August 16, 2012

Game 117: Mets 1, Reds 6

By
Amanda
Posted at 12:07 pm

Team123456789RHE
Mets 000100000140
Reds10020210-6130
W: Leake (5-7) L: Dickey (15-4)

Boxscore

The Reds took down the Mets and 15-game winner R.A. Dickey last night to ensure the win of the series.

Mike Leake pitching against the MetsMike Leake started for the Reds, and before the game it hardly seemed like a fair match-up. But Leake was up to the task and put in a 1-run (earned), 4-hit complete game. The starters have really been rolling lately, which is the main reason the Reds are now, again, owners of a 5-game winning streak.

The offense was in fine form as well. Todd Frazier went 3-for-4 on the night, including a 474′ home run in the fourth inning that was the fourth-longest home run in the majors so far this year. Not that length really matters, but Rookie of the Year, anyone?

Zack Cozart, Jay Bruce, and Scott Rolen each went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Rolen contributed an RBI in the form of a solo-shot immediately prior to Frazier’s in the fourth inning. Not bad for a guy who, 5 days ago, couldn’t move with the back spasms he was having.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 71-46. They lead the NLC by 7.0 games over both the Pirates and Cardinals, who are now tied for second. Tonight they go for the sweep of the Mets. Homer Bailey (RHP, 10-7, 4.08 ERA) tries his hand against Matt Harvey (RHP, 1-3, 3.63 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Posted in Game Wrap.
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August 16, 2012

Baker contract extension talks heat up

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:45 am

Last Game
Last night, the Reds won again. With Mike Leake going against R.A. Dickey, that was NOT what I expected to happen. But Leake put in a complete game, the offense damaged Dickey’s Cy Young chances a little, and the win streak was extended to 5. Final score: Mets 1, Reds 6

Next Game
The Reds go for the sweep of the Mets tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. in Great American Ball Park. Homer Bailey (RHP, 10-7, 4.08 ERA) takes the mound against Matt Harvey (RHP, 1-3, 3.63 ERA).

Dusty Baker behind the netBaker Contract Extension Talks
I’m not sure whether the topic of a contract extension is actually coming up in an organic way or if it’s just pushy reporters needing a story are bringing up the topic of their own accord, but there’s a story on MLB.com about the Reds extending Dusty Baker’s contract.

Reds manager Dusty Baker should not be concerned about his current contractual situation. Bob Castellini, the team’s president and chief executive, wants Baker around for a long time.

“I would like to see Dusty Baker as a member of our organization for many years to come,” Castellini told MLB.com on Wednesday, as two days of quarterly Owners’ Meetings began here at the Four Seasons Hotel. “That’s it.”

I suppose if it ain’t broke you don’t screw with it, but I can’t help but groan at the notion of the Reds marrying Baker. All his annoying habits (the catcher MUST bat eighth, not matter what his OBP) are still there; they’re just easier to ignore when the team is winning.

And the fact that they’re winning is not something I’m prepared to give him credit for. If he were the magic man here, we wouldn’t just now be getting to a serious post-season contention place in his fifth year on the job.

But now sure as hell isn’t the time to say that they’re going to be looking for a change of pace. I’m just clinging to the vagueness of Castellini’s “with the organization” comment until it matters, hopefully not until early November.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Mike Leake’s complete game last night was his second of the season, tying Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos for the most on the team. Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey have one complete game apiece.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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August 15, 2012

Game 116: Mets 0, Reds 3

By
Amanda
Posted at 8:14 am

Team123456789RHE
Mets000000000060
Reds0000000033111
W: Arredondo (5-2) L: Acosta (1-3)

Boxscore

Jay Bruce after hitting a walk off home run on August 14, 2012The score remained 0-0 in the bottom of the ninth until Jay Bruce came through with the 4th walk-off homer of his career to give the Reds the win in the series opener with the Mets.

Mat Latos started for the Reds and was lights-out. In his 7.0 innings of work, he allowed 0 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Unfortunately for him, though, he left the game before the Reds put any runs on the board and only got a no-decision for his efforts.

Sean Marshall pitched the eighth and didn’t allow a hit, but did walk a guy. Jose Arredondo pitched the ninth, allowed 1 run and 1 walk, and was in the right place at the right time to get the win.

