August 3, 2012

Reds take on 2nd place Pirates

By
Amanda
Posted at 7:33 am

Last Game
The Reds won yesterday afternoon to take the last three games in the four-game series against the Padres. Johnny Cueto didn’t have his best stuff, but he still ate some innings and performed well enough to keep the Reds in it.

Ryan Ludwick, who had been dominant in the two previous games, sat yesterday, giving some other guys a chance to be heroes. Among them was Todd Frazier with 3 RBI. Final score: Padres 4, Reds 9.

Next Game
It’s no secret that the Reds have been beating up on some pretty poor teams in the last month, but that changes tonight. The Pirates have won 17 of their last 26, which normally would be the kind of performance that would have you climbing the rankings. We know the Reds can beat up on the teams they should beat. This series we see what happens when an opponent puts up a little more resistance.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. Mat Latos (RHP, 9-3, 4.17 ERA) takes on an old friend in Wandy Rodriguez (LHP
0-0, 4.50 ERA).

It’s Bald Marty Day
Earlier in the season, Reds Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman made a comment like, “If this team wins 10 in a row, I’ll shave my head.” Well, then it happened, and he was called on to make good on the promise. Even though he’s 70 years old and his coif has been part of his look forever, he agreed.

But not right away. You don’t just throw away an opportunity like this. So he hooked up with the Reds Community Fund and told the fans that if they came up with $20,000 in donations, he’d have his head shaved on the field after the game tonight for all to see. (If they didn’t come up with the money, he’d have it shaved at his regular barber shop before the game.)

I haven’t heard officially, but I assume they’ve come up with the money because 1) it’s not really that much, and 2) I haven’t seen the big blitz to encourage donations that there would be if they hadn’t made it. Still, if you’d just like to be sure, here’s how you can donate:

  • Go to www.reds.com/community (click on “Support the Reds Community Fund”)
  • Call the Reds Community Fund office at (513) 765-7234
  • Make a cash donation in the giant Reds Piggy Bank located on the Terrace Level behind home plate, though it’s probably a little late for that, I’m sure they wouldn’t turn down your donation.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds lead the central by 3.5 games, so even if the Pirates sweep the series, they cannot overtake first place.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
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August 2, 2012

Game 104: Padres 4, Reds 6

By
Amanda
Posted at 10:34 am

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W: Arroyo (7-6) L: Wells (2-4) S: Chapman (23)

Boxscore

Last night, the Reds won their second in a row against the Padres.

Bronson Arroyo had a little trouble on the mound, but he manned his way through 6.0 innings to give the bullpen a break last night. He allowed 4 runs (earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks. Then came the parade of once and future closers: Sean Marshall pitched the seventh, Jonathan Broxton pitched the eighth, and Aroldis Chapman took the ninth. Only Chapman allowed so much as a hit.

The offense is hurting. Joey Votto isn’t quite back from arthroscopic knee surgery. Brandon Phillips wasn’t in the line-up due to a calf injury. Devin Mesoraco is on the 7-day DL with a concussion. But apparently none of that matters if you’ve got Ryan Ludwick.

Ludwick owned 4 of the Reds’ 6 RBI. In the first he hit a 2-run home run to take the lead, in the fifth he singled in Jay Bruce to retake the lead, and in the seventh he was party to some really poor baserunning that, nontheless, brought in the insurance run.

Honorable mention goes to Drew Stubbs, who was 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

The win brings the Reds record to 63-41. They’ve won more than 60% of their games. How crazy is that? This afternoon they finish the series with the Padres. Johnny Cueto (RHP, 13-5, 2.39 ERA) takes on Ross Ohlendorf (RHP, 3-1, 5.05 ERA). First pitch at 12:35 p.m.

Posted in Game Wrap.
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August 2, 2012

Broxton’s debut with the Reds

By
Amanda
Posted at 7:35 am

Last Game
The Reds had to come back from deficits twice, but they finally put the game in the win column. After losing the first game in the series to end the win streak at 10, winning the third game officially starts a new streak. Final score: Padres 4, Reds 6.

Next Game
The Reds and Padres finish out the 4-game set today at 12:35 p.m. in Great American Ball Park. Johnny Cueto (RHP, 13-5, 2.39 ERA) is trying to bounce back from a rough outing last time. For the Padres, Ross Ohlendorf (RHP, 3-1, 5.05 ERA) will be trying to make the series a split.

Always Be Closing
Our shiny new non-waiver trade deadline acquisition, Jonathan Broxton, made his debut last night. Over the course of 11 pitches in the eighth inning, he got Mark Kotsay to strike out on a foul tip, John Baker to ground out to the mound, and Cameron Maybin to ground out to first.

With his last team, the Kansas City Royals, Broxton was a closer. Clearly, the Reds already had a closer in Aroldis Chapman. (Well, 2, actually, if you consider that Sean Marshall started out the year in that role before saying the secret kill word that got him blackballed. And now that I mention it, 3, if you count Ryan Madson, but he had that season-ending injury in spring training and is looking even less likely to be brought back next year now.)

I guess General Manager Walt Jocketty takes the Pokemon approach to closers (Gotta catch ’em all!), but I can’t say that it won’t be nice to have someone to fall back on on those days when Chapman just doesn’t have it.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
In his last 35 games (121 ABs), Ryan Ludwick is batting .339. He has contributed 11 home runs and 29 RBI.

Posted in Daily Briefs.
1 Comment
August 1, 2012

Mesoraco suspended, concussed, all on the same day

By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:01 pm

Devin Mesoraco points out that Chad Fairchild is terrible at his job. Fairchild didn’t take it well.

Being Devin Mesoraco is tough right now. Following his interaction with the horrible umpire Chad Fairchild on Monday, Major League Baseball handed down a 3-day suspension. And to top off his painful day, he’s also been placed on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion.

Mesoraco will appeal the suspension. As for the concussion, that was a last-minute move 30 minutes before game time.

Mesoraco left Tuesday’s game after six innings, with the Reds at the time saying Mesoraco had dizziness from being overheated. Mesoraco collided with Padres baserunner Cameron Maybin during Monday’s game.

Catcher Dioner Navarro was called up from the Louisville Bats. There wasn’t room on the 40-man roster, so Mike Costanzo had to be designated for assignment to make room for Navarro. Hopefully, Navarro will make it to the park before emergency catchers Wilson Valdez or Miguel Cairo would need to be used.

If you’re wondering about Mesoraco serving the suspension while he’s on the DL, I’m afraid that won’t fly. He won’t be allowed to serve his suspension while disabled. When he is suspended, the Reds will have to go with just 24 players, instead of the usual 25.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, NL Central, Wheeling and Dealing.
1 Comment
August 1, 2012

Reds Fan Express, unveiled

By
Amanda
Posted at 2:10 pm

If you were in the Banks area in Cincinnati today around lunchtime, you couldn’t miss the unveiling of the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express–a big, Reds-themed bus that’s available for groups of 40-50 to use to get to the ballpark for no additional charge if they book it through group ticket sales as part of their group purchase.




The bus will pick you up as much as 60 miles away from the park. I, unfortunately, live 125 miles away, so if I and 49 of my closest friends are going to give it a ride, we’ll have to meet up somewhere outside of Greensburg, IN. But it sounds like there’s plenty of fun stuff to enjoy on the bus, so taking advantage of the maximum ride might be even better.

Here’s the press release:

CINCINNATI, OH – FOX Sports Ohio enjoys bringing the Cincinnati Reds into the homes of thousands of Reds fans through television. Now, the network is excited to be able to bring fans to the Reds on the Fan Express to Reds Country.

With the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Reds Country, groups of Reds fans can now ride in style to watch their favorite team play at Great American Ball Park. Fans can’t miss the giant bus with its oversized images of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce on the outside. On the inside, riders will enjoy Wifi, baseball entertainment, snacks and beverages, and other FOX Sports Ohio and Reds goodies.

“The FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Red Country is an example of our unwavering commitment to the Reds organization and Reds fans everywhere,” said Alex Slemc, Director of Marketing and Communications at FOX Sports Ohio. “We wanted to develop a unique way to help the team bring groups of fans to Great American Ball Park and experience the magic of Reds baseball. It’s been a season of outstanding play on the field and record ratings on the network, and the Fan Express is a great way to celebrate.”

“FOX Sports Ohio understands the passion of Reds fans. Their broadcasts of Reds games are simply the best in the business. The Fan Express is an innovative way for FOX Sports Ohio to extend the live experience from the living room to the ballpark,” stated Phil Castellini, Chief Operating Officer of the Reds.

FOX Sports Ohio’s Fan Express to Reds Country is available on select dates throughout the remainder of the Reds regular season to groups of 40-50 fans for the use of transport to and from Cincinnati Reds games. It can travel up to a 60 mile radius of Great American Ball Park. Groups can book it by calling the Reds groups sales department at 513-765-7600.

When the Reds are not playing at home, the Fan Express to Reds Country will be seen at various events throughout Cincinnati. For a schedule of Fan Express appearances, please visit www.foxsportsohio.com.

The Fan Express can be tracked on Twitter by following @FOXSportsOH and using the hashtag #FanExpress. Fans can also check out photos and updates on the network’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FOXSportsOhio.

Posted in Press Releases.
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