DUSTY BAKER IS
PROVING THE WORLD WRONG WITH HIS BOOMING BABIES
8.30.10 BY:MEH DUSTY'S DAYCARE
DUSTY BAKER IS PROVING
THE WORLD WRONG WITH HIS BOOMING BABIES
Reds' manager Dusty Baker is
in the final year of a three-year 10.5 million dollar contract. On August
18th, after leading his team to a 68-51 record and a legitimate shot at the
playoffs for the first time since 1995, Baker was offered an
undisclosed contract extension by the Reds. Baker is still considering
Walt Jocketty's overture.
"We
just got the proposal a few days ago,”
Baker said.
“We’re still evaluating it. I’ve got to look at where were going and what I
want to do. I’m concentrating on winning. I’ve said that all along.
Everything is cool. It will work out."
Currently setting a season-high in games over the .500 mark (20) and games
ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals (5), the Cincinnati Reds are
making serious noise in the National League. With Joey Votto leading the
team in offense, and Jay Bruce along with Drew Stubbs having impressive
Sophomore and Junior seasons, the young Reds are getting it done despite
rumors of Dusty Baker favoring older and more seasoned players.
In the position of handling a team with such great young talent when taking
over the Reds in 2008, many thought the situation would
quickly turn disastrous for Baker. While managing in San Francisco
('93-'02) and Chicago ('03-'06) Baker's success relied on veterans, but with
the Reds it seems that Baker has learned to mesh the old with the new while
creating a serious force to be reckoned with in the NL Central.
Joey Votto (26) and Jay Bruce (23) are both currently participating in their
third full major league seasons. Drew Stubbs (25), who avoided the 2010
rookie tag by compiling 180 at-bats last season, is playing in his second.
Bruce and Stubbs have spent their entire major league careers managed by
Dusty Baker while Votto has played 402 games for the Reds' skipper. Votto
played in 24 games during the Reds 2007 season under interim manager Pete
Mackanin.
Through Sunday, Joey Votto has hit 81 homeruns, drove in 261, and composed a
.315 batting average during his three seasons under Dusty Baker. Along with
Albert Pujols, Votto is becoming a determined contender for the National
League Triple Crown. The humble first baseman is also a solid MVP candidate
while quietly leading the Reds, old and new, to the post season. This season
Votto is hitting at a .325 clip (2nd), has driven in 93 runs (2nd), scored
91 times (tied with Brandon Phillips for 2nd), all while matching Jay
Bruce's jersey number in the homerun category (tied with Adam Dunn for 2nd).
After off and on performances this season,
Jay Bruce and
Drew
Stubbs have both put it together during August. Hitting just .230 in
June and .213 in July, Stubbs is having by far his best month of 2010
despite limited playing time (15 games started). With a greatly improved
.313 average for the month, along with ten runs batted in, six stolen bases,
16 runs scored, and two homers, Stubbs will likely become more of a regular
again come September.
Jay Bruce has flat out caught fire during August. After leading the Reds to
a
7-1 victory over the Cubs on Friday night as he drove in five runs with
three long balls, Bruce is currently sitting on a .316 average with seven
homers and fifteen RBI for the month.
If Dusty's youngsters can continue the pace they have set this month
throughout September, the chance of the St. Louis Cardinals catching them in
the standings will descend quickly. Dusty Baker's surprising youngsters,
along with his accomplished oldsters, are no longer a speculation; they are
absolute.
Up next for the Reds are the Milwaukee Brewers beginning on Monday. The Reds
have won four of five previous decisions against Milwaukee this season as
they outscored them 35-16. As the Reds and Brewers play three games in
Cincinnati, St. Louis will play three in Houston.
MONDAY: Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.83) vs. Randy Wolf (10-10, 4.74) at
7:10pm
TUESDAY: Aaron Harang (6-7, 5.02) vs. Yovani Gallardo (11-6, 3.5) at
7:10pm
WEDNESDAY: Johnny Cueto (12-4, 3.49) vs. Chris Narveson (10-7, 5.52) at
7:10pm
Whack Reds will be appearing on I-70 Baseball Radio during their Monday
night (11pm ET) live broadcast.
Make sure to tune in. We will be discussing the upcoming Reds and
Cardinals series, the NL Central, and whatever the hell else we feel like
spewing.
According to the Louisville Bats, Aroldis Chapman
hit 105
mph with one of his heaters last night. Read morehere.