Offensively, the Reds threatened several times, but just couldn’t get a guy across the plate. Zack Cozart, Brandon Phillips, Ryan Ludwick, Jay Bruce, and Ryan Hanigan all got on base 2 or more times, but when the team leaves 14 on base over the course of the game, even that might not be enough.

But it all worked out in the bottom of the ninth. Phillips led off the inning with his third walk of the night, followed by Ludwick singling to left field. The Mets’ pitching change at that point backfired on them, as Jay Bruce hit one over the left-field wall.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 70-46. They have a 4-game win streak going and lead the NLC by 6 games over the Pirates. Tonight the series against the Mets continues at 7:10 p.m. Mike Leake (RHP, 4-7, 4.51 ERA) tries his hand against R.A. Dickey (RHP, 15-3, 2.72 ERA).

Posted in Game Wrap.
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August 15, 2012

Reds injury round-up

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:28 am

Last Game
After taking a double shut-out into the ninth inning, Jay Bruce hit a walk-off 3-run home run to beat the Mets 0-3. Mat Latos totally kicked ass through 7.0 IP for the Reds’ fourth win in a row.

Next Game
Tomorrow the Reds continue the series with the Mets, and it could be an ugly one. R.A. Dickey (RHP, 15-3, 2.72 ERA) leads the charge for the Mets, and he’s been on a hotter-even-than-usual streak. Defending the Reds will be Mike Leake (RHP, 4-7, 4.51 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Frazier and Masset at Reds CaravanReds Injury Update
Of course, we’re all waiting with bated breath for the return of Joey Votto, who underwent a follow-up arthroscopic procedure on his knee on Friday and isn’t interested in joining the line-up until he’s 100% better. We might see him for the series against the Cardinals in a week and a half, or maybe not.

But there are a couple other guys hurting, too. Scott Rolen is day-to-day with back soreness that’s had him out of the line-up for a week. The team is on a 4-game winning streak, so his absence hasn’t sunk them, but it’d be nice to see him back on the field or on the DL to free up the roster spot.

Nick Masset, who had some shoulder trouble, has pitched 3 rehab innings in Louisville where he gave up his first 2 runs of his rehab. Bill Bray, who had a lumbar muscle strain, is also approaching eligibility to come back. Without obvious weak spots in the bullpen, though, it’s not clear where they’ll fit in. It was hard enough making room for Jonathan Broxton when he joined up.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds will break their streak of starting only 5 pitchers on Saturday in their double-header against the Cubs. They will take advantage of a new rule allowing them to add a 26th man to the roster for double-headers to add a starter. They haven’t announced who that starter will be, but it’s likely to be Todd Redmond.

Assuming they make it to Saturday with the same 5 guys, it will be a streak of 119 games with the same 5 starters. In fact, it’ll be 120 if Johnny Cueto starts the first game of the double-header.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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August 14, 2012

Remembering an epic Jason LaRue failure

By
Amanda
Posted at 7:14 pm

The Hardball Times is today celebrating the 10 year anniversary of one particular inning of infamy for Jason LaRue. This was before the days when “Jason LaRue” was synonymous with “career ended by Johnny Cueto’s boot to the head.” (Though, frankly, his career was already over, and I suspect all that hype was a machination of Tony LaRussa.)

But that’s neither here nor there. No, this post is about LaRussa committing the heinous act of three passed balls in a single inning when catching knuckleballer Jared Fernandez:

Two pitches after the walk, a knuckler got away from LaRue for a passed ball. Williams went to second. On the very next pitch, it happened again. Williams scooted to third and LaRue now had three passed balls on the day – and it was still just the first inning.

Two pitches later the ball made it to the backstop again, allowing Williams to score. At least this time it wasn’t a passed ball. This time it was a wild pitch, so LaRue was still at three passed balls on the inning. But in a single five-pitch plate appearance, three balls went to the backstop allowing a runner on first to score. Yeesh.

You’ll want to read the whole post on The Hardball Times. It’s a nice narrative. Plus it contains lots of other Reds-related anniversaries and day-versaries to satisfy your inner history geek.

Posted in Random Ramblings.
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