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Reds Tidbits (2006 Season)

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Cincy

4/4/06

And they're off ... and stumbling

Defensive lapses pivotal in 16-7 defeat

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->When you lose 16-7, as the Reds did Monday to the Chicago Cubs, there's plenty of blame to go around.

Adam Dunn knew he was going to get his share and then some.

Dunn's error, and two other botched plays in left field, helped spark the Cubs' five-run first and seven-run sixth.

"We gave them too many outs," manager Jerry Narron said. "The wind was swirling. Dunner made one nice play. But he struggled out there. I know he's better than that."

It was such a bad day - the Reds' worst loss on Opening Day since a 24-6 shellacking by Louisville in 1877 - that the normally happy-go-lucky Dunn was downcast afterward.

He did not make excuses.

"I'm not going to blame the wind," he said. "I misplayed (the fly balls).

There's nothing I can do about it."

Dunn has never been confused with a Gold Glove outfielder. But he's never had a day like Monday.

In the first inning, a sinking line drive by Jacque Jones popped out of Dunn's glove. The error led to three unearned runs.

The other gaffes came after Dunn's homer tied the game at 5 after five innings.

But with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth, Dunn got a bad jump on a ball hit by Angel Pagan that dropped in for a single.

Two batters later, Dunn spun around and fell as a ball off the bat of Derrek Lee hit off the wall for a two-run double. That made it 10-5.

Reds outfielder Austin Kearns said the wind was brutal. "The worst I've ever seen here," Kearns said. "Up high, it was blowing out. But down low, it was blowing in hard."

Dunn didn't complain.

"(The wind) didn't affect anyone else," he said.

The opener was a depressing start to the Reds' season. But players cautioned that it's only one game.

"It's only one game, one game" Dunn said. "We're not going to go 0-162 because we lost on Opening Day."
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"It's only one game, one game" Dunn said. "We're not going to go 0-162 because we lost on Opening Day."
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No but your gonna lose 90+ because you have shit for pitching, Tony Woe-mack is not only on the team but starts and you can't catch a fly ball but are better in LF than 1B. :smash:


WTF did we as Reds fans do to deserve this shit?
 
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cincy

4/5/06

Sanchez adjusts a year after his drug suspension

Was first casualty of new MLB policy

BY BRIAN BENNETT | THE (LOUISVILLE) COURIER-JOURNAL
<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Monday was an anniversary of sorts for Alex Sanchez, but not for something he would like to remembered for.
On April 3, 2005, the new Louisville Bats outfielder became the first major-league baseball player to draw a suspension under the sport's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Sanchez, who was playing for Tampa Bay at the time, earned a 10-day suspension and immediately went from little known to infamous.
Sanchez certainly didn't fit the image of a muscle-bound steroid user. A leadoff type listed at 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, he had hit four career big-league home runs at the time of his suspension.
Sanchez said then and reiterates now that his positive drug test stemmed from a supplement he bought over the counter before baseball's new policy started. But he did not appeal the penalty, and he incurred considerable grief over it.
"Last year everywhere we played people tried to mess with me," Sanchez said Monday during the Bats' public workout at Louisville Slugger Field. "I just tried to take it like a game. I smiled and tried to put everything out of my mind."
His career appears to have suffered from the suspension as well. Tampa Bay released him in the middle of last season even though he was hitting .346. Sanchez latched on with San Francisco at the end of the season but did not receive regular playing time.
This spring the 29-year-old found himself without many job offers despite a .296 career average in five big-league seasons. He said he thinks last year's scandal played a role in his lack of opportunities.
Sanchez finally landed a minor-league contract with the Reds in late March.
"I want to say thank you to the Reds for giving me this opportunity," Sanchez said. "I'm going to do my best here to show people I can come back to the major leagues."
The Reds, of course, had some concerns about Sanchez's history. In addition to the positive test, he gained a reputation as a clubhouse malcontent while being released from both Detroit and Milwaukee.
But Cincinnati farm director Johnny Almaraz said he had a long conversation with the player and is confident things will go well.
"We made sure he understood what the organization wants and that there will be zero tolerance with regards to rule-breaking," Almaraz said.
"I think he understands where we're coming from, and he knows that this may be his last opportunity. I'm hoping to see him become a real professional and be a part of our major-league club at some point."
Almaraz originally planned to have Sanchez start at Class-A Sarasota to work his way into shape. But Sanchez, who played winter ball in Venezuela this offseason, came to camp ready to play and looked good in exhibition games.
He figures to be an asset for the Bats, who open their season today in Ottawa.
"He is just a hitting machine," Louisville manager Rick Sweet said.
And Sanchez hopes that the more he hits, the less people will talk about what happened on April 3, 2005.
"I want to put everything behind me," he said. "The past is the past. I'm going forward right now."
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Dispatch

