Cincinnati Reds

GAME 38 Cincinnati (23-15) vs. Philadelphia – Loss 2-1 12 innings                                                        “Another Great Pitching Performance Wasted”
 

The Phillies series worried me for three reasons:  Ramirez, Williams, and Claussen.  If you would have told me that the trio would fare quiet nicely against the scorching hot Phils and still lose all three, I would not have believed it (Here’s the stats from the 3 pitchers:  Try not to get sick, 23.1IP, 16HA, 4ER, 4BB, and 19SO and not a single win!).  But, that’s exactly what happened to the Reds in this series. 

The offense has slipped from slump status to official funk status.  The offense has stunk as bad as my old roommate Pat’s room (5/3-0runs, 5/5-1run, 5/6-1run, 5/9-1run, 5/13-0runs, and 5/14-1run). 

The Reds wasted Brandon Claussen’s best start of the season, as Phillies’ young stud Ryan Howard hit two-solo homeruns to win the game in 12 innings. 

I was really worried about Phil’s starter Brett Myers before the game, but Claussen outdid him on this day.  Claussen pitched eight innings of four-hit one-run ball.  Claussen picked right up where Dave Williams left off on Saturday.  Claussen’s only mistake was serving up a homer to Phils’ first baseman Howard. 

The Reds left 11 stranded on the base paths and most notably two in the home eleventh.  Scott Hatteberg and Brandon Phillips both singled with two outs but were stranded by Jason LaRue. 

Surprisingly, Chris Hammond was called upon to pitch in a meaningful situation for the second time in three days.  Unlike Friday night’s outing, Hammond wasn’t able to get the job done. 

-M.D. Sandwasher

As always, comments, questions, or rants, can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com.

                                                                                                                               (Sorry Jon, if it wasn't for me, you would have held a similar press conference for pitching a perfect-game) 

This hasn’t been the best of weeks for me.  Rain has gotten in the way of a couple visits to Great American Ball Park, and I, in a weak moment, turned off Thursday night’s game against the Washington Nationals in a moment of disgust, before the improbable Reds’ comeback in the bottom of the eleventh.

On Saturday night, my best friend Rob and his girl were going to go to the game against the surging Philadelphia Phillies.  They already had tickets in the front of section 102 in left/center.  With the Reds drawing about the same number of people as a Women’s Bowling Green collegiate basketball game (that joke is for Suss), I thought I would meet them down there and have absolutely no trouble sitting by them.

It spit rain the entire day, and the Doppler radar did not look promising.  Up until the very last minute, I contemplated backing out.  I don’t know what it was, but something was holding me back. 

I finally decided to hedge my bets and head down to the Queen City.  It continued to rain the entire way there.  I pulled into the city and turned to park in my usual spot on the street a couple of blocks from the stadium but all the spots were taken.  It’s engrained in me as a Sandwasher to avoid paying for parking at all costs. Something is in my chemical makeup to avoid paying to park.  I furiously drove around the city for the next twenty minutes like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.  I finally had to bite the bullet and pay to park. Somebody was going to pay!
 

The lack of parking did not clue me on the next few negative chain of events. 

Still oblivious, as I ran to the stadium, I could not help but notice a remarkable (for the Reds) number of people walking up to the stadium as the game was about to begin.  I assumed it was due to the rain and the newly implemented Saturday 6:10 starts. 

I scurried to the ticket window, and as usual, asked for the cheapest ticket ($5).  Like I’ve mentioned before, with the lack of fan support, virtually every seat in the stadium is fair game, so it would be unwise to spend top-dollar on a ticket.  I learned that the Reds had sold out both the $5 dollar seats and the bleacher seats ($9).  I was stupefied.  I ended up paying $12 to get into the game and I had to pay $5 for parking.  Typically, I can get in and out of the city minus $5.  Today, I had already exceeded that figure by $12 and I had not gotten anything cool out of it. 

As I entered the stadium and went through a quick strip search and anal cavity, I realized the true reason for of all the fans, err, patrons.  It was not due to the first place Reds or the red-hot Phils.  Most of the 32,000 in attendance showed up for, drum roll please, “Adam Dunn Figurine Night!” 

I will totally take the blame for this one.  If there is one thing that will bring people out to a Reds game, it is a cheap $2 toy made by little Vietnamese children with carpal tunnel syndrome.  I avoid these nights like the plague because it brings out droves of yahoos trying to obtain a collectable that is no longer a hot commodity, but, I failed to check the Reds’ calendar for special events.  I deserved my wretched fate in purgatory.  I had no one to blame but myself. 

I made it to section 102 just prior to the first pitch.  The section was jammed packed.  I watched the Reds’ Dave Williams work a near-flawless half-inning before calling Rob.  I let him know that I was there and to give me a call if a seat opened up.  I made my way into my very own row on the left field side, which was a very nice seat (personally, I think mine was better than Rob’s). 

Phillies’ pitcher Jon Lieber was perfect through the first two innings.  Williams had similar magic too as he began mowing through the Phillies’ lineup.  Both pitchers were working like me in bed, quickly.  That’s the way I like it, and I wish every game was like this.  Three innings had been played in 40 minutes! 

After Lieber sent the first nine Reds back to the dugout, I started to let myself believe.  It has been my dream to see a no-hitter since I was a little kid.  When I was eight-years-old, in August of 1987, I saw Cleveland Indians’ knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti throw seven no-hit innings against the New York Yankees.  Candiotti finished with this beautiful line on the night:  9IP, 1HA, 5 SO, and 1 BB.   After that awe-inspiring performance, I have been on a quest for a no-hitter like Ponce de León and the Fountain of Youth.    

Lieber cruised right along until the bottom of the fifth inning.  Phillies’ shortstop Jimmy Rollins made an impressive one-handed grab and throw to beat Austin Kearns by a step.  My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest.  To throw a no-hitter, a little bit of luck and good fortune is needed.  The Rollins play made me feel like all the stars were aligned on this night. 

Williams was up for the challenge on this night.  Like Lieber, he continued to breeze through the game. 

Rob called in the middle of the sixth to let me know that a seat had opened up in the row behind them.  I told him that I would move after the home sixth.  I wanted to see if Lieber was able to get by the sixth before leaving.  I didn’t know what to do.    

In the bottom of the sixth, Rollins was at it again.  He beat the speedy Brandon Phillips by a step.  Jason LaRue and Williams followed in order to end the inning. 

The doofus behind finally realized that Lieber was throwing a no-hitter.  As pathetic as I am, I had been counting since the first out. 

I tried to call Rob to let him know that I didn’t feel comfortable changing seats.  I didn’t want to jinx anything.  Unfortunately, Rob was unable to hear me over the Village People’s YMCA (teams just don’t play that song often enough, do they?).  Unable to get my message through to Rob and even though I’m superstitious, I thought to myself, screw it; Jon Lieber is not going to be affected by me changing seats (I believe in stupid superstitious rituals.  I stood up for the entire second half and both overtimes of the 2002 NCAA Football Championship Game, too nervous and afraid to sit down).  For some reason, I went against the better judgment of my neurotic instincts and moved. 

I stood behind Rob’s section as I watched the top of the seventh.  Williams looked like he was going to cruise through the inning until Quinton McCracken dropped a routine Ryan Howard fly ball.  That would have ended the inning.  Third baseman David Bell was up next and proved that giving away outs will always come back and haunt you,  Bell hit a RBI double to give the Phils a 1-0 lead.  My hopes were coming true.  Now I just needed Lieber to retire nine more batters.  Not only was a no-hitter was just at stake now, but Lieber was on line for a Perfect Game!

In the bottom of the seventh, I quickly made my way to my new seat and readied myself for Lieber’s final push.  Lieber sent down McCracken and Felipe “Flip” Lopez in four pitches.  This was beautiful.  With the slumping Adam Dunn up, I was already counting him as an out.  I shouldn’t have.  Even with the infield shift, Dunn was able to single up the middle.  Dunn had about three feet to work with and the ball somehow, someway found the outfield, just past the outstretched Rollins’.  That was Dunn’s first single in the month of May and only his 12^th of the year. 

I was pissed at myself.  How could I abandon my lucky seat?  That’s probably my only shot I’ll ever have again to see a no-hitter.  Why would the Baseball Gods give me the privileged of witnessing such a miraculous event after I haphazardly left my seat during a possible historic event? 

I stewed in the light drizzle for the rest of the game.  The Reds did mount a mini-rally in the top of the ninth, but were unable to score.  Ken Griffey Jr. did hit a single off of Lieber with two outs.  That did not make me feel better though.  If I had not changed seats, Dunn does not reach base, and Junior probably would not have had the opportunity to pinch it. 

Phils' manager Charlie Manuel took out Lieber in favor of Tom “Flash” Gordon.  Flip got the Reds third hit of the day, sending the degenerative legs of Junior scurrying from first to third.  That brought Mr. Dunn to the plate, Mr. Figurine, Mr. No-hitter-breaker-upper.  I momentarily allowed myself to hope for a déjà vu of Wily Mo Pena bobblehead night, where Pena hit two homers, including the game winner.  The fans, on their feet since Junior’s at-bat, were louder than ever.  Dunn was able to work a full-count before striking out.  He swung for the fences each time.  Dejected fans in the outfield threw Dunn’s figurine onto the field.  With the early start and the speedy pace (2h16m), at least we had the rest of our night left.

Williams’ brilliant performance was wasted.  He pitched eight and a third innings of one run, five hit baseball.

Although I hope Jon Lieber forgives me for ruining his perfect game, I don’t think I’ll ever have the strength to forgive myself. 

-M.D. Sandwasher
 

As always, comments, rants, or questions can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com.

 (Photo courtesy Lakewood BlueClaws)-If Cole Hamels is available in your roto league, I would pick him up immediately.

In the bottom of the sixth, Austin Kearns crushed a solo homer to the upper deck in left field.  After an Adam Dunn out, Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo homer to tie the game at two. 

Ramirez came out to pitch the seventh inning.  Even though the Reds tied the game up, I was a little surprised that Ramirez came back out to pitch the seventh.  I know he was due to bat first in the bottom of the seventh, but he was barely able to escape the sixth inning unscathed after loading the bases. 

The Reds did give the lead back to the Phils in the seventh with an unearned run.  Jimmy Rollins lead off the inning and reached base on an Adam Dunn error (I know it is only one error, but is there anyone out there that thinks Dunn could play first everyday?  I don’t).  Chase Utley knocked Rollins in on a single. 

That was the end of Ramirez’s night.  The Lizard had a commendable performance but unfortunately was slapped with the loss (6IP, 3 R-2ER, 7SO, 7 HA, 3 BB, 1HR).  I feel like I’ve written this a hundred times already, but when the Reds get “quality starts” from the likes of the Ramirez, Brandon Claussen, and Dave Williams, the offense has to come through with more than a run or two.        

I couldn’t believe Chris Hammond was pitching in a pivotal game situation.  Besides the 3-0 loss to the Rockies last week, Hammond has not pitched in a close game this year (10 total appearances).  There could be an argument made that Hammond did pitch in a few close games this year when he came in with a huge lead and made the game close. 

Hammond was able to induce the slumping Bobby Abreu into a double play.  Hammond did give up a single to Pat Burrell, but was able to strike out Ryan Howard to end the inning.  Hammond lowered his ERA to 8.38.  It’s hard to lower an ERA from infinity and 189.00 (April 8^th) a third or two-thirds an inning of work at a time. 

Matt Belisle continues to struggle.  After giving up two-runs on Tuesday against the Nats, Belisle allowed a run in a third of an inning of work.  To start the eight, Belisle hit centerfielder Shane Victorino; gave up a single to third baseman David Bell; and a sacrifice fly to the catcher Carl Ruiz.  The sequence took seconds and Belisle was sent to the showers.  That put the Phillies up 4-2. 

Brian Shakelford walked the first two batters he faced to start the ninth.  Have I mentioned that the bullpen has really stuck it up the last two nights?  After a sacrifice fly moved the runners to second and third, Shakelford threw a wild pitch, scoring Abreu.  Then freaking Victorino hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot (2-7). 

Rick White entered the game and to continued the night’s theme of relievers stinking it up.  He gave up a single to Ruiz.  Bell advanced to third base.  With pitcher, yes pitcher, Jon Lieber pinch hitting, White bulked in a run (2-8).  The run was charged to Shakelford. 

The Reds had a mini-rally in the home ninth before succumbing to the Phils 8-4. 

Game Notes:

I really like Phillies’ highly touted young pitcher Cole Hamels, making his Major League debut on this chilly night.  He stifled the Reds through five innings of one-hit scoreless ball.  The only negative was Hamels allowed five walks.  Control typically is not an issue for Hamels.  He only allowed 1 base on balls in his last three AAA starts.  Some may argue that the Reds historically stink against pitchers in their first start and made the young Hamels look like he was ready for the major's.  I don't think this is the case.  Hamels had nothing left to prove in AAA, where he was absolutely dominant.   

For those of you scoring at home, I did listen to the game from start to finish. 

As always, comments, questions, or rants can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com. 

Sandwasher clinched the 2006 Pepsi Douche Bag Award after quitting on his favorite team Thursday night. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m proud to present the 2006 Diet Pepsi Douche Bag Award to Mr. M.D. Sandwasher.”

The audience lets off a thunderous applause.

“Thank you.  This is very nice.”  The applause continues and continues.  “Please, I don’t know what to say.”

The applause seems to have grown even louder. 

“This is embarrassing.  Thank you.” 

The applause starts to quiet down before a few catcalls and whistles.

“You really can’t prepare for a speech like this.  No one truly believes that one day they will be honored by the conglomerate that makes my favorite soft drink, Mountain Dew.”  Sandwasher touches his face to keep from choking up.  “I promised myself that I wouldn’t get emotional up here tonight.”  That will be easier said than done for Sandwasher on this historic night. 

Sandwasher clinched the 2006 DPDB Award on May 11, 2006.  After listening to the entire broadcast of the Cincinnati Reds/Washington Nationals game, Sandwasher quit on his favorite team.   After choking in the top of the ninth and top of the eleventh, he turned the game off.  Rick White seemingly ended any hopes of winning, giving up three costly runs in the 11^th-inning.

Sandwasher woke up on Friday morning assuming the Reds had lost. 

“You don’t see many three-run comebacks in the eleventh inning.” 

When the local news showed highlights of the game, Sandwasher barely bothered to look up.  As the highlights went into the bottom of the 11^th, Washer looked up incredulously.

“It can’t be, I thought to myself.” 

After scoring a run on a Flip single, the Reds pulled off the improbable comeback on a Ken Griffey Jr. three-run homer.  It was Griffey’s first game back after missing a month with a freakish injury.  Griffey was mobbed as he crossed the plate.

“I was so pissed that the Reds blew Bronson’s gem (8 innings of absolutely breathtaking work).  I was ticked at Stormy Weathers for failing to close the door (even though every closer blows a game sooner or later).  I was even more upset with David Ross for failing to catch the ball on a picture perfect throw by Austin Kearns.  If Ross holds on to the ball, former Red Damian Jackson makes the last out of the game at home plate.  I was frustrated with the inconsistent Rick White for ostensibly putting the game out of reach.”  White has given up five runs in his last three outings (two innings of work).

When Sandwasher made it downstairs in the morning, he had missed calls from both his father and his Uncle Kevin.  Uncle Kevin, all geeked up, left a message.  “I can’t believe the Reds won!  I’m just calling to see if you went.  It felt like a game you would go to.” 

“That message was really a kick in the stomach.”  Sadly, Sandwasher had contemplated attending the game all day but decided against it with the poor weather. 

When Sandwasher arrived at work, seemingly the entire staff shouted at once, “Did you see the game last night!!!  It was amazing.” 

“The irony is, I have probably missed about a total of 20 innings of the Reds’ games this year and the reason has mostly been work related.  I even listened to the Brewers’ 11-0 laugher loss in its entirety.”    

Sandwasher did not win this award based solely on one night, but the Reds/Nats game did indeed clinch the dubious honor. 

Here are a few of Sandwasher highlights:
1.)     Sandwasher, an avid Cleveland Browns fan, loses his mind momentarily and supports the dreadful Cincinnati Bungals in a playoff game.  His family and friends disown him after the story is leaked out. 
2.)     Sandwasher has publicly contemplated buying Bengals’ season tickets from his friends, the Von Waggoner’s, if they are moved to a new base before this football season.  Sandwasher claims that he will try to sell a lot of the games on ebay.com, so he can go to a couple of games a year for free.  
3.)     After a fight with T-Bird, Sandwasher agrees to watch Fever Pitch, staring the always irritating Jimmy Fallon, to make amends.       
4.)     Sandwasher attended his first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament second round game and watched his beloved #1 seed Buckeyes fall to Boston College.  In Women’s hoops, no #1 seed in history of the tournament has lost before the Final Four.  Sandwasher changed all that in one night. 
 
-This article was written by Michael T. Stealth, a new contributor to the Nasty Bloggers.  This article was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. 

 (thebestlinks.com)  Whoops, wrong Tony Armas.  I don't think the Reds would have had an answer for Tony Armas Sr. either, and he wasn't even a pitcher. 

Tony Armas was the latest pitcher to shut down Cincinnati’s recently inconsistent offense.  The Reds did not have an answer for the right-hander from Puerto Piritu, Venezuela.  Armas was absolutely spectacular as the Nats rolled to a 7-1 win.  The Reds only had one hit through his first six innings of work, and Armas only allowed two base runners total during that span, including Juan Encarnacion’s single and Jason LaRue was hit by a pitch.  In the seventh inning, Armas lost a little bit of his control, getting pulled after loading the bases. 

Joey Eischen allowed an Armas runner to score and that was all the Reds’ offense could muster.  Scotty Hatteberg hit a sacrifice fly to score Flip. 

Gary “The Magicman” Majewski, Mike Stanton, and Jon Rauch, closed the door on the Reds.

Reds’ starter Brandon Claussen had his second poor performance in a row.  Claussen allowed 4-runs off of 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.  In the top of the third, Marlon Byrd singled in Royce Clayton; Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo homer in the forth; and Jose Guillen and Matthew LeCroy (6’2’’ 350lbs) hit solo homers in the sixth.  You could say that LeCroy got all his chins into that hit. 

This looked like 2005 Brandon Claussen.  Claussen’s record fell to 2-4 and his ERA swelled to 5.79.   

Rick White effectively got Claussen out of a jam in two-thirds an inning of work. 

Matt Belisle effectively ended any hopes of a comeback, giving up two runs in an inning and a third of work. 

The irony is Belisle should have been out of the inning without allowing any runs.  Alfonso Soriano struck out but reached safely on a passed ball by LaRue.  This allowed Guillen to bat, and he hit his second homer of the night. 

The night did offer some good news.  Chris Hammond was able to lower his ERA to single digits.  After two-thirds an inning of scoreless work, Hammond’s ERA stands at 9.35.

-M.D. Sandwasher
 

As always comments, questions, or rants, can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com.

I will post a Road Recap Soon...

Game 28 Cincinnati (19-9) at Colorado – Loss 3-0 “Shutout in Coors”
On a rainy, cold night in Denver, the Rockies’ Jeffie “Franchise” pitched seven strong, allowing only four hits. 
To make matters worse, Rich Aurilia suffered a strained groin trying to secure an infield hit.  The Reds reported that Aurilia will be out at least for a couple of days.       

It is hard to fathom that the offensive juggernaut that is the Cincinnati Reds (2^nd in Major’s in runs scored behind Cleveland) could be shutout in Colorado of all places.  The Reds only had two scoring opportunities.  In the second inning, Brandon Phillips reached first on a single and stole second and third.  Phillips was left at third.  In the third inning, Aurilia doubled with two outs but was stranded by Adam Dunn (pop out).    

