PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE WEEKEND SERIES AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
5.14.10 BY:MEH NOT A DAY OFF FOR LINKS
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE WEEKEND SERIES AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Cincinnati Reds are currently 19-15 and just 1/2 a game behind the
first-place St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards will be visiting Cincinnati for a
three game series this weekend which will include the 2010 Civil Rights Game
on Saturday. The Reds have been on fire as of late, while the Cardinals have
been struggling.
HOMER BAILEY
FOLLOWS CUETO'S GEM WITH A COMPLETE-GAME SHUTOUT OF HIS OWN
5.13.10 BY:MEH ANARCHY IN THE PA PART 2: MY
WAY HOMER BAILEY
FOLLOWS CUETO'S ONE-HIT GEM WITH A FOUR-HIT COMPLETE-GAME SHUTOUT OF HIS OWN
(Photo:
Gene J. Puskar/AP)
During the series sweep
of the Pirates that was completed on Wednesday afternoon, Reds' pitching
allowed only one run in all three games combined. Bronson Arroyo began the
Pittsburgh affair on Monday pitching seven innings while allowing the only
run of the series on five hits. Johnny "Rotten" Cueto had the most handsome
outing of his career on Tuesday hurling a one-hit complete-game shutout. On
Wednesday, Homer Bailey extended the pitching staff's dominance, leading the
Reds to a sweep of the Bucs.
Until Wednesday, Bailey had been alienated by the other starting pitchers
for the Reds. After an extremely murky start to the season for Reds'
pitchers, all except Bailey have been turning the page. Bailey remained the
only starter without a win, and apart from
one outing (May 1st vs. STL, 6.2IP, 2ER), he had pitched lousy. Riding
the wave of determination that has been recently advertised by Cincinnati,
Bailey placed the adolescent season behind him and pitched wonderfully
against the Pirates on Wednesday.
Notching the first complete-game shutout of his career, Homer Bailey threw
only 91 pitches and allowed only four hits. Striking out six and walking
none, Bailey threw 73 strikes in the Reds' 5-0 victory over the Pirates.
Bailey did not allow a single batter to go to a three-ball count the entire
game and only went to a two-ball count four times. Bailey and Cueto's
back-to-back complete-game shutouts were the first since Jose Rijo and Tom
Browning did it in 1989. Reds' manager Dusty Baker was impressed:
"That’s the most well-pitched two days that I’ve seen in a
long time." The Reds will take a day off on Thursday in preparation for a paramount
three game series against the first-place St. Louis Cardinals beginning on
Friday. The series will include the
2010 Gillette Civil Rights Game on Saturday. Reds legends Barry Larkin
and Chuck Harmon, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, along with Hall of Famers
Willie Mays, Ernie Banks and Joe Morgan will all be in attendance for the
festivities May 14-15. Both teams will be rocking
1947-style throwbacks honoring the year that Jackie Robinson shattered
the color barrier in Major League baseball. Here are the projected starters
for the weekend:
FRI, May 14 @ 7:10pm
vs. St. Louis: Aaron Harang (2-4, 6.02) vs. Jaimie Garcia (3-2, 1.18)
SAT, May 15 @ 7:10pm vs. St. Louis: Mike Leake (3-0, 3.10) vs. Adam
Wainwright (5-1, 2.08)
SUN, May 16 @ 1:10pm vs. St. Louis: Bronson Arroyo (2-2, 5.36) vs. Brad
Penny (3-3, 1.70)
JOHNNY
CUETO HURLS A ONE-HIT GEM AGAINST THE PIRATES
5.12.10 BY:MEH
ANARCHY IN THE PA
JOHNNY CUETO HURLS A
ONE-HIT GEM AGAINST THE PIRATES
(Photo:
Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Johnny "Rotten" Cueto
started Tuesday's game for the Reds and walked away with the finest
performance of his young career under his belt. Striking out eight batters
and walking none, Cueto pitched a complete game shutout against the
Pittsburgh Pirates allowing
only one hit on 102 pitches. Ronny Cedeno acquired the sole Bucco hit in
the third inning and reached base once again after being plunked by Cueto in
the sixth. Cedeno was the only Pirate to reach base. The last Reds' pitcher
to throw a complete-game one-hitter was John Smiley on September 22, 1996.
Ramon Hernandez caught Cueto's gem and had
this to say:
"He
was very strong with the fastball. His problem’s been he’s had a long pitch
count in the fifth. That’s normally his problem. One of the ways you get out
of that is to call a lot of fastballs and don’t move too much around home
plate. We got ahead with that and got quick outs."
