Reds Tidbits (2006 Season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/1/06

ASTROS 3 REDS 2

Reds’ record month ends with narrow loss

Monday, May 01, 2006

Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>DAVID KOHL ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Lance Berkman, right, of the Astros is congratulated by Chris Burke after Berkman’s two-run homer in the first inning. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


CINCINNATI — Reality, wrapped in one nasty slider, trumped magic by a nose yesterday afternoon in Great American Ball Park, ending the Reds’ winning streak at six games.
Houston closer Brad Lidge doused the final bit of abracadabra from the Cincinnati bats by striking out Javier Valentin with the tying and winning runs on base to preserve the 3-2 victory for the Astros.
For the record, Lidge did away Valentin with a 2-and-2 slider and not his trademark 96 mph fastball, even though Valentin said he knew what to expect.
"He’s got good stuff," Valentin said. "But I’m looking for that pitch. I’m looking for a slider. What you’re waiting for is for it to break down and in. It didn’t break. It stayed flat. I’m not going to take that pitch for strike three. I’m going to swing and try to get a foul ball.
"I’m not going to say that he’s lucky, but I was looking for that slider."
The sudden end was almost surprising given how magical April was for the Reds. Even with the loss, Cincinnati ended the month tied with St. Louis for first place in the National League Central and with a franchise-record 17 victories. When the ball hasn’t bounced their way, the Reds often have been able to catch or hit it anyway.
Missing a rare chance to sweep the defending National League champion Astros hurt a little, but not as much as it could have.
"It would’ve been great," first baseman Scott Hatteberg said. "We’ve been playing really well. I don’t think that anybody is disappointed in here. We were in it. We were in it until the end."
The Reds stayed close because rookie starter Elizardo Ramirez (1-1) gave them five solid innings after overcoming a 36-pitch first inning that included a two-run homer by Lance Berkman. Cincinnati left fielder Adam Dunn matched Berkman with a two-run homer in the sixth, but a shot by Jason Lane in the fourth proved to be the difference.
Houston rookie Taylor Buchholz (2-1) outpitched Ramirez. He checked the Reds on three hits in 6 1 /3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Chad Qualls and Lidge did the rest.
While the Cincinnati hitters know Qualls and Lidge well, Buchholz was something of a surprise.
"We ran into a pretty good pitcher in Buchholz," Hatteberg said. "I was, and I know the rest of the team was, really impressed. He showed some great stuff. I think offensively we’ll be able to stick around regardless of who is on the mound. If we get the pitching we’ve been getting, we’re going to win a lot of games. We were right there. We were one hit away. That’s all you can ask."
Valentin believes that Ramirez can help take care of the pitching part of the equation as he matures.
"E.Z. is one of those pitchers that needs to relax," Valentin said. "He needs to keep the ball down. It’s different when we’re playing in Washington on a big field. He has to make the adjustment. After the first couple of innings, he made the adjustment. He gave us a chance to win. He pitched a great game."
Valentin also thinks the Reds are going to continue to surprise people.
"We’re going to continue to play the way we’re playing now," he said. "We’ve got talent. We’re going to surprise a lot of people. We’re going to surprise everybody because we’ve got a good team." [email protected]

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Well we beat Mulder tontie.

Arroyo had another great outing throwing a complete game, only giving up 1 run.

It woudl be nice for the 2 game sweep of the Cardinals but we have Dave "I give up at least one run every inning" Williams on the mound, and I am sure Pujols is just drooling.

 

[coastalbuck]

Great outing last night. I do hate it that Williams is on the hill tonight, but, everyone else is coming through, maybe he can too. Marty was really happy when he chalked this one in the win column last night. It's been a while since he can talke about great pitching for the home team.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

5/2/06

Arroyo remains perfect

Tosses 4-hitter to improve his record to 5-0

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->This is the one Bronson Arroyo wanted.
"This is the one team, that I'm sure I can feel comfortable against, feel like I can beat them," he said. "When I was with the Pirates, I was a different guy, but they always hit me hard. ... They always made games tight near the end of the game."
But not Monday, not against Arroyo.
He threw a complete-game, four-hit gem to beat the Cardinals 6-1 before a crowd of 20,900 at Great American Ball Park.
Arroyo is 5-0 with a 2.06 ERA. He's gone eight, eight and nine innings in his last three starts.
"To beat the Cardinals was the No. 1 thing," he said. "A complete game was just a bonus. Any time you can go against a quality team like that, you want to show them that we can play with them."
His previous start against the Cardinals was the only semi-blemish on Arroyo's record with the Reds. He got a no decision in an April 16 start, but the Reds lost 8-7.
By looking better the second time around against a club - he did the same thing against the Chicago Cubs - Arroyo's showing that he's doing more than cashing in against hitters in a new league who are unfamiliar with him.
"This guy is not a fluke," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "He's got a great feel for pitching."
Arroyo says that comes from pitching with Boston, where the rivalry with the New York Yankees raises the pressure.
"Facing the Yankees 19 times a year - that lineup is so power-packed - it's tough to pitch to," he said. "It's mentally wearing as the game goes on.
"... I don't think there's any lineup in the National League that compares to that one. For me, it's easier to get over the hump."
The victory moves the Reds into sole possession of first place in the National League Central, a game ahead of the Cardinals.
Arroyo's been a huge part of that.
"We're feeding off him," said Felipe Lopez, the offensive hero with three RBI. "He's that personality. He's been in the playoffs. He gives us a lot of confidence."
E-mail [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/2/06

COMMENTARY

Pitchers better than advertised for Reds

Tuesday, May 02, 2006


BOB HUNTER

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CINCINNATI — Last year, the Reds were supposed to be good and they were awful. This year, they were supposed to be mediocre and, so far at least, they have been very good.
Interesting twist, huh?
You don’t suppose that the 2005 Reds were the fluke and the 2006 Reds are the real ones, do you? I know it’s a little early to be making definitive judgments about any of the teams that have performed above or below expectations, but after the Reds’ 6-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals last night, this implausible theory is at least worth considering.
The Reds and the Cardinals entered the game tied for the second-best record in baseball (17-8), behind only the Chicago White Sox (17-7), and Bronson Arroyo stopped the defending National League Central champs with the kind of fourhit, complete-game performance good teams are supposed to have.
It is what the Reds were supposed to have last year when they signed free-agents Eric Milton and Ramon Ortiz and re-signed Paul Wilson. It is what they’ve had so far — in seven games before last night, Reds starters were 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA — and Arroyo (5-0) is one reason for that. He came to the Reds in a trade with the Red Sox on March 20 for outfielder Wily Mo Pena, and at this point, the deal looks like a steal.
"This guy is not a fluke," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "He’s got a great feel for pitching. Anybody who changes speeds off their breaking ball like he does has a chance to be successful. He’s used to pitching to good lineups. In the American League, it’s up and down the order, you don’t get any easy outs ... and he was very successful. The guy has great poise, he’s a great competitor."
No one this side of Boston would argue that case, but the jury on the rest of the staff is still out. There’s no way to be sure that the starters are really better as a group, particularly since Milton — who has looked more like the guy the Reds thought they signed than the human pitching machine who got blistered last season — is on the disabled list for a few more weeks because of knee surgery and Wilson is just preparing to come off it with a rehab start tonight.
Kent Mercker has been on a lot of different teams, including the great and not-so-great, in a 15-year major-league career, so he doesn’t seem like a bad guy to ask. He pitched in two World Series for the Atlanta Braves, made the playoffs when he was in Boston and was one of the few bright spots on that snakebitten Reds staff a year ago.
"I don’t think it’s a fluke," Mercker said. "I don’t think you can expect to win 17 games every month, but I thought leaving spring training ... we know we’re going to score. We did that last year and finished fifth. We know we’re going to get runs, and then it’s all a matter of us pitching.
"Last year, out of 11 guys, we had seven guys struggle at the same time. … When I played with the Braves, Smoltzie (John Smoltz) used to struggle, (Tom) Glavine used to struggle, but they never struggled all at one time. I compare this year’s staff to the Cardinals a few years ago when they had (Chris) Carpenter coming off surgery and (Jeff) Suppan coming off and Matt Morris ... they didn’t know what they were going to get. They had guys with potential and they were all healthy, and they steamrolled the whole year."
You’re probably thinking the same thing I am: Mercker has to say this stuff because this is his team. He has to believe and he wants to believe.
Nonetheless, his argument is compelling, because it is based on one elemental baseball truth.
"Pitching’s the key," Mercker said. "It just sets everything in motion."
It did last night. Again.

Bob Hunter is a sports co lumnist for The Dispatch .

[email protected]

 

[coastalbuck]

Reds score 1 in the bottom of the ninth to win today, 3-2. I'll post a link when I can get one.

Link

link for the box score

 

[Jaxbuck]

It was a watered down Cards lineup but 6 2/3 IP of 2 run ball from Williams.

I'll take that anytime I can get it.

I still don't think they can keep it up but IF the starters keep pitching like this we will win a lot of games.

 

[Dryden]

Unreal. To go 4-1 in the five game stretch with the Astros & Cards is huge. The next 14 games see Colorado, Arizona, Washington, Philly, and Pitt. The best of all of them is arguably Colorado, who is horrible defensively and very easy to steal on, which the Reds are doing a lot of this season.

The Reds could really open up something big and build their lead by smoking some of these cupcakes and sweeping two of the upcoming five series.

Reds move to season-high 11 games over .500

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Javier Valentin's ninth-inning single over a drawn-in infield sent the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory Tuesday and a two-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion added solo homers for the Reds (19-8), who moved a season-high 11 games over .500. The NL Central leaders also lead the league in victories.

Austin Kearns started the winning rally with a leadoff single off Brian Falkenborg (0-1), who was called up from Triple-A Memphis before the game. The right-hander hit Brandon Phillips with his next pitch.

After Jason LaRue's sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, Valentin pinch-hit, took two pitches in the dirt, then lined a single over the head of second baseman Aaron Miles. Valentin raised his right fist in celebration and was surrounded by teammates as soon as he reached first base.

Todd Coffey (2-0) struck out John Gall with two runners aboard in the ninth to keep it tied at 2. In his last two at-bats, Gall fanned with runners in scoring position.

The Cardinals' starting lineup was missing Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds. Pujols, who leads the majors with 14 homers and 32 RBI, aggravated his back on a defensive play last week and got a day of rest -- his first this season.

Edmonds missed four starts last month because of a sore shoulder and hasn't done much at the plate. He pinch-hit in the seventh against Rick White with two runners aboard and flied out, dropping his average to .208.

The scaled-down lineup was a huge benefit for left-hander Dave Williams, who has been the Reds' least-effective starter. Williams, obtained from Pittsburgh in the offseason trade for Sean Casey, brought a gaudy 9.53 ERA into the game.

His toughest out on the Cardinals? Pujols is 7-for-19 off the left-hander with three homers.

It didn't appear to matter at the outset. David Eckstein and Gall opened the game with singles, and Scott Spiezio's single made it 1-0. Dunn ran down Juan Encarnacion's drive to the gap in left-center to prevent it from being worse.

Juan Encarnacion homered over Dunn's head in the third, his third homer in three games, for a 2-0 lead. Williams then settled in and didn't give up another run in his 6 2-3 innings.

Right-hander Sidney Ponson blanked the NL's highest-scoring offense -- six runs per game -- until Dunn hit a solo homer off the right-field foul screen in the sixth and Edwin Encarnacion followed with a tying homer.

It was a familiar script for Ponson, who blanked the Nationals last Thursday before giving up a pair of seventh-inning runs in a 6-2 win.

 

[Dryden]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2430203

Reds' Ross heads to DL; Womack released
Associated Press

CINCINNATI -- The Reds put outfielder Cody Ross on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a bruised finger on his hand, replacing him by calling up outfielder Chris Denorfia from Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds also gave infielder Tony Womack his unconditional release, eight days after he was designated for assignment.

Ross, obtained from the Dodgers on April 24, made his debut with the Reds last Friday and struck out by swinging at a pitch that hit his left hand. X-rays found no fracture.

Ross hasn't played since that game. He went on the disabled list retroactive to Saturday.

Denorfia was Louisville's top hitter in April, batting .351 with three homers in 20 games. He started the season with the Reds and went 2-for-2 in three games before being optioned to Louisville on April 8.

Ken Griffey Jr. is eligible to come off the disabled list, but hasn't fully recovered from an inflamed tendon behind his right knee. He will remain in Cincinnati while the Reds travel to Colorado for a two-game series.

"Then we'll see how he is," manager Jerry Narron said. "There hasn't been a setback. He just hasn't gotten to the point where he feels like he can play."

The Reds got Womack from the Yankees for two minor leaguers last December, but he wound up being the fourth second baseman and didn't play much after Brandon Phillips was obtained in a trade with Cleveland.

After designating him for assignment, the Reds had 10 days to trade or release Womack.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Man this has been an awesome run, if we keep playing this way against the Cards and Stros we are going to be right there till the end. I don't think the rest of the NL is all that strong, besides the Mets and we should compete with every team. I am really liking this team.

 

[Bucklion]

It all depends on the pitching....if the team ERA is around 4, there is a good chance of getting to the post-season, and then the pitching has to hold up again.

 

[coastalbuck]

I'm really pleased with how this group is playing. Nice to be a Reds fan while they're playing well! Feels really good.

 

[sandgk]

I'm still waiting to wake up. After all this can't be happening, can it?

<table class="yspwhitebg" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="yspscores">Cincinnati</td> <td class="yspscores" align="right">19</td> <td class="yspscores" align="right">8</td> <td class="yspscores" align="right">.704</td></tr></tbody> </table>

In 2004 they started 24-12, last year around this time they sported a 10-16 record. I like 19-8 a whole lot better. Hoping they can keep the pitching strong enough to let those bats, and the faster on-base play help them win games.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

