a statistic wins can be.

As for that offense, they started the game off by getting on base, but not being able to knock in any runs. Both of the first two innings ended with runners in scoring position. But in the third, Joey Votto was given a pitch he could hit, and hit a double that scored Brandon Phillips. The next batter, Todd Frazier, hit a ground-out to the shortstop that scored Wilson Valdez.

After that, the Reds’ bats were silent until the 9th. Then, Xavier Paul, the very first batter against the Pirates’ closer Joel Hanrahan, hit a pinch-hit home run to right field to tie the game. And instead of being a rally killer, this got the offense going. Eventually.

The next two batters recorded out, but when Ryan Ludwick hit a pinch-hit double, I started feeling that this would turn into a win. With two outs, Zack Cozart was the hero, driving in the go-ahead run with his own double.

Aroldis Chapman pitched the bottom of the 9th for the save. He was a little shaky, but he got the job done. Hopefully, he can get an appearance or two before the playoffs start. I don’t want him rusty.

The Reds next travel to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals. If Cincinnati can sweep, there’s a chance they’d knock the Cardinals out of the playoffs. I’m hoping for that. Bronson Arroyo will go against Jaime Garcia at 8:15pm.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central, Pittsburgh Pirates.
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October 1, 2012

Cardinals, Reds, and Baker: the final 3 games

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:09 am

Last Game
The Reds didn’t really intend to make sure the Pirates had a losing record for the year, but that’s what happened yesterday when the Reds beat them 4-3. It was a tall order for the Pirates anyway, who needed to win-out starting on Saturday just to finish .500. It’s tough to make that transition to winning team when it’s been so long. They’ll do better next year.

Johnny Cueto was going for his 20th win of the season, but fell just short as the Reds didn’t take the lead until Sean Marshall’s watch. Still, 19 wins ain’t bad, and saving one for the postseason isn’t something I’m going to complain about.

Cardinals and Reds players line up for the anthemNext Game
The Reds head to St. Louis for the last regular-season series of 2012. The Cardinals are still in active pursuit of their postseason berth, currently holding a 2-game lead for the second wildcard over the Dodgers. Amazing to think that if there were only one wildcard slot this year, the Cardinals would have already booked their flights home.

It’s a lot to ask of the Reds to sweep the Cardinals or even take the series. These two teams are at opposite ends of the motivation spectrum: one team having knotted up the division days ago and the other still fighting for its life. But if any team can get the Reds fired up in an otherwise meaningless series, it’s the Cardinals. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 12-9, 3.70 ERA) will be taking his turn against Jaime Garcia (LHP, 6-7, 3.99 ERA). First pitch at 8:15 p.m.

The Return of Baker
Today is the big day: Dusty Baker finally returns to active managing of the Cincinnati Reds.

He’s missed the last 11 games after going to the hospital before a game in Chicago to be tested for pneumonia, discovering he had an irregular heartbeat, and then suffering a mini-stroke just as he was about to leave the hospital.

The stroke word is a pretty scary one, but apparently it’s not unexpected among people with Baker’s irregular heartbeat condition, so they knew to be on the lookout for it and got it treated right away. Fortunately he was still in the hospital, so they didn’t even have to wait for an ambulance.

The other thing that’s typical with this condition is water retention, which is apparently something they remedied during Baker’s hospital stay. I haven’t seen a single picture leak out yet, so I’ll have to be on the lookout during the actual game tomorrow to see the newly trimmed down manager.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
None of the divisions in the American League has yet been clinched. In the West, Texas holds a 2.0 game lead over Oakland. In the Central, Detroit leads Chicago by 3.0. And in the East, the Yankees and Orioles are still in a dead tie.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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