When will Chapman be called up?
“We’re going to have to wait until Sept. 1,” general manager Walt Jocketty
recently told The Enquirer. “That will give him a chance to stabilize in the
bullpen and get more experience. We’re trying to find the right time.”
Chapman will be eligible for the playoffs.
“We have two extra spots because we have two players on the 60-man disabled
list,” Jocketty said.
Those players are Mike Lincoln and Jose Arredondo.
During his last 17 appearances, Chapman is 3-0-8 with a 0.96 ERA, 31K, and
4BB.
"That's the first time we've seen 105 on the gun," Bats manager Rick Sweet
said. "We've had scouts tell us they've gotten 105, but that's the first
time we've seen it." COMMENTS?
"I'M NOT GOING
TO PAT ANYONE WITH A CUBS UNIFORM ON THE BACK." -JOEY VOTTO
8.26.10 BY:MEH "I DON'T LIKE THE CUBS."
"I'M NOT GOING TO PAT
ANYONE WITH A CUBS UNIFORM ON THE BACK." -JOEY VOTTO
The Cincinnati Reds (73-54)
will play the Chicago Cubs (54-74) for the final time during the 2010 season
beginning on Friday for three games. The Cubs are currently 19.5 games
behind the first place Reds in the NL Central standings and have recently
lost their manager Lou Piniella. Planning on retiring after the Cubs' 2010
season, Piniella decided to
call it quits on August 22 after a 16-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves to
care for his ailing mother. Ironically, the Braves defeated the Cubs by the
same score during both teams' 2010 season opener on April 5 in Atlanta.
The Cubs have unloaded mightily during this year's disappointing season.
Lefty Ted Lilly and 2B Ryan Theriot were both traded to the Dodgers right
before the non-waiver trade deadline. Mike Fontenot was traded to the Giants
on August 11 and long time Cub, Derrek Lee, was traded to the Atlanta Braves
on August 18, just five days after a visit on the bereavement list. During
Lee's seven seasons with Chicago he batted .298, collected 1,046 hits, and
belted 179 homers.
The Reds have played the Cubs during every month this season except June. In
thirteen attempts, the Reds have won ten, while outscoring Chicago 85-43.
Collectively against the Cubs this season the Reds have batted .282 with 128
hits and eighteen home runs. The Cubs on the other hand, have hit just .220
when facing Cincinnati with 93 hits and eleven long balls.
FRIDAY: Johnny Cueto (11-4, 3.62) vs. Tom Gozelanny (7-7, 3.70) at
7:10pm
Making his 25th start of the 2010 season, Johnny Cueto will be searching for
a career-high in wins (2008: 9-14, 2009: 11-11) on Friday night against
Chicago. Cueto has faced the Cubs just once this season, walked a
season-high five Cubs, and received the loss (5IP, 7H, 0ER) as the Reds were
defeated 3-1. In nine career starts against Chicago North, Cueto is 2-5 with
a 4.17 ERA.
Tom Gorzelanny has faced the Reds nine times during his career. Lifetime,
Gorzelanny is 3-4 against Cincinnati with a 4.74 ERA. Gorzelanny has faced
the Reds three times this season and was handed three losses as he allowed
six runs in 19.1 innings.
SATURDAY: Bronson Arroyo (14-7, 3.82) vs. Randy Wells (5-12, 4.56) at
7:10pm
On Saturday, Bronson Arroyo will make his 27th start of this season and his
20th career start against the Cubs. During nineteen career starts against
the Cubs, Arroyo is 9-6 with a 2.74 ERA. Arroyo has faced the Cubs twice
this season with both being at Wrigley Field. In thirteen innings, Arroyo
failed to allow a run against Chicago (7H, 3BB, 10K) while walking away
victorious during each attempt receiving his eighth and twelfth wins.
Also making his 27th start of the season, Randy Wells will be facing the
Reds for the seventh time during his four-year career. Lifetime, Wells owns
a 3-1 record against Cincinnati with a 2.58 ERA. During two starts against
the Reds this season, Wells is 1-1. In 14.2 innings, he allowed four earned
runs on ten hits while striking out eight.