5/3/06

Playing at a fever pinch

Valentin comes off bench for winning RBI

BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->A lack of patience at the plate lately left Javier Valentin determined to see more pitches Tuesday.
"When you see more pitches," the Reds catcher said, "you have an idea about what you want to do and what you have to do."
Plucked from the Reds' bench to pinch hit in the ninth inning of a tied game against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park, Valentin put into action what he's been practicing.
Cardinals relief pitcher Brian Falkenborg started Valentin with two balls before offering an irresistible changeup Valentin smacked into right field for a run-scoring single that gave the Reds a 3-2 win before 25,127 fans.
The victory completed a series sweep against the Cardinals and a 4-1 homestand against the National League Central Division's top two teams, and it left Cincinnati 19-8 this season - 11 games over .500 and the best record in baseball.
"We can play with anybody," Valentin said. "If we continue to play the way we're playing, we're going to be there."
He knocked twice on his wooden locker while making the statement.
It's a fun time, brimming with hope and possibility, for a Reds team playing without injured center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. and starting pitchers Eric Milton and Paul Wilson. Each is on the disabled list but expected back soon.
"There's a lot of belief in the clubhouse," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "These guys really think we can be competitive and win a lot of games and stay in it.
"I know it's early, but when you're facing the two best teams (in your division), it means a lot to win four out of five."
The Reds opened the homestand by winning two of three games against the Astros, and on Monday against the Cardinals got a complete-game victory from pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
The St. Louis batting order Reds starting pitcher Dave Williams faced Tuesday lacked some of its most feared sluggers.
Third baseman Scott Rolen, recovering from bronchitis, did not travel to Cincinnati for the two-game series.
Center fielder Jim Edmonds, a .400 hitter against Williams during his career, did not start after playing Monday night. He entered Tuesday's game during the seventh inning as a pinch hitter.
First baseman Albert Pujols was a late scratch Tuesday because of back stiffness. The reigning National League MVP is 7- for-19 with three home runs and six RBI lifetime against Williams.
"Obviously he adds something to their lineup," Williams said. "That's why he's a good hitter.
"But if he wants to take a day off the day I pitch, I'm fine with that."
Williams allowed two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander struck out two and walked two.
Relief pitcher Rick White replaced Williams with two runners on, two outs and the score tied at two in the seventh inning. The right-hander faced one batter, Edmonds, and got a fly-ball out. Todd Coffey (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth.
So the offense was left to manufacture Tuesday's win in the ninth inning.
"You can't hold down our offense," Williams said. "I just knew if I could keep us in the ballgame, we're eventually going to have an opportunity to capitalize."
Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion had tied the game with back-to-back home runs off Cardinals starting pitcher Sidney Ponson in the sixth inning.
But in the ninth, the Reds won by playing small ball.
Right fielder Austin Kearns led off with an infield single that ricocheted off Falkenborg's glove. Recalled from Triple-A before Tuesday's game, Falkenborg then hit Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips in the leg with his next pitch.
Catcher Jason LaRue's sacrifice bunt advanced both runners.
"In that situation, we're basically out there to get the guys over," LaRue said. "The only thing that matters is ... I got the bunt down."
One of the three catchers the Reds carry on their active roster, the left-handed-hitting Valentin drove in Kearns from third with his line-drive single.
The ball sailed just out of reach of Cardinals second baseman Aaron Miles.
"I know a lot of people say, 'Why are you carrying three catchers?' " Narron said. "Being able to bring (Valentin) off the bench to pinch hit for us is one of the reasons."
E-mail [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/3/06

REDS NOTEBOOK

Griffey isn’t cleared to play against Rockies

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — Maybe somebody should cue the theme music from Jaws. Ken Griffey Jr. did not accompany the Reds yesterday to Denver. The strained tendon behind his right knee apparently remains somewhat balky, and the medical staff doesn’t want to risk him playing in the chilly Colorado weather.
Initially, Griffey thought that he would come off the 15-day disabled list at the start of the just-concluded five-game homestand. He has been taking batting practice, running bases and catching fly balls before games.
"We’ll see how he is (after Colorado)," manager Jerry Narron said. "He hasn’t had a setback. He just hasn’t gotten to the point where you feel like he can play."
Griffey could join the team as soon as Friday at Arizona.
Roster shuffle

The Reds placed outfielder Cody Ross on the 15-day DL because of a bone bruise on his left hand and recalled outfielder Chris Denorfia from triple-A Louisville.
"Whether (Denorfia will be here) until Griffey gets back, I don’t know," Narron said. "He might be here for three days or six days or seven months. I don’t know."
The Reds can take heart in the fact that they are 12-5 since Griffey suffered the injury in Chicago.
"It’s been nice that we’ve played well while we haven’t had him," Narron said. "There aren’t many clubs that are going to lose their No. 3 hitter for three weeks and play as well as we have played."
They hardly knew you

The Reds unconditionally released second baseman Tony Womack, a week after designating him for assignment. Womack, who batted .222 in nine games, became expendable after Cincinnati acquired Brandon Phillips in a trade with the Cleveland Indians. The club still owes Womack the rest of his $1.1 million salary. If he signs with another team, the prorated minimum salary will be deducted from that.
Pop - ups

Left-hander Eric Milton threw off the bullpen mound for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left knee April 24. … As soon as Ross is able to swing a bat, he will go on a rehabilitation assignment to triple-A Louisville. … The Cardinals played yesterday without first baseman Albert Pujols (stiffness in his lower back) and third baseman Scott Rolen (bronchitis). … St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina picked off Ryan Freel at first base in the fifth inning. Molina has picked off four Reds base-runners at first base the past two seasons. Rich Aurilia, Adam Dunn and Felipe Lopez were the others.
[email protected]