Boxscore

The Red Hot family traveled down to Cincinnati over the weekend to catch a game. Unfortunately, the first one was rained out. Fortunately, the schedule was flexible enough to allow the rain-out tickets to be redeemed for the very next day. The Reds lost of course, but it was neat to see the ballpark. I heartily approve of the new, improved scoreboards. Although the pitch speed is a little slow to appear. Here are a few pictures from Saturday’s game.

“Dusty, are you really sure you want Phillips hitting cleanup?”

Jay Bruce long-tossing with the right field ball boy. Despite capturing him in a bad shot here, Bruce actually looks better than he does later in the game.

Johnny Cueto striking out 1 of 9 on the day.

We ran into Nate McLouth in the elevator of our hotel. The Red Hot Child told him about Friday’s game being rained out. McLouth asked, “Are you a Reds fan?” That’s when we should have responded, “Yes, which is why we don’t know who you are.” I kinda think his joking with our son gave him the karma to destroy the Reds on Saturday.

I’ve heard many, many times that Mike Lincoln is a decent reliever. However, given how badly he always performs when I’m physically present, I think he should consider paying me to stay away.

Here we see the Pirates congratulating themselves after Mike Lincoln allowed a grand slam.

Mike Lincoln’s sterling ERA after the home run.

Jay Bruce looking ashamed after his boneheaded mistake to get doubled up at first. I haven’t seen play that bad since little league.

The Pirates congratulate their bad selves for a job well done.

Boxscore

During yesterday’s game between the Reds and Pirates, the Reds TV feed displayed a graphic that showed Aaron Harang had received the second-least amount of run support last year. I’m sure that contributed greatly to his crappy record.

The bad news is that it will only be worse this year, given the Reds’ Judy offense. Opening Day brought one run, while yesterday brought 2! Somehow I don’t expect the linear progression to continue.

Still, Harang was excellent, recording the Major’s first complete game shutout. He held the Pirates to only 3 hits.

Brandon Phillips provided the game’s only offense with a two-run home run in the first. And Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson provided the defense with an amazing glove-flip to start a double play, followed a few innings later with the start of a triple play.

With this triple play and the amateurish baserunning mistake by Jay Bruce in the previous game, the havoc that Dusty Baker promised to bring is definitely happening. Only, I don’t think the word means what he thinks it means.

Boxscore

Edinson Volquez started for the Reds yesterday and did well, until a certain shortstop billed as a defensive wiz when he was signed years ago dropped a routine double-play ball in the 5th. Then Mike Lincoln came and opened the floodgates. There’s really no overcoming spotting the opposing team a 4-spot in the 7th. Thanks, Mike!

During the time I’ve been following the Reds during their sucky years, every manager has talked about improving fundamentals. Better defense, better situational hitting, etc. Yet not a single one has delivered. Dusty Baker, of course, is no different. I would think it’s a systemic problem, if not for the lack of success by the parade of incompetent buffoons the Reds have installed in the dugout.

As for the game, the Reds offense was surprisingly present, led by Joey Votto being Mr. Badass. It wasn’t enough, of course, which leaves me conflicted.

If the Reds keep losing, then Dusty Baker will be fired. That’s an outcome that would make me very, very happy. Plus, it would be better for the team in the long run. I would immediately start liking the Reds again. But it does hurt to see them lose.

Boxscore

Well, that didn’t take long.

In his first appearance of the season for the Houston Astros, Jeff Keppinger drove in the winning run off of Cubs reliever Kevin Gregg. I bet that made the Astros think the trade was worthwhile, regardless of who that player-to-be-named-later is.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched well, going 6 innings and allowing 1 run. Ryan Dempster was good, too, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. It was the offense that was a no-show last night, at least until Keppinger stepped into the box in the bottom of the 10th. Gotta love those extra innings games. And those Cubbie losses.

Boxscore

In a what’s clearly a harbinger of the year to come, the Reds completely bit the big one during an exhibition game against their double-A minor league club, the Carolina Mudcats.

Bronson Arroyo and Francisco Cordero both continued to suck, heading into the season opener Monday. Arroyo allowed 6 runs in 3 innings, while Cordero allowed 3 runs in 1 inning.

Although the present Reds managed 4 runs in 9 innings, the future Reds absolutely crushed them in offensive production.

At least Reds fans have something to look forward to. Sure, the present Reds are nothing good, but look at what’s coming in a few years! Dusty Baker won’t be the manager!