via www.pedestrian.tv

It's the evening of July 15th. The Reds have just completed a three game sweep of the Cardinals and have moved into first place in the NL Central. It's an exciting time in Redsland, but within one heart, there is turmoil. Thom Brennamen sits alone in a darkened room, with only a flickering computer screen lighting his wrenched face. The Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to town tomorrow, and despite broadcasting for a new team for five and a half years now, Thom watches a Gotye video on YouTube over and over again, trying to convince himself that he's well and truly over the plucky team that bucked expectations and won the NL West in 2011. The last of the haunting, lingering notes fades away, and Thom hits Play Again, hoping this time his professions of love for the Reds will be real.

Continue reading this post »

The Hunger Gomes

via 4.bp.blogspot.com

Catching Fire

via playersofelbeisbolcubano.files.wordpress.com

Mockingjay

via 2.bp.blogspot.com

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Chris Heisey.  Ecto Cooler went 3-5 with two runs and a three run dinger.  And he stole a base.  And he played both left and center.  So versatile!  Heisey now has 18 home runs in 299 plate appearances, or one every 16.6 PA.  Jay Bruce, the team leader, is homering just once every 21 PA.  Honorable mentions go to Dave Sappelt (reached base twice, scored a run, and stole his first base) and Devin Mesoraco (doubled, caught a runner stealing).

Key Plays

• Brandon Phillips is, shall we say, an effective leadoff hitter.  He doubled off of Chris Schwinden to start the game, moved to third on Edgar Renteria's sacrifice bunt, and then scored on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly.  Even the Bothan that was handing over the plans to the Death Star said, "Damn, that's a lot of sacrifices!"  Reds lead, 1-0.
• With two outs in the second, Schwinden made a fielding error on a ball hit by Dave Sappelt, and he reached base safely.  Then he stole second, and Devin Mesoraco drove him in with a double.  Reds lead, 2-0.
• Homer Bailey ran into a spot of bother in the third inning.  He struck out the pitcher, but Jose Reyes and Ruben Tejada both singled.  Willie Harris, who's apparently a #3 hitter, flew out, but David Wright singled and Reyes scored.  Then Nick Evans hit a double, and Tejada and Wright both came home.  Mets lead, 3-2.
• Chris Heisey manufactured a run in the fourth to draw terms level again.  He bunted with one out and successfully got himself on first.  Then he stole second, and motored all the way home on Dave Sappelt's shallow single to left.  Game tied, 3-3.
• The Mets immediately answered back.  Jason Pridie hit a one out triple, and Jose Reyes hit a sac fly after Bailey walked the pitcher.  If he gets the pitcher out, like Schwinden's .167 average suggests he should have, Reyes's fly ball counts for naught.  Instead, Mets lead, 4-3.
• Homer Bailey did work out of a two out, bases loaded mess by striking out Pridie in the fifth.  It would be Bailey's last action of the night.
• With one out, Tim Byrdak faced the Reds in the seventh inning.  Byrdak doesn't have a great track record of late season success against the Reds, and so it was tonight.  He faced Joey Votto and Jay Bruce and gave up singles to both of them.  Josh Stinson relieved him, and promptly gave up a three run shot to Chris Heisey.  It was legen... wait for it... dary!  Reds lead, 6-4.
• People try to tell me that Jose Arredondo is a good pitcher.  Every time I pay attention, though, he's giving up runs.  Like in tonight's eighth inning.  He walked Mike Baxter with one out, then Jose Reyes hit a ball into the right field corner.  Baxter scored, but Jay Bruce's throw and Brandon Phillips's relay were able to nail Reyes at third.  Ruben Tejada singled, but Devin Mesoraco threw him out, and Arredondo thanked both his defense and the Mets' terrible baserunning for getting him out of the inning.  Reds win, 6-5.
• After putting the first two runners on in the ninth, Francisco Cordero induced a lame bunt and a game-ending double play to preserve the victory.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Brandon Phillips.  When John Cusack recites his Top 5 Side 1, Track 1 songs in High Fidelity, he needs to start including DatDudeBP.  Not even Janie Jones is as good a leadoff as Phillips.  He contributed three hits, including two doubles, and scored a run.  Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto (who also had two doubles) and Juan Francisco (who also had two doubles).

Key Plays 

• The Reds got off to an early lead, thanks to two of those doubles I mentioned.  Brandon Phillips led off with a double off of Brad Lincoln.  One out later, Joey Votto went shopping and bought a gallon of milk with one hop into the left field seats: automatic two-bagger.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Travis Wood was pretty awful in this game.  In the second inning, he walked Ryan Ludwick, then gave up a double to Jason Jaramillo.  With runners on second and third, Ronny Cedeno hit a sacrifice fly.  One out later, Alex Presley hit an infield single to Edgar Renteria, but the shortstop was able to nail Jaramillo at the plate.  Game tied, 1-1.
• It was the third inning that assured everyone who cared that this game was a lost cause.  Cincinnati native Josh Harrison led off with a triple, and Andrew McCutchen drove him in with a sacrifice fly.  The Pirates immediately sullied the now immaculate basepaths with a Derrek Lee single and a Neil Walker double.  Ryan Ludwick used a sacrifice fly - Pittsburgh's preferred gritty, self-sacrificing, blue collar method of driving in runs - to drive in a run.  Lee scored, and then Walker followed him when Jason Jaramillo singled.  Wood was done for the day.  So were the Pirates, and so, effectively, were the Reds.  Pirates lead, 4-1.
• In the fifth inning, pinch hitter Dave Sappelt led off with a walk, and Drew Stubbs also walked one out later.  Joey Votto then doubled again, driving in Sappelt.  It was his 101 Dalbattedins.  Pirates lead, 4-2.
• Jose Veras pitched the eighth inning for Pittsburgh, and started the affair by walking Jay Bruce.  He struck out Devin Mesoraco and Juan Francisco, but did so with a wild pitch for the latter.  Bruce took advantage by taking second.  Edgar Renteria then singled to center field and Bruce flew home.  Pirates win, 4-3.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Mike Leake.  The man who'd give you the shirt off that rack threw eight innings, allowing only six hits and one run.  What innings limit?  He also scored the winning run.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips (another home run!) and Edgar Renteria (took three hits to get as many bases as Phillips got with one).

