Wayne vs. Lakota West
Centerville vs. Lakota East
Bodies ... The Exhibition
Reds refute criticism, claim sixth consecutive win
Do you think the Reds have finally turned it around?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Just who is They and whoever They is, the Cincinnati Reds have a message: They don't know what They are talking about.
They said the Cincinnati Reds couldn't produce two-out hits. They did it twice in each of three games against the Cleveland Indians and completed a three-game sweep Sunday with a 6-4 victory.
Extras
They said Adam Dunn couldn't play defense, but he snatched a foul ball out of the stands Saturday and made a threw from the wall Sunday to wipe out a runner at second base.
Oh, and he hit a home run for the fourth game in a row.
They said Paul Janish was good-field, no-hit, but in his first major-league start Sunday he had a walk and three hits in four plate appearances and he is hitting .800.
"That's quite the torrid pace, .800," Janish said with a smile.
They said the Reds couldn't beat lefthanders, let alone a fabulous lefthander like Cliff Lee, who came into the game with a 6-0 record and a 0.67 earned run average. So they pounded him for six runs (five earned) and 10 hits in 5 2/3s innings.
Lee was outpitched by Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez, who scuffled himself muddled his way through, needing 111 pitches through six innings while giving up two runs, four hits and four walks.
Volquez (1.33) took away the major-league earned run average lead away from Lee (1.37)
"I didn't think about him (Lee)," said Volquez. "I just worry about me. I didn't have my fastball, but I made adjustments. Leading baseball in ERA? That's what I'm looking for. I want to be somebody special in the big leagues."
The Reds have won six in a row — three from the first-place Florida Marlins and three from the Indians, in first place when they hit town. They've climbed over Milwaukee into fifth place and they are two games under .500.
The difference these days?
"Two-out RBI hits," said manager Dusty Baker. "That's No. 1. The team that gets the most two-out RBI hits usually wins. The pitcher thinks he is out of trouble and then you get the big hits."
Dunn broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a two-out home run that covered 432 feet in the blink of a bird's eye.
The Reds had two outs with nobody on in the fifth and banged four straight hits, including run-scoring singles by Ken Griffey Jr. and Brandon Phillips.
They had two outs and nobody on in the sixth when Javier Valentin doubled and pinch-hitter Joey Votto homered to make it 6-2.
"When you get all that, then you play good defense and get good pitching, that equals winning," said Baker.
The Reds led by only two in the eighth when Ryan Garko smashed one off the wall in left. He tried for two and Dunn threw him out.
"He hit it hard and with that chain-link fence in front of the scoreboard you never know what kind of kick you'll get," said Dunn. "It kicked perfectly, right at me, and I knew we had a chance if I could just get it there."
Of his home run explosion, Dunn said, "Those are pitches I've been fouling off, popping straight up in the air, grounding out to second or swinging and missing. Those are balls I knew eventually, hopefully, I would start hitting. Same pitches, same ones I've had all year.
"If we'd swung the bats earlier they way we are now, we wouldn't be in this hole we're in now," said Dunn. "Until this homestand, we just weren't hitting."
Beating Lee, said Dunn, was a matter of familiarity.
"We know he is a good pitcher because we've faced him so many times (five) and we know how he pitches," said Dunn. "The only thing different this year is his velocity is up a couple miles of an hour and he is throwing a lot more strikes without leaving the ball up over the plate."
Volquez knew what kind of pitcher he was facing when he batted against Lee.
"Guy like him? He can pitch. I know how our hitters felt when I was at home plate," said Volquez. "He has a good angle on his fastball and you can only see half the ball. And everybody was talking in the dugout, 'Wow, this guy is nasty."
They were saying the same thing about Volquez in the Cleveland dugout.
About the seven-game west coast trip that begins tonight in Los Angeles, and the historically difficult time the Reds encounter, Baker used a surfer analogy.
"If you're going good, you don't think about it going bad," he said. "You just keep thinking about it going good. I have a lot of buddies who surf and they catch a good wave a ride it all the way to the beach. If you think about falling off, you're going to fall off. So you ride the wave and keep on riding. Don't worry about the wind or if you are going to fall."
Comments
By James
May 20, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this
Griffey got thrown out trying to stretch a single to a double. Commentators mentioned that he paused after rounding first. The replay confirmed this, but also showed what I had expected all along. He jogged to first base, and was barely moving by the time he “paused.” Yet there was no mention of this on tv. That’s the reason he was thrown out. He wasn’t ready to go if it was bobbled. My coach taught me that when I was like 6.
By JayTheRed
May 20, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
If Dunn is so bad at getting people scored why does he lead the team in RBI’s right now. Don’t give me the excuss of the 5 day home run thing either.
By Ron
May 19, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
I am going to enjoy this run for as long as it lasts. If we go out west and stink it up, then we will be right back here clamoring for changes just like a lot of us were durring the stink fest that was April. Jr, and in all likelihood Dunn, are not long term salutions to this team getting competitive. I like the Holliday suggestion, but if I am the Rockies, I dont touch that deal. What this team needs is a strong, young, middle of the order right handed hitting OF to balance all the lefties.
By BOB DUERSTOCK
May 19, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Keep Dunn,Get rid of Griffey . Jay Bruce in right field and reds win division!!!!
By Greg Tampa Fl.
May 19, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
watched all games during 6 game sweep what in hell are they waiting for bringing up jay bruce man corey patterson jerry hairston weak defense on the corners in outfield i saw in spring training saw 6 games in person griffey,s range is gone dunn runs like a donkey.
By nyc
May 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
you know Griffey just lost a friend of his to cancer and sometimes that effects people in different ways not to mention he probably had additional traveling on his off day to attend services. Griffey is a driving presence to this team of youngsters cut him some slack already.
By Ross
May 19, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Great posts Randy…Dunn is a stud.,,u cant replace 40HR 100+ RBI and 100+ BB…he needs to be in this teams plans on-going..dont do something stupid Walt
By michael
May 19, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Dunn can’t drive in runs?
By Jeff
May 19, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Oaky- Trade idea: Rockies may be looking to move Matt Holliday. Trade Dunn, Bailey and Fogg for Holliday. Sign Holliday to a long term contract with the money that you don’t pay Jr and Dunn. Holliday is a lifetime .319 hitter. Dunn gives Colorado a big HR guy in that park and a #1 pitching prospect in Bailey. Plus, they have already asked about Fogg! Win Win! Holliday is a good contact, high RBI hitter we need to drive in the runs that Dunn and Jr can’t. Holliday in left and Bruce in Right!
By Randy
May 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
(cont. from last post) but he worked hard and was a lot better last year and from I have seen this year he has improved that much more. What do you people expect from a guy 6’6” and is 275lbs? He grabbed a ball in the stands and threw a guy out from the wall over the weekend. He may never be a Jim Edmonds in the field, but he has become a decent left fielder.
By Randy
May 19, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I am tired of hearing everyone bash on Dunn and say we get rid of him. He is still a young guy and has been a proven 40+ HR and 95-100 RBI for the past four years and people act like that kind of production is easily replaced. He may never be a .300 hitter, but realistically how many pitches does he get to hit? Take away Barry Bonds and Dunn has been walked more than anyone the past few years. Plus, his defense is much improved. Two years ago, I would have agreed that his defense is awful.
By Cait
May 19, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
More meaningless home runs by Dunn! (More please!) ;-)
By Sigh Yung
May 19, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
A really good catcher would be nice for the future of our young pitchers. Backo won’t last for ever; and what is left over is rank. Then, Volquez could win—ME!
By Phil Man
May 19, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
I know why they’re winning. It’s a chic.
By jr
May 19, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
“…and made a threw…”??????????????????
By michael
May 19, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I think the Reds will play better from now on, but still not sure they are a contender. Some moves could still be made to make this team better and we all know what those moves are. Griffey goes, Bruce plays.
By 6
May 19, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Cincy sports fans baffle me. Doom & Gloom. Can’t ya’ll just be happy the Reds are winning rather than whinning that it won’t last?
By VietVet
May 19, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
Glad to see the Reds winning, but, predict that it is only temporary. I see the Reds as finishing just above .500 this year.Dunn had a nice series against Cleveland, and has been hitting, however, I see him as a streak hitter and his bat will go cold again.Griffy looks tired and somewhat disinterested out there. This team is still struggling in many areas, consistency in hitting being the biggest problem with a dash of poor pitching thrown in.
By tom
May 19, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Don’t get excited people, it is only temporary! It will be back to out losing ways on the West Coast trip.
By Jerry
May 19, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Reds could still go 2-4 on the road trip or worse. Playing with consistancy is the key. 4-2 should be a GREAT SUCCESS if we can get it done. I’d still trade A.Dunn for whomever will listen, get rid of C.Patterson and bring Jay Bruce to Cincinnati. We can find about ANYBODY to give us a better defensive effort than ADunn. The offensive spurt he’s having, not that big of deal. Let’s see where we are on June 30th. Nice to see the 6 game winning streak…about time we played like contenders.
By Tip
May 19, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
key to the indian series sweep was belisle. he didn’t get to pitch. if he had the magic would have been gone. stick to the 4 man rotation and send that loser back to loserville
By Harry the Horse
May 18, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
The Cubs started 2007 with a 22-31 record in last place. It took time for Lou Piniella to know what he had. And the Cubs players to get comfortable with Sweet Lou. The same thing may be happening with the Reds and Dusty Baker. Everybody felt the Reds had their best team in quite a while coming out of Spring Training. If Junior can reach back and recapture his swing and Johnny Cueto can settle in there’s no reason the Reds shouldn’t contend all season long…
By HuberTucky
May 18, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
The Reds are traditionally NOT an April team. They just miss Florida’s warmth. My belief is that they are getting stronger and their confidence is building. It’s coming from their youth beginning with Kepp. Now, please get rid of Griffey and his do-not-hustle attitude. His resident unhappiness is a malignancy. He can no longer get around on a fastball, pops up, strikes out & grounds out too often. Make Griffey, Mariner & Red’s fans happy - trade his tired butt before it’s too late.
By Heath
May 18, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a bit early to say we’ve turned the season around. Sweeping 2 1st place teams speaks volumes about this squad but we still have a long way to go. This upcoming western road trip will be our first real test. As long as our starters continue to be solid (and Arroyo continues to rebound from his long string of bad starts) I think our offense will eventually get back to where it’s been in years past, one of the best in the National League, and we could make a push at the…playoffs?!
By redfuture
May 18, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Great article Hal but I believe you should take some credit for being part of “they” along with most of us.
By John
May 18, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Junior Griffey is my favorite player and I’m glad he continues to embrace Cincinnati and its fans, even when that embrace is not returned. He’s a really classy guy who embodies what a father should be and is a role model for younger athletes by never giving up due to injury, always working his way back to the field to play the game he loves. I hope his power numbers pick up soon, but at the same time, he’s still coming through with RBI singles and decent defensive work. Thank you Griff!
By Jesse
May 18, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
I’m always hesitant to jump on the “we’ve turned it around” bandwagon when it comes to Cincinnati sports. However, I am thrilled to see them winning and really excited that the starting pitching has done well recently. I’m glad Dunn is finally getting his HR’s and Janish is stepping up.