If it weren't for
Cueto's dominance, most of Tuesday's headlines would be bearing the name
of Chris "Vicious" Heisey. After a dismal 0-5 debut against the New York
Mets on May 3rd, Heisey went 3-4 on Tuesday notching his first major league
hit and homerun. Heisey led off the game with a single down the third base
line and crushed a two run shot off Jeff Karstens in the eighth inning. The
Reds beat the Pirates 9-0.
Reds' top prospect
Juan Francisco was rushed to the hospital prior to Tuesday's game in
Louisville. Francisco had emergency appendectomy surgery and is expected to
miss four to six weeks. After a rough start to the season, Francisco hit
.627 with three home runs and fourteen RBI in his last seven games with the
Bats.
After being swept by Pittsburg last time they visited, the Reds will attempt
redemption on Wednesday. Homer Bailey (0-2, 7.24) will face Zach Duke (2-3,
5.13) at 12:35pm.
MIKE "GODZILLA"
LEAKE AND JOEY VOTTO PROPEL THE REDS OVER THE CUBS....TAKE THAT CHICAGO!
5.10.10 BY:MEH STICK THAT FLAG UP YOUR A$$
MIKE "GODZILLA" LEAKE AND
JOEY VOTTO PROPEL THE REDS OVER THE CUBS....TAKE THAT CHICAGO!
While attending the Reds game on Sunday I couldn't help but notice two
things. Beyond the obvious annoyance caused by Cubs fans as they visited
what they call "Wrigley South", there was an unusual abundance of
"W" t-shirts and Ryne Sandberg jerseys being worn by Ryan Dempster
lovers.
I understand the concept, but fail to comprehend the delivery of the Cubs'
"W" obsession. After experiencing a 14-2 embarrassment at GABP on Saturday,
what would convince a Cub fan to don a t-shirt exclaiming victory the very
next day? What does it feel like to optimistically sport your team's victory
apparel after a humiliating loss, fail to win once again, and lose the
series to the Reds? I wouldn't know..... I don't root for the Cubs.
As for the thriving Sandberg jerseys, I was also puzzled. Ryne Sandberg was
a fine player and resides in Cooperstown, but as I watched the Reds on
Sunday I failed to notice any other infatuation besides the one involving
Ryne. Sandberg batted .285, hit 282 homeruns, and drove in 1061 runs during
his sixteen year career. In no way am I underestimating Mr. Sandberg; I am
only questioning the knowledge of Cubs fans. It seems that besides "Sandbergs"
and "Ws", they recollect nothing but a billy goat. I mean c'mon guys......
Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Dennis Eckersly, Rich Gossage, Lou Brock, Ralph
Kiner, Jimmie Fox, Dizzie Dean, etc...
GABP is full of throwbacks. Whether it's a classic Joe Morgan jersey or an
exquisite Frank Robinson, Reds fans always represent correctly. I may be
spoiled by fellow fans' knowledge of their team, but Cubs fans need some
education. Out of all the Cubs fans surrounding me in section 428 at
GABP on Sunday, the only non-current jersey I saw (besides about fifty
Sandbergs) was a Sammy Sosa. Weak.
Mike "Godzilla" Leake pitched five perfect innings of baseball against the
Cubs on Sunday. Rookie Starlin Castro notched the first Cubs' hit leading
off the sixth. Brandon Phillips made a slick play behind second base, but
pulled Joey Votto inches off the first base bag with a high throw. Behind
the Reds 2-0 in the seventh inning with two outs, the Cubs managed to
collect a double followed by an infield single. Leake then threw a wild
pitch and allowed his first run of the game. Cubs' Tyler Colvin then homered
into his own bullpen to put the Cubs ahead 3-2. The lead was short lived.
Joey Votto blasted a three-run homer to the Sun/Moon Deck in the bottom of
the seventh and after two scoreless inning by Reds' relievers, the Reds won
5-3.
WARNING:
The video below is not safe for work, school, young children, your mother,
and probably not you. The opinions expressed are not relevant to this
article, instead they oppose mainstream politics, but the title of the
second song in the video (Stick that f@#king flag, up your g@%dam a$$,
you sonofab#%tch) is extremely fitting.
As the ballpark emptied I was expecting mounds of banter. I can only assume
that after Friday's 14-7 loss to the Cubs, the visiting Chicagoans were
running their mouths profusely. After a two straight victories by the Reds
to finalize the series, instead of emphasizing the obvious and returning the
trash talk, Reds' fans departed quietly. As hundreds of Ryne Sandbergs
vanished from GABP to head back north, the defeat and honor could not have
been laid on any thicker than it was with the Reds fans' civil silence.