Key Plays

• Brandon Phillips hit a leadoff homer.  It's fantastic to see how he's thrived in that spot.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Ryan Dempster walked Devin Mesoraco to start the fifth inning.  Mike Leake tried to bunt him over to second, but Mesorocksinhispockets was thrown out.  Dempster then walked Brandon Phillips and Edgar Renteria followed up with a single.  Leake scored.  Dempster walked Joey Votto (his third of the inning), loading the bases for Jay Bruce, who promptly grounded into an inning ending double play.  Reds lead, 2-0.
• The Cubs tried to get something going in the sixth.  Carlos Pena led off with a double, and the improbably named Bryan LaHair singled.  With runners on the corners, Alfonso Soriano grounded into a double play, but unlike Jay Bruce's, his was productive.  Pena scored.  Reds win, 2-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

I don't have time for a long recap, but here are some highlights.

• Juan Francisco hit a home run over the moon deck and out of the stadium.  It hit a tree outside, or it might have joined Adam Dunn's shot as the only home run into another state.  El Nino Destructor's homer was estimated to have gone 502 feet, the second longest at GABP since Dunn's Ol' Kentucky Homer.
• Devin Mesoraco hit his first major league home run.  The assault on Bonds's record begins now!  Or at least Bench's.
• Brandon Phillips responded well to his day off with two home runs.
• Dontrelle Willis once again did not win.  Of course, this time he pitched craptacularly enough to deserve the loss.
• The Cubs only hit three homers.  Slackers.

---

Final - 9.12.2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago Cubs	3	0	2	3	2	1	0	1	0	12	16	1
Cincinnati Reds	0	3	0	0	1	1	0	2	1	8	11	0
WP: Rodrigo Lopez (5 - 6) LP: Dontrelle Willis (0 - 6)

Complete Coverage >

---

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Chris Valaika.  The Lake Monster went 2-2 (cuz that's what a muthafuckin' monster do!) before giving way to Miguel Cairo, who struck out.  Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto for hitting a home run, and Chris Heisey for hitting a triple.  Both of them had only one hit, but more total bases than our Star of the Game.  JNMHSotG is a flawed stat!

Key Plays

• Edinson Volquez pitched for the Reds and... ok, I guess we could just fast forward to the part where the Reds lose after that opening.  But no!  He was actually fairly effective, despite walking four.  He got through the order the first time without incident, but Ty Wigginton took him yard in the fourth inning.  It's Coors.  It happens.  Rockies lead, 1-0.
• Eric Young singled with one out in the fourth inning, then stole second and third.  With that, it was a simple matter for Jordan Pacheco to single up the middle and drive him in.  Rockies lead, 2-0.
• Eric Young used his speed to torch the Reds again in the seventh inning, this time against Logan Ondrusek.  He bunted for a single, then stole second.  It was his third swipe of the game.  Dexter Fowler then looped a single to right and Young went to third.  Ramon Hernandez allowed his second passed ball of the game, and Young scored again.  Fowler advanced, and went to third on Jordan Pacheco's grounder.  Ondrusek intentionally walked Seth Smith and coaxed a grounder to second out of Kevin Kouzmanoff.  The Reds were only able to get the out at first, and Fowler scored.  Rockies lead, 4-0.
• Joey Votto homered off of Jason Hammel in the ninth to salvage some measure of respectability.  Reds lose, 4-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

The Reds are losing 4-2.  It's the Cubs, so normally I'd predict that we win anyway, but Dontrelle Willis is pitching, and the universe has decreed that he shall always lose.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Juan Francisco.  El Nino Destructor disdains walks, so his value comes entirely from his batting average.  Well, he raised that about 90 points today with four hits, including the game winning single in extra innings.  Yes, he made an out at the plate, but remember we never said his value comes from baserunning.  It's also worth noting that on a day when Joey Votto struck out three times, Francisco didn't K at all.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips (reached base three times in the leadoff spot and scored a run) and Bronson Arroyo (shrugged off a rough last outing to pitch 8 innings of two run ball.  He scattered two ten hits, but struck out five and walked none to minimize the damage).

Key Plays

• The Reds learned long ago how tough it can be to win with a guy named Edwin on your roster.  So, good luck with that, Cardinals.  Edwin Jackson faced off against the Reds for the first time ever, and they pounced on him immediately.  Brandon Phillips led off with a single (I am LOVING the Phillips as leadoff experiment), and then Edgar Renteria hit a fly ball that bounced off the top of the wall and back on to the field.  Matt Holliday tried to act like it was still in play, but the umpire twirled his finger and signaled home run.  He knows that Edgar's heating up!  Reds lead, 2-0.
• If the Cardinals had a competent leadoff hitter, they might have won this game.  But they don't, they have Rafael Furcal.  He flew out to accomplished left fielder Yonder Alonso right before Jon Jay tagged a home run.  I keep waiting for Jay to come back to earth, but he just keeps on playing well.  Bah!  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Edgar Renteria struck out with the bases loaded and two outs in the second.  Heat dissipates quickly, alright?
• Juan Francisco hit a two bagger in the fourth.  The headline made a Juan Francisco/San Francisco pun, but in San Fran, a two bagger is a different thing all together.  Francisco later got thrown out at home.  He should have headed for fifth.
• Gerald Laird hit a one single in the bottom of the fourth, and then Daniel Descalso drove a ball into the right field corner.  Flying like the Silver Surfer, the Gerald of Galactus came around the bases to score while Descalso ended up on third with a triple.  Game tied, 2-2.
• And that was it on runs for awhile.  Finally, the game went into extra innings, and the Reds faced Fernando Salas.  With two outs, Yonder Alonso singled.  He was replaced on the basepaths by Chris Valaika.  Drew Stubbs then walked, and Juan Francisco singled.  Valaika scored, and that was that.  Reds win, 3-2.


via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Devin Mesoraco.  Devin the Dude hit a double in his first major league at bat.  Now that's something worth getting excited over this late in a dreary season.  Honorable mentions go to Edgar Renteria (who also hit a double, and had two more hits as well) and Jay Bruce (hit his 29th home run of the season).

Key Plays

• The Reds got off to a quick start in this one.  New best leadoff hitter ever Brandon Phillips led off with a single, then stole second base.  Somewhat surprisingly, that was only his tenth steal all year.  Somewhat more surprisingly, Edgar Renteria showed some power and hit a double, scoring Phillips.  Then Jaime Garcia struck out the side.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Todd Frazier hit a one single in the second inning.  Ryan Hanigan then flew out, but Matt Holliday made some sort of crazy throw (into the stands?) and Frazier ended up on third base.  Then Homer Bailey singled and Frazier scored.  FRAZING!  Reds lead, 2-0.
• That was about the last good thing Homer Bailey did though.  With two outs in the second and Lance Berkman on first via a walk, Skip Schumaker singled.  Then Gerald Laird hit a single to left, which Chris Heisey let skip past him and go to the wall.  Berkman and Schumaker scored.  Then Jaime Garcia hit a ball to left.  Heisey dove and missed it completely, and Laird scored.  Cardinals lead, 3-2.
• Sure, we can blame Homer getting rattled on Heisey's terrible defense, or on a mini-rain delay, but the fact is that he got hit around a bunch.  Like in the third, when Jon Jay led off with a triple, and Albert Pujols singled to drive him in.  Then Matt Holliday also singled, and Pujols went to third, where he scored on Lance Berkman's grounder.  That was it for Homer, and he was gone after three innings.  Cardinals lead, 5-2.
• Sam LeCure was pitching in the fifth inning and gave up a ground rule double to Jon Jay.  LeCure intentionally walked Albert Pujols, but that only brought up Matt Holliday.  Plunk goes the single into right field, and around home comes Jon Jay.  Cardinals lead, 6-2.
• Edgar Renteria hit a single off of Mitchell Boggs to start the eighth inning.  Arthur Rhodes relieved Boggs and got Joey Votto out, but Jay Bruce then ripped a home run.  Cardinals win, 6-4.


via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Juan Francisco.  A lot of the young players displayed some power tonight, but Francisco's three run homer in the ninth ended up being the margin of victory.  He also had a double and two more RBI, as well as another run scored.  Honorable mentions go to Yonder Alonso (a home run, a double, two runs, two RBI, and no errors in LF) and Todd Frazier (a pinch hit home run).

Key Plays

• You might have reasonably expected a pitching duel between Johnny Cueto and Chris Carpenter.  However, the bad blood that exists between these two clubs, especially when these two pitchers are involved, gave way to a slugfest.  The Reds landed the first blows in the second inning.  Yonder Alonso led off with a double.  Drew Stubbs bunted him to third, but was able to reach first base himself.  Then Juan Francisco wisely hit a ball to right field where Lance Berkman was roaming.  It fell for a double and Alonso and Stubbs both scored.  Ramon Hernandez and Johnny Cueto both grounded out, but Brandon Phillips hit the third double of the inning.  Francisco scored.  Edgar Renteria smashed a single to first base, but Albert Pujols couldn't make the play and Phillips scored all the way from second.  Joey Votto then singled and Renteria went to third, where he then scored on Jay Bruce's single.  Reds lead, 5-0.
• A lot went right for the Reds in the top of the inning, but the Cardinals struck back in the bottom half.  Johnny Cueto walked Matt Holliday to start off, and then scored on singles by Lance Berkman and David Freese.  With runners on the corners, Lance Berkman was able to score on Yadier Molina's groundout.  Reds lead, 5-2.
• In the third inning, Jon Jay singled, and Albert Pujols also reached when Edgar Renteria couldn't come up with his grounder.  Matt Holliday struck out, but Lance Berkman singled and Jay scored.  Renteria atoned partially by turning an inning-ending double play off the bat of David Freese.  Reds lead, 5-3.
• Johnny Cueto wasn't his usual sharp self.  Perhaps the Cardinals were just very keyed up to face him.  Either way, newcomer to the conflict Rafael Furcal homered to lead off the fifth.  Then once again Jon Jay and Albert Pujols hit back to back singles.  Matt Holliday grounded into a double play, but Jay was able to take advantage and score.  Game tied, 5-5.
• Todd Frazier pinch hit for Johnny Cueto in the sixth and sent a pitch over the right field fence.  Reds lead, 6-5.
• Despite what nycredsfan will try to tell you, when Jose Arredondo comes in, he allows runs.  Specifically, he allowed a home run to David Freese.  Game tied, 6-6.
• My last name is ten letters long and only has two vowels, but Marc Rzepczynski does me one better.  But at least I didn't give up a home run to Yonder Alonso tonight.  Jay Bruce singled with one out in the seventh, and then Yonder hit his blast.  Reds lead, 8-6.
• Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning, and he showed a bit of wildness.  After getting David Freese out, he walked Yadier Molina and Ryan Theriot.  Allen Craig grounded out, but that sent Molina to third, where he was able to score on Rafael Furcal's single.  Reds lead, 8-7.
• Holy shit!  When did Arthur Rhodes join the Cardinals?! That stings.  Well, he still was doing his level best to help the Reds to win, giving up a single to Joey Votto in the ninth.  Jay Bruce grounded into a forceout, and Kyle McClellan replaced Rhodes.  McClelland then plunked pinch hitter Miguel Cairo.  After Drew Stubbs uncharacteristically struck out, Juan Francisco hit a monster home run to straightaway center.  Reds lead, 11-7.
• Perhaps Dusty had a bit of a brain fart, because he put Francisco Cordero into the game with a four run lead.  Coco politely allowed a home run to Matt Holliday to erase that faux pas and make it a three run game.  Reds win, 11-8.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto.  The Man Who Would Be MVP Candidate at least had a solid night, going 2-3 with a double and reaching base a third time with a walk.  Everyone else pretty much sucked.  Honorable Mentions go to Dave Sappelt (pinch hit single) and Brandon Phillips (who got another hit out of the leadoff spot).

Key Plays

• This was a painfully obvious mismatch between one of the game's best pitchers and one of the season's worst.  Bronson Arroyo did manage to hold the Phillies scoreless their first time through the lineup and look pretty good doing it, but they caught up to him in a big way the second time around.  Chase Utley drew a one out walk in the fourth inning, and then Ryan Howard hit a home run to right.  Phillies lead 2-0.
• The third time through the lineup was even worse.  Hunter Pence hit a one out home run to center in the sixth inning, then Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz followed with back to back singles to right.  Wilson Valdez hit a ball to third, but Miguel Cairo couldn't field it cleanly.  You can't assume the double play, but one of those would have been nice to end the inning.  Instead, the bases were loaded with one out.  But at least the pitcher was coming up.  And naturally, Roy Halladay hit a bases clearing double.  That was it for Arroyo, and Logan Ondrusek came in to close out the inning.  Phillies lead, 6-0.
• Ondrusek did give up a single to Hunter Pence and a home run to Raul Ibanez in the seventh, though.  Phillies lead, 8-0.
• The Reds loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, on the strength of a Joey Votto double, Jay Bruce getting hit by a pitch, and a Drew Stubbs walk, but pinch hitter Todd Frazier struck out, and Ryan Hanigan grounded into a force out.
• And because if you've already given up three homers, why not four?  Ryan Howard hit his second dinger of the game off of Sam LeCure in the ninth.  Phillies win, 9-0.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey.  Yes, he made a mistake to Shane Victorino, but he also pitched eight innings, struck out nine, and didn't walk anyone.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips (2-4 with a triple and the Reds first run) and Ryan Hanigan (2-3 with no strikeouts).

Key Plays

• Homer Bailey and Cole Hamels locked horns in a pitcher's duel.  Uncharacteristically, the Reds were able to draw first blood against Hamels, scoring in the fourth inning.  Brandon Phillips led off with a triple, when Hunter Pence fell down attempting to catch the fly ball.  Dave Sappelt struck out, but Joey Votto was able to put his bat on the ball, and Phillips scored on Votto's groundout.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Unfortunately, the Phillies answered right back.  New Phillie Hunter P(h)ence hit a single, but was erased at second on John Mayberry's force out.  Carlos Ruiz singled, and Mayberry went to third.  Even if he'd stayed on second, he would have scored when Wilson Valdez hit a double that fell under the glove of a diving Dave Sappelt.  With runners on second and third and only one out, Homer Bailey struck out Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino to escape without further damage.  Game tied, 1-1.
• In the eighth inning, Wilson Valdez led off with a single, and one out later, Shane Victorino turned a pitch around and put it in the Moon Deck.  Phillies lead, 3-1.
• The Reds tried their luck against reliever Michael Stutes in their half of the eighth.  Ryan Hanigan hit a one out single, and after pinch hitter Fred Lewis struck out, Brandon Phillips squeezed a hit through the infield.  Dave Sappelt then hit a ball to Placido Polanco, but the third baseman's throw was errant.  Sappelt was safe and Hanigan scored.  But Joey Votto grounded out with runners on the corners.  Phillies win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Drew Stubbs.  He went 3-3 and stole a base.  It's a great line for our leadoff hitter... except that he was batting sixth.  Well, that's pretty good in that spot too.  Honorable mentions go to our actual leadoff hitter, Brandon Phillips (2-4 with two runs and an RBI) and Mike Leake (six innings, and only two runs allowed).

Key Plays

• The Reds opened the first inning with a different version of Joe Morgan's perfect run - scoring without benefit of a hit.  Brandon Phillips grounded a ball to the first baseman Chris Marrero, who botched it.  Dave Sappelt sacrifice bunted Phillips to second, and Phillips took third when Joey Votto grounded out.  Then Ross Detwiler threw a wild pitch and Phillips scored.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Mike Leake only got into trouble in one inning, and that was the third.  Wilson Ramos homered off of him to begin the inning, and then Jayson Werth hit a solo shot two outs later.  Nationals lead, 2-1.
• Fortunately, the Reds had it in them to counter.  Brandon Phillips and Dave Sappelt started off the bottom of the third with singles, and Joey Votto hit a ball to Chris Marrero.  This was a great idea as Marrero threw the ball away and Phillips made it home.  Ross Detwiler then loaded the bases by walking Jay Bruce.  The Reds capitalized, but perhaps it could have been more.  Miguel Cairo hit a sacrifice fly, and Sappelt scored.  Joey Votto tagged up and went to third in a heads up play, allowing him to score when Drew Stubbs also hit a sacrifice fly.  Then Jay Bruce got caught stealing.  The Reds scored three runs, but maybe it could have been more.  Reds lead, 4-2.
• The Reds did a bit of throat stomping and opportunity squandering in the fourth as well.  Ryan Hanigan hit a one out single, and Mike Leake bunted him to second.  Brandon Phillips then hit a single.  Hanigan scored, but should-be Reds trade target Mike Morse threw Phillips out going for second.  Reds lead, 5-2.
• In the sixth inning, Miguel Cairo led off with a double, and if that wasn't improbable enough, he also stole third base.  And then he managed to not score when Drew Stubbs hit a single.  Granted, it was an infield single on a grounder to shortstop, but still not something you see every day.  Edgar Renteria hit a sacrifice fly.  Reds lead, 6-2.
• Defensive whiz Mike Morse also flexed his muscles at the dish, hitting a home run off of Sam LeCure in the eighth inning.  Reds win, 6-3.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Doesn't matter much to me...

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Brandon Phillips.  So, have we found our leadoff hitter?  Phillips provided the spark, getting on base four times with three hits and a walk, and scored two runs.  It wasn't enough for the win, but he's been mighty impressive leading off.  Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto (2-2 with two walks and two RBI, plus a stolen base) and Ramon Hernandez (a temporarily game-tying double).

