August 10, 2012
By
Amanda
Posted at 12:31 pm
Last Game
When the Reds rolled into Chicago last night, they brought with them a 4-game losing streak. But the Cubs had a shiny 8-game losing streak. Someone was going home with a broken streak, and this time it was the Cubs.
Mike Leake matched the Cubs’ Chris Volstad inning for inning: each put in 6.0 innings of work and allowed 3 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks. But those were the only runs the Reds’ offense could muster, whereas the Cubs managed 2 more against the Reds relievers.
Not a stellar show from the pitching staff, but again I’m left asking: where the heck is the offense? Final score: Reds 3, Cubs 5.
Next Game
The Reds try again to break their now-5-game losing streak this afternoon. Homer Bailey (RHP, 9-7, 3.98 ERA) tries his arm against Justin Germano (RHP, 1-1, 3.38 ERA). Bailey’s been struggling lately, and about now I’m wondering whether the Reds can avoid being swept in the 4-game series.
Taking It to 11, and Then Retiring It
The Reds have announced plans to retire number 11, the jersey number of Barry Larkin, who was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. The “11 Days of Larkin” number-retiring celebration begins next week and will include:
- Highlights of Larkin’s career being featured on FOX Sports Ohio, Reds On Radio Network, and reds.com.
- Free admission to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum to everyone named Barry.
- Half-price admission to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum to anyone wearing a Larkin shirt.
- Special Larkin-related displays and merchandise at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Free Barry Larkin Reds cap to the first 20,000 fans at the game on Saturday, August 18.
- Cymber Larkin singing the national anthem at the game on Friday, August 24, plus Barry Larkin addressing fans after the game but before the “Barry Blast” post-game fireworks show.
- Block party on the afternoon of August 25, then the retirement ceremony later that day.
Frankly, the list gets kind of long so I didn’t include everything. For the whole list, check out the press release on Reds.com.
What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Barry Larkin got his first career hit on August 15, 1986 against Dave Dravecky of the San Diego Padres.
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Daily Briefs.
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August 10, 2012
By
Zeldink
Posted at 10:53 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Reds (66-46) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| Cubs (44-66) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | - | 5 | 7 | 1 |
W: Camp (3-5)
L: Marshall (4-4)
S: Marmol (14)
Boxscore
Sometimes, I’m not sure who’s more infuriating. After last night’s loss, Jocketty is edging out Baker.
The Cincinnati Reds continued going off the rails on their losing train last night, losing to the Chicago Cubs. Entering the game, both teams had losing streaks. I didn’t expect the Cubs’ streak to be the one to end. This is the Reds’ 5th consecutive loss, and their longest losing streak of the season.
Mike Leake started for Cincinnati and turned in a quality start: 6 innings and 3 runs. He also allowed 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. The bullpen was ineffective for a second straight night, though, allowing 2 more runs in the 8th.
The Reds took the lead early, with Zack Cozart leading off the game with his 13th home run. Another run scored when a Ryan Ludwick ground out scored Drew Stubbs. The Reds stopped scoring in the 4th after Todd Frazier hit his 14th home run. But it wasn’t enough to get the win.
Winning streaks gloss over weaknesses of a team. It’s unfortunate that the Reds’ last streak coincided with the non-waiver trading deadline. General Manager Walt Jocketty has already shown his preference of inactivity. That combined with the team playing so well hid the black hole of ineptitude that manager Dusty Baker has available to him every game on his bench. Jocketty has given Baker nothing, and it showed last night, when Wilson Valdez batted in the 9th with a runner on and grounded into a double play to kill any chance of a comeback. That’s not the batter you want in that situation, but the Reds had no one better on the bench.
Joey Votto can’t come back soon enough.
The Reds try to stop the bleeding and maintain their 2 1/2 game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon. Homer Bailey will start against former Red Justin Germano at 2:20pm EDT.
August 9, 2012
By
Amanda
Posted at 11:32 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Reds | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Brewers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | - | 3 | 6 | 0 |
W: Axford (4-6)
L: Broxton (2-3)
S: Henderson (2)
Boxscore
The Reds wasted a lovely start by Mat Latos yesterday afternoon to notch their fourth loss in a row.
In 7.0 innings of work, Latos allowed just 1 run (earned) on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 8. Seriously, as this guy gets older and gets better control over his Mr. Hyde side, he’s going to be a serious weapon.
Sadly for him, though, a W was not in the cards. Jonathan Broxton came in for the next .2 innings and gave up 2 runs (earned) on 3 hits in that amount of time. Logan Ondrusek got the last out in the eighth. He didn’t allow any runs or hits, but did give up a walk.
Now, giving up 2 runs in .2 innings isn’t good, but I propose it wasn’t really the problem here. The first place team in the division ought to be able to come back from a 1-run deficit to the fourth place team in the division. The offense only managed 6 runs in the whole 3-game series with the Brew Crew. I’d say the Milwaukee clubhouse manager replaced the Reds usual bats with Folgers Crystals, except the lack of offense started in the last game before the road trip.
FYI, the team’s two RBI belong to Dioner Navarro who hit a home run in the top of the third with Miguel Cairo on first base. The only Red who collected more than one hit on the night was Latos. He’s a weapon, I tell ya.
The loss brings the Reds’ record to 66-45. Tonight they head to Chicago to try to change their luck against the Cubbies. Chris Volstad (RHP, 0-8, 7.22 ERA) leads the charge for the Cubs against Mike Leake (RHP, 4-7, 4.51 ERA) for the Reds. First pitch at 8:05 p.m.
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August 9, 2012
By
Amanda
Posted at 8:39 am
Last Game
Mat Latos threw a real sparkly gem, but Reds-noob reliever Jonathan Broxton blew it in the eighth to lose to the Brewers, 2-3. The loss gave the Brewers the sweep of the series and gave the Reds their fourth loss in a row.
Fortunately for the Reds, the Pirates have returned to earth and also have a 5-5 record over their last 10, so the division lead remains at 2.5.
Next Game
Today the Reds hope for a boost from a chance of scenery. They head to Chicago to take on the Cubs for a four-game set. Mike Leake (RHP, 4-7, 4.51 ERA) hasn’t exactly been putting himself in the Cy Young conversation lately, but if there was ever a chance to bounce back, it’s against the Cubs. He’ll face off against Chris Volstad (RHP, 0-8, 7.22 ERA), who is winless in 21 starts.
The Cardinals Losing is Keeping me up at Night
I have an app on my phone that beeps whenever the score changes in the Reds, Pirates, or Cardinals game. Last night, it beeped and I saw the Cardinals were down 2-0 to the Giants. When it beeped again, they were down 7-0. I was already in bed when it was 11-0, and the 15-0 beep woke me up.
What an incredible shellacking. Ryan Vogelsong and crew held the Cardinals to just 4 hits and 4 walks, while touching Joe Kelly and his relievers for 15 hits and 7 walks. I guess if you’re going to lose, lose big.
What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Among all 25 guys on the Reds’ active roster, only 2 share the same first name. Can you name them (without looking it up)?
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August 8, 2012
By
Amanda
Posted at 12:59 pm
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Reds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brewers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 8 | 0 |
W: Fiers (6-4)
L: Cueto (14-6)
S: Henderson (1)
Boxscore
The Reds looked like crap last night, notching their third loss in a row and securing the series loss against the Brewers.
Johnny Cueto started for the Reds and actually didn’t look like crap. In 7.0 innings of work he allowed 3 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 0 walks. Sean Marshall and Sam LeCure didn’t look like crap either, when they shared the eighth inning and didn’t allow a run on 2 hits collectively.
I guess I would have been more specific to say that the offense looked like crap yesterday. You might say it’s due to the Brewer’s hot rookie right-hander Mike Fiers, who held the Reds to 1 run on 3 hits through 8 innings. Fiers is having a helluva season, but the Reds are up 12 games on this team. They’re letting its rookies take them to school?
FYI, those 3 hits came from Zack Cozart, Xavier Paul, and Ryan Hanigan. The one RBI belongs to Brandon Phillips who sacrificed Cozart in in the seventh. And that’s all that separated Fiers from a perfect game. Not so much as a walk or a HBP for anyone else. What is this? May all over again?
The loss brings the Reds record to 66-44. They’re 1 game behind the Nationals for the best record in baseball, but it’s harder to be happy about that right now. They try to redeem themselves and avoid the sweep this afternoon. Mat Latos (RHP, 10-3, 3.94 ERA) goes against Randy Wolf (LHP, 3-8, 5.57 ERA). First pitch at 2:10 p.m. and this game is on t.v., if you’d like to bear witness.
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