"The Deal" from
Louie G's
upcoming record (to be released in April 2010) is produced by
Zizzy Mane
and will be Jay Bruce's walk-up song this season at GABP. Using
"I'm On A Boat" last year, "The Deal" will without doubt be an
augmentation. DiamondHoggers.com interviewed Zizzy Mane last month (Check it
out
here) and he explained the interesting story behind the song.
This will be Bruce's third major league season and so far he's had mixed
results. Showing signs of greatness here and signs of impatience there,
Bruce's performance this season is essential to the Reds'.
Last season, on July 11, Jay Bruce fractured his wrist making a diving catch
during the first inning of a game against the New York Mets. Bruce returned
to the Reds two months later. After a dismal season prior to his injury, he
finished hitting .375 in his last twelve games. Undeterred by his promising
conclusion last year, Bruce described his 2009 season as "embarrassing".
Hopefully, Bruce's 2010 approach at the plate will be distant from Louie
G's.
The Reds lost their sixth straight game of the spring to the Padres on
Tuesday by a final score of 7-5. Reds' Opening Day starter Aaron Harang
pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits while
striking out six. It was Harang's final start of the spring. Both teams
committed three errors each.
OMGREDS.com has called it quits. We would like to thank them for their
efforts and inpirations.
*Update-It was all a
dream.......
Whack Reds will be recording two episodes of
14 Questions featuring special guests
on Wednesday. Both episodes will be available through the site within a
couple of days, so stay tuned.
THE REDS LOST SUNDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE CUBS BY A FINAL SCORE OF 8-1
3.30.10 BY: MEH CUBS HAND REDS FIFTH
STRAIGHT LOSS THE
REDS LOST SUNDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE CUBS BY A FINAL SCORE OF 8-1
(Photo:
Enquirer)
The Reds were defeated
by the Chicago Cubs by a final score of 8-1 on Sunday. It was their fifth
consecutive loss. While Ruben Medina, Arthur Rhodes, Justin Lehr, and Jared
Burton had scoreless outings; Carlo Fisher, Kip Wells, and Matt Maloney all
struggled. Fisher allowed three runs in 1.2 innings pitched, Wells allowed
two runs in one inning, and Maloney allowed three runs in one inning. Joey
Votto went 2-2 on Sunday raising his average to .289 this spring.
Aaron Harang will make his final start of the spring against the Padres on
Tuesday.
REDS PITCHER
AROLDIS CHAPMAN SPEAKS NO ENGLISH, BUT KNOWS SIGN LANGUAGE
3.29.10 BY: MEH NO HABLO ESPAÑOL? NO
PROBLEM.
REDS PITCHER AROLDIS
CHAPMAN SPEAKS NO ENGLISH, BUT KNOWS SIGN LANGUAGE
(Photo:
Jamie Ramsey)
Aroldis Chapman was
assigned to throw one inning or 25 pitches for the Reds' class AAA team
against Milwaukee on Sunday. It was his first appearance since leaving last
Monday's game with back spasms. He completed one inning of work while
throwing nineteen pitches. Hitting 97mph on the radar, Chapman threw twelve
strikes (11 fastballs and one slider) allowing one hit and striking out two.
Chapman commented on his outing and Opening day in Cincinnati after the game
through interpreter Tomas Vera, the Reds' AAA trainer:
"I feel good about it, I could throw more innings, it was only two days that
I missed throwing."
"I've been told Opening Day is important to the city of Cincinnati, I hope I
can be there and part of the team at that time, but it's not my decision."
Chapman is still considered in contention for the Reds' fifth spot along
with Travis Wood and Mike Leake. All three
are scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday.
The
Reds lost Sunday's game against the Dodgers by a final score of 2-1. Bronson
Arroyo started the game for the Reds going six innings and allowed two runs
on five hits. Arroyo's outing was the longest by any Reds pitcher so far
this spring. Juan Francisco struck out three times.
On Saturday, the Reds lost to the Padres 5-2. Micah Owings had a strong
start going three innings allowing only one hit and striking out three.
Former Red Jerry Hairston Jr. collected three singles against his old team
in his first three plate appearances.
Monday's game against the Cubs will feature a lineup that could be very
consistent to the one we will see on Opening Day. Carlos Fisher will start
the game for the Reds.
Drew Stubbs 8
Orlando Cabrera 6
Joey Votto 3
Brandon Phillips 4
Scott Rolen 5
Jay Bruce 9
Chris Dickerson 7
Ramon Hernandez 2
Carlos Fisher 1
FORMER RED KEN GRIFFEY JR. MAKES KIP WELLS PAY IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
INNING WITH A GRAND SLAM
3.27.10 BY:MEH "HE AIN'T KEN GRIFFEY
JR. FOR NOTHING."
FORMER RED KEN GRIFFEY JR. MAKES KIP WELLS PAY IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
INNING WITH A GRAND SLAM
(Photo:
Mike Siegel)
Before Friday, Ken
Griffey Jr. had never faced the Cincinnati Reds in his career. Griffey was
0-3 until the ninth inning when he faced Kip Wells with the bases loaded.
After taking three straight balls, Griffey swung at two of Wells' pitches
that would have both been obvious ball-fours. With a 3-2 count in the bottom
of the ninth, bases loaded, and the Mariners trailing 5-2; Griffey belted a
grand slam homerun to win the game. The Mariners defeated the Reds 6-5.
Sitting on 630 career homeruns (210 with Cincinnati), Ken Griffey Jr. signed
his second one-year deal with the Mariners prior to this season. He is
expected to be their designated hitter specializing in facing right-handed
pitchers. At 38 years of age, Griffey is encompassing the end of his career.
Despite it being against the Reds and during a Spring Training game; his
walk-off grand slam on Friday will go down as yet another Griffey memory for
fans. Dusty Baker said this in response to Junior's grand slam:
"He
ain’t Ken Griffey Jr. for nothing."
Mike Leake and Travis Wood both pitched on Friday, further complicating the
fifth spot decision. Both pitchers had corresponding hardy outings. Leake
pitched four innings allowing one run on three hits. Wood also pitched four
innings, allowing one run on five hits. Joey Votto is a self proclaimed slow
starter. After going 3-4 (1HR and 3RBI) on Friday, his spring is beginning
to look less stagnant.
After being taken out of Monday's game against the Rockies for muscle
spasms, Aroldis Chapman threw long toss on Thursday and participated in
conditioning drills on Friday, showing no lingering signs of the
complications. Chapman is still considered a candidate for the Reds' fifth
spot and could possibly pitch again for the reds on either Sunday (against
the Dodgers) or Wednesday (against the A's).
THE REDS'
SCHEDULE SEEMS TO BE DECIDING WHO WILL BE THEIR FIFTH STARTER
3.26.10 BY: MEH LEAKE AND WOOD
FALLING INTO FIFTH SPOT
THE REDS' SCHEDULE SEEMS
TO BE DECIDING WHO WILL BE THEIR FIFTH STARTER
Although Mike Leake and Travis Wood have never pitched in the major leagues,
they are quickly becoming the favorites to win the fifth spot in the Reds'
rotation come Opening Day. Leake has never pitched for a professional
baseball team, ever. Prior to being selected by the Reds during the first
round (8th overall) in the 2009 MLB draft, Leake's only experience was at
Arizona State University. Travis Wood has pitched for Reds' affiliates since
2005 and was selected by the Reds during the second round of the MLB draft
the same year.
Due to a minor back injury to Aroldis Chapman, causing his name to be taken
out of consideration, the Reds' fifth spot has been narrowed down to four
pitchers (Leake, Wood, Matt Maloney, and Justin Lehr). During today's game
listening to 700wlw, Thom Brennaman said that he heard from C. Trent, that
Lehr said himself that he was out of the race. That leaves only three and
Matt Maloney, despite being a favorite in early spring, is falling behind
the two youngsters. Both Leake and Wood's spring starts line up to April 11
against the Cubs, the day that the Reds will need a pitcher to follow Homer
Bailey's start the previous day. Leake and Wood will both pitch today
against the Mariners and again on Wednesday (Leake against Oakland and Wood
against the Dodgers).
I can't remember the last time the Reds have had such an abundance of
starting pitching. Over the course of this season, we should expect to see
numerous starters filling in for the fifth spot in the rotation. It's going
to pleasant to watch all of these young pitchers start to propel their
careers this year. Maybe they can even get some post-season experience under
their belts.
On Wednesday the Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 10-3. Homer Bailey
pitched five quality innings allowing one run on three hits. Bailey said
this about his outing:
"I was just going out there and pounding the zone. Just here it is, hit
it."