The Rockies scored all their runs in the fifth inning.  Danny Ardoin had a RBI single and Matt Holliday recorded a two-run double.  That was all the runs that the Rockies would need on this night. 

Brandon Claussen’s quality start was wasted on this night (6.2 IP, 3 R, and 7 hits).  Typically, with the Reds offense, Claussen’s performance would be more than enough for a win. 

Game 29 Cincinnati (20-9) at Colorado – Win 7-1 “Harang’s Masterpiece” 

                                                      (addictsports.com)-Aaron Harang is keeping the Reds at the top of the Central Division. 

I’m in absolute baseball heaven.  The Cincinnati Reds have two of the seven pitchers leading the Major’s in wins at five apiece in Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo (Jose Contreras, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Roy Oswalt are the others-the who’s who of baseball’s top pitchers).  I am in a perpetual euphoric state. 

Harang: 5-1, 47.2 IP, 3.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 45 K’s (Major League Leader), and 11 BB’s.  
Arroyo: 5-0, 43.2 IP, 2.06 ERA (4^th in Major’s), 0.89 WHIP (5^th in Major’s), 34 (15^th in Major’s/9^th in National League), and 10 BB’s.      

I have a funny Harang fantasy baseball story (I know I’ve been breaking my own rule about talking about fantasy sports lately, but I promise this story is relative to the game).  In the late, late rounds of the draft, I needed to shore up my pitching corps.  To the great displeasure of the fifth grader in the draft (the league was desperate for members); I snatched Harang off of the draft board.  Reassuring the young boy, my Uncle Kevin said, “Don’t worry, it’s just Aaron Harang.” Uncle Kevin had a point.  With a career 36-33 record and 4.45 ERA, who would have predicted this amazing start?  I would like to say that I was all over Harang from the start of the season, but it was more of a lucky guess than anything else (just like that pick worked out for me, my Delmon Young picked blew up in my face).  Don’t feel too sorry for the young man.  With the next draft pick, he selected Greg Maddux.    

Pitching in arguable the toughest pitcher’s park (Coors Field), Harang lasted 8 1/3 innings, allowing only one run and scattering seven hits.  Harang set a career record with 12 strike outs on the night.  It was a work of beauty.

After being shutout for a second time this season, the Reds’ offense found their way again.  Austin Kearns and Jason LaRue had big nights offensively.  In the big second inning, Kearns got the offense rolling with a RBI single.  Shortly after, LaRue hit a three-run homer, giving the Reds a 4-0 lead. 

Adam Dunn hit his 11^th homer of the season in the sixth. 

Kearns added another RBI in the eighth, singling in Scott Hatteberg.  Chris Denorfia, recently called up from Louisville, recorded his first RBI of the year.  He doubled in Kearns. 

The Reds are now off to Arizona, wrapping up the short two-game series with Colorado. 

-M.D. Sandwasher
 

As always, comments, questions, or rants, can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com

GAME 26 Cincinnati (18-8) vs. St. Louis – Win 6-1 “BRONSON, BRONSON, BRONSON”
 ("Bronson, meet Bronson") 

It is now official.  I’m going to name my first born Bronson.  I don’t even care if my Uncle Kevin and Aunt Susan get mad.  They have a little one of their own named Brendon.  I think I have a leg to stand on in this argument.  Not since the 1990 Jose Rijo days have the Reds had a starter like this.  Sure, there has been a Jack Armstrong, David Wells, John Smiley, and Juan Guzman (the last one is just a joke) making guest appearances over the years, but no one since Rijo has been consistently this dominant.    

Bronson Arroyo pitched a beautiful four-hit complete game.  Going up against the Cardinals’ ace, Mark Mulder, Arroyo rose to the occasion again, giving him a 5-0 record with a 2.06 ERA.  Arroyo continues to play the role of the “stopper;” a role the Reds have not had in some time.  After a tough loss to Houston, Arroyo put the team on his back and held them there until the offense could come through in the sixth. 