4/5/06

REDS

Narron demands better than he saw in opener

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — A couple of hours before opening day’s first pitch Monday in Great American Ball Park, Reds manager Jerry Narron reiterated his no-nonsense baseball philosophy.
"I will not waver one bit on having the game played the right way and the game played all out," he said. "That’s just basically what I believe and what I stand for. I won’t ever change from that."
In the minutes after the Chicago Cubs had hung an ugly 16-7 loss on the bumbling Reds, Narron admitted that demanding high standards doesn’t necessarily result in a stellar performance.
"When I die they’re going to put ‘He believed in God, pitching and defense’ on my headstone," he said, laughing. "Today we got a little bit of
, guess."
The elements, especially the wind, appeared to play havoc with leftfielder Adam Dunn, whose error and two misplays on fly balls jump-started the Cubs to fiveand seven-run innings. Starter Aaron Harang didn’t have a great game, either. He allowed nine hits and nine runs in five-plus innings. "The weather conditions were not conducive to what we’ve been used to the last month and half," Harang said. "But you can’t blame that. You’ve got to adjust to the conditions and get it done. I didn’t pitch as well as I wished I would have."
Dunn’s first-inning error made three of the Chicago runs unearned. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion also committed an error in the ninth that led to three more unearned runs.
The Reds rebounded from an early 5-0 deficit. First baseman Scott Hatteberg hit a three-run home run. Dunn contributed a sacrifice fly and a solo homer that tied the score at 5 after five innings. Little went right after that.
Fans can hope for better results today when starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo makes his Cincinnati debut against Chicago’s Glendon Rusch.
In a touch of irony, Dunn spoke before the opener about why he believes better days are ahead for the Reds this season. He cited Narron as a major reason.
"Last year we had high expectations and we stunk," he said. "We pretty much have the same team this year. But I think we’ve upgraded in some areas so I still have the same high expectations that I did last year.
"Hopefully we don’t fall apart, which I don’t think we will because I don’t think Jerry will let us. There is just something about him. I can’t put it in words. I just don’t think he’s going to let you not play your very best."
[email protected]
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Cincy

4/6/06

Great first impression

Pitches 6 2/3 solid innings, hits solo HR

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->The Reds knew what they were getting when they traded outfielder Wily Mo Peña for Bronson Arroyo.
"The day of the deal, everyone in our clubhouse was ecstatic," Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
That's no knock on Peña. The players simply knew that the pitching had to improve for the Reds to compete.
Arroyo delivered Wednesday, pitching 6 2/3 solid innings as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 8-6 before 27,287 at Great American Ball Park.
By the way, Arroyo also hit a home run.
Fans are starting to like the Arroyo trade, too. He got a nice standing ovation when he left the game.
"That was awesome," Arroyo said. "You want to be accepted. They're expecting good things from me. I hope I can come through."
So far, so good.
"He's definitely going to be a big help," outfielder Austin Kearns said.
Arroyo's pitching line was not great - five runs (three earned), six hits, no walks, seven strikeouts. He retired 12 of 13 batters in one stretch as the Reds took the lead.
"He pitched with a lot of confidence," Narron said. "He throws strikes, and quality strikes. He doesn't throw cookies up there."
It didn't start well for Arroyo - he gave up a two-run homer to Aramis Ramirez in the first inning. He said he wasn't worried.
"I know these guys can swing the bat," he said.
Rich Aurilia singled a run home in the first.
Arroyo then tied it in the third inning with a 403-foot homer to left field - his first since high school.
"I was floating," he said.
Ryan Freel drew a walk, and Aurilia hit a two-run shot to give the Reds a 4-2 lead.
The Reds added three more runs in the fifth. Ken Griffey Jr. got it started with a solo home run.
Then it got dicey. Arroyo gave up a two-run homer to Derrek Lee immediately after catcher David Ross dropped a foul popup. It was a 7-6 game after Kent Mercker gave up a two-run, pinch-hit home run to John Mabry. But Freel produced a run in the eighth, and David Weathers had a 1-2-3 ninth for a save.
"We came back and played good baseball today," Freel said.
It's easier to do when you get a good start like Arroyo's.
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Dispatch

4/6/06

Second basemen stay busy

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — Until further notice, Reds manager Jerry Narron is going to continue the juggling act with Ryan Freel, Tony Womack and Rich Aurilia sharing time at second base, Narron repeated yesterday.

Freel replaced opening-day starter Womack at second for yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Freel made his presence felt with a double, three stolen bases and three runs scored. Aurilia, meanwhile, started at first base for the first time in his career. He had an RBI single in the first and a two-run home run in the third.

"Right now with three second basemen, I’m doing everything I can to keep them sharp," Narron said. "All three of them would like to be on the field every day. But Richie is going to play all over the infield. It might not be easy for him, but he is very good wherever you put him. A utility guy that can play short has a great deal of value in baseball right now."

Aurilia, a former All-Star at shortstop, is trying to make the best of the situation.

"My ego doesn’t get in the way anymore," he said. "I just want to play, whether it’s at third, at first, at short or at second. I’m happy. I take playing first base as just a challenge. It’s just something else that keeps me busy. While you’re at it, just concentrate on offense, too. I was glad I got a chance to contribute today."

Freel’s speed helped the Reds manufacture a run in the eighth. He stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Michael Barrett.

With the infield playing in for a possible play at the plate, Felipe Lopez grounded to shortstop Ronny Cedeno. Freel waited for the throw to first and then surprised the Cubs by sprinting home.

He was pleased that Narron had taken off the run-on-contact sign.

"If the guy hits it to third or short, as soon as he’s in his windup and throws it to first, I know that I can beat it going home," Freel said. "I think (Narron) knew that as well. The next pitch after that he ended up taking (the sign) off."
Short hops



Reds catcher Jason LaRue, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in March, will take another step in his rehabilitation today by catching in the bullpen before the game with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Trainer Mark Mann said that LaRue also has been cleared to begin running. "We expect him to be fully ready when he is eligible to come of the (disabled list) Monday," Mann said. . . . Catcher Dan Sardinha cleared waivers yesterday and accepted an outright assignment to triple-A Louisville.
[email protected]
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Rich F. Aurilia said:
"My ego doesn’t get in the way anymore," he said. "I just want to play, whether it’s at third, at first, at short or at second. I’m happy."
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Bull. If your ego wasn't getting in the way, you wouldn't have been bitching about playing time and asking to be traded because you didn't get to play enough.
 
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Ryan Freel is your everyday 2b until body parts start falling off.

Rotate in Aurilia throught the IF to give everyone a day off once a week.

Release Woemack.

We'll be out of it by June so in the grand scheme this doesn't really matter but it would sure be nice to see a Reds manager play a young guy with upside rather than show this sickening man love toward over the hill futility infielders.
 
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Jaxbuck said:
Ryan Freel is your everyday 2b until body parts start falling off.

Rotate in Aurilia throught the IF to give everyone a day off once a week.

Release Woemack.

We'll be out of it by June so in the grand scheme this doesn't really matter but it would sure be nice to see a Reds manager play a young guy with upside rather than show this sickening man love toward over the hill futility infielders.
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Agreed. I'd even be okay with holding onto Womack to spell an outfielder every now and again or to play second when Freel spells Griffey in center.

Freel needs to play everyday for as long as he is healthy.
 
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Screw it. Ship Womack off the the glue factory, and let Aurilia spell the outfielders and the infielders. Let him pitch, too. He'll probably be better than Milton just by accident. He says he doesn't care where he plays, and the Reds will suck no matter where you put him. If he isn't gonna earn his money with production, the Reds might as well get what they can by working him like a mule.
 
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jlb1705 said:
Screw it. Ship Womack off the the glue factory, and let Aurilia spell the outfielders and the infielders. Let him pitch, too. He'll probably be better than Milton just by accident. He says he doesn't care where he plays, and the Reds will suck no matter where you put him. If he isn't gonna earn his money with production, the Reds might as well get what they can by working him like a mule.
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I like it.

The fact that we are obviously going into battle with the Woe-mack, Aurilia, Hatteberg contingent pisses me off but I hold out hope.

I pray that Krivisky, unlike his retard predecessor, realizes these guys have no long term value and trades every one of them for whatever he can get come June-July sell off time.

Aorroyo's contract situation will probably force him out by the trade deadline as well.

Personally, I just hope for as many good individual performances as we can get so Kriv can show me something before the trade deadline. I'm hoping he was just resigned to do the best he could with the slop that was left to him and planned on a mid season purge to get this rebuild going.
 
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