SUNDAY: Edinson Volquez (3-2, 6.17) vs. Casey Coleman (1-1, 5.68) at
1:10pm
After three solid starts from August 1 to August 13 in which he allowed just
one run per game and received two victories, Edinson Volquez's progress
declined rapidly. During his last two outings, Volquez pitched a measly 5.1
innings while allowing ten earned runs on eleven hits. Volquez will likely
get one more redemption start against Chicago on Sunday before the Reds
decide his 2010 fate. On August 7th of this year, Volquez pitched 6.2
innings of one-run ball against Chicago during the Reds' 4-3 victory at
Wrigley Field. Lifetime against the Cubs, Volquez is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in
three starts. Volquez has yet to allow a Cub homerun. Keep it that way.
Rookie long-reliever turned starter, Casey Coleman, will be making just his
third career start on Sunday. Coleman has faced the Reds just once during
this season. On August 8, Coleman pitched three innings (2H, 2ER, 2BB)
during the Reds' 11-4 victory.
*Update:
Tom Groeschen has reported that Edinson Volquez
will not start for the Reds on Sunday and will be moved to the bullpen
for the time being. Travis Wood will be moved to Sunday, Homer Bailey will
be moved to Monday, and Aaron Harang appears to be starting for the Reds on
Tuesday.
Travis Wood made his major league debut against Chicago on July 1, 2010. In
two starts against the Cubs this season (the Reds won both games), the
rookie received one victory as he pitched 13.1 innings and posted a 3.38
ERA.
8.20.10 BY:MEH DODGER DOG SOUP
REDS READY FOR NEXT WEST COAST CHALLENGE
The Cincinnati Reds (70-51)
completed a
three-game series sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
After losing three straight to the St. Louis Cardinals (65-53) last week,
the Reds have won six straight games as they outscored the Marlins and
Snakes 40-20. After Thursday's 9-5 victory, the Reds moved 3.5 games ahead
of the Cardinals in the NL Central standings.
Friday, the Reds will begin a three game series against the fourth-place
Dodgers. The Reds are 0-12 at Chavez Ravine since they defeated the Dodgers
there on July 28, 2005. The Cardinals will begin a three game series against
the San Francisco Giants (68-54) at Busch Stadium on Friday. The Giants are
currently six games behind the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The Reds
will face the Giants to complete their West Coast road trip, in San
Francisco, starting Monday. Go Giants........at least for now.
FRIDAY:
Homer Bailey (2-2, 4.92) vs. Vicente Padilla (6-4, 3.96) at 10:10pm
Homer Bailey will be making his second start since coming of the disabled
list on Friday. During his last start, against the Marlins, Bailey hurled
six scoreless innings allowing only three hits in a 2-0 Cincinnati victory.
Bailey has faced the Dodgers three times in his career and is 1-1 with a
6.19 ERA. On April 20 of this year, Bailey helped the Reds defeat the
Dodgers 11-9 at GABP.
Vicente Padilla has appeared in 15 games against the Reds during his career,
but has started against them only seven times. Padilla is 4-2 with a 4.11
ERA in those starts. Padilla lasted just 4.1 innings (8H, 8ER) against
Atlanta during his last start.
SATURDAY:
Johnny Cueto (11-3, 3.38) vs. Chad Billingsley (9-7, 3.66) at 10:10pm
Johnny Cueto has never beaten the Dodgers and will face them for the first
time this season on Saturday after serving a 12-game suspension. In just two
career starts against the Dodgers, Cueto is 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
During Chad Billingsley's last start against the Reds on April 20, he lasted
only three innings as he allowed seven runs (4 earned) on seven hits. In
five major league seasons Billingsley has started against Cincinnati six
times and owns a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA. The Dodgers have lost their
last four games that Billingsley has started.
SUNDAY:
Bronson Arroyo (13-7, 3.87) vs. Clayton Kershaw (11-7, 3.03) at 4:10pm
Bronson Arroyo will be making his eleventh career start against the Dodgers
on Sunday. In ten starts against the Dodgers, Arroyo is 2-4 with a 4.21 ERA.
Clayton Kershaw will be making his third career start against Cincinnati. He
is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA during their first two meetings.
8.19.10 BY:MEH WOW!
REDS MOVE THREE GAMES AHEAD OF CARDINALS
(Photo:
AP/Ross D. Franklin)
From While you were
sleeping... on
John Fay's blog:
Most in Redsland were securely in the bed Wednesday night when the Reds’
offense woke up.