After squandering countless scoring opportunities, the Reds were finally able to cash in during the sixth inning, sending the Cardinals’ ace Mark Mulder to the showers early.  The Reds broke a 2-1 game wide open. 

Dunn led the inning off with a double.  Four pitches later, Austin Kearns drove Dunn in on a single.  Edwin Encarnacion singled, moving Kearns from first to third.  Phillips chased Mulder from the game with an RBI single.  Former Red Josh Hancock replaced Mulder.  Hancock is up to about three bills now.  Hancock was able to strike out the Reds seventh catcher on the depth chart, David Ross.  Hancock was able to put Ross away but walked Arroyo.  After Ryan P. Freel struck out swinging, Felipe “Flip” Lopez came up big with a two-run RBI single, pushing the score to 6-1.    

Bronson Sandwasher even looks good in print.  That name sounds like someone you would think twice before messing with. 

GAME 27 Cincinnati (19-8) vs. St. Louis – Win 3-2 “Reds beat the Self-Proclaimed Genius”

 (Cardnals' manager Tony LaRussa, the face of a genius) 

Baseball Tonight led off with Reds' footage from last year’s implosion to the Cardinals.  Danny “Cardiac” Graves gave up a 6-run lead in the ninth and has not been the same since.  I’m okay with ESPN showing that though because at least they led off with the Reds.  That's how desperate Reds fans are for a little national attention.   

First order of business:  My apologies must go out to Mr. Dave Williams.  I didn’t publicly write this, but I chalked this game up as a loss with you getting the start.  Honestly, what were the odds that you could string together to solid starts in a row?  I wasn't willing to bet on it.   

Williams was a little shaky in the first inning.  Williams gave up back-to-back singles to led off the game, but it looked like he was going to escape unscathed after recording back-to-back outs; however, Williams was unable to get past Scott Spiezo. Spiezo, swinging on the first pitch, singled in David Eckstein. 

Williams was able to get out of the second inning easily before surrendering a Juan Encarnacion solo homer.  Encarnacion took a golf swing to hit homers in consecutive days.  The Cardinals were unable to score again.

The offense came alive with Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion hitting back-to-back solo homers to net the game at two in the sixth. 

Rick White relieved Williams in the seventh with two outs and a runner on second.  White was able to induce Jim Edmonds into a fly out.  I don't care if Edmonds is 45 and playing like he's 55.  That was still a huge out for White. 

Todd Coffey was clutch, pitching two scoreless innings (eighth and ninth). 

The pitching staff had done their job.  Now it was time for the offense to take over. 

In the ninth, Javier Valentin singled in Austin Kearns with the infield in and one out to win 3-2.  The Reds came out and clobbered Valentin. 

This almost makes up for the heartbreaking loss in St. Louis at the hands of Albert Pujols, almost. 

The win gives the Reds a two game lead over the Cardinals and a game and a half lead over the Houston Astros.  After struggles in recent years with the aforementioned teams, the 2006 Reds are changing old trends. 
The Reds have now won five consecutive series.  If you want to count this two-game series as a series, the Reds have now swept two series this year.   

-M.D. Sandwasher
 

As Always, comments, rants, and questions can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com

GAME 23 Cincinnati (16-7) vs. Houston – Win 5-4
GAME 24 Cincinnati (17-7) vs. Houston – Win 6-3
GAME 25 Cincinnati (17-8) vs. Houston – Loss 3-2
“The Big Test”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to catch too much of the Reds two victories.  My wife T-Bird and I went through our second pregnancy issue in the last year.  We found out Friday night that T-Bird was going through an ectopic pregnancy, where the egg is fertilized outside of the uterus.  Friday night, we worked out a game plan with our doctor.  We were to report at the hospital at five in the morning.  We were hopeful that we would be good candidates to receive a shot instead of surgery.      

The Reds finally beat Roy Oswalt.  Maybe it helped that I was not watching or listening.  I am pretty sure that I’ve seen or heard all 15 of the Reds’ defeats at the hand of Roy-O.  The victory gives the Reds the division lead over the Astros. 

With Oswalt pitching, I already assumed that this would be a loss.  Throw in a Brandon Claussin start in the mix, and there’s really no reason to play the game. 

Claussin was not spectacular, but he was steady.  That’s all he has to be!!!   The Reds already have the big guns in Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang.  If Claussin and Dave Williams are consistent, playoffs are in reach.   

Oswalt was not exactly the dominant force he usually is, but he was still pretty good, earning a quality start to go with the loss.

Brandon Phillips is proving that the N.L. Player of the Week Award was no fluke.  He went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI’s and a stolen base.  Phillips wasn’t the only offensive hero.  Rich Aurilia was impressive, scoring twice and hitting 3-for-5.  Scott Hatteberg raised his average to .327 after going 3-for-4.      

At four in the morning, we were up and moving.  When we left, I was hoping the paper would be there.  No such luck.  We spent the majority of Saturday at the hospital.  With time on our hands, I was so desperate to read about the win that I bought a Dayton Daily News (I already subscribe to the paper).  I also read over half of Bill Simmons’ book Now I Can Die in Peace,  and I tried to flip over to the NFL Draft and the Reds’ game whenever I could pull T-Bird away from Encino Man. 

Nothing beats having a good baseball team on any regular day.  But, on a tedious, melancholic hospital visit, the Reds were a welcome vacation from reality.  That’s the beauty of sports.  When my kids and grandkids are all grown, I probably will not remember an actual play of the weekend series against Houston, but I will always remember that the series helped me escape, if only for a second, from my forlorn thoughts. 

That afternoon, the Reds set a franchise record for wins in the month of April with 17, winning 6-3.   Game two of the three game series was similar to the first.  Great pitching (Harang) and great offensive production (again from Phillips and Aurilia) lead to a 6-3 victory. 

Harang pitched his second excellent start in a row.  Harang struck out seven batters in 7 2/3 innings of work.  He allowed 3 earned runs and 5 hits.  He was very impressive. 

Phillips scored a run and knocked in two, and Aurilia and Edwin Encarnacion both knocked in a run apiece.  The Reds scored all six of their runs in the fifth and sixth innings. 

Kent Mercker relieved Harang in the eight and allowed one of Harang’s runs.  After giving up a single, Harang recorded consecutive outs before being pulled.  Personally, I would have allowed him to finish the inning.  I know he was up to 114 pitches, but he could have thrown to one more batter with a four run lead. 

As Sunday rolled around and T-Bird and I tried to reenergize our weak and weary bodies, the Reds game gave me enough energy to mow the lawn.  Without the game broadcast, I don’t think I would have had the stamina to do it, but with the recent rain, I’m lucky I did. 

Even though Elizardo Ramirez may not have been as nasty as he was against the Washington Nationals on Monday, he continues to be impressive in his first two starts.  Ramirez picked up a “Quality Start” (6IP, 3 R, 5 HA, 5 SO, 2 BB, and 2 HR).  Ramirez was impressive in his ability to respond to adversity. 

After struggling through the first inning, Ramirez settled in nicely.  After spotted the Astros an early two-run lead off of a Lance Berkman home run, Ramirez pitched back-to-back scoreless innings.  Ramirez and the Reds fell behind 3-0 in the fourth after a Jason Lane homer.   

Meanwhile, Astros’ rookie pitcher, Taylor Bucholz and my newest fantasy stud, was most impressive.  His only mistake of the day came to Adam Dunn in the sixth inning. 

Dunn’s two-run homer was the only real threat of the afternoon. 

The Reds bullpen (Matt Belisle, Rick White, and Todd Coffey) was excellent, pitching three scoreless innings with only one hit. 

Although the Reds’ winning streak was snapped at six, I couldn't be upset.  Personally, I was able to get by with a little help from my friends. 

-M.D. Sandwasher
 

As Always, comments, rants, and questions can be sent to sandwasher@yahoo.com