Game Thoughts: Reds lose to the Braves 8-7 (10)

by JD Arney on Jul 6, 2006 11:07 PM EDT in News

How can you not love this team?

I mean that seriously. I know I get sarcastic at times, but this isn't one of them.

We just watched a team do something amazing. Coming off of five losses, they watched a horrible starting pitcher give up four runs in the first inning. How many other teams would have quit at that point? Mailed it in for the rest of the day? Quite a few in my opinion.

But not our Reds. They clawed back, as they have so often in the last week. There's no quit in this team. That's a hell of an overdone cliche, but it absolutely applies to the 2006 Cincinnati Reds.

Things are bad right now, no doubt about it. I'm as upset as anyone. But this is a team that will get to the postseason, with just a little help from WayneK and a better bullpen. He took a step towards that today picking up Eddie Guardado, and I don't think he's done.

After all this, after the terrible last week, after the terrible past month, after all of it ... the Reds are only 2.5 games out of first. And I believe the Reds have the offense and the starting pitching to make up those 2.5 games. They're still in this.

I have a good feeling about the rest of this Atlanta series, but we'll see. I think some of you should give the Reds a shot. Don't quit on them yet, because they're sure as hell not quitting on us.

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Comments

I'm with you, JD.

You had me at "How".

by Slyde on Jul 6, 2006 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

Oh Captain My Captain!

by Red Menace on Jul 6, 2006 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

touche'

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder what kind of odds you could get in Vegas

betting that the team with the best record in the league in early June would go into the All Star Break with a losing record.

Where have you gone, Johnny Vander Meer?

by Joe Public on Jul 6, 2006 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

That was inspiring. Not much more I can say than that. That actually helped. I can't wait until tomorrow. My prediction: Milton goes 7 gives up 3 runs and Guardado comes in and pitches a 1-2-3 ninth to secure a Reds 4-3 win.

by FritzMW on Jul 6, 2006 11:23 PM EDT reply actions

At this point

I'd poop down both pant legs if that happened.

by Blue on Jul 6, 2006 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm afraid to ask

but is that a common problem for you? :)

by Slyde on Jul 6, 2006 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

he probably

only defiles one pant leg

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Well then...

Wear some pants you don't like tomorrow and put down some newspaper cause its gonna happen.

by FritzMW on Jul 6, 2006 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I can see I have everyone's interest

1 pant leg is no big deal. Happens all the time. Nothing to be ashamed of...

Both pant legs, however, is something special.

by Blue on Jul 6, 2006 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice Post

I'm new here but I had stumbled upon your website late last year. I admit that at times it can get a little nonsensical but most of the time I enjoy your insight on the team and I truly admire how you can make a positive out of a negative. You've got a wry wit that reminds me of hearing Marty Brennamen speak about the Reds. Even on the worst days, you can be critical and still tell you love the Reds and that's a great quality that I feel you both share.

Speaking of making a positive out of a negative, I guess one good thing about the Reds losing is if Joe Mays continues to not pitch well, maybe he'll be relegated to a bull-pen role or DFA'd. He has definately not shown to be a reliable starter.

by BigRedDentist on Jul 6, 2006 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

Mays

I have to believe that today was his last start for the Reds.

by Blue on Jul 6, 2006 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Mays

I hope so.

by BigRedDentist on Jul 6, 2006 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Mays

The question is who replaces him?

Justin Germano (4.20 ERA 1.33 WHIP in 16 starts at AAA)
Phil Dumatrait (4.54 ERA 1.48 WHIP in 6 starts at AAA)
Trade for a SP (Likely requiring Freel, Denorfia, and/or other prospects)

But I agree, that should be Mays last start for the Reds.

by FritzMW on Jul 6, 2006 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

El Guapo

The Reds still need to make one move to make room for Guardado.

by Slyde on Jul 6, 2006 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Willis

Do the Reds have any shot at him realisticly? I figure he is heading up the East Coast to either Boston or New York.

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably

But it would take something like Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, and another player to get. Not worth it IMO.

by FritzMW on Jul 6, 2006 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they'd want

Bailey and EE, and no, it wouldn't be worth it. They'd want a 3B to replace Cabrera when they eventually trade him, too.

by Blue on Jul 7, 2006 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Willis and Cabrera

However I would trade EdE, Ceuto, Wood, Ward, and every draft pick from this year for Willis and Cabrera. That would still leave us 5 SP (Willis, Homer, Harang, Arroyo, and EZ) and give us a great line-up for the future:

Lopez SS
Phillips 2B
Bruce RF/LF
Cabrera 3B
Dunn/Kearns LF/RF
Votto 1B
Denorfia CF
Catcher

by FritzMW on Jul 7, 2006 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

May's Replacement

I don't think he'll need to be replaced. Looking at the schedule, he'll have his turn skipped over the all-star break and then the Reds have an off-day on the 17th. Therefore he could be skipped again and hopefully Brandon Claussen will be back the next time his turn in the rotation is up.

by BigRedDentist on Jul 6, 2006 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

eek

"hopefully Brandon Claussen"
has it come to that?

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 7, 2006 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I think so...

Remember the Walker talk, when a 4.08 ERA or Brandon Claussen coming back excites us, something needs to happen.

by FritzMW on Jul 7, 2006 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

If Claussen comes back healthy

I would expect him to pitch pretty well, like last year.

by Blue on Jul 7, 2006 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty Well?

