Game Thread: Game 86 vs. the Braves

by JD Arney on Jul 8, 2006 5:01 PM EDT in News

TIME: 7:05 @ Turner Field

BREWERS PROBABLE: REDS PROBABLE:
John Smoltz (5-5, 3.77) Aaron Harang (9-5, 3.65)

Last night was fun. Let's do it again.

Go Reds!

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OMG

if you want to puke turn on WGN

"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 8, 2006 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Ron Santo

on of the most over rated players ever. If he played in minnesota or Kansas City you would barely remember him

"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 8, 2006 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

large market. decent player but over rated, just like Sandberg. Plus he had good stats on lousy teams, never got it done well enough to get to the promised land. He was little more than supporting cast for Banks, in my opinion.

"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 8, 2006 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Santo

I just didn't like him. And I hated his little girl heel kicking skip move. He was just one of those guys that rubbed me the wrong way. And I thought he was just an average player regardless of stats. Of the era he played he never would have been my choice to play 3rd base.

"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 8, 2006 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Santo

There are lots of guys who have good numbers that I would call average players. I've never been one to look at a player just by his numbers. I guess it is hard to explain the intangibles.

And despite their numbers Santo pales in comparison to Bench. Johnny controlled the game. He was the ultimate force. teams didn't run on him, teams didn't try to score on close plays because of the way he shut down the plate.

I have total respect for his medical condition and am glad to see him being able to continue in the booth.

"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 8, 2006 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

does anyone

have any news on ross?

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Ross

Not in the lineup, not that means anything.

"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 8, 2006 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Ross

Narron on the pre-game interview: Ross flew back to Cincy for an MRI and exam. They want to rule out a hernia. Very unlikely he'll return to Atlanta.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions

dunn batting second, too

i'm a big fan of this. i know some others aren't, but he hits well there.

This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn.

by Daedalus on Jul 8, 2006 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Yep

This is what he's done in the 2-hole since Narron started batting him there regularly a week and a half ago:

Lineup Slot AB Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BB K BA OBA Slug%
Batting #2 32 12 2 0 2 10 3 11 .375 .429 .625

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand

the motivation behind putting Dunn up there; but what about Scott Hatteburg? His OBP is outstanding and has been all year; although he doesn't have a whole lot of RBI's. They consistently hit him in 5. I'm thinking it has more to do with Lefty-Righty matchups and trying to get Griffey and Dunn to protect each other on a given night then it does with the OBP numbers. Although I'm sure if Dunn's OBP wasn't good (if not great) then he wouldn't be up that high.

by joshetc on Jul 8, 2006 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

2-hole

In general, lineup construction matters very little in the grand scheme of things. However, I like Dunn batting 2nd over Hatteberg because both players are going to have a high OBP, but Dunn is more likely to have a high slugging pct, especially with Griffey behind him. He'll theoretically see more fastballs and more balls over the plate. And with Dunn batting second, the guy on first isn't forced to steal a base to get into scoring position. That may be the case with Hatteberg.

And don't get me wrong, I like Hatteberg's game, I just like Dunn's more.

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Edgar Renteria

Nice wheels, meat.

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Kearns

Base Knock

by gnarley on Jul 8, 2006 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Larue

For all the gripe he gets if he is really are biggest worry thats a pretty good deal. His defense has been good, and i'm sure Harang isn't complaining about his calling. Yeah his offense has been bad but first off he's a catcher, second he's pretty streaky. Perhaps he shouