2009 Cincinnati Reds Season Thread

**gman5431** · 04-15-2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Brutus26

I missed the begining of the game but caught the last couple of innings while Arroyo was still in up until the end. Seemed to be a great game, good pitching, good offense and defense. Heard them mention 1 throwing error but didn't hear what happened. I must admit i was rooting against Votto in the 9th when i seen Lincoln in the pen lol. But he cam through really nice to end the game. Hope he continues to improve!

Our boy Edwin threw one over Votto's head for an error. In that inning, the bases became loaded by Arroyo got Prince Fielder to fly out to center to end the threat.

Yeah, Lincoln was okay last year, nothing spectacular, ERA in the mid 4s. I expect pretty much the same this year so he is due for some good outings since he has been plastered early. With that being said its pretty obvious the higharchy of relievers goes Coco, Weathers (8th), Rhodes/Burton.

G Man

**Brutus26** · 04-15-2009, 02:47 PM

Woo Hoo go Edwin! lol. At least he got us a GS the other day!

I used to despise when Weathers would come in. Now he seems to be really solid. Hopefully he will keep it up.

**gman5431** · 04-16-2009, 06:00 AM

Well last nite stunk. If we look at the whole picture though, we still got 2 of 3 on the road and beat their ace. So we will take that. Down 3-0 early, the Reds did battle back to tie it, on an RBI single by Gonzalez and a 2 run bomb by Dickerson. Then Owings got in trouble and Burton completely imploded. 9-3 loss. I am glad the Astros won last nite but i'm still scared they are due for some wins. Hopefully it will be after this weekend. I heard we get Roy O in the first game, which is always a problem. Anyways, off day in H town today.

G Man

**Brutus26** · 04-16-2009, 08:49 AM

I didn't think Owings did that bad considering he hasn't pitched in a while, plus he is our #5 guy so i'm not expecting 15 wins. Burton on the other hand took us out of it. He has been decent so far this year so i'm not going to complain too much. These things are gonna happen throughout the season. The good thing is we have ourselves at .500 and we're not falling like alot of teams are already.

**gman5431** · 04-16-2009, 10:23 AM

Yep, i will take a split with Houston, especially considering we get Roy O in the first game. Its on the road and like i said they are due to get some wins and hopefully it wont be against us.

G Man

**Brutus26** · 04-16-2009, 10:26 AM

Who's supposed to start against Oswalt Cueto or back to Harang? I know with the rain out and Owings things got messed up.

**gman5431** · 04-16-2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Brutus26

Who's supposed to start against Oswalt Cueto or back to Harang? I know with the rain out and Owings things got messed up.

Its going to be Cueto vs. Oswalt on Friday. Rest of the probables are:

Sat nite - Harang and Wandy Rodriguez

Sun day - Edinson vs TBA - (from MLB - "This would normally be Brian Moehler's spot in the rotation, but the right-hander left his Monday start against the Pirates in the third inning with a right knee injury. An MRI showed a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament. He's listed as day-to-day and it was unclear whether he'll be OK to take this next turn or if the Astros will have to find a replacement to face Cincinnati.")

Mon night - Arroyo vs Hampton

G Rizzle

**Brutus26** · 04-16-2009, 12:12 PM

Cueto is going to need to buckle down against Oswalt.

**gman5431** · 04-17-2009, 12:37 PM

Well here we got, let the road trip continue in Houston. Oswalt and Johnny Rockets tonite. Heard Moehler did go on the DL so dont know who they are going to start on Sunday. I am going to predict a split.

G Man

**gman5431** · 04-20-2009, 05:46 AM

Reds bats were asleep all nite long Friday against Oswalt, as usual. Johnny had good stuff but lacked control, walking 6 but kept the Reds in it. The bullpen was solid once again but the Reds still trailed 1-0 going to the 9th. Then Ramon Hernandez came up which a huge knock, a line drive 2-run homer over the right field wall. Coco came in and got a game ending DP. To win a game in which Oswalt started is huge.

The Reds then laid an egg on Saturday. Wandy Rodriguez pitched 7 shutout innings, striking out 10. The Reds only mustered 2 hits all nite and Harang lost 7-0. A lot of the hits off of Aaron were grounders that found holes but also the trend of getting no run support has continued. So far this year he has a 2.60 ERA but is 1-2 because the Reds have only scored 3 runs for him in his 3 starts.

Sunday marked the second straight day that Jay Bruce was out of the lineup - a result of being hit on the nad by Gallardo last Monday. The Reds bats were asleep for most of the game as well but the pitching was once again on point. Edinson battled through 6 innings, allowing just 1 run. Owing pinch hit in the 7th, with the Reds down 1-0 and once again came up huge at the plate, with a 2 run double. The Reds added insurance runs and Coco, depsite making it interesting, dodged trouble in the 9th to give the Reds a 4-2 win. Game 4 of the series is tonite, with Bronson taking the hill opposed by Mike Hampton. Hopefully the Reds can claim the series victory.

G MAn

**Brutus26** · 04-20-2009, 09:18 AM

Great game yesterday. Volquez really did alot better in this start.

**gman5431** · 04-20-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Brutus26

Great game yesterday. Volquez really did alot better in this start.

Yeah, he battled but still had 5 walks. He still is struggling with his control. If he can become consistent with that, then he would be a dominator because his stuff is just flat out unhittable, even when he isnt on his game.

G Man

**Brutus26** · 04-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Yea i thought we were gonna be in trouble a few times while he was on the mound but i was impressed with how well he battled back. He's struggled the most but i think he has the best record so far lol.

**Brutus26** · 04-21-2009, 06:22 AM

Good game lastnight. Glad to be 7-5 headin out to Chicago. Another great Performance from Arroyo. I was wrong about Volquez having the best record i forgot Arroyo was 2-0 before the game instead of 1-1. Votto come through again, he is gong to have a great year. Rhodes about gave me a heart attack but other than that no complaints just win!

**gman5431** · 04-21-2009, 06:32 AM

The road trip continues to be successful as the Reds completed the 4 game series in Houston by taking 3 of the games. They are now 5-2 on the 10 game trip as they move on to Chicago.

Last nite Bronson turned in another solid outing. He ran in to trouble in the 6th, giving up back to back home runs to Berkman and Lee, which gave the Astros a 3-2 lead. Just before those homers he turned a very nice double play, which turned out to be huge in minimizing damage. The very next inning the amazing Joey Votto came up with a ringing double which plated 2 runs and proved to be the difference in the game. Bronson closed out the 7th, Rhodes walked a tightrope in the 8th, eventually getting Pence called out on strikes with a 3-2 count and the bases loaded to end the inning (the pitch was close, could have been a little low but Rhodes was around the plate the whole AB and i think that definately benefited him). Then Coco closed out the 9th for his 5th save in as many tries. The nail biting win gave the Reds the series and continued their momentum. With the Cards and Cubs off, the Reds moved within a half game of first place.

Jay Bruce was out again with the sore hand but hopes to play in Chicago. The cold and rainy weather forecast may work against him though. McDonald got the start in right and came up with a hit, walk and a very nice running catch at the wall. Hanigan started at catcher and caught another runner stealing with a nice peg and Janish filled in at SS and had two hits while playing his usually solid if not spectacular defense.

Big series in Chicago coming up, Owings takes the ball tonite opposed by Rich Harden.

Go REDS!!

G MAn

**gman5431** · 04-21-2009, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Brutus26

Good game lastnight. Glad to be 7-5 headin out to Chicago. Another great Performance from Arroyo. I was wrong about Volquez having the best record i forgot Arroyo was 2-0 before the game instead of 1-1. Votto come through again, he is gong to have a great year. Rhodes about gave me a heart attack but other than that no complaints just win!

Yeah, its silly to say you have a big series in April but its big for the Reds to go in and show they belong. If they can go in and make a statement by taking 2 of 3 - not only would they be in first they would show the Cubs that we arent just a quick start fluke.

G Man

**Brutus26** · 04-21-2009, 09:04 AM

Our schedule isn't too bad this month either so its good to get these wins. We will have the Braves who have been struggling some and then the Astros again after this Cubs series. Next month doesn't look to bad either but we have to play the Cardinals, Phillies, Padres and Marlins. Assuming everyone keeps on the way they have been June might be rough. We play the Cardinals, Cubs, Royals, White Sox and Blue Jays. I think that we be a grueling month. Thats why it's important to get out to a good start these first 2 months.

**Brad Harris** · 04-21-2009, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by gman5431

If they can go in and make a statement by taking 2 of 3 - not only would they be in first they would fool the Cubs into thinking that we arent just a quick start fluke.

Fixed.

**gman5431** · 04-21-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Brad Harris

Fixed.

Cubs arent that great. Hope the Reds show you that i'm right, if even just for 3 games.

G Man

**Brad Harris** · 04-21-2009, 11:08 AM

I hope the Reds go 162-0. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.

**gman5431** · 04-21-2009, 12:18 PM

Sure, but you have to admit they have shown some fight this year. They are last in the world in hitting and are 7-5. They have gotten virtually no offense from catcher, second base (happens to be clean up hitter as well), shortstop, thirdbase, right field, and to some extent left field.

With this being said the pitching has been consistent, especially the bullpen and they have been able to pull out some close games.

Once some of the proven guys hit to the back of their baseball cards we will be in business. Need Jay Bruce to reach his potential too.

G MAn

**redlegsfan21** · 04-21-2009, 07:17 PM

You forgot they have no defense in the outfield. The Reds are playing the wrong guys at catcher and shortstop. Janish and Hanigan are doing way better than Hernandez and Gonzalez.

**gman5431** · 04-22-2009, 06:22 AM

No defense in the OF? Taveras has been solid if not outstanding already this season. He covers a lot of ground and has made some amazing catches. I would consider Bruce average at least. He has thrown out a couple guys on the paths already. Dickerson and Hairston are average, despite the dropped fly in the Chicago wind last nite. And McDonald has made some great plays in his short stints out there. Might be things wrong with the Reds but the OF Defense aint one of them.

Hernandez and Gonzalez have been horrible at the dish, there is no denying that, but both of them are vets and at some point they will trend to the norm and do what the back of their baseball cards say. Also, each is solid defensively and Hernandez did win a game with a home run this year.

Like i said before, they have won some games and treaded water with basically no offense. Its a testment to their pitching and also means they could get hot when they start to hit, which they will.

G Man

**gman5431** · 04-22-2009, 06:24 AM

Last nite was pretty ugly. Only bright spot was the return of Bruce, who stepped in and crushed a solo homer and added another RBI with a single. Other than that the offense was shut down by Harden and the pen. Owings struggled again and then when he was taken out, Lincoln showed up with his gas can once more. Final result - a 7-2 loss. Johnny Rockets takes the ball against Lily tonite. Lets hope for a better showing from the boys in red.

G Man