Key Plays

• Charlie Morton has had the Reds number all season, but today he was facing The Sparkplug That Is Brandon Phillips.  Phillips singled to begin the game, moved to second on Fred Lewis's grounder, then scored when Joey Votto singled.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Dontrelle Willis has pitched pretty well for the Reds this year, but try as he might he can't earn a win.  In the fourth inning, he gave up back to back singles to Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Ludwick.  Then he retired the next two batters, but friggin' Ronny Cedeno singled to left.  McCutchen scored.  Game tied, 1-1.
• Then, the next inning, Jose Tabata singled and Willis hit Garrett Jones with a pitch.  Dontrelle struck out Andrew McCutchen, but Ryan Ludwick and Neil Walker hit back to back singles, bringing around Tabata and Jones.  Pirates lead, 3-1.
• Seeking to get back in the game, Brandon Phillips, Fred Lewis and Joey Votto began the sixth inning with consecutive singles.  Votto's drove in Phillips.  It seemed like a big inning was in the offing, but then Jay Bruce grounded into a momentum killing double play.  Pirates lead, 3-2.
• Charlie Morton left the game in the sixth inning, so the Reds took advantage of Chris Resop on the mound.  Drew Stubbs singled off of him to start the seventh, then stole second base.  Ramon Hernandez then hit a double to bring Stubbs the rest of the way home.  Tony Watson came in and shut down the rest of the Reds.  Game tied, 3-3.
• Aroldis Chapman, supposedly our most reliable pitcher, entered the game and struck out Garrett Jones.  But Andrew McCutchen singled, and Chapman walked Ryan Ludwick.  Then Neil Walker hit a run scoring single and Brandon Wood hit a run scoring double.  Chapman struck out Ronny Cedeno, but walked Michael McKenry to load the bases.  Sam LeCure struck out pinch hitter Xavier Paul to end the inning, but it was too late.  Pirates win, 5-3.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Brandon Phillips.  3-5 with a home run and 4 RBI.  Sure, it's not a traditional line from the leadoff position, but that provides a spark nicely.  Honorable mentions go to Ryan Hanigan (2-4, a dinger, and 3 RBI) and Paul Janish (a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored).

Key Plays

• For the second night in a row, the start to the game was postponed by rain.  When this one did get underway, it was a wild, wooly affair.  Joey Votto got the scoring underway in the fourth inning with a home run off of Kevin Correia, after Fred Lewis had singled.  With about five weeks left in the season, Votto is heating up!  Reds lead, 2-0.
• The Pirates came right back in the bottom of the inning.  Andrew McCutchen led off with a single off of Homer Bailey.  One out later, Neil Walker singled, and then Ryan Ludwick, the big-hearted moose, drew a walk to load the bases.  Brandon Wood hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in McCutchen, and Ronny Cedeno, who always seems to do well against the Reds, hit a single that brought in Walker.  Game tied, 2-2.
• But Ryan Hanigan quickly put the Reds up with a home run in the fifth.  Then Paul Janish hit a double.  Homer Bailey laid down a sacrifice bunt, and successfully made it to first base himself.  With two runners on, Brandon Phillips blasted a home run.  Reds lead, 6-2.
• The Pirates once again loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning.  Jose Tabata singled, and stole second as Garrett Jones struck out looking.  Clint Hurdle objected to the call and got himself tossed.  Perhaps rallying behind a manager that's willing to stick up for his players during a game, Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Doumit got on base via a walk and a single, respectively.  Neil Walker then hit a sacrifice fly and Tabata scored.  Reds lead, 6-3.
• As part of a double switch in the sixth, Sam LeCure came in to relieve Bailey.  He promptly gave up a single to Brandon Wood and a double to Ronny Cedeno.  With Ronny and Wood on second and third and Keith and Mick on Marianne Faithful, Matt Diaz pinch hit for Kevin Correia.  Their tactic of scoring runs via productive outs continued as Diaz grounded to second and Wood scored.  Reds lead, 6-4.
• No longer able to feast on the Correian BBQ, the Reds offense instead turned its sights on Brad Lincoln.  Brandon Phillips hit a one single, but was erased as Fred Lewis hit into a fielder's choice.  Then Joey Votto walked, and Joe Beimel came in to face Jay Bruce.  Since the bases weren't loaded, Bruce was able to line a single up the middle and Lewis scored.  Dave Sappelt walked to load the bases, but Jason "Your Last Name Is" Grilli struck out Drew Stubbs to end the threat.  Reds lead, 7-4.
• Bill Bray was pitching the seventh inning for the Reds, and started off well with two quick outs.  Then he hit Neil Walker with a pitch, and Ryan Ludwick doubled.  Jose Arredondo came into the game, and you know what that means.  Runs!  Brandon Wood singled, and both Walker and Ludwick scored.  Reds lead, 7-6.
• The fabled Chris Resop took the mound for the Pirates in the eighth, and should probably retire now because Paul Janish got a hit off him.  Then Janish stole second.  Miguel Cairo, who had replaced Todd Frazier, singled, and there were runners on the corners.  Brandon Phillips grounded out to the shortstop, but it was enough to bring home Janish.  Reds lead, 8-6.
• Nick Masset, who is either a double agent or having a terrible night, came in to pitch the eighth and couldn't really get anyone out.  Pinch hitter Xavier Paul doubled, and Jose Tabata hit a single.  Garrett Jones doubled, scoring Paul and putting two runners in scoring position.  In scoring position, that is, until you try to run on Dave Sappelt.  Andrew McCutchen hit a ball to left field.  Tabata scored, but Sappelt's throw was in time to nail Jones.  McCutchen went to second on the throw.  Ryan Doumit singled, and there were runners on the corners.  Since only Sappelt had gotten anyone out in the inning, Dusty brought in Travis Wood.  He immediately walked Neil Walker to load the bases.  Ryan Ludwick then flew out to center.  McCutchen tagged and tried to score, but Drew Stubbs threw him out to complete the inning-ending double play.  Two runners cut down at the plate is both really good and necessary when your pitchers can't get outs.  Game tied, 8-8.
• The Pirates had their own double agent in the person of Joel Hanrahan though.  He walked Joey Votto to start the ninth, and Dave Sappelt got a single one out later to put runners on the corners.  Drew Stubbs then hit a grounder to second and Neil Walker came home with the throw.  Ryan Doumit missed the catch and Votto scored.  Stubbs and Sappelt wound up on second and third.  Perhaps Doumit as actually the double agent, with his cold, dead eyes?  Anyway, Ryan Hanigan sealed the win with a single, and Sappelt and Stubbs both scored.  Reds win, 11-8.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Ryan Hanigan.  The DC native was feeling his oats in the game today, going a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including a double.  He also threw out Ian Desmond trying to steal.  A really good game from our backstop.  Honorable mentions go to Brandon Phillips, who did his best to provide a spark from the leadoff spot with three hits, and Joey Votto (the only player besides Hanigan and Phillips to get a hit).

