Game Thread: Game 22 vs. the Nats

Does it seem to anyone else like this game is moving fast? I've been listening while running errands (customs agents will no longer laugh at 15-year old Red Menace's passport photo). I'm here for the duration now.

by Red Menace on Apr 26, 2006 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Speedy game

Afternoon games...it's like they suddenly realize they don't have to step out of the box after every pitch.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Dunn

3 for 4 today....but all of the hits are singles. Does this mean his slump is busted? Or is he just lucky today?

BTW, even though he was 2 for his last 24, he had 11 walks over that time. There are worse slumps to be in.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

5-0

Ramon's day is done.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

IBB

Walking EdE to get to the Player of the Week. Bases loaded. Two Out.

Walk anyone?

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Could it be????

3-0

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Fly out

Not quite. And the rally is snuffed out.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Did Phillips

Fly out on a 3-0 count? With the bases loaded?

I'm convinced he's in on our pool.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

On a 3-1 count

Nope, he took a strike.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

How much do we like Arroyo?

I'm thinking "a lot." I was worried about his falling K rate at the time of the trade, but man... He's been solid.

by Red Menace on Apr 26, 2006 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

He seems to be a completely different pitcher than he was last year. High strikeouts, good groundball rates, tied with Barry Bonds in the home run race. Time to knock on wood for about 10 minutes.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I was with you on the K-rate. But if I had known that he was going to come out with a 7.75 K/9 rate (his current rate) this season, I would have been perfectly comfortable with the deal.

And it looks like he is coming out for the eighth, even though he has thrown 107 pitches already.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Arroyo

I guess when you make several deals to trade for or sign average pitchers, one of them has to turn into gold. They can't all turn up crap.

Milton, Ortiz, Dave Williams, Wilson, Lidle . . .

by Brian B on Apr 26, 2006 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

OK

I defended Narron for not removing Harang, but I'm going to have to second guess him this time. 107 through 7 seems a bit high of a pitch count, and we have a day off tomorrow. I guess he's really that skittish about the non Coffey/Weathers/Mercker bullpen guys.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Pitches

107 over 7 is only about 15 an inning. I'm guessing that 120 pitches isn't out of the realm of comfort for Arroyo. And I would think that if he starts to struggle, Narron will have a quick hook.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Arroyo

I don't disagree, but there has to be someone in the bullpen who could use some work.

by Brian B on Apr 26, 2006 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

fair enough

I guess it's just hard for a Reds fan to decide which tempts fate more--letting your best pitcher run up high pitch counts, or taking him out for Rick White.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Keep in mind also...

That Arroyo has been pitching from the windup most of the afternoon, rather than the stretch, since there's been not many on base. That usually is not as stressful.

Don't mind me...just pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Apr 26, 2006 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Freel catch

Anyone watching on TV? Description?

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Quick inning

Only 12 pitches, and it sounds like he was still strong.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

Remind me

Never to doubt Brandon again. What a supreme bad-ass. I might have to start calling him Samuel L. Arroyo.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Samuel L. Arroyo

I just spat water on my computer screen.

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Samuel L Arroyo

There are snakes in the motha*%^@ dugout and ain't a got#$%^ thing you can do about it.

by mcwax on Apr 26, 2006 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh man

That's gonna be the best movie ever.

by teb7 on Apr 26, 2006 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

The suspense is killing me

Snakes on a Plane is going to be the shit, by the way.

by Red Menace on Apr 26, 2006 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Narron

Who is this, Tony LaRussa? One more out before the series sweep and an off-day, and he pulls Mercker for Weathers up 5-0?

by Brian B on Apr 26, 2006 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

and there was much rejoicing

by Red Menace on Apr 26, 2006 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

BA is a BA!!!

Ok Ok... Bronson Arroyo is such a BA when he jumps in water.. Bronson Arroyo doesn't get wet.. Water gets Bronson Arroyo!!

na na na na!

by JoeBear on Apr 26, 2006 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Whoa

Should I understand any of this?

by Brian B on Apr 26, 2006 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Had to step out for a meeting

but I'm glad to see that the Reds could hold a 5-0 lead in the ninth. Some stupid facts:

The Reds are now 8-0 when they allow fewer than 4 runs. They already have 2 more shutouts than all of last season. They are also 12-3 when they score more than 4 runs.

The team is 12-3 in games settled by 5 runs or fewer, including 9-2 in games settled by 2 or less.

Their 15-7 record after 22 games marks the 5th time since 1900 that they've had that record, and is tied for the 5th best record after 22 games.

After 22 games
YR RS RA W   L
1912   123   106   17   5
1990   118 71   17   5
1940   117 70   16   6
1970   110 69   16   6
2006   136   121   15   7
1957   128   107   15   7
1987   125 82   15   7
1994   125 78   15   7
1967 80 57   15   7
1924 77 67   15   7

Their 136 runs matches the 1976 squad, who was only 12-10 despite allowing 16 fewer runs than the current team. Three other Reds teams had scored more runs after 22 games - 1900 (145 runs), 1901 (143 runs), and 1959 (143 runs).

Winning is pretty damn fun, ain't it?

"No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously."- Dave Barry

by Slyde on Apr 26, 2006 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

I would have bet the farm

that the Reds would NOT be the first team in baseball to win 15 games this year.

Thanks guys.

Where have you gone, Johnny Vander Meer?

by Joe Public on Apr 26, 2006 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Bronson Arroyo

Is he a republican or a democrat?

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Apr 26, 2006 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

if he's on the Reds...

I don't know if Arroyo is Democrat or Republican, and a quick google search didn't reveal anything. If Castellini got him, though, my money is on Republican. Castellini is a big Bush man -- how else do you think they got Bush to throw the first pitch iopening day?

I almost wrote a diary a few weeks ago about how being a Dem makes it hard to root for the Reds sometimes because they have so many Republican connections. But then I thought, "Screw it. The country is too partisan right now. Let's all of us -- Republicans and Democrats -- enjoy the fine start to another baseball season."

I want my state back -- Ted Strickland for Governor

by Hiram on Apr 27, 2006 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions