SB Nation - Wladimir Balentien

Checking out Bill James Projections for 2010

Slyde — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:50:17 -0000

We're still a week away from the World Series, but now is as good of a time as any to start checking out projections for the 2010 season. I've gotten my hands on the initial set of Bill James Projections for next season, so I thought I'd share them with you. The full set of projections will be available with much, much more in the 2010 Bill James Handbook, which comes out next month and you can pre-order here.

I've broken the projections down a bit into groups, the first set being players who don't really have competition for their position (yet), and the following sets split up among players from 2009 who could be part of a position competition. First, the "starters":

**Starters**
Name	2009 Projection	2009 Actual	2010 Projection
Name	AVG/OBP/SLG	AVG/OBP/SLG	PA	AVG/OBP/SLG
Jay Bruce	.296/.351/.540	.223/.303/.470	574	.274/.340/.537
Paul Janish	N/A	.211/.296/.305	188	.223/.301/.319
Brandon Phillips	.263/.313/.431	.276/.329/.447	613	.269/.322/.434
Scott Rolen	.268/.356/.453	.305/.368/.455	482	.278/.357/.442
Joey Votto	.307/.386/.536	.322/.414/.567	502	.311/.397/.550

The James projections were way off on Bruce, as most systems were. As you can see though, they are still very optimistic about the young right-fielder. I think that is justified since he suffered from quite a bit of statistical bad luck last season, but I think we all know that he still has some adjustments that he needs to make at the plate before he'll likely achieve that projection. Offensively, Janish is a black-hole, but if he's the only one and he doesn't bat 2nd, his defense is well worth having in the lineup. BP's projection is what it almost always is. I'd like to see more power from Rolen, but I think that ship has sailed. Votto is...well...awesome.

**Left Field**
Name	2009 Projection	2009 Actual	2010 Projection
Name	AVG/OBP/SLG	AVG/OBP/SLG	PA	AVG/OBP/SLG
Wladimir Balentien	.239/.312/.444	.234/.305/.385	160	.244/.316/.431
Jonny Gomes	.251/.356/.486	.267/.338/.541	278	.245/.331/.486
Darnell McDonald	N/A	.267/.306/.400	174	.270/.321/.414
Laynce Nix	N/A	.239/.291/.476	214	.257/.309/.467

Based on these projections, there aren't a lot of outstanding prospects for a typically high offensive position like left field. I'd still like to see Gomes brought back, especially given these other options. However, I'm also not convinced that Balentien can't outperform those projections. I'm not sure if he's good enough for an everyday starter role, but I think he could potentially put up a little more power.

**Center Field**
Name	2009 Projection	2009 Actual	2010 Projection
Name	AVG/OBP/SLG	AVG/OBP/SLG	PA	AVG/OBP/SLG
Chris Dickerson	.268/.360/.454	.275/.370/.373	254	.276/.372/.429
Drew Stubbs	N/A	.267/.323/.439	544	.267/.336/.390
Willy Taveras	.267/.323/.315	.240/.275/.285	277	.271/.322/.321

To be honest with you, I'd give Chris Dickerson the starting job in center field next year, if I thought he would stay healthy. I wouldn't be upset if Drew Stubbs is out there, especially if his power surge last season is real (the James Projections don't think so). Willy Taveras should be gone.

**Catcher**
Name	2009 Projection	2009 Actual	2010 Projection
Name	AVG/OBP/SLG	AVG/OBP/SLG	PA	AVG/OBP/SLG
Ryan Hanigan	.275/.357/.382	.263/.361/.331	344	.277/.361/.366
Ramon Hernandez	.253/.319/.411	.258/.336/.362	120	.260/.328/.405

Surely no one thinks that Hernandez is worth $8 million more than Hanigan next season.

What do you think? Are they way off anywhere? Does this change your opinion of any of the players?

Pirates discover the Reds' Secret Underground Lehr. Reds lose, 3-1.

Brendanukkah — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:07:16 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Sure, Brandon looks like he's concentrating on the play, but secretly he's beginning to suspect he's not going to be getting that $2 million from David Letterman. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Andy LaRoche. He went 2-3 and drove in two runs.

Key Plays

The Brothers McCutchen did the damage in the third inning. Lehr walked Daniel McCutchen, then Andrew McCutchen doubled. That's when Andy LaRoche hit his single. Pirates 2, Reds 0.
In the fourth inning, Lastings Milledge went all Blastings Milledge and hit a home run. Pirates 3, Reds 0.
The Reds didn't have much in the way of offense, but Wladimir Balentien did hit a home run in the seventh inning. Pirates 3, Reds 1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

On both of his hits, Andy LaRoche was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double.
Double-machine Paul Janish hit a double. Then Joey Votto hit what should have been a double, but Lastings Milledge made a nice catch. Flashtings-the-Leather Milledge.
Arthur Rhodes apparently broke his toe on Sept. 4. He then pitched in eight games. And now he's on the disabled list. Thanks for the great season, Colossus!
Walt Jocketty also broke his toe when he was kicking Dick Pole to the curb.
This was Daniel McCutchen's first career victory. Shame it came against the Reds, but congratulations kid. You prevented the Pirates from losing 100 games this season.

Final - 10.2.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh Pirates	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	5	0
Cincinnati Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	5	0
WP: Daniel McCutchen (1 - 2) SV: Matt Capps (27) LP: Justin Lehr (5 - 3)

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Pirates Avoid 100-Loss Season with 3-1 Victory Over Reds

Charlie — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:48:48 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

2 months ago: Pittsburgh Pirates' Lastings Milledge reacts after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds' Justin Lehr in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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And there was noooooooo doubt about it.

There were some negatives here, like the gargantuan upper-deck homer Daniel McCutchen gave up to Wladimir Balentien, the Pirates letting Justin Lehr strike them out six times, and Andy LaRoche's twice getting caught trying to stretch a single into a double. But overall this was a nice game--Lastings Milledge homered, Andy LaRoche plated two runs, and Andrew McCutchen doubled, walked and stole a base. And Dan McCutchen grabbed his first major league win, finishing his season on a high note by striking out five in six and a third, while only allowing a run on that homer by Balentien. The bullpen held up, too.

No Relation finishes his season with a perfectly palatable 4.21 ERA and three consecutive quality starts. Not bad for a rookie, although he continues to need to work on his home runs allowed. Six in about 36 innings, or about 30 over the course of a full season, is too many. He's earned a clean shot at a full-time rotation job next year, though, which means he might bump Kevin Hart to the bullpen if there aren't any trades and everyone stays healthy.

Reds finally decide to start their season, dismantle the Astros 10-4

BK — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:24:37 -0000

More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP

You want a shot at the rotation next year? You're going through this man. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Matt Maloney, of course. Matty went 7 strong innings, giving up only 2 runs on 6 hits, and walked nobody. He struck out 4, and probably could have gone another inning, since he was only at 93 pitches and had an 8-run lead, but Dusty yanked him in favor of unproven bullpenners.

Key Plays

Joey Votto struck early for the good guys, hitting his 23rd home run of the season to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
The Reds broke out in the 2nd for 5 runs in the 2nd, and ended up chasing former Red Brian Moehler (remember that?) out of the game in the 3rd, giving the Reds a 7-1 lead.
Jay Bruce's solo shot in the 5th and Wladimir Balentien's 2-run single in the 6th gave the Reds 10 runs, and free wings for Astros fans.
After Maloney left after the 7th, Pedro Viola gave up 2 runs in the 8th. That was pretty much the game.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

Matt Maloney put together another great start, and is now firmly in the conversation for the 5th starter spot next year. If he keeps pitching like he did today, he's got my vote. His ERA is 2.65 over his last 3 starts, and he put together his longest outing of the year this evening. Also, he's only walked 1 batter in those 3 starts.
The Reds 17 hits was the second highest total of the season, one less than the 18 they had in Arizona and it ties the 17 they had in Milwaukee.
6 Reds players had multiple hits, including a 3-for-5 night from Juan Francisco, who filled in for Scott Rolen, who was a late scratch. The other 5 were all names we should all start getting used to, in Drew Stubbs, Paul Janish, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and My Wladdy Balentien. Speaking for myself, it feels pretty good to see all those guys performing well on the same night.
Jo-eh drove in 4 of the Reds 10 runs.
All 9 of the Reds starters had at least one hit.
Jared Burton pitched a perfect 9th. This is a good sign, I think.
Reds win their 5th game in a row, and 9 of the last 11. Too bad the season doesn't start in September.
Rick Sweet was in uniform in the dugout as well. You may remember him as the manager who took Louisville to the playoffs this year.

Turns out 5 days is one too many. Reds blow lead in the 9th and lose 4-3.

Slyde — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:33:12 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

Hit the showers, Coco. I guess we should be happy that it took so long for the Reds to lose a game that they led going into the 9th.

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey. 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Seriously, who else should it be? Dude deserved the win.

Key Plays

With two outs in the 3rd inning, Drew Stubbs singled and stole 2nd base. Drew Sutton followed with a single to drive in Stubbs, which drew applause from the crowd.
Other than that, the game was quiet until the Reds 8th inning. Sutton led off the inning with a triple and the scored on a base hit by Joey Votto, giving the Reds a 2-0 lead.
Dusty Baker felt it wise to bring in Francisco Cordero for the 5th day in a row. Not surprisingly, it wasn't. Chris Coghlan led off the inning with a low line drive to left field that Wladimir Balentien lost in the lights, allowing Coghlan to reach first. After a Nick Johnson line out, Hanley Ramirez singled and Jorge Cantu doubled, scoring Coghlan. A ground out by Dan Uggla pushed the tying run across the plate with 2 outs.
The bleeding didn't stop though. John Baker singled to drive in Cantu. Cody Ross followed with another bloop single and Cordero's night was mercifully over. Brett Carroll doubled off of Jared Burton to drive in the 4th run of the inning, a run that ended up being the most important one.
Juan Francisco ate his first major league sized child with his first career home run in the 9th inning, but the Reds went meekly in the 9th after that as Kevin Barker and Jay Bruce both struck out and Drew Stubbs lined out to right field.

via FanGraphs

I hate graphs that look like that.

Other Notes

The loss is the first loss by the Reds this season in a game in which they took the lead into the 9th inning. They were previously 57-0 in those games.
The loss ended the Reds 8-game home winning streak and 4-game overall winning streak.
You can use vinegar and baking soda to get that musty smell out of towels. Don't use laundry detergent or fabric softener.
Juan Francisco is the 7th Reds player to hit his first major league home run this season. Name the other six.
The Reds reach 80 losses for the 9th consecutive season. They must win 13 of their last 14 to not have their 9th straight losing season.
This was Homer Bailey's 6th straight start with 114 or more pitches.

Reds make thrilling late season run towards mediocrity, sweep Astros 6-5.

Brendanukkah — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:21:32 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Thousands of red seats showed up to honor and thank Hal McCoy for his 37 years of service to the Reds and baseball. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Jeff Fulchino. He threw the wild pitch that allowed Joey Votto to score the winning run. Votto, Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubbs, and Wladimir Balentien all had big games as well.

Key Plays

The Astros made some plays and there was some exciting defense, but they lost so screw them. They're not getting recapped anymore.
Jonny Gomes hit a home run in the second inning to give the Reds the lead.
Drew Stubbs hit a home run in the third, then Joey Votto walked, went to third on Phillips's single, and scored on Scott Rolen's sacrifice fly. Two runs! Tie game!
Wladimir Balentien hit a double to lead off the fourth inning. He moved to third on Craig Tatum's sacrifice fly, and scored when Justin Lehr bunted to the pitcher, and Yorman Bazardo threw it away. Reds lead, 4-3!
Balentien scored again in the sixth inning. He singled, and Tatum bunted him to second. After Jay Bruce struck out, Drew Stubbs singled to bring in Balentien. Tie game!
Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips singled to begin the seventh inning, putting runners on the corners. Scott Rolen came up and struck out, but not before Jeff Fulchino threw a wild pitch and Votto crossed the plate with the winning run.

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

The Reds are only three games out of fourth place. Here we come!
Jeff Keppinger hit two home runs - in the same game! It was the first time he'd ever done that.
This was the second series against the Astros that the Reds have swept in Cincinnati this season. The Reds have won seven in a row against the 'Stros.
The Astros hit five home runs off of Justin Lehr, which tied a club record. The last Reds pitcher to give up five homers was Brandon Claussen on July 18, 2005.
Jonny Gomes became the third Red to reach the 20 homer mark. He's only one behind Joey Votto for the club lead.
Juan Francisco drew a walk. ZOMG! His ML walk rate of 50% is blowing away his minor league numbers.
Coco Cordero has pitched - and gotten a save in - the last three days and four of the last five. Let's hope for a blowout tomorrow.

Final - 9.16.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston Astros	0	0	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	5	12	1
Cincinnati Reds	0	1	2	1	0	1	1	0	X	6	11	0
WP: Jared Burton (1 - 0) SV: Francisco Cordero (37) LP: Wesley Wright (3 - 3)

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Reds lay four eggs in Denver. That's a helluva omelet. Cincinnati loses, 5-1.

Brendanukkah — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:17:04 -0000

by David Zalubowski - AP

The Giambornstar. -or- "We Greeks invented democracy!" "Yeah, and you also invented homos!" (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Juan Rincon. After starter Jose Contreras left the game after only three innings, Rincon pitched three innings of scoreless relief, giving up only two hits, striking out five and earning the win. Former Red Matt Belisle pitched the final two innings, giving up only one hit.

Key Plays

The Reds got off to a promising start. Paul Janish got a one-out walk in the first, and consecutive singles by Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips brought him around to score. Jonny Gomes then walked, loading the bases. But the lineup's biggest weakness - an abundance of strikeout artists and a lack of RBI men - came to haunt us as Wladimir Balentien and Adam Rosales struck out to end the threat.
In the third inning, Votto hit a double, and one out later, Gomes hit a single to put runners on the corners. Once again, Balentien and Rosales struck out.
The Rockies didn't seem to have a problem bringing in their baserunners. Clint Barmes singled to start the bottom half of the third, but Jonny Gomes threw him out trying to stretch it into a double. Jose Contreras grounded out (and strained his quadricep), and Kip Wells was one out away from being in the clear. But Eric Young, Jr. bunted for a hit and then stole second. Dusty pointed excitedly and insisted that was what he wanted when he got a Colorado centerfielder. Carlos Gonzalez walked, then Seth Smith hit an RBI single. Jason Giambi smashed a ball to centerfield that made Drew Stubbs look foolish and drove in two more runs with a double. Then Garrett Atkins smashed a two-run homer. Five runs in one inning, and that was all Colorado needed.
Jhoulys Chacin relieved the injured Contreras. You may not believe this, but he is the first player named Jhoulys to play in the majors.
Drew Stubbs somewhat made up for his miscue on Giambi's ball in the third inning by stealing a home run from him in the eighth.

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

Jose Contreras does not have a hit in the majors in 32 regular season plate appearances. He pitched in two World Series games, but one was in an AL stadium, and the other was a relief appearance and he was pinch hit for.
Balentien and Rosales both struck out three times. Rosales has 43 strikeouts and 19 RBI, and Balentien has 65 strikeouts and 21 RBI. Clearly, those numbers need to be reversed.
This was Ramon Ramirez's first appearance since May 21.
It was Joey Votto's 26th birthday. And he smells like one too!
Colorado finished the season a perfect 7-0 against Cincinnati. That's part of the reason they're now only two games behind the Dodgers, despite starting the season 18-28. Since firing Clint Hurdle, they've gone 63-32 under Jim Tracy. That's damned impressive.
Eric Young, Jr. stole two bases, the first two of his career.

Final - 9.10.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati Reds	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
Colorado Rockies	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	X	5	7	0
WP: Juan Rincon (3 - 2) LP: Kip Wells (1 - 4)

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In "The King & I," it's referred to as "The Small House of Carnal Pleasures of Uncle Thomas." Reds win, 4-2 in extras.

Brendanukkah — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:45:29 -0000

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Micah Owings. Even though Micah cannot possibly be a starter [reasons for this pending], he stepped up with two shutout innings of relief, then got the win by being hit in the head to drive in the winning run. We hope that he's okay. Johnny Cueto also pitched six innings of one run ball and struck out nine. Drew Stubbs went 3-5 with a home run.

Key Plays

In the third inning of this pitcher's duel, Johnny Cueto led off with a single, followed by Drew Stubbs's single. Cueto came around to score on Darnell McDonald's single up the middle. With one run in, two runners on, no outs and the heart of the order coming up, the Reds looked poised to do some real damage. But Joey Votto struck out, Stubbs was caught stealing third, and Brandon Phillips grounded out.
Adam LaRoche's single in the fourth broke up Johnny Cueto's no-hitter, but he was immediately stranded.
Former Red David Ross helped level things with a one out walk in the fifth. Nate McLouth moved him to second one out later with a single, and Martin Prado doubled to bring him in.
After six stellar innings, Jared Burton came in to relieve Cueto. He immediately gave up a home run to David Ross, and a single to Kelly Johnson. Danny Ray Herrera came in and got a fly out from McLouth and a double play from Prado. Would this be the end of the Reds winning streak?
No! Drew Stubbs hit his fifth home run of his young season to tie the game with two outs in the eighth inning.
Bonus Baseball! Stubbs hit a triple in the eleventh inning, but was thrown out at the plate by Nate McLouth after he tried to score on McDonald's fly out.
In the twelfth inning, Votto drew a leadoff walk, and Scott Rolen moved him to third with a single. Wladimir Balentien also walked and the bases were loaded for Micah Owings. Kenshin Kawakami unloaded a pitch that hit Owings in the head. It was a scary moment, but the winning run came in. Corky Miller hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rolen for an insurance run.
Not that it was needed. Francisco Cordero struck out the side for his 33rd save.

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

After getting hit in the batting helmet, Owings walked off the field under his own power.
The Reds have won their seventh straight and 12 of 14. It's not surprising that this is happening without Willy Taveras and Alex Gonzalez, though it is surprising that Justin Lehr and Kip Wells have been important parts of this hot streak.
Tim Hudson retired the last 14 batters he faced.
The Reds are now only three games out of third place in the NL Central.
Drew Stubbs has five home runs in 87 plate appearances.
The Reds have swept three of their last four series.

Final - 9.6.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Cincinnati Reds	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	4	7	1
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	0
WP: Micah Owings (7 - 12) SV: Francisco Cordero (33) LP: Kenshin Kawakami (7 - 11)

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Then came Bronson. Reds beat the Braves, 3-1.

Brendanukkah — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:16:28 -0000

by John Bazemore - AP

Hang in there. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Bronson Arroyo. 7 innings of one run ball gets him his team-high twelfth win of the season. Jonny Gomes, Wladimir Balentien and Brandon Phillips all had multi-hit games and Scott Rolen did well both at the dish and on the field.

Key Plays

It seemed that Badroyo was en route to a Toronto-esque start in the first inning. He gave up back to back singles to Matt Diaz and Martin Prado, then walked Chipper Jones. Bases loaded, no outs. Ruh Roroyo. Who can get them out of this jam? Brian McCann! A grounder to Scott Rolen led to the 5-2-3 double play, and Adam LaRoche flew out. Scoreless inning.
Jonny Gomes hit his 17th homer in the second inning. Balentien followed that up with a triple, but Corky Miller grounded out to end the inning.
In the fourth inning, Adam LaRoche reached on an error by Votto, and then Yunel Escobar was called out on batter's interference. Shockingly enough, Bobby Cox was thrown out for arguing on behalf of his player. While it's a bit of a farce at this point how often Cox gets tossed, it's nice to see a manager with some fire and willing to stand up for his players.
Escobar did have to leave the game with an ankle injury. Nate McClouth replaced him in the lineup.
In the fifth inning, Balentien led off with a double. Corky Miller bunted him to third... in front of the pitcher. Arroyo popped out, and then Drew Stubbs flew out. It might have been long enough to score Wlad, but the sac bunt insured that that was the third out.
The Braves threatened in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Derek Lowe and Matt Diaz. But Corky picked Lowe off of second, then Arroyo retired Prado and Chipper.
The beef of the Reds order decided to impose their will on the game in the sixth inning. With one out, Joey Votto drew a walk, and then scored when Brandon Phillips hit a double. Scott Rolen continued to impress, hitting a single to drive in Phillips. Jonny Gomes singled too, but the hot-hitting Balentien grounded into a double play to end the inning. Reds 3, Braves 0.
I mean, Braves 1. Nate McClouth hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth.
The heart of the order tried to widen the lead in the eighth inning. Votto again walked with one out, and Phillips singled. Scott Rolen reached on Chipper's fielding error to load the bases. Unfortunately, Gomes struck out and Balentien popped out.
Didn't matter. Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero slammed the door on the Braves, and the Reds win again!

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

Bronson has a 1.99 ERA over his last six starts.
The Reds have won their fifth straight game, tying a season high.
That was Wladimir Balentien's first career triple.
Gomes has 17 home runs in 249 plate appearances. He had 17 home runs in 2007 too, but it took him 394 plate appearances. His career high is 21 homers, and if he had come up with the team from spring training instead of making his Reds debut on May 22, he would easily have broken that mark. He may still do it.

Final - 9.4.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati Reds	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	8	1
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	6	1
WP: Bronson Arroyo (12 - 12) SV: Francisco Cordero (31) LP: Derek Lowe (13 - 9)

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Reds can't catch grounders, breaks. Lose to the Dodgers, 3-2 in 12 innings.

Brendanukkah — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:25:56 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Matt Kemp. He hit a home run and the game-winning sacrifice fly.

Key Plays

In the second inning, Scott Rolen singled, and Darnell McDonald hit his first major league home run. The Reds led 2-0, and would not score again for the next ten innings.
Bronson was cruising until he hiccupped in the fifth inning. He allowed a leadoff home run to Matt Kemp, and then a single to Casey Blake. He got the next two outs, but then Orlando Hudson and Clayton Kershaw hit balls to Paul Janish that went for hits, and Blake scored to tie the game.
Dusty used three pitchers (Arroyo, Rhodes, Masset) to get through the 8th inning.
Drew Stubbs and Paul Janish singled in the 8th inning with one out, but Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips were unable to drive them in.
In the eleventh inning, Scott Rolen singled with two outs. Drew Sutton came in to pinch hit for Jared Burton, and then Rolen was caught in a rundown.
Francisco Cordero came in to pitch the twelfth inning - not a save situation. He walked Manny Ramirez, and with one out, Juan Castro doubled. After an intentional walk to Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp hit a fly ball to the warning track for the game winning sacrifice fly.
The Reds did manage to get two baserunners in the bottom half of the inning before Wladimir Balentien and Drew Stubbs both struck out.

via Fangraphs

Other Notes

After being called "our smartest baserunner" by Dusty Baker, Scott Rolen was caught twice on the basepaths.
The Reds struck out 20 times. It was the most strikeouts for the Dodger pitching staff in 37 years (they struck out 22 on Aug. 8, 1972, also against the Reds. Took 'em 19 innings, though.). Joey Votto struck out four times, and Drew Stubbs and Darnell McDonald each struck out three times.
The Dodgers are now 22-4 against the Reds since 2006.
For the second game in a row, someone hit their first major league home run.
Francisco Cordero has pitched on five of the last six days. There is a doubleheader tomorrow.

Final - 8.30.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Los Angeles Dodgers	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	0
Cincinnati Reds	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	0
WP: James McDonald (4 - 3) SV: Jonathan Broxton (29) LP: Francisco Cordero (2 - 4)

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