August 2010
Vottomatic and Chapmania converge on Cincinnati!
Votto continued his hot hitting with two double and three RBIs to pass Pujols in RBIs. I can’t imagine a world where Votto isn’t the MVP if Pujols doesn’t win the Triple Crown. On a National level no one expected the Reds to be where they are right now.
Harang made his first start in over two months and the results were mixed. He gave up three runs (one earned) in over four innnings of work, 8 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. His line really could have been much worse. I hate to say it, but same old Harang, the good thing was the Reds supplied plenty of run support.
Gomes started his march towards 200 homeruns with his 101st homerun.
Jay Bruce was scratched with pain in his right side just before gametime. Rumors initially were saying possible appendicitis, but with him appearing in the dugout the entire game this seems unlikely. I’ll report any news when I get it.
I hae to say I got goosebumps when Aroldis Chapman made his trot from the bullpen, and he didn’t fail to live up to expectations. He hit triple digits at least four times and mowed down the lineup with what seemed like very little effort. He could be this team’s version of Matt Garza for our postseason push.
Oh, and on a final note, the Cardinals failed to score a run against the Houston Astros for the second straight game. Reds are up 7!
Chapmania comes to Cincy!
The most anticipated debut since Jay Bruce Almighty finally comes to Cincinnati, maybe the small 14,589 crowd last night was everyone waiting for tonights game. With Harang on the hill I’m guessing we might get to see Chapman take the mound, especially since I don’t expect Harang to go past six innings. With Masset, Rhodes, Chapman, and the newly non walking Cordero our bullpen seems to be getting strong. The big question mark now is the rotation. Homer was up and down last night, but good enough to win. Cueto looked great in his last start and Arroyo is pretty consistent. I think tonight’s start by Harang and Wood’s next start will be very telling for how far this team can really go. Last night once again Bruuuuuuce was simply Vottoesque. I don’t know what it is about the leadoff spot lately but we’re getting some amazing production from there. Between Brandon, even Drew Stubbs and now Bruce its been a strength more than at any other point this season. With the Cardinals stumbling its time for the Reds to continue to distance themselves and lock this thing down.
Go Reds!
And the winner is…Rick Lucas, congrats!
It was a very close contest with the first two answers within seconds of each other but the winner was Rick Lucas. Hope you enjoy it and please update us on what you get! Stay tuned for possible future contests.
Reds announce updated pitching probables, Volquez out
The Reds have announced an updated pitching lineup:
Sat: Arroyo
Sun: Wood
Mon: Bailey
Tues: TBA
Dusty Baker has indicated that Harang would probably start on Tuesday but there is nothing official yet.
Sometimes its good to be wrong
So I mentioned some concern over the top two in the lineup for tonights game. And I have no problem admitting, I was wrong! Not only did they do an admirable job, but they combined for four homeruns, 5-7, 5 runs and 6 RBIs. All I can say is Wow! Welcome back Mr. Bruce and welcome Mr. Valaika. I continue to be amazed at the depth on this team, we continue to have players (i.e. Miguel Cairo, Paul Janish) fill in and perform as well or better than the player they are filling in for. Oh and our ace pitched like one tonight, giving up only one run in eight innings. Great to see him bounce back from his last outing. I still am not thrilled about Harang back in the rotation though.
Some Reds news, most of it not so good
Dusty Baker announced today that Harang may be starting on Tuesday which would make him eligible for the playoffs. Am I the only one that thinks this is terrible news? He can’t get out AAA hitters so what makes the team feel like he can make a quality start in the Bigs, especially during this final stretch. Mike Leake was also placed on the 15-Day DL for shoulder fatigue and Juan Francisco was called up to take his spot giving the Reds another bat with Laynce Nix ailing with a sore ankle. The final news is that Brandon Phillips is not in the starting lineup with his sore wrist. Leading off in his place is Jay Bruce who hasn’t lead off since his rookie season. Valaika will be making his first big league start tonight. I’m not sure if Bruce and Valaika give us the best hitters to get on for Votto but we’ll see tonight.
Tonight’s Lineup
Bruce 9
Valaika 4
Votto 3
Rolen 5
Gomes 7
Hernandez 2
Stubbs 8
Janish 6
Cueto 1
Trivia Question sponsored by Steiner Sports
To celebrate Steiner’s new partnership with the Reds and their Civil Rights throwback jerseys they are sponsoring this weeks Trivia Question. Please read the post below for more details on Steiner and the products they offer. These are true one of a kind items.
When answering please leave your email address so I can contact you for address information. Thanks for playing and good luck.
Who was traded to Montreal for Pete Rose in 1984 and who did Rose replace as Reds manager after the trade?
Good news and then some more
The x-rays came back on Brandon Phillips negative so he’ll be available for the Cubs series. The Reds can’t afford to go an extended time without Phillips, as important as he’s been with his bat I would argue he is even more vital with his glove. He makes the hard plays look easy and should win the gold glove for the second time this season. Hopefully he won’t miss any starts and the bruising subsides. Laynce Nix is also unlikely to be put on the DL with his Finally (I’m only awake right now because I had a late night simulator flight) the Nationals made my day by beating Chris “the instigator” Carpenter and the Cardinals. The Reds are now back up 4 games in the Central.
Go Reds!
I think I just lost a year off my life, Reds Win!!!
This game was looked at by many as a must win for the Reds after the two embarassing losses. Homer looked like he had his good stuff and the Reds jumped out to a 10-1 lead. Than Bailey gave up two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth. But with a five run lead the Reds still looked to be in good shape, especially with the way the bullpen has been pitching. Than the wheels fell off, two of our best relievers Ondrusek and Rhodes each gave up 3 runs to let the Giants tie the game. With the Reds down by 1 in the ninth Paul Janish once again showed why he should have been the shortstop all along by singling in the tying run. That was the last score until Joey “I better win the MVP” Votto singled in the go ahead run with two outs in the top of the 12th innning. Cordero came in for his second inning of work and as he usually does he made things very interesting. Sandoval opened with a single, Uribe flied out, Cody Ross struck out, Fontenot singles off Cordero to put Sandoval at third. Previous to Fontenot’s hit he popped a foul ball along the third base side which glanced off Rolens’ glove for what would have been the third out. It looked like that play could have doomed the Reds until Cordero finally gets Andres Torres to ground out to Miguel Cairo. Reds Win!!!
13-5 Bad guys up
I rarely give up on a game, especially with the Reds late game heroics. However, I can only take so much punishment, it’s just gettin ugly at the Bay. Hard to watch.
redsfanatic
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