The Reds scored four in the eighth and four in the ninth to win 11-7. It was
the Reds’ 35th comeback win of the year and 15th win via runs in the final
at-bat. The Reds, winners of five straight, moved to three games ahead of
the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. St. Louis lost to
Milwaukee 3-2 earlier Wednesday.
“It was awesome,” Jay Bruce said of the comeback. “But I can’t say I’m
surprised. We’ve been doing it all year. It shows the resiliency and the
depth of this team — to do that without Joey (Votto) in there.”
The Reds pounded out 18 hits without Votto, who scratched with a stiff back.
Eight players drove in a run. Five players had at least two hits.
Bruce went 4-for-5 and finished a double short of the cycle. Ramon Hernandez
was 3-for-4. Jim Edmonds went 2-for-5 with his first homer as Red and a
double. Laynce Nix drove in three runs.
“We’ve done it before,” Nix said of the comeback. “That’s why we’ll do it
again. We did a great job of battling at-bats to get back in it.”
For all the offensive fireworks, the Reds used small ball to get the lead
before breaking it open.
Edmonds led off the ninth with a double. Scott Rolen got him to third with a
grounder to second.
“The shot heard around the world,” Rolen said.
Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey put down a perfect squeeze. So perfect that Heisey
beat it out for a hit.
“I don’t squeeze a lot,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “But (pitcher Aaron)
Heilman is tough. Heisey is a good bunter.”
Bruce followed with his fourth hit of the night. Hernandez was hit by a
pitch to load the bases. Paul Janish made it 9-7 with a sacrifice fly. Nix
doubled in two more.
As the Cincinnati Reds continue their already successful West Coast
road-trip, Whack Reds will be camping at China Lake, Maine. Unfortunately,
we will be internet-free for most the time and will be struggling to update
ourselves on the Reds' progress. Crap. We can't promise more than a few
lousy posts over the weekend, but wait, we never promised our readers
anything. Hopefully, the Reds will continue to win series' while building an
even larger lead above the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. Go Redlegs!
8.18.10 BY:MSR
NUMBERS The Cincinnati Reds
of 2010 rebound well. The team is like the 76ers legend, "the round mound of
rebound." Beginning last week in first and ending the week in first is a
good thing, despite the poor performance against the Cardinals. Overshadowed
by the big series against the Cards with the brawl and all was the key
addition of outfielder, Jim Edmonds. It is nice seeing #15 in a Reds
uniform. So let's talk numbers, not statistics but jersey numbers.
I have always been fascinated by jersey numbers. I'm sure collecting
baseball cards contributed to this fascination. So when I saw Edmonds
wearing #15 it reminded me of other Cincinnati players to wear the number.
World Series champion, Glen Braggs wore #15 while breaking bats over his
back in 1990. Lefty, Denny Naegle, wore #15 in the late nineties. George
Foster is the most decorated Red to wear #15. This Big Red Machine slugger
was the National League MVP in 1977 and his number should retired as a Red.
All this jersey number interest motivated me to look up some facts about
retired numbers.
Nine Hall of Fame baseball legends have their respective jersey numbers
retired by two or more Major League teams. Frank Robinson's number 20 is
retired by our very own Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles.
Baseball's true "Homerun King," Hank Aaron, has his number 44 retired by the
Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. Carlton Fisk has his number 27
retired as a Boston Redsox and his number 72 is retired as a Chicago
Whitesox. Rod Carew has his number 29 retired as a Minnesota Twin and a Los
Angeles of Anaheim Angel. Reggie Jackson started with the Oakland Athletics
and his number 9 is retired there. He earned his "Mr. October" nickname as a
New York Yankee and his number 44 is retired in "the House that Ruth built."
Ace reliever Rollie Fingers, an Ohio native, has his number 34 retired by
both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Oakland Athletics. Legendary manager of
the New York Yankees and New York Mets Casey Stengel, has his number 37
lovingly retired by both franchises. Nolan Ryan has his number retired by
three teams. First gaining his control as flame thrower in an Angel uniform,
"The Express" has his number 30 retired there. The Houston Astros also have
his number 34 retired. The native Texan also has his number 34 retired in
Arlington as a Texas Ranger. Finally, we come to the race man out of UCLA,
Jackie Robinson. For his duties served as the first African American
baseball player, Jackie Robinson has his number 42 retired respectively by
all 32 major league baseball teams. A tremendous honor bestowed upon a man
we all wish could have been alive to witness such dedication to his
accomplishments on and off the field of play.
