Boxscore

Game two of the 2010 spring training season saw the Reds losing by somewhat less of a margin to the same team they lost to the day before. So I guess that’s a step in the right direction.

Though these first couple games haven’t exactly been what Redsland would prefer to see, I have really liked the fact that they’re facing some actual competition in preparing for the regular season. Years of being 20 minutes away from the Pirates spring training facility may not have served the team as well as it might have.

But anyway, it was young Johnny Cueto’s turn on the mound. He lasted for two innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk. Arther Rhodes, Francisco Cordero, Travis Wood, some guy named Leake, and–what the hell, Kip Wells is still with the Reds??–fared better and allowed zero runs on two hits among them.

The Reds’ out-hit the Indians 9-7 but could only convert two runs. Valaika and Cairo were the two to actually cross the plate.

Monday’s game was canceled due to rain. (That’s right: it was raining in the desert. In fact, it was the same damn temperature there as it was in Indianapolis. Can’t wait to fly out there on Friday and hang by the pool in the 50 degree weather.) They’ll be back in action tomorrow as Bronson Arroyo takes the mound against the Royals.

Boxscore

The Reds kicked off the spring training season on Friday, and boy did it ever feel good to listen to some baseball on the radio on the drive home after work.

The game itself didn’t feel so great for the Reds, though, who gave up some big-time runs to their new facility partners, the Cleveland Indians. Mike Lincoln took the mound to start the game, as if the Reds were giving him one more chance to demonstrate that he’s still got starter potential in him. In one and a third innings, he allowed four runs (earned) on seven hits, including a home run to Asdrubal Cabrera to lead it off.

As much as I enjoy the Reds winning in spring training, I have almost a dress rehearsal/opening night superstition about it and find myself thinking that a loss now equals wins later. However, the way the almost-opening-day lineup failed to show up on the offensive side in this game sent reminiscent chills of dread up my spine. The Redlegs had only two runs on five hits. Could this again be what we’re in for in the 2010 season?

The Reds went on to face the Indians again on Sunday. Johnny Cueto faced off against David Huff.

Boxscore

This year I haven’t really considered the Washington Nationals a real team. They’re just so bad, it’s hard to take them seriously. I mean, they’ve consistently been winning only a third of the team for most of the year. In the world of bad teams, that’s truly atrocious.

So you might think the Cincinnati Reds would be able to beat up on the Nats. If so, you would be wrong. The series started off well, with the Reds finding a magical bat for Johnny Gomes and a magical bag of things for Bronson Arroyo to ingest giving them a 7-0 win.

Then things started to fall apart. Aaron Harang started the second game, received no run support, and the Reds were shutout 2-0.

Last night I flipped the game on to discover it was already 7-0. Wow. What the hell happened to Johnny Cueto? Oh, yeah, he pitches for the Reds.

Still, the Reds did mount a bit of a comeback, scoring 4 in the 7th thanks to Joey Votto and Drew Sutton’s first home run. It wasn’t enough.

With the loss, I at first thought the Reds had lost the series to the Nationals. But no, this is a 4-game series. That won’t happen until today.

On the bright side, Adam Dunn continues his streak of homering in Great American Ball Park every year of his major league career. So there’s that.

Boxscore

In the first game after the All Star Break, the Cincinnati Reds played exactly as they had been prior to the break: badly. It’s not surprising, considering they’re a mediocre team lacking offense and managed by a buffoon. It’s still easy in baseball to be eternally optimistic and hope that things will bounce your team’s way.

Not this time. Homer Bailey, fresh off two of his best major league starts, regressed. He walked 4, struck out 3, and allowed 7 runs over 5 1/3 innings. His line should have been better, as the relief corps allowed all of the runners inherited to score. Still, it was a disappointing start after his recent success. Perhaps he rested too much. Either that, or the Milwaukee Brewers are just a really good team. It’s hard to know. Reds fans haven’t seen one this millennium.

On the offensive side, the Reds did well. 6 runs is a lot for them. The awesome Joey Votto drove in 2 with an unholy home run measuring 471 feet. He almost won someone a Toyota Tundra truck. The rest of the offense was provided by Edwin Encarnación. Yes, he’s still with the team. Apparently rest did improve his game.

The Reds were mounting a comeback until erstwhile Red–and Trekkie–Todd Coffey came in for Milwaukee. Remember when he was so good for the Reds that one year? Then remember when he was exactly the opposite? Chris Welsh might know why and who was responsible.

During the television broadcast, Welsh mentioned that the Reds refused to allow Coffey to throw his splitter. When he went to the Brewers, they allowed him to throw it again. The results? No runs in a short 9 1/3 innings last year, and an ERA of 2.76 so far this year. And his home run rate is way down, too.

I wasn’t the only one who caught this. Chad at Redleg Nation mentioned it, as well, and added that Homer Bailey had been prevented from throwing the same pitch. His recent success has to do with him throwing it again.

Developing pitchers is hard, but the Reds clearly need to do a better job. For once, they’ve got the talent.

Boxscore

After two extra-inning games with the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds were looking forward to an easy series against the Washington Nationals. I mean, the Nationals are so bad.

The Reds won the first game of the series, although the team scored only 3 runs. Of course, anyone who thought this team was well-put together and would be able to get by on just its pitching is a moron. I’m looking at you Walt Jocketty.

The second game was going well last night until rain arrived in the bottom of the 9th with Francisco Cordero on the mound. The Reds were ahead 2-0 when the umps delayed the game. The delay lasted for more than 2 hours! And Dusty Baker, pitcher killer that he is, returned Cordero to the mound. Obviously due to the great results seen from Aaron Harang a few weeks ago.

Of course, Cordero blew the save, but Baker’s idiocy gets taken off the hook because Jonny Gomes drove in a run in the 12th to allow the Reds to win. Lack of offense aside, I would be enjoying the Reds so much more if Baker were nowhere near this team.