THE REDS ARE OFF
TO ST. LOUIS TO DEFEND FIRST PLACE IN THE NL CENTRAL
5.30.10 BY:MEH
CONQUER THE CARDINALS!
THE REDS ARE OFF TO ST.
LOUIS TO DEFEND FIRST PLACE IN THE NL CENTRAL
After winning 5-of-7 games against the Pirates and Astros during their
latest home-stand, the first place Reds are off to St. Louis to play the
Cardinals. The Reds are currently one game ahead of the Cardinals in the NL
Central standings and own the best record (30-21) in the National League.
This weeks three-game series against the Cardinals will be the last time the
division rivals face-off until August 9-11 in Cincinnati.
"We’re
having fun,"
Reds owner Bob Castellini says.
"We’re having a lot of fun."
The Reds' recent success has been a result of coordination. The Reds'
offense has been rampant (leading the majors in home runs with 67) while the
starting pitchers haven't received a loss in over two weeks. With the Reds'
most dominant player Joey Votto sidelined with a stiff neck, veteran Miguel
Cairo has been replacing the damage. When Homer Bailey was placed on the
15-day disabled list, Sam LeCure stepped in and secured the mound. This
vibrant group of players is enjoying success and defining unity. They are a
true team.
"With
this team, everybody contributes every night,"
Aaron Harang said.
Bronson Arroyo (5-2, 4.30) will face Jaime Garcia (4-2, 1.14) and the
Cardinals at 4:15pm on Monday.
THE CINCINNATI
REDS ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
5.28.10 BY:MEH IT'S GOOD TO BE KING.
THE CINCINNATI REDS ARE
THE BEST TEAM IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
Screw the wildcard and forget the NL Central; the Cincinnati Reds (29-20)
are currently the best team in the National League after Friday's
15-6 Astro-pounding. Ohhhh yeah.
Sam LeCure made his major league debut against Wandy Rodriguez and the
Houston Astros on Friday. LeCure pitched respectable (6IP, 6H, 2ER, 4BB, 5K)
as his teammates helped him secure his first major league win. The Reds'
offense scored fifteen runs against the unconscious Astros. Brandon Phillips
went 3-6 while driving in three and Drew Sutton went 2-2, driving in four,
with his first career grand slam. Jonny Gomes went 4-4 driving in four runs
and was a double short of the cycle, but could care less:
"With
the way things are going, the last thing I’m worried about is the cycle.
I’ll take a win over the cycle anytime.”
The Reds ace in the hole, Edinson Volquez, threw sixty pitches at Great
American Ballpark on Friday. Volquez underwent "Tommy John" surgery on
August 3, 2009. Beginning next week, Volquez will pitch in extended spring
training at the club's complex in Goodyear, Arizona. Volquez will then
continue on a minor league rehab assignment until his
50-day suspension
for using performance-enhancing drugs expires on June 14.
"He
looked great,"Walt
Jocketty said.
"He threw all his pitches. He really looked good."
Aaron Harang (3-5, 5.98) will face Brian Moehler (0-1, 4.42) and the Astros
at 7:10 pm on Saturday.
*Update:
Ryan Hanigan broke his thumb on Friday and has been placed on the disabled
list. Corky Miller has been called up from AAA Louisville. Joey Votto will
miss his fourth straight start on Saturday with a stiff neck.
RHP SAM LECURE
WILL MAKE HIS MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT AT GABP AGAINST THE ASTROS ON FRIDAY
5.28.10 BY:MEH LECURE TO DEBUT, PIRATES
STINK
RHP SAM LECURE WILL MAKE
HIS MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT AT GABP AGAINST THE ASTROS ON FRIDAY
Johnny Cueto
pitched a gem on Thursday, helping the Reds win three of four games
against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week. In his fifth straight win, Cueto
pitched six innings of three-hit baseball, while striking out a season high
nine batters. As he did the last time
he faced Charlie Morton and the Bucs, Cueto shut them out. After Scott Rolen
and Jay Bruce hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, the Reds never
looked back, defeating the Pirates 8-2.
On Friday, against the Houston Astros, Sam LeCure will make his major league
debut. LeCure will be filling in for Homer Bailey who is currently on the
15-day disabled list. This year at AAA Louisville, LeCure has gone 5-2 while
posting a 2.55 ERA. LeCure has more wins, and a lower earned run average,
than any other Bats' starting pitcher this season.
During LeCure's last start for Louisville on May 22, he took a no-hitter
into the eighth inning. Allowing only one hit and striking out five, LeCure
pitched a complete-game shutout
that night with 99 pitches. The last Louisville Bat to throw a
complete-game one-hitter was Lee Tunnell who did it on June 21, 1988. After
two marvelous shut-out starts during May 17-23,
LeCure was named the International League's Pitcher of the Week. Bring
it on.
Aroldis Chapman (5-2, 3.55) pitched on Thursday after missing his last start
due to a blister on his finger. Chapman pitched five scoreless innings and
allowed only three hits while striking out seven.
Sam LeCure (0-0, 0.00) will face Wandy Rodriguez (2-6, 4.33) and the Astros
at 7:10pm on Friday. The Reds are currently in first place, one game ahead
the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cardinals will play three
games
against the Chicago Cubs this weekend.
Peter Edward Rose Broke
Ty Cobb's all-time hit record on September 11, 1985. The very next day he
appeared on Donahue in Cincinnati. Pete discusses Ty Cobb's temper,
his record-breaking hit from the previous day, and the chances of his son
beating his hit record
(PRJ is 4,254 shy). Pete's appearance on Donahue in Cincinnati is
an elite illustration of his overall demeanor while he was still playing his
beloved game. The excitement and pride that Pete induced in his home town is
irrefutable. As Pete delights the crowd of Cincinnatians, I am reminded of
the baseball player that we all grew to love; not the player who now
leaves us
bewildered.
Bronson Arroyo (4-2, 4.85) will face Ross Ohlendorf (0-2, 5.30) and the
Pirates at 7:10pm on Wednesday. The Reds and Cardinals both lost on Tuesday
and remain tied for first place in the NL Central.
After throwing for Bats' trainers on Tuesday, LHP Aroldis Chapman (4-2,
3.98) showed no lingering effects of the blister that caused him to miss his
last start. Chapman will return to the mound for the Bats on Thursday
against the Gwinnett Braves.
REDS BEAT
PIRATES IN A GAME CELEBRATING THE FIRST MLB NIGHT GAME
5.24.10 BY:MEH 75 YEARS LATER, REDS BEAT
BUCS 7-5
CELEBRATING THE FIRST MLB
NIGHT GAME, REDS BEAT PIRATES AND MOVE BACK INTO FIRST PLACE
The Cincinnati Reds defeated
the Pittsburg Pirates 7-5 on Monday as they celebrated the 75th Anniversary
of the first MLB night game. On May 24, 1935, Crosley field in Cincinnati
hosted the festivities and
introduced playing baseball under lights. The Reds beat the Phillies
2-1.
Aaron Harang started for the Reds on Monday and pitched 6 1/3 innings (8H,
4ER, 3K) receiving the victory. The Reds offense was somewhat quiet, scoring
only one run, until their
five-run fourth inning. Aaron Harang singled home the go-ahead run
during the fourth with a single, then scored from first on an Orlando
Cabrera double. Enerio Del Rosario made his major league debut (0IP, 1K)
after Harang exited and struck out the first and only batter he faced.
Andrew McCutchen was Del Rosario's strikeout victim, but reached base on a
Ryan Hanigan passed ball. Drew Stubbs went 3-4 and was a triple short
of hitting for the cycle. After Monday's win the Reds (26-19) are tied with
the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central.
On Tuesday, Mike "Godzilla" Leake (4-0, 2.91) will face Paul Maholm (3-4,
4.50) and the Pirates at 7:10pm. The St. Louis Cardinals (26-19) will begin
a three game series against the San Diego Padres (26-18). Go Padres!
REDS' PITCHER
HOMER BAILEY PLACED ON THE 15-DAY DISABLED LIST WITH AN INFLAMED RIGHT
SHOULDER
5.24.10 BY:MEH BAILEY SHELVED FOR
FIFTEEN DAYS
REDS' PITCHER HOMER
BAILEY PLACED ON THE 15-DAY DISABLED LIST WITH AN INFLAMED RIGHT SHOULDER
According to Reds' beat writer
John Fay,
Homer Bailey has been placed on the 15-day disabled list after visiting Dr.
Tim "Hollywood" Kremchek on Monday. Bailey's MRI exam showed no signs of
structural damage, but the Reds want to be extra careful when it comes to
the young right hander and shelved him for fifteen days. Bailey has no
history of shoulder problems, but
some have noticed
"red-flags" in his mechanics. Bailey denied a cortisone shot on Monday
and continued to downplay his shoulder inflammation:
“I’m not (worried),”
said a humble Bailey.
“If it was something serious, I might be, if it was agonizing pain. But it
could be something real minor. I don’t know any timetable or anything like
that. There was never one pitch where I felt something. It kind of slowly
crept up. They came out. I wanted to stay in the game. They weren’t going to
let that happen. I was thinking one start, but I’m no doctor.”
24 year-old Enerio Del Rosario was called up from AAA on Monday to coincide
with the Reds roster move. He will work out of the Reds' bullpen until
another move is needed to fill Bailey's spot in the rotation. So far at
Louisville, Del Rosario has gone 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA. His electric
side-armed action and explosive sinking pitches should intensify the Reds'
bullpen. Del Rosario will wear number 58.
When Bailey's rotation spot opens up, the Reds have several options at AAA.
Aroldis Chapman
will not be in consideration after leaving last Wednesday's game with a
blister. Chapman aside, the likely candidates from Louisville would be RHP
Sam LeCure (5-2, 2.55), LHP Matt Maloney (4-1, 2.72), and RHP Travis Wood
(1-4, 4.47). Without Chapman being in the mix, the Reds still have many
ample arms at AAA. Their newly found minor league depth will become a huge
asset as the long season's eventual injuries occur.
After all of the roster activity between Louisville and Cincinnati is
finished, expect AA pitcher
Matt
Klinkler to settle into the Bats' rotation. Klinkler seems to have
proved himself in AA going 4-3 with a 1.63 ERA.
Aaron Harang (2-5, 6.02) will face Brian Burres (2-1, 4.91) and the Pirates
on Monday at 7:10pm. The game will
celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first major league night-game. The
first place St. Louis Cardinals are off on Monday. The Reds can slide back
into first with a victory against the Buccos.
THE REDS WENT
2-3 ON THEIR LAST ROAD TRIP, BRIEFLY SAW FIRST PLACE, AND LOST TWO PITCHERS.
5.23.10 BY:MEH BAD TRIP FOR REDS; WELCOME HOME
THE REDS WENT 2-3 ON
THEIR LAST ROAD TRIP, BRIEFLY SAW FIRST PLACE, AND LOST TWO PITCHERS.
Starting on Monday, the Reds
will play their next seven games at home against two division rivals who
reside in the bottom of the NL Central. After facing two aboriginal American
teams on their last five-game road trip, the Reds managed only two wins. The
Reds were swept in a two-game series by the Atlanta Braves during Wednesday
and Thursday of last week. Both games were won by the Braves in the bottom
of the ninth inning. The Reds beat the Cleveland Indians on Friday and
Saturday, but failed to get it done Sunday afternoon.
The Reds and Cardinals have both gone 6-4 during their last ten games and
have been passing first place in the NL Central back and forth. The upcoming
home-stand against the Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25) and the Houston Astros
(15-29) could be monumental considering how well the Reds have been playing
and the mediocrity of their opponents. After the Reds' next seven games at
GABP, they will travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals for three games.
Here is a rundown of the Reds' latest peyote filled road trip:
WEDNESDAY: Aaron Harang looked okay pitching six innings (8H, 4ER)
against the Braves. The Reds kept it close until rookie Jason Heyward
doubled off Nick Masset to win the game in the ninth inning. Reds lose 5-4.
THURSDAY: The Reds took an early 8-0 lead against the Braves and Mike
"Godzilla" Leake looked like he would easily receive his fifth win of the
season. Reds' relievers allowed six runs in just 2 1/3 innings after Leake
left the game. The big blow was a pinch-hit grand slam by Brook Conrad.
Francisco Cordero allowed the walk-off homer to Conrad. Laynce Nix nearly
saved the four runs as he scaled the outfield wall, but the baseball
bounced off his glove and left the park. Reds lose 10-9. Aroldis Chapman
pitched for the Bats on Wednesday.
Chapman pitched well (5 2/3 innings, 3H, 0ER, 7K), but left the game in
the sixth inning because of a blister on his middle finger.
FRIDAY: Bronson Arroyo pitched 6 2/3 innings (7H, 4ER, 2K) against
the Indians and despite not having his stuff, received run support and a
win. Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes led the Reds' offense as they both went deep
and drove in two runs a piece. Reds win 7-4.
SATURDAY: Johnny Cueto pitched six strong innings (4H, 2ER, 5K)
against the Indians. Cueto left the game after only 93 pitches with a
blister on his index finger. Despite Francisco Cordero's scary two-run
ninth, the Reds defeated the Indians 6-4. Laynce Nix hit a home run and
drove in two for the second consecutive night. Louisville Bats' Sam LeCure
pitched a complete game one-hitter against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Yankees.
SUNDAY: After pitching 2 1/3 innings (4H, 3ER), Homer Bailey left the
game against the Indians with tightness in his right shoulder. Relievers
Micah Owings, Danny Herrera, and Carlos Fisher finished the game for the
Reds allowing only one run combined. Scott Rolen provided all of the Reds'
offense going 2-3 with two home runs and three RBI. Reds lose 4-3.
Cueto and Chapman's blisters are considered minor. Cueto will likely make
his next start while Chapman shouldn't miss more than one. Homer Bailey on
the other hand, may go on the DL after he is examined in Cincinnati on
Monday by Dr. Tim Kremchek.
5.21.10 BY:MEH "IT'S NEVER OVER 'TIL IT'S
OVER."
Growing up in Dayton, Ohio I was always a Reds fan. I was at Pete Rose's
"4,192" game when I was only five years old. The electric crowd at
Riverfront Stadium that night is one of my earliest memories. I was ten when
the Reds won their last World Series. I can recall being allowed to stay up
late to watch the games and a sensation of victory I have yet to experience
again. I learned many things about the game from following my favorite team,
but not everything. Much of my baseball mentality was instilled by Atlanta
Braves enthusiasts.
My uncle Tom lived in Woodstock, Georgia and despite the distance between
us, we were always close. He was an Atlanta Braves season ticket holder. My
grandfather also lived in Woodstock and was a constant companion to my uncle
Tom as they rooted for their Braves. I can remember Tom flaunting his new
"gear" that the Braves' organization would send him for being such a loyal
patron. Knowing my admiration for a team up north, and my aversion to his,
he would always make sure I saw his newest attire. I would roll my eyes.
Throughout the nineties the Atlanta Braves were constant contenders. My
grandfather and Tom never failed to bring it to my attention. At least once
a season Tom would visit my family and I in Ohio and we would all head down
to Riverfront Stadium. Most of the time, the stay would suspiciously
coincide with the Braves being in town. During the game, Tom would spend
most of the time attempting to get me to participate in the "tomahawk chop"
without avail. Tom could get my ambivalent cousins from Tennessee to join
in, and even my susceptible little sister, but not me. No way, no how.
It seemed like the Braves beat the Reds every time Tom was at Riverfront
Stadium. If there was a Reds victory, I fail to remember it. Tom would
always be the loudest guy in our section full of Reds fans. People would
look behind them wondering what in the hell Tom was doing there. I also
asked myself that question as I would bitterly cross my arms. In the heat of
the moment there wasn't a more tried-and-true Braves fan than Tom.
No matter what the situation or score, Tom would never leave the game. He
would always remind us that there were nine innings and "it's never over
'til it's over" giving us hope that the Reds would somehow come back. Then
he would start doing the damn "tomahawk chop" again. Tom would continue his
banter after the game on the way out of Riverfront Stadium. It was
embarrassing.
Tom would always notice my frustration after the game. He would reassure me
that the Reds were a good team and that they might take one from the Braves
next time. Always emphasizing that the Braves were the better team, Tom
would explain the the lack of importance one game had on such a long season.
He would commend my perseverance when it came to the "tomahawk chop" and
would always graciously tell me that the Reds would turn it around. Tom
passed away in October of 1997.
Throughout high school my ailing grandfather spent time living with my
family in Dayton. On many occasions, I would burst out of my bedroom after
hearing screaming only to find him yelling at the Braves on television.
Whether it was Chipper Jones making an error or John Smoltz giving up a
homer, his voice would echo through the house with disgust. After Braves
wins he would always make sure I heard the score knowing that my Reds had
lost that day. He would always want to tell me how good Greg Maddux is or
what David Justice did that day. I never wanted to know, but would always
listen. When I would mention the Reds, he would pretend to care too.
My grandfather passed away in May of 2001. When he died, my mother brought
me two things of his that she thought I would want to have. It was a Braves
shirt and hat that he often wore. To this day I have never accepted those
two pieces of my grandfather's wardrobe. My mother finds it hard to
understand, but I know that he would.
Tom and my grandfather taught me about loyalty. They taught me about
integrity, respect, and through their actions showed me how to enjoy success
without arrogance.
As I heard a crowd of Braves fans chanting behind Marty Brennaman's voice
during Thursday's loss, Tom and my grandfather appeared in my head as they
always do. I imagined Tom joining in on the "tomahawk chop" during the
Brave's ninth inning comeback and could hear my grandfather's joyful screams
when Brooks Conrad hit a walk-off grand slam. Wherever they are, I know one
thing for sure; they were ecstatic.
JOEY VOTTO,
ALONG WITH HIS FELLOW CINCINNATI REDS, ARE NOTHING SHORT OF "GANGSTER"
5.19.10 BY:MEH IT FEELS GOOD TO BE
A GANGSTER
JOEY VOTTO, ALONG WITH
HIS FELLOW CINCINNATI REDS, ARE NOTHING SHORT OF "GANGSTER" Reds' first baseman
Joey Votto was asked by manager Dusty Baker if he wanted to take Tuesday
afternoon off after Monday's night game. Votto said no. Baker decided to
rest third baseman Scott Rolen instead and the results were impeccable.
Rolen provided the Reds with a two-run pinch-hit homer that tied the game in
the ninth inning. Votto went 3-5 with a
460-foot homer and the game-winning RBI single.
"I want to play every single day,"
Votto said.
"I don't want to be out of the lineup, ever. I think I can speak for every
single person in this locker room and they feel the exact same way.
Everybody wants to play every single day."
Homer Bailey started for the Reds on Tuesday and after a two-run first,
pitched concrete. Bailey's next six innings of work consisted of only one
Brewer hit allowed in the seventh. After Bailey left the game the Reds'
bullpen (Mike Lincoln) struggled allowing two more Brewer runs, placing the
Reds behind 4-2.
"It
wasn’t a matter of: Are we going to come back? It was: It’s going to
happen,"
said an intrepid Bailey.
"We have that much confidence right now. It doesn’t matter who we’re
playing. We have a lot of confidence in our lineup and in our pitching.
Right now, the way we’re playing as a team is pretty remarkable. We expect
every game that we’re going to win."
Homer Bailey was right.
Down
two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the tenacious Reds managed to
win their tenth game in their final at-bat this season.
The Brewers sent Trevor Hoffman to the mound in the bottom of the ninth. It
was Hoffman's first save situation since May 5, and maybe his last. Hoffman
allowed a Paul Janish single, followed by a
pinch-hit homerun by Scott Rolen,
knotting the score at four. Chris "Vicious" Heisey then doubled to left and
Brandon Phillips drew a walk. Joey "Capone" Votto then came to plate and
drove Hoffman's first pitch to the wall in centerfield. Chris Heisey scored
easily without a throw and the Reds won their fourth game in a row, 5-4.
"We’re
playing good baseball,"
said Rolen after the game.
"We’re making good pitches. We’re taking good swings. We’re putting together
good at-bats. You call it whatever you want to call it. But it’s a good
team, good players, playing good baseball."
I call it gangster.
The steadfast Reds will send Aaron Harang (2-5, 6.02) to the mound on
Wednesday to face Kenshin Kawakami (0-6, 5.79) and the Atlanta Braves at
7:10pm.
Aroldis Chapman (3-2, 4.63) will make his eighth start of the season for the
Louisville Bats on Wednesday. Chapman will be facing Leigh Valley at 7:05pm
and will attempt to rebound from his last outing when he allowed eight runs
in just 3 1/3 innings.
JONNY CUETO'S
SOLID START, ALONG WITH JOHNNY GOMES' HOMERUN, STUN THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS
5.17.10 BY:MEH JOHNNY AND JONNY BEAT BREWERS
JONNY CUETO'S SOLID
START, ALONG WITH JOHNNY GOMES' HOMERUN, STUN THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The Cincinnati Reds are currently playing
along to their first-place status. The Reds 6-3 victory over the Milwakee
Brewers on Monday marked their fifteenth win in the past twenty games.
Johnny Cueto faced Brewer's ace Yovani Gallardo on Monday. Cueto went seven
solid innings for the Reds allowing one run on seven hits while striking out
seven. Gallardo held the Reds to one hit through five innings. He left the
game after six innings allowing only one run on four Reds' hits. Former Red
Todd Coffey relieved Gallardo in the seventh and the Reds' offense exploded
scoring five runs.