4.21 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP good?

I'd take Domatrait or Germano myself.

by FritzMW on Jul 7, 2006 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Claussen

If it hadn't been for a couple of back to back horrendous starts where he gave up something like a combined 18 ER in 6 innings, his numbers would have been much better.

I don't think Dumatrait or Germano would be able to top what Claussen will do, and Claussen may be a lot better than they would be.

by Blue on Jul 7, 2006 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

My ulcer

is getting bigger by the day; and I might as well just forget about quiting smoking until the end of the season; but god damn if this team isn't exciting to watch.

by joshetc on Jul 6, 2006 11:45 PM EDT reply actions

Ulcer

Can you imagine Narron's health by the end of the season? That poor guy will be a wreck.

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

JD

You've been incredibly optimistic all season. I hope to God you're right that they can fix whatever it is that's making them suck. But I just can't watch steaming pile of crap and then pretend it's a dozen roses when the crap has left the field. And it doesn't help to make excuses like, say, the Cardinals suck too. Or here a few new ones: Coffey's ERA is still only 3.05. Or Coffey hasn't blown that many saves (hint: Wednesday's give-away to Jenkins in the ninth didn't count as a blown save because the Reds didn't have the lead when Coffey came into the game in the 8th).

All that said, no one's quitting on them. We'll continue to torture ourselves because that's what we do.

by Brian B on Jul 6, 2006 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

Brian

Would you agree that this season is different than 2004/2005 by the simple fact that there is something fun about this team, even though they lose in heart breaking fashion? I don't think JD is saying that the team is a dozen roses, but even a pile of crap can be somewhat satisfying sometimes, no?

by Slyde on Jul 6, 2006 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

It sure can

Just ask both of Blue's pant legs.

by teb7 on Jul 7, 2006 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

somewhat

is the key word

by Blue on Jul 7, 2006 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I'd agree

Especially now that it's a day later, the Reds are up 2-0 in the 2nd inning, and all seems right at the moment.

by Brian B on Jul 7, 2006 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the spirit!!!

Everything's going to be okay.

Unless it isn't.

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2006 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

350+ tonight

I have to tell you guys that I am really enjoying this season. I know at times it is brutal but this is just a thrill ride to hang out with all of you for the games. It feels like 1999 all over again to me. This team is fighting hard to get it done and I really think they will. They will stay the course and the bukkpen will improve to "just average". When that happens the Reds will be in first place by 6-8 games. Go reds

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

I know it's just a typo

but bukkpen just sounds like the right word for them.

by Slyde on Jul 6, 2006 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

good catch. Man, I'm tired and my fingers are getting fatter by the minute. And, we need to call them something

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Man, that's dirty.

Really dirty.

by Brian B on Jul 7, 2006 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Posts

I don't like it. I usually work during the games, and I loved reading the threads when I got home. It's just too much now. Just kidding, keep it up. We're out-posting Athletic Nation, the creator of this blog format.

by FritzMW on Jul 6, 2006 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

dare to dream

Can you imagine what this will look like if there would be a play off game in out future?

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Jul 6, 2006 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

If that were true

I'd poop out of my pant legs and my sleeves.

by teb7 on Jul 7, 2006 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

Long time reader, 1st time poster. All I have to say is I agree 100%. This team never quits, and good things happen to teams like this. It is a bad time right now, but I have faith we will come out of it!

Impossible Is Nothing

by The Lizard on Jul 7, 2006 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

Your English

Is much too polished for you to be The Lizard, but others here have posted under the names of Reds players before.

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

by Paul Householder on Jul 7, 2006 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Oddity

Why is no one calling for Hume's head? Not me, for sure, but it is characteristic of baseball fans to want to do addition by subtraction.

by Billingsfan on Jul 7, 2006 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

And Let's Not Forget

Despite the rough stretch, as of this morning, they're still only 2 games out of the division, and 1 game out of the Wild Card. Lucky, that other teams are stumbling at the same time? Sure. But sometimes luck is what gets you to the finish line.

by Senor Pez on Jul 7, 2006 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

lucky

The Cards have gone into their worst slump in 10-15 yrs.

The pundits say the team to beat is STL, but I'm keeping an eye on MIL/HOU. Both are due to have an established arm come off the DL soon(Backe/Sheets). Plus, Mil has the Bill Hall.

by ohiobobcat on Jul 7, 2006 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Love this team?

Don't get me wrong, I love the Reds, but am I the only one here not loving the anxiety attacks this team gives you? Sure the team is greatly exceding expectations this year, but I literally have had trouble sleeping after a few games this year because of the Reds (the last two nights plus Monday's game, the second game in Detriot, game two against the White Sox, the bases loaded no outs debacle against the Cubs that ended the 8 game win streak, the Easter Day Pujols game, etc).

Unless you love having a heart attack, I'll take the 1999 team anyday.

With that said... I do love that we are still in contention despite the previous sampling of meltdowns this year that caused me to loose approximately 5.6 years off of my life.

by indy on Jul 7, 2006 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Indy

Glad to hear someone else who's lost sleep due to this team. I was worried I was the only one. That lose that broke the winning streak about killed me. I had trouble after that lose to KC too. Wed night was brutal.

Hang with 'em!

by mattg on Jul 7, 2006 4:03 PM EDT reply actions