On Thursday the Reds lost to the Colorado Rockies 10-6. Jonny Gomes hit his
fifth homerun of the spring attempting to close in on the Reds' left field
job. Laynce Nix also went deep. Opening Day starter Aaron Harang went 2.2
innings and looked good until he allowed seven runs on nine hits. The Reds
play the Mariners today at 4:05pm ET.
If you checked out our promo
for Whack Reds Radio, you already know what we have in the works. We're
not going to waste any time, so here is the first installment of Whack Reds
Radio. In this introductory episode we explore 14 questions. A homage to Mr.
Rose. The rules are simple; 14 questions. Eight questions must surround the
Cincinnati Reds, Three questions are non-baseball, one is directed toward
describing your "pitch", one must question describing "love and hate" of the
game of baseball, and the last question MUST involve Pete Rose. We think
this will be a good way to profile and pick the brain of our interviewees.
We expect to have plenty of specials guests to accommodate our 14 peculiar
questions and are currently planning to premiere new segments for Whack Reds
Radio, so stay tuned. To possibly be a part of Whack Reds Radio, please
contact us at WRR@whackreds.com for more information. Enjoy.
Do you have your Shirt on? No? It's drenched in sweat from
watching the drama unfold in Goodyear? Well squeeze it out and put it back
on, Cowboy, this is a family friendly website. Are ya' good? Okay, good...
Whack Reds is proud to introduce Whack Reds Radio, an entertaining and
informative internet radio show that's catchin' on fire faster than a pile
o' sticks and a can o' gasoline. Sit back and enjoy yourself, because
Opening Day is coming at us faster than the speed of smell, and we here at
Whack Reds are stocking up on Kahn's hot dogs and turning up the radios. Oh,
and consider this fair warning: Radio is only the beginning. We have video
cameras, and we (kind of) know how to use 'em. Cheer loud, Redleg fans,
because our boys are soon to be headed back to storm the National League.
THE REDS HAVE A DAY OFF TODAY, SO STUDY UP FOR TOMORROW
3.24.10 BY: MEH NOT A DAY OFF FOR LINKS THE
REDS HAVE A DAY OFF TODAY, SO STUDY UP FOR TOMORROW
(photo:
redlegs rundown)
Tuesday is the Reds'
only day off this spring. The Reds' offense has been dingy, Aroldis
Chapman's having back issues, and Dusty Baker is gone fishing. It helps him
forget about baseball:
"I’ll
be out there and look at my watch and say, ‘Damn, six hours and I haven’t
thought about baseball once. I even think about baseball when I’m in church
because I’m usually praying for somebody." Be that
as it may, the Reds take on the San Francisco Giants Wednesday at 4:05pmET.
TOP PROSPECTS
ZACK COZART, CHRIS HEISEY, AND TODD FRAZIER WERE CUT ON MONDAY
3.23.10 BY: MEH REDS CUT THREE TOP
PROSPECTS
REDS' TOP PROSPECTS ZACK
COZART, CHRIS HEISEY, AND TODD FRAZIER WERE CUT ON MONDAY
The Cincinnati Reds cut three
top prospects on Monday trimming their roster down to forty. IF Zack Cozart,
OF Chris Heisey, and IF/OF Todd Frazier were all optioned to Louisville. All
three struggled at the plate this spring:
Aroldis Chapman left Monday's game with a stiff lower back in the seventh
inning. After pitching a 1-2-3 sixth, Chapman's control and delivery became
unstable. Hopefully, the lift was precautionary. Reds' pitching coach Bryan
Price believes Chapman's stiffness is a customary spring dilemma:
"These
things happen every spring at some point in time. I certainly don’t want
anyone to have any problems – arm problems, back problems, anything that
will keep them from competing on the field. We’ll see. We’re just finding
out about this. We want to make sure he doesn’t acerbate the problem by
pitching and set him back. So hopefully, it’s something with couple or days
of treatment and he’s back on the mound competing again."
Chapman
allowed four unearned runs during 1 2/3 innings of work against the Rockies
on Monday. Starter Bronson Arroyo pitched five innings allowing three earned
runs on four hits. Drew Stubbs hit his third homerun of the spring leading
off the bottom of the first inning strengthening his campaign to start in
centerfield. Stubbs has improved his batting average to .294 this spring
after reaching a low of .100 on March 16th. The Reds lost Monday's game
against the Rockies by a final score of 9-1.
WITH TIME EXPIRING, WHICH
PLAYERS WILL MAKE THE TEAM FOR THE CINCINNATI REDS ON OPENING DAY 2010?
3.22.10 BY: MEH TWO WEEKS LEFT: ROSTER
PREDICTIONS WITH TIME
EXPIRING, WHICH PLAYERS WILL MAKE THE TEAM FOR THE CINCINNATI REDS ON
OPENING DAY 2010?
(AP photo)
Reds' management is
going to have many decisions to make over the next two weeks. They will not
have to determine who is bad, but who is better. For the first time in
years, the Reds are overwhelmed with outfielders, starting pitchers, and
prospects. The cliché, "good problem to have", yes; but what happens to the
talent that does not make the 40-man roster come April, 5th is a debacle.
Here's how the Reds are looking with two weeks left of Spring Training:
OUTFIELD: Of course, Jay Bruce will be your Opening Day right fielder. Going into
Spring Training, Drew Stubbs was favored in center field over Chris
Dickerson, but Dickerson is making his case. So far this spring Dickerson is
hitting .387 in thirteen games with 1HR and 6RBI. Drew Stubbs is also having
a good spring hitting .281 with 2HR and 5RBI. Both outfielders are above
average defensively (although Stubbs is considered much better) and both are
suited well for the lead-off spot in the lineup. In 42 games last season,
Stubbs hit .267 with 8HR and 17RBI. Dickerson had a better average in '09
(.275), but while playing in more than twice the amount of games as Stubbs
(97), Dickerson drove in less runs (15). RBI is not expected in the lead-off
spot, but somehow Stubbs made it happen once in every three games he played.
Last season Dickerson played most of his games in left field (37) and could
end up as a valuable speedster off the bench. He is considered a natural
center fielder, but could easily spend most of his time rotating through the
outfield spots to achieve playing time in '10. Through March 16th Drew
Stubbs was hitting a lousy .100 (2 for 20). After possibly feeling the heat
after articles were written that week about his spring struggles by C. Trent
Rosecrans, Hal McCoy, and Mark Sheldon; Stubbs had his average up to .276 on
Friday and is sitting currently at .281 through Sunday. Dickerson and Stubbs
are both tremendous athletes, but with Stubbs being a higher caliber fielder
with more power at the plate, he looks to stay the favorite he was when
Spring Training started. If Dickerson continues to play well, he should have
no problem finding ample playing time as a backup outfielder in Cincinnati.
Showing up to camp after signing a 1-year contract an February 22, Jonny
Gomes weighed in 17lbs. less that he was listed last season. He wants to
prove this spring that he can hit both right and left handed pitchers and
can play an everyday role for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. His competitors
this spring are Laynce Nix, Wladimir Balentien and Chris Dickerson. In 98
games last year for Cincinnati, Gomes batted .267 with 20HR and 51RBI. He is
inferior to all three of the other possible outfielders defensively, but is
a much needed right handed hitter with power for the Reds' lineup. Expect
Gomes to be the starting left fielder for the Reds on Opening Day. Wladimir
Balentien is out of options this year and unless the Reds want to lose him,
he will play some part on the Opening Day roster. Letting Balentien go for
nothing would be just short of dim, so expect him to stay on the Reds bench
until injuries to the team or a trade to another create an everyday
opportunity for him. Despite Dickerson's extreme athleticism and ability he
still remains to be the odd man out.
ROTATION: The fifth spot in the Reds' rotation is currently occupied by seven
possible pitchers. Mike Lincoln was the eighth, but manager Dusty Baker
informed him Friday morning that his duty for the Reds this season was in
relief. Mike Leake, Travis Wood, Matt Maloney, Kip wells, Justin Lehr, Micah
Owings, and Aroldis Chapman are all currently fighting for the fifth-spot.
Chapman has had the best numbers this spring so far. Chapman's posted a
1.29ERA in seven innings with ten strikeouts. Both Wood and Leake are two of
the Reds' best pitching prospects and have pitched very well this spring,
but will probably need more fine tuning in the minors before pitching in the
majors. Wood's numbers were extraordinary in the minors last year (13-5 with
a 1.77ERA), but most of the damage was done in 19 games started in AA
compared to 8 in AAA. Mike Leake is fresh out of college at Arizona State
University. He has great pitch control and above average speed, but will
need more than his Arizona Fall League experience and Spring Training to
prove he's major league ready. Expect both youngsters to see the majors this
year and be huge factors in the Reds' future, but not on the Opening Day
roster.
Justin Lehr and Matt Maloney both have major league
experience. Maloney with the Reds (2-4 with a 4.87ERA in '09) and Lehr with
the A's, Brewers, and Reds (5-3 with a 5.37ERA with Cincinnati in '09). Lehr
and Maloney helped the Reds considerably after injuries to Reds' pitchers in
2009. Neither have tremendous pitches, but both have good command of the
strike zone with humble poise and confidence while on the mound. Lehr and
Maloney are major league caliber starters, but with the Reds' upcoming
pitching talent, they probably won't be with the club long term. Even with
veterans Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo possibly departing after their
contracts expire with the Reds' after this season, the amount of pitchers
the Reds' have recently rendered will effect Lehr and Maloney's future with
the team. Hopefully, they can use the opportunities they are given this year
to help the club this season and secure their major league status. Lehr has
pitched well this spring (10.1IP, 3.48ERA) while Maloney has struggled
(7.1IP, 6.14ERA). Maloney seems to be destined for the Red's bullpen. Both
should help the Reds down the stretch with relief appearances and
spot-starts during 2010.
Kip Wells and Micah Owings are veterans searching for stability. Kip Wells
has played with eight different teams in the past eleven seasons. Wells has
a 67-99 career record with a 4.71 career ERA. Applauding his efforts as a
major leaguer, there is zero room for him on the Cincinnati Reds '10 roster.
To expect even his best season of his career (12-14 with a 3.58ERA in '02)
would be demeaning to the organization. With the future being the Reds'
current concentration, Kip Wells would only provide an ordinary past.
Micah Owings provides more than just his pitching abilities to the table. He
is a career .300 hitter in three major league seasons. His career 31-29
records shows Owings' below average ability, but his bat gives him an upper
hand compared to other pitchers. If Owings does make the roster on Opening
Day '10 for the Reds, it will most likely be in the bullpen. His pinch-hit
aptitude as a pitcher will give the Reds a unique capability to arrange
their roster.
Aroldis Chapman is presently meddling traditional baseball operations.
Chapman is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Reds'
organization. Hands down, Chapman has the best pitches of the seven
potential fifth-spot candidates. His fastball is the best on the team and
he's been proving all of the scout's rumors about his control false this
spring. Chapman still needs some development; but with the Reds desperately
needing a winning season, it would be arduous to not see him with the team
on Opening Day. The Reds have plenty of arms to compensate Chapman if he
does struggle in the majors. Starting him in the minors would be delaying
the inevitable. Why not let major leaguers catch up with his 100mph+
fastball instead of him catching up with them in Louisville or Carolina when
his repertoire of pitches would be effective in any league on earth?
The Reds played two games on Sunday. The Reds tied the Cubs 1-1 and beat the
A's, 4-3. Laynce Nix was responsible for the Reds' offense against the Cubs
with a solo home run. Justin Lehr started the game allowing the Cubs' only
run in four innings of work while striking out five. Francisco Cordero (2IP
and 3K) and Kip Wells (3IP and 3K) both had scoreless outings. Against
Oakland Johnny Cueto pitched four innings giving up one run on only two
hits. Chris Dickerson, Juan Francisco, and Wladimir Balentien compiled two
hits each. Jonny Gomes hit his fourth homerun of the spring.
3.21.10 BY: MEH "MEAT HOOK" CALLS IT QUITS
FORMER RED DMITRI YOUNG
RETIRES FROM BASEBALL
(AP
photo) "Ameat
hookis a two-sided hook normally
used inbutcheriesto
hang up meat or the carcasses of animals such aspigsandcattle
on a moving conveyor line. There are many types of hooks, but meat hooks is
the only one used in butchering."
-Wikipedia
After thirteen major league seasons, competing with four different teams
(St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Washington), Dmitri Young announced his
retirement on Thursday. Young, 36, last saw major league action in 2008 with
the Washington Nationals. He tore his hamstring during Spring training '09
and never made it back to the big leagues.
Dmitri Young was introduced on Thursday as the new Vice President and Senior
Advisor of baseball operations for Diamond Heroes of Southeast Michigan,
Inc., the owner of the Oakland County Cruisers Independent professional
baseball club.
Dmitri Young was a two-time all-star ('03 and '07). He finished his career
with a .292 average and 171 HRs. In 2006 Young was diagnosed as a diabetic.
After signing with the Nationals in 2007 and playing with them the entire
season, Young received the Player's Choice NL Comeback Player of the Year
Award (.320BA, 123HR, and 74RBI). I don't know if it was Dmitri Young's
bouncy head-first slides, monster home runs, or his overall humble demeanor;
but I have always thought of him as one of my favorite Reds of all-time.
Long live the "Meat Hook".
The Reds beat the Mariners by a final score of 6-2 on Friday. Opening Day
starter Aaron Harang looked dandy pitching five innings allowing only one
run and striking out six. Attempting to pose himself on the field for
Opening Day, Drew Stubbs went 3-3 with an inside-the-park home run. Chris
Heisey, Scott Rolen, and Laynce Nix all hit home runs in the Reds' victory.
On Saturday, the Reds couldn't get it done against the Giants losing 6-0.
3.20.10 BY: MEH
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 beginning of
the 2010 season, by dissecting each aspect of the respective teams. This is
part 2/12 of the WhackReds.com 2010 Season Preview. 2B: MARIANO DUNCAN/BRANDON PHILLIPS
2010 CINCINNATI REDS:
SEASON PREVIEW
Hall of Famer Bid McPhee played 2,129 total games at second base for the
Cincinnati Reds. He accomplished this playing during all of the Reds' first
eighteen seasons as a professional baseball team (1882-'99), acquiring more
games at second base than any other player in franchise history. Ron Oester
is second on the list playing 1,171 games at the position while Hall of
Famer Joe Morgan is third with 1,116. Mario Duncan played 189 games at
second base for the Reds during his career and Brandon Phillips has played
there 595 times for the Reds going into the 2010 season. Duncan and Phillips
have attained 784 combined starts at the position.
CUBAN PITCHER
AROLDIS CHAPMAN IS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AND MAKING HIS PRESENCE UNDENIABLE
3.18.10 BY: MEH CHAPMAN, CHAPMAN, AND
CHAPMAN
CUBAN PITCHER AROLDIS
CHAPMAN IS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AND MAKING HIS PRESENCE UNDENIABLE
There is no denying the
presence of LHP Aroldis Chapman in Spring Training this season. With a
fastball already peaking at 100mph, an underestimated change-up, an above
average slider, and a split-finger pitch that he kept a secret until just
days ago; Chapman may force himself onto the opening Day roster for the
Cincinnati Reds. Favorites for the fifth spot Matt Maloney and Justin Lehr
have pitched moderately while prospects Mike Leake and Travis wood have
pitched thoroughly, but still need slight development. Aroldis Chapman has
looked flat out nasty. Brewers' Corey Hart said,
"He's funky. Everything he throws moves, nothing's straight."
Chapman strengthened his campaign on Wednesday during the Reds' 5-2 loss
against the Brewers. Pitching the first three innings, the Cuban allowed one
run off one hit and struck out five. So far this spring in three games
Chapman has compiled the numbers of an excellent regular season start (7IP,
4H, 1ER, 10SO, 2BB, 1.29ERA). If Aroldis
Chapman continues his dominance, the Major Leagues will be his destination
after the spring. GM Walt Jocketty may be dropping hints about Chapman's
future and if arbitration will effect his forthcoming: "If
he’s good enough to make the team, no. We look at that with all our players,
but it doesn’t affect the decisions we make."
On Tuesday the Reds' offense was detonative. The Reds beat the Arizona
Diamondbacks 13-7. Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce both went 2-3 with 2RBI while
Paul Janish hit his second home run of the spring.
The Reds cut ten players on Thursday. RHP Enerio Del Rosario, RHP Sam LeCure,
IF Chris Valaika, LHP Pedro Viola, IF Yonder Alonso, RHP Jon Adkins, OF Josh
Anderson, and LHP Bill Bray were all optioned to Louisville. RHP Jordan
Smith, and LHP Philippe Valiquette were both optioned to Carolina.
C Devin Mesoraco and LHP Ben Jukich were both returned to the Reds on
Thursday and optioned to Louisville after being drafted by the St. Louis
Cardinals in the 2009 December MLB Rule 5 Draft.
Homer Bailey allowed two runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings in Thursday's
6-2 loss to the Indians.
TAKING A LOOK AT
THE WORST TEAM IN PROFESSIONAL AMERICAN SPORTS
3.17.10 BY: MEH 2010 PITTSBURGH PIRATES PREVIEW A LOOK AT
THE WORST TEAM IN PROFESSIONAL AMERICAN SPORTS (Reuters Photo)
Whackreds.com
was called upon to preview the 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates for
Red Reporter.
Check back with them daily as they will preview the entire NL leading up to
Opening Day, but first read/listen to our whack preview of the pathetic
Pittsburgh Pirates:
The 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates are not
a team searching for an identity; they are on a mission to find a better
one. Finishing well below.500 in2009
(62-99), the Buccos compiled their 17th straight losing season. A record
held by them not only in MLB, but in the NBA, NFL, and the NHL as well. The
last time the Pirates had a winning season was in 1992. It was Barry Bonds'
last season as a Pirate, they finished 96-66, and it was the third year in a
row they lost in the NLCS (losing to theCincinnatiReds
in '90 and the Atlanta Braves in '91-'92). The closest resemblance of
success the Pirates have seen in the past 17 seasons was in 1997. They were
in playoff contention until the final week of the regular season. Despite a
losing record (79-83) and a mere $9 million payroll, the Buccos finished the
'97 season second place (behind the Houston Astros) in the NL Central.
OAKLAND'S BEN
SHEETS ALLOWS TEN RUNS AGAINST THE REDS ON MONDAY
3.15.10 BY: MEH BEN SHEETS TO THE WIND
OAKLAND'S BEN SHEETS
ALLOWS TEN RUNS AGAINST THE REDS ON MONDAY
(AP
photo)
Ben Sheets signed a
one-year, $10 million contract with the Oakland Athletics on January, 26th
2010 after missing all of the 2009 season due to elbow surgery. Playing all
of his eight seasons with Milwaukee ('01-'08), Sheets went 86-83 posting a
career 3.72 ERA. This year Sheets is attempting a comeback with the A's and
so far, it's not looking good. "Not good" is actually putting it politely,
the guy has been flat out terrible. In three Spring Training starts, the 31
year-old is 0-2. He has allowed 18 runs (15 earned) in only 4.1 innings of
work and has a whopping 31.15 ERA. Sheets is the second highest paid Oakland
Athletic.
The Reds were big contributors to Ben Sheets' poor spring statistics during
his start against them on Monday. The Reds sent 13 men to the plate during
the bottom of the first inning with ten of them reaching base. The Reds
scored ten runs (9 earned) before Sheets was lifted, failing to record a
single out. Fernando Hernandez relieved Sheets and went on to pitch two
scoreless innings. Chris Dickerson went 4-4 scoring three times and driving
in two, coming up a triple short of hitting for the cycle. In the sixth
inning,
Wladimir Balentien hit a two-run homer to right field.
The
Reds went on to beat Oakland by a final score of 13-5.
After Mike "Hot Rod" Lincoln had another bad outing (3IP, 5H, 4ER) rapidly
diminishing his fifth-spot dreams, the rest of the Reds' staff pitched well.
Cordero pitched a scoreless fourth, Travis Wood got three innings of work
(1H, 1ER, 4SO), and Mike Leake finished the game going two innings (1H,
4SO).
Former Reds' utility man Adam Rosales went 3-3 with one RBI for Oakland.
Rosales saw his old teammates for the first time since being traded to the
A's with Willy Taveras for Aaron Miles. So far this spring, Rosales is
hitting .450 and is in the mix to play shortstop for the A's on Opening Day.
Rosales had this to say:
"It
was a little odd. It was great to see all the guys. But it was like a weird
dream, kind of surreal."
On Sunday, the Reds played two games. In their "B" game they defeated the
Indians 4-3. Aaron Harang pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings (one out was added
in the fourth inning to allow Harang to reach his pitch count). Throwing 62
pitches, Harang was hitting 90mph on the radar gun.
Sunday's "A" game resulted in a 5-5 tie against the White Sox. The Reds led
the game 5-1 with two outs in the ninth when Jordan Smith gave up four runs.
Both teams were out of pitchers after regulation and the game was called.