Happy Mother's Day.
AARON HARANG HAS
PITCHED LIKE A 16 GAME WINNER OVER HIS PAST THREE STARTS
5.8.10 BY:MEH HARANG KICKS IT OLD SCHOOL
AARON HARANG HAS PITCHED
LIKE A 16 GAME WINNER OVER HIS PAST THREE STARTS
After a walk-off battle with the Mets, a day off, then an embarrassing 14-7
loss to the Cubs on Friday Aaron Harang pitched his ass off on Saturday.
Beating the Cubs 14-2, and getting his second victory of the season, Harang
went 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out nine
Cubs. Harang looked like the pitcher he was during '06-'07 when he won
sixteen games each season. His location was precise and his velocity was
potent. During his last three starts, Harang has allowed only seven earned
runs in 18.2 innings while striking out 21 batters. If the Reds' "Ace" can
continue to keep it old school he could quickly erase the memories of his
early season struggles. Harang commented on his recent 2010 success:
"The
last three outings, I’ve been able to pretty much put the ball where I want
it."
Be that as it may, we can only hope that Aaron Harang can keep "putting it
where he wants it." The Reds gained a game on the Cardinals on Saturday and
are now just 3.5 games behind them in the NL Central. Mike "Godzilla" Leake
(2-0, 2.94) will face former Red Ryan Dempster (2-2, 2.95) at 1:10pm on
Sunday as the Reds attempt to take the series from the Cubs.
Aroldis Chapman will make his sixth start for the Louisville Bats on Sunday
against Rochester. Chapman is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA with the Bats. First pitch
will be at 2:05pm.
Brandon Phillips’ lack of hustle on the ball off the wall
last night was addressed. Phillips ended up with a double, instead of a
triple, likely costing the Reds a run.
“He’s been talked to about this,” Dusty Baker said. “We’ve talked to Brandon
quite often.
“I guess he’s better than he used to be. We’re trying to get him to the
point where he can be a big difference maker every day. He certainly has the
skill and ability.”
Is it hard for Baker to watch?
“What’s tough as a manager is when you’ve got an A student who’s getting
Bs,” Baker said.
I tried to talk to Phillips. He did not want to talk about it last night.
He did give
me one quote. However, I can’t use it here.
LAYNCE
NIX BLASTS A SOLO HOMERUN TO DEFEAT THE METS IN ELEVEN INNINGS
5.4.10 BY:MEH NIX REACHES "TANK"
STATUS
LAYNCE NIX BLASTS A SOLO
HOMERUN TO DEFEAT THE METS IN ELEVEN INNINGS
In
episode four of HBO's
"Hard
Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals",
Roy Williams and Tank Johnson visited their friend Laynce Nix at Great
American Ballpark. The trio became comrades when they spent time together in
Texas. Nix was a Ranger from '03-'06, while Johnson and Williams are both
former Cowboys. During his visit to GABP, Roy Williams wore the 2009 Civil
Rights Game throwback Nix jersey.
After Laynce Nix hit a game winning homerun to beat the New York Mets 3-2 on
Monday, Tank Johnson
tweeted this.
Slamming
into walls and blasting homers off the bench, Laynce Nix has officially
reached "Tank" status. And no, we're not talking about the Transit Authority
of Northern Kentucky. Whack Reds is officially dubbing the Reds' outfielder
as Laynce "Tank"
Nix. Number seventeen's new moniker will be reminiscent of his defensive
tackle acquaintance and the
tracked, armoured fighting vehicles designed for front-line combat which
combine operation mobility and tactical offensive and defensive
capabilities.
-Wikipedia
We believe Nix's new pet name is appropriate. Plus, we love emulating an
explosion whenever we hear Nix's name being announced or when Tank
Johnson flattens an opponent. Feel free to join in.
Mike "Godzilla" Leake looked superb on Monday against the Mets throwing
exactly 100 pitches. He went six innings, allowed only one earned run on
four hits, and struck out four. The Reds' bullpen (Herrera, Lincoln, Rhodes,
Cordero, and Masset) combined for five scoreless innings after Leake's
departure. The game was tied at two until Laynce Nix
crushed a Manny Acosta curveball to right field for a homerun during the
bottom of the eleventh inning. The Reds beat the Mets 3-2.
Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman had a very rough outing on Monday against AAA
Buffalo. After pitching three scoreless innings, and receiving a 7-0 lead,
Chapman fell apart during the fourth and allowed five Buffalo runs. Chapman
left after five innings after allowing six earned runs on nine hits while
striking out eight. Although Chapman struggled, the Bats offense was
superior, scoring twenty runs against Buffalo. Chapman and the Bats both
walked away with a win.
Reds' outfielder Chris Dickerson had surgery on his right wrist Monday.
Dickerson will be expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
Bronson Arroyo (1-2, 6.37) will face John Maine (1-1, 7.15) at 7:10pm on
Tuesday.
5.3.10 BY:AHK
Twenty years ago the
Cincinnati Reds won their fifth World Series beating Tony La Russa's Oakland
Athletics in a four game sweep. WhackReds.com is celebrating the 20th
anniversary of the Reds' last World Championship, and
the 2010 season, by dissecting each aspect of the respective teams. This is
part 3/12 of the Whack Reds 2010 Player Profiles. 3B: CHRIS SABO/SCOTT ROLEN
Chris
Sabo and Scott Rolen combined for eight All-Star games, seven gold gloves,
two World Series Championships, and both won Rookie of the Year Awards.
Scott Rolen began his career in 1996, while Chris Sabo ended his the same
year. Since 1996 the Reds have had a multitude of players man the hot
corner. Sabo and Rolen may be two of the more established athlete's to
occupy the position in recent years. Barry Switzer once said, “Some people
are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple." As
we examine each player respectively, we reveal how most would agree Sabo and
Rolen belong on third base.
REDS WIN
GAME ONE DESPITE NASTY CONDITIONS, BUT PRINCE ALBERT PUT HIS FOOT DOWN
DURING GAME TWO
5.2.10 BY:MEH DAMN IT! I HATE THAT
ALBERT PUJOLS!
REDS WIN GAME ONE DESPITE
NASTY CONDITIONS, BUT PRINCE ALBERT PUT HIS FOOT DOWN DURING GAME TWO
After a three game sweep of the Astros in Houston, the Reds boarded a plane
destined for St. Louis, Missouri at 2:15 Friday morning. Facing the
first-place Cardinals in less than eighteen hours, their flight landed in
extreme turbulence.
“The roughest flight I’ve ever been on,” Dusty Baker said.
“We knuckle-balled all over the place. I heard some tough guys in the back
of plane squealing.”
The loathsome weather the Reds experienced on their way to St. Louis was
just a innuendo of what they would have to swallow later that night.
After completing 6 1/2 innings, the Reds had to wait over 2 1/2 hours
because of thunderstorms to defeat the Cardinals 3-2. Johnny Cueto pitched
hardy before the hindrance going five innings, allowing two runs on five
hits, and striking out three. Five relievers were used by the Reds (Lincoln,
Herrera, Rhodes, Masset, and Cordero) once the game resumed and all five
managed to hold the Cardinals scoreless. Jay Bruce had yet another
impressive day at the dish going 3-4 with 2 RBI. Albert Pujols went 2-3 with
a walk, but failed to score, or drive in a run.
In game two of the series on Saturday, Homer Bailey was searching for the
Reds sixth straight win, and his first. Bailey threw 121 pitches over 6 2/3
innings. He allowed two earned runs (three total) and struck out six.
Bailey's final pitch was a inside splitter that Albert Pujols slapped to
left field for a RBI double. After Bailey departed, Carlos Fisher and Daniel
Herrera followed, allowing three earned runs. The Cardinals never looked
back defeating the Reds 6-3 as the Reds ended their five-game streak of
victory. Albert Pujols went 1-3, with two walks, while driving in two.
After Saturday's game, Albert Pujols is hitting .344 with 7 homeruns and 21
RBI. The Cardinals three game lead over the Reds went right back to four
after the loss. The headline writers at Cardinals.com called the Cards
"persistent" and the Reds "pesky". Damn it! I hate that Albert Pujols!
Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson will have surgery to remove bone from his
right hand. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Tim Kremchek and a
diagnosis will be released after the surgery.
In a rematch of Opening Day 2010, Aaron Harang (1-3, 7.16) will face Chris
Carpenter (3-0, 3.48) on Sunday at 2:15pm.
*Update:
Aaron Harang pitched well, but the Reds endured yet another loss to the St.
Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Harang went six innings allowing three runs on
seven hits while fanning six, but Chris Carpenter held the Reds to only two
hits over seven innings. Albert Pujols hit a bases loaded double, off Nick
Masset in the seventh, to put the game out of reach. Albert Pujols went 1-4
with three RBI. I.H.T.A.P!