Key Plays

• Bronson Arroyo and Jordan Zimmermann traded scoreless innings for awhile.  Then Arroyo got smacked around by Jesus like he was some kind of moneylender.  Jesus Flores homered in the fifth inning.  Nationals lead, 1-0.
• With two outs in the sixth inning, Arroyo walked Mike Morse.  Then Jayson Werth singled, and so did Danny Espinosa to load the bases.  Up stepped Jonny Gomes, and he came through with a two run single like it was May of last year.  Nationals lead, 3-0.
• The Reds offense still wasn't good, but the Nats were able to gift them a run in the seventh.  Pinch hitter Fred Lewis faced relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez, and reached on a fielding error by Ian Desmond.  Rodriguez then threw a wild pitch, and Lewis went to second.  Then Jesus Flores passed a ball, and Lewis went to third.  Brandon Phillips grounded out to first, and Lewis scored.  Nationals win, 3-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

The Nationals are leading 1-0 on the strength of a home run by... somebody.  I've switched over to the soccer game.  Dominic Oduro just hit a ball off the post.  Yikes! 

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Johnny Cueto.  On a night when I spied a Joe Nuxhall jersey, the JNMHSotG decision is an easy one.  Cueto pitched 8 scoreless innings before giving up a leadoff home run to Ryan Zimmerman in the ninth.  He struck out five and walked none, and still managed to lower his ERA.  Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto (2-3, with a home run and two walks) and Dave Sappelt (a double.  Good job, buddy.).

Key Plays

• I met up with riverfront76 and his son and was able to watch the first half of the game with them in their sweet front row seats in the right field corner.  When Joey Votto came up to bat, I told the kid that Votto was the best hitter in baseball.  Joey then proved me right by smashing a ball off Ross Detwiler and into the Reds bullpen beyond the left-center wall.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• For a long time, it looked that bomb might be the only score in the game.  But when Sean Burnett came in to pitch the eighth inning, the Reds got a few hits off him.  Joey Votto and Jay Bruce started things off with back to back singles.  With runners on the corners, Miguel Cairo chopped a ball back up the middle.  Burnett made a nice snag, then threw to third to catch Votto leaning.  Drew Stubbs then drew a walk to load the bases.  Ryan Mattheus relieved Burnett and got Ramon Hernandez to ground out, but it was enough to drive in Bruce.  Paul Janish walked, loading the bases again.  With two outs, Dusty elected to let Johnny Cueto bat for himself.  Sure, a pinch hitter was more likely to drive in a run, but Cueto had been pitching so well, two runs was all he needed.  He grounded out.  Reds lead, 2-0.
• Cueto cruised through the eighth, and Dusty sent him out for the ninth to finish the game, despite the heart of the Nationals order coming to the plate.  Well, immediately that insurance run in the eighth came in handy, because Ryan Zimmerman creamed a pitch into centerfield for a home run.  Francisco Cordero came in to close things out.  I hope riverfront76 had already taken his kid home, because children shouldn't see what happened next.  Cordero got Mike Morse out, but walked Jayson Werth and gave up a single to Danny Espinosa.  Jonny Gomes then hit a hot grounder to Paul Janish's right.  The runners were moving on the pitch, and Gomes was motoring down the line like a man possessed.  He was called out at first on a bang-bang play earlier, and wanted there to be no doubt this time.  It was a moot point because Janish slipped and dropped the ball anyway.  Bases loaded, one out.  Wilson Ramos then hit a grounder to Brandon Phillips, and he promptly turned the game-ending double play.  It should be noted that Janish hung in and made a nice throw with Gomes sliding into him.  Reds win, 2-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Yonder Alonso.  Despite one tentative play in left field early in the game, the kid did pretty well and ended up being the only Red with multiple hits.  Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto (two runs) and Jay Bruce (two runs driven in).

Key Plays

• The Reds got off to a sharp start in this affair.  Drew Stubbs led off with a single and stole second.  One out later, Joey Votto walked, and after Brandon Phillips flew out, Jay Bruce singled to right field and Stubbs scored.  Then Ramon Hernandez stung a ball to right.  Jayson Werth reached up to make a play, but the ball popped out of his glove, and Votto scored.  Reds lead, 2-0.
• At this point in the game, I leaned over to Gray and cautioned that Washington hadn't had a chance to bat yet, and giving up first inning runs is what Cincinnati does.  Right away, Rick Ankiel blooped a ball into left center.  Yonder Alonso showed hesitance going for it, and Drew Stubbs raced in, but just couldn't make the play.  It fell for a single.  Ryan Zimmerman hit a single one out later (well, grounded the ball to Renteria, who couldn't get it out of his glove), and then Mike Morse clobbered a ball to the outfield.  Jay Bruce took a step in before realizing it was over his head, and it fell for a double.  Ankiel scored and Zim moved to third.  Mike Leake walked Jayson Werth to load the bases, then struck out our old friend Laynce Nix.  After chortling about Ian Desmond's .280 OBP, Desmond then dropped a hit over the infield, and Zimmerman and Morse both scored.  That's why you run with two outs, kids.  Nationals lead, 3-2.
• Mike Morse homered in the third inning.  We shoulda traded for that guy.  Nationals lead, 4-2.
• In the fourth inning, Wilson Ramos hit a one out double.  Chien-Ming Wang did not bunt, but he did ground out to shortstop which enabled Ramos to get to third, so same difference.  Rick Ankiel then grounded one to Joey Votto, and the ball hit off the heel of Joey's glove.  Votto wouldn't have had a play at the plate anyway, but matters weren't helped when he became entangled with the first base umpire.  Nationals lead, 5-2.
• Ryan Zimmerman homered to lead off the fifth.  It was an absolute shot into deep right field.  Now that guy, we shoulda traded for.  Nationals lead, 6-2.
• The Reds had gotten to Chien-Ming Wang in the first inning, but after that, he'd become Chien-Andalusia and was slicing up eyeballs.  Joey Votto, who'd hit balls hard that had become outs, finally hit a double in the sixth.  Two successive groundouts from Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce brought him home.  Nationals lead, 6-3.
• The Reds threatened briefly in the seventh inning too.  Pinch hitter Fred Lewis led off with a single, and one out later Edgar Renteria hit a ball off the wall.  A few feet to the left and it would have been a home run.  It was still enough for Lewis to score, and the throw to the plate allowed a limping Renteria to hop in to second.  He had pulled his groin on the play and was replaced by Paul Janish.  Tyler Clippard came in and promptly retired Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips on a foolish looking strikeout.  Nationals win, 6-4.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Edgar Renteria.  Yes, his two hits and home run were quite nice, but at this stage in the season, I'm just rooting for chances to make 'creds look silly.  Honorable mentions go to Jay Bruce and Joey Votto for their home runs.