Jackie Robinson's legacy was celebrated in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of
his breaking the color barrier as a Brooklyn Dodger. From that point on no
major leaguer has been permitted to wear the number 42 on his jersey, unless
they already had the number before 1997. Future Hall of Fame member, closer
Mariano Rivera, still wears 42 on his jersey because he was wearing the
number before 1997. He has been "grandfathered in," permitted to wear the
number until his retirement. Rivera is the only current player in major
league baseball to still wear the number 42. He will be the last and his
number will eventually be retired as a New York Yankee. The number 42 will
be no more...
"You gotta' know this;" one current Hall of Fame member had his number 42
retired as well. He was a closer also. Once Rivera has his number retired,
there will be only three players who have had their number 42 enshrined into
baseball lore. Enjoy the research and find out for yourselves...
8.17.10 BY:MEH WHACKING DAY
NEXT NINE FOR REDS ON
WICKED WEST COAST
After being handed a sweep by
the St. Louis Cardinals and falling a game behind them in the NL Central
standings, the Cincinnati Reds handed the Florida Marlins three straight
defeats and placed themselves, once again, ahead of the Cardinals in first
place. Now sixteen games above the .500 mark (67-51), the Reds are heading
to the
dreaded West Coast for nine consecutive road games against Arizona, Los
Angeles, and San Francisco.
The first three games will be against the last place Snakes (47-72) at Chase
Field in Arizona beginning on Tuesday. The Reds have not faced the
Diamondbacks this season, but swept Arizona during last season's trip to
Chase field and have a 5-1 record there in the last two seasons.
TUESDAY: Bronson Arroyo (12-7, 3.94) vs. Daniel Hudson (4-1, 3.52) at
9:40pm
Bronson Arroyo will be making his 25th start of the season against the
D-backs on Tuesday night. Arroyo has not faired well against Arizona in the
past. In six career starts, Arroyo has notched three losses and received
just one win while posting a 5.23 ERA.
Daniel Hudson will be making his fist career start against the Reds in just
his fourth start for Arizona after being traded from the Chicago White Sox
for Edwin Jackson on July 30. Hudson went 1-1 for Chicago this season in
three starts, but has gone undefeated in his first three starts (22.2IP,
13H, 4ER, 17K, 1.59ERA) with his new team.
WEDNESDAY: Edinson Volquez (3-1, 4.25) vs. Rodrigo Lopez (5-11, 4.93)
at 9:40pm
In Edinson Volquez's only career start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on
September 13, 2008, he pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs on
five hits while striking out eight during a 3-2 Reds victory.
Rodrigo Lopez has faced the Reds four times during his nine major league
seasons (1-0, 6.32). Lopez is tied with Tampa Bay's James Shields for most
homeruns allowed (28) in all of baseball.
THURSDAY: Travis Wood (3-1, 2.65) vs. Joe Saunders (7-12, 4.48) at
9:40pm
Since the Reds have not yet faced the Snakes this season, neither has rookie
left-hander Travis Wood. Optioned to Louisville August 9th making room for
Jim Edmonds on the Reds' roster, Wood will return to the Reds rotation on
Thursday. During Wood's first eight major league starts this season (3-0 on
the road), the Reds have won six, outscoring their opponents 52-18. Both
being 1-0 defeats, the Reds have lost only two games this season with Wood
on the mound.
Joe Saunders was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Anaheim Angels in the
July 26,
Dan Haren trade and will be making his first career start against the
Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. Saunders was 6-10 in twenty starts for the
Angels earlier this season and is 1-2 in four starts, so far in Arizona.
During Saunders' past two starts against Washington and San Diego, he
allowed ten runs on eighteen hits in twelve innings of work.
"It's always a tough trip - but I believe in the law of
averages,"
Dusty Baker said.
"We're due to win some games out there and we're going to take it one day at
a time."
RESILIENT
REDS REVERSE CARDINALS' SWEEP WITH ONE OF THEIR OWN; LEAD NL CENTRAL AGAIN
8.15.10 BY:MEH BACK IN FIRST AFTER FISH
SWEEP RESILIENT REDS
REVERSE CARDINALS' SWEEP WITH ONE OF THEIR OWN; LEAD NL CENTRAL AGAIN
After enduring a three game by
the St. Louis Cardinals last week and falling a game behind them in the NL
Central standings, the Reds faced the Florida Marlins over the weekend
desperately needing a surge. Outscoring them 14-6, Cincinnati swept the
Marlins during a three game set and reclaimed sole possession of first-place
in the NL Central. The St. Louis Cardinals hosted the Chicago Cubs over the
weekend and lost the final two games of the series after defeating the Cubs
on Friday. Despite the concerns of many fans, the Reds' 2010 season is far
from over.
On Friday, Edinson Volquez made his sixth start of the season and received
his third win (3-1, 4.25). Volquez pitched six innings and allowed just one
run on eight hits while striking out five. After walking at least four
batters a game during his last four starts, Volquez walked just two Marlins
on Friday.
"I think every time I pitch," Volquez said. "I get into a better
rhythm...more comfortable."
Scoring just eight runs against the Cardinals in three games, the Reds
offense recuperated quickly scoring seven times against the Marlins on
Friday. Scott Rolen notched three hits (2 RBI) as Brandon Phillips, Laynce
Nix, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce all collected two. Along with his first long
ball since June 30, Jay Bruce drove in three runs for the first time since
the Reds' 12-2 victory over the Astros on May 29 and has already matched his
RBI total for July (5). Florida starter
Josh Johnson (10-5, 2.27) was lit up in 3.2 innings of work allowing a
season-high in hits (10) and runs (6). Marlins' rookie Mike Stanton was
responsible for both of Florida's runs with two solo homeruns. The Reds beat
the Marlins
7-2.
Facing the Florida Marlins for the fist time in his career and coming off a
terrible last outing against the Cardinals (3.2IP, 9H, 7ER), Mike "Godzilla"
Leake (8-4, 3.78) got it done on Saturday. Leake hurled six innings and
allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out six Marlins. Scott
Rolen, Drew Stubbs, Ramon Hernandez, Paul Janish, and Mike Leake drove in a
run each displaying the Reds' scattered offensive depth during the Reds
5-4 victory. With the win and a Cardinals loss, the Reds slid back into
a tie for first place in the NL Central.
"I give the Reds credit," Marlins' outfielder Cody Ross said.
"They're not running slop out there. They pitch well, play great defense.
Brandon Phillips is everywhere. I hit to the right, he's there. I hit the
ball up the middle he's there. They must have the perfect scouting report on
us."
With Johnny Cueto currently serving a 7-game suspension for his part in the
Reds/Cards brawl last Tuesday, Homer Bailey (2-2, 4.92) made his first start
for the Reds since May 23 on Sunday. Juan Francisco was optioned to
Louisville to make room for Bailey on the Reds' roster. After a successful
rehab stint in Louisville (19IP, 5ER, 15K), Bailey hurled six innings of
scoreless ball allowing just three hits while striking out four Marlins.
Giving Scott Rolen the day off, Miguel Cairo supplied the Reds with two runs
with his fourth homerun of the season during the sixth inning. Anibal
Sanchez pitched well for the Marlins (6IP, 5H, 2ER, 7K), but received the
loss as the Reds completed a three-game sweep with a
2-0 victory over Florida.
"That's a reverse sweep," Dusty Baker said. "That's what we
talked about before this series started. That's a quality team over there.
They've got some dynamite hitters, some good pitching and they're going to
be good for a long time. We held their offense down today pretty much, which
is a hard thing to do."
Reds' closer Francisco Cordero (3-4, 4.05) notched his 31st and 32nd save of
the season during the series. Walking three batters while allowing one
earned run on two hits in his two innings of work, Cordero remains
problematic as Dusty Baker's terminator.
"I have to stop walking people," Cordero said. "I've got to
do that or it's going to be like that every time. I see how upset the fans
are with me. I understand that. Every time I walk someone, that guy comes in
to score. It's not like I'm giving up a lot of base hits. It's walks. I
really don't know what to say about that. It's not my style. It's not me.
I've never been like that my whole career. I have to keep working and try to
be better every time out."
Aside from Cordero, Reds' relievers continued to pitch honorably during the
Marlins series. Allowing seven hits during seven innings of work, the Reds'
bullpen combined for just one earned run while striking out six.
The Reds and Cardinals are both off Monday. The Cardinals will begin a two
game series against the Brewers on Tuesday, followed by another off day
Thursday, before facing the Giants at home over the weekend. The Reds will
begin a nine game West Coast road trip on Tuesday against the last place
Arizona Diamondbacks (47-72). Stay tuned for a rundown before the series.