Chris "Vicious" Heisey led off the seventh with a pinch-hit triple. Orlando
Cabrera, Brandon Phillips, and Joey Votto all followed with singles making
the score 3-1, but Phillips was caught in a run-down after Votto's hit. With
one out and two runs already in, the Brewers elected to intentionally walk
Jay Bruce to instead face Jonny Gomes. The decision was a poor one. Gomes
crushed Todd Coffey's first pitch to deep centerfield for a three-run
homer.
“We’re competitors,”
Gomes said.
“We’ve been battling since we were 6 years old. When you get that guy in
front of you intentionally walked – not really to set the double play or for
a matchup – you dig down. It’s a character check.”
Obviously annoyed, Todd Coffey's next pitch hit Drew Stubbs in the back.
Both benches were then warned by the umpires, but the Reds were not planning
retaliation.
“We
don’t have time for that,”
Gomes said.
“We’re focused on winning.”
Nick Masset offered a scoreless eighth
and after
not pitching in over a week, Danny Herrera was called upon to get some work
in as the Reds owned a 6-1 lead going into the top of the ninth inning.
Retiring only one, Herrera looked rusty and quickly allowed two runs. Dusty
Baker then summoned Francisco Cordero from the Reds' pen. Cordero notched
the last two outs of the game, and his thirteenth save of the season, as the
Reds defeated the Brewers 6-3. Whack Reds attended Monday's game and snapped
a few photos:
The Reds
signed Cuban defector Felix Perez on Monday. The 25-year-old left-handed
outfielder received a $550,000 signing bonus and will most likely begin his
American career in Dayton or Lynchburg.
Also, one last observation of the day. Reds.com seems to be
"short-circuiting" when it comes to using
unique headlines. Weak.
The Reds remain in first place 1/2 a game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals
in the NL Central. Homer Bailey (1-2, 5.66) will face Manny Parra (0-2,
3.98) and the Brewers at 12:35pm on Tuesday.
THE REDS SLIDE
INTO FIRST PLACE AFTER WINNING THEIR WEEKEND SERIES VERSUS THE CARDINALS
5.16.10 BY:MEH "WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO."
THE REDS SLIDE INTO FIRST
PLACE AFTER WINNING THEIR WEEKEND SERIES AGAINST THE CARDINALS
The Cincinnati Reds entered their series against the St. Louis Cardinals
just a 1/2 game behind them in the NL Central. Despite a ninth inning
effort, Aaron Harang and the Reds were defeated 4-3 by the Cardinals on
Friday stretching the distance from first to 1 1/2 games. Over the next two
days, Mike "Godzilla" Leake and Bronson Arroyo led the Reds to back-to-back
victories and placed their team at the top of the NL Central.
After being caged and shackled (pictured above) prior to the game, Mike
"Godzilla" Leake was released just before the first pitch of the 2010 Civil
Rights Game on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Leake threw six
innings, allowed only two runs on four hits, and
received his fourth win of the season as the Reds beat the Cardinals 4-3.
"We have the
potential to have a quality start every outing. That's how good our pitching
staff is,"
Leake said through an interpreter who speaks Godzillanese.
"(The atmosphere) was a little preview of what it would be like (to be in
the postseason)."
With first place on the line, the Reds gave the ball to Bronson Arroyo on
Sunday. Arroyo pitched his first complete game of the season allowing two
runs on seven hits. Arroyo threw the Reds' third complete game in the past
five as the Reds
defeated the Cardinals 7-2. Reds' starters are 7-1 with a 1.88 ERA
during their last eight games while the Reds' offense is hitting .297 over
the past twelve games.
"There's definitely
some exciting things happening around here,"
said Arroyo. "If
you can push it into June or July, that's when you open up some eyes and let
people know this team's for real."
The last time the Reds were the sole owners of first place was on April 17,
2007.
"We have a long way
to go. We're not going to the playoffs today. But I'd rather be in this
position than the position we've been in the past,"
said Reds' manager Dusty Baker.
"We just have to go play. If we keep getting good pitching, good defense and
timely hitting, we'll see where it takes us. You have to enjoy the moment as
well and not worry about where we've been three years ago or where we might
be two weeks from now. There's nothing you can control except now."
Whack Reds attended the 2010 CRG and took a few photos. We sat in section
101 next to the Reds' bullpen. Please excuse our obsession with Mike
"Godzilla" Leake.
Next up for the Reds are the
Milwaukee Brewers. Johnny Cueto (2-1, 4.07) will face Yovani Gallardo
(4-2, 3.06) on Monday at 7:10 pm.