Key Plays

• Like UC Santa Cruz's Homecoming, this game was a Slugfest.  It got started in the fourth inning when both Edgar Renteria and Jay Bruce hit home runs.  AND THAT'S WHY YOU BAT HIM SECOND!  Reds lead, 2-0.
• The Rockies responded in the fifth inning, with Chris Iannetta leading off with a double.  Kevin Millwood bunted him over to third, and Dexter Fowler's single allowed Iannetta to score easily.  Chris Nelson singled, one of the eleven hits that Mike Leake gave up on the night, but like those other instances, he was able to escape the threat and mitigate the damage courtesy of well-timed double play off the bat of Carlos Gonzalez.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Of course, you won't turn many double plays when the ball is already in the stands.  Troy Tulowitzki homered to lead off the sixth.  Game tied, 2-2.
• Fortunately, the Reds have their own slugging infielder.  Joey Votto homered off of Kevin Millwood to lead off the bottom of the sixth.  Check, and mate, Mr. Tulowitzki.  Reds win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Dontrelle Willis.  He pitched eight innings and struck out ten.  That's pretty darn good.  Yeah, sure, he gave up three runs, but that's not too many.  Especially considering he also hit a run-scoring triple to get one of them back.  This guy must have kicked a midget to have such bad luck.  Honorable mentions go to Ramon Hernandez (three hits) and Edgar Renteria (for keeping his OPS above .730).

Key Plays

• The Reds loaded the bases but didn't score in the first inning.  This was the third time in four games the Reds have done that.
• They did score in the second, though.  Ramon Hernandez led off with a single, and one out later, Dontrelle Willis hit a triple.  Hernandez huffed and puffed home, and Willis coolly displayed some more power.  Reds lead, 1-0.
• Dexter Fowler, who I kind of want on my team, hit a one out single in the fourth inning, and then Troy Tulowitzki ("Troy Story 3" to his friends) hit a home run.  I'd take him on my team, too.  Rockies lead, 2-1.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Todd Frazier struck out, but made it to first base on Esmil Rogers's wild pitch.  Dave Sappelt hit a single one out later, and then Edgar Renteria lined a ball back to the pitcher.  Rogers knocked it down and threw to second, getting the force out of Sappelt.  Troy Tulowitzki could have thrown to first to double up Renteria, but was distracted by Todd Frazier aggressively rounding third.  Tulo threw to third, and the throw home was in time, but Chris Iannetta couldn't tag Frazier before he touched the plate.  Game tied, 2-2.
• Willis was in a jam in the fifth inning.  Ty Wigginton hit a leadoff single and Chris Iannetta worked a one out walk.  Esmil Rogers then laid down a great bunt, and all the runners were safe.  Eric Young hit a grounder to third, and Frazier came home with it to nail Wigginton.  But then Dexter Fowler singled softly to center, and Iannetta scored.  Rockies win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Jay Bruce.  He's good!  We promise!  Bruce had two hits and 4 RBI, including a three run homer.  Honorable mentions go to Drew Stubbs and Brandon Phillips, who also both hit home runs.

Key Plays

• Fred Lewis and Joey Votto both walked in the first inning, and Jay Bruce walloped Jason Hammel's offering over the right field wall.  It's really nice to see him doing that again.  Reds lead, 3-0.
• In the second inning, the Rockies came right back.  Todd Helton, who evidently is still playing, singled, and Seth Smith hit a home run of his own.  Reds lead, 3-2.
• The Rockies did almost the exact same thing in the third inning, only with a slight twist.  Mark Ellis led off the inning with a single.  Homer Bailey was able to induce weak popouts from Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, but then Todd Helton line a single to left field.  Ellis was running on the pitch and was able to score from first easily.  Then Seth Smith followed up Helton's single with a home run.  Again.  Rockies lead, 5-3.
• The Reds could score just as easily as the Rockies, though.  Edgar Renteria led off the bottom half of the inning with a double.  One out later, Jay Bruce singled and Renteria scored.  Another out, and then Drew Stubbs hit his home run.  Reds lead, 6-5.
• Rain delay!
• Sam LeCure pitched in relief of Homer after the third inning, but found himself unable to staunch the flow of runs.  In the fifth inning, Troy Tulowitzki singled, and then Todd Helton joined the act by hitting a home run.  Rockies lead, 7-6.
• The improbably named Rex Brothers was pitching for the Rockies in the seventh inning when Brandon Phillips hit a home run.  Game tied, 7-7.
• The game was close in the late innings, and the ball had been flying out of the ballpark all night.  Seems like bad portents for our bullpen, right?  Correct.  The agency that rates such things - Standard & Portents - has downgraded our bullpen to a AA+ (the high AA).  Bill Bray was the goat in this game, as Dexter Fowler singled in the eighth, and Carlos Gonzalez homered.  Rockies lead, 9-7.
• Nick Masset came on in the ninth to provide one final nail for our casket.  With two outs, Dexter Fowler singled, and Mark Ellis hit a run-scoring double.  Rockies win, 10-7.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

I'm picking the Apples in Stereo.

Meanwhile, the Reds are beating the Rockies, 3-2.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Yonder Alonso.  If any American League teams are watching out there, this dude can hit.  The hot prospect reached base in all of his plate appearances, including a home run.  He drove in two as well.  So what if he can't field?  Honorable mentions go to Nick Masset, who got a bit of redemption with a scoreless inning, and... uh... nobody else was much good.  Jay Bruce hit a double, I guess.

Key Plays

• It was a long day for the Reds, but they actually started off with the lead.  Edgar Renteria singled to lead off the third inning, and Brandon Phillips got an infield single one out later.  Jay Bruce struck out, but Miguel Cairo and Yonder Alonso hit back to back singles to drive in Renteria and Phillips.  Reds lead, 2-0.
• Johnny Cueto has been our ace, but the doldrums have afflicted him as well.  The signs were there in the first inning when he hit two batters, but they were horrifyingly evident in the third inning.  Carlos Zambrano hit a home run to lead things off.  Doesn't he know that homers by pitchers are only charming when they are Dontrelle Willis.  Cueto did get two outs, but then Aramis Ramirez singled on a shot to Renteria, and Carlos Pena hit a run-scoring double.  Game tied, 2-2.
• Reed Johnson popped a ball up into shallow center in the fourth inning.  Brandon Phillips went back and made a great catch... but Drew Stubbs flew in like a great defensive back, taking out his legs and causing him to drop the ball.  The trainers and Mike Brown both arrived on the seen simultaneously.  Phillips stayed in the game, and Johnson was on second.  Not for long, though, because Alfonso Soriano doubled over Alonso's head.  Geovany Soto singled, and there were runners on the corners.  Cueto then struck out Zambrano, and got Starlin Castro to ground into a force out.  It was enough to drive in Soriano though.  Darwin Barney singled, and a wild pitch by Cueto put runners on second and third with two outs.  Time to bear down, right?  Nope.  Walks to Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena.  Castro scored, and the bases were loaded.  No more wild Cueto as Sam LeCure came in and struck out Marlon Byrd.  Cubs lead, 5-2.
• Sam LeCure has been our ace in the bullpen, but the doldrums have afflicted him as well.  Brandon Phillips came out and Todd Frazier took over third, with Miguel Cairo shifting to second.  It wasn't either of their fault that Reed Johnson singled, or that Soriano hit a ball that Yonder Alonso misplayed, or that Geovany Soto walked.  Bases loaded again, and LeCure managed to strike out Zambrano.  But Starlin Castro doubled, driving in Johnson and Soriano.  LeCure then struck out Darwin Barney.  Aramis Ramirez hit a sharp ball to shortstop, but Edgar Renteria's throw was off target, and Soto and Castro scored on the play.  Then Carlos Pena doubled, and Ramirez scored too.  Cubs lead, 10-2.
• Yonder Alonso hit his first major league home run in the sixth.  Congratulations Yonder.  Cubs lead, 10-3.
• As his reward, Dusty replaced him with Fred Lewis.  Then he put in Jose Arredondo to ensure that the Cubs would get their lead back.  Although to be fair, he wasn't helped by Todd Frazier throwing away Reed Johnson's grounder.  With Johnson on second, Arredondo walked Soriano.  He did get two outs, but then Starlin Castro singled and Johnson scored.  Cubs lead, 11-3.
• The Reds mounted their comeback in the ninth inning against John Grabow.  Drew Stubbs drew a one out walk, then took second on defensive indifference.  With two outs, Joey Votto singled to drive him in.  Then Todd Frazier grounded out.  It wasn't much of a comeback, really.  Cubs win, 11-4.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto.  I understand the Bautista trade talk, but I don't like it.  Votto's something special, and I like deluding myself into believing that he'll play his whole career in Cincinnati.  Anyway, he had three hits tonight, including two doubles, and a run.  Honorable mentions go to Dontrelle Willis (a credible six innings, giving up only two runs, and a home run of his own), and Todd "Please Frazier Answer in the Form of a Question" (home run!).

Key Plays

• Dontrelle Willis, like some 18th century French peasant, found himself victimized by the Bourgeois when Jason Bourgeois led off the bottom of the first with a dribbler of a single to third.  One out later, J.D. Martinez hit a home run.  Astros lead, 2-0.
• The Reds couldn't answer at all until the fifth inning.  Then Todd Frazier hit a home run.  Astros lead, 2-1.
• Next inning, Joey Votto hit a one out double, and scored when Brandon Phillips singled.  The Astros might have had a play at the plate on Votto, but there was no throw.  Game tied, 2-2.
• Willis escaped a situation with runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth.  He was set to leave the game as a pitcher, but stayed in to hit... and socked a homer!  Reds lead, 3-2.
• Unfortunately, the pitching.  Logan Ondrusek and Nick Masset, two former stalwarts, seem utterly unreliable these days.  Tonight it was Masset's turn.  He walked pinch hitter Brian Bogusevic, then Jason Bourgeois and Jose Altuve both reached on bunt singles.  Bases loaded, no outs, and J.D. Martinez sent a double into the left field corner.  Two runs scored, and hopes of Dontrelle Willis's first win as a Red vanished.  Masset intentionally walked Carlos Lee, loading the bases again, then gave way to Sam LeCure.  Sam Wow needed only five pitches to get out of the threat, coaxing a double play out of Jason Michaels and a pop up from Jimmy Paredes.  Astros lead, 4-3.
• But because baseball is cruel, Sam LeCure, the hero of the seventh inning, gave up a home run to Humberto Quintero in the eighth.  Astros lead, 5-3.
• And because baseball is cruel, the Reds launched an insufficient rally in the ninth inning.  Jay Bruce singled off Mark Melancon, and advanced a base each time as Fred Lewis and Ramon Hernandez grounded out.  Pinch hitter Yonder Alonso singled, bringing in Bruce.  Miguel Cairo pinch hit, and flew out.  Astros win, 5-4.

via www.fangraphs.com

Continue reading this post »

The headline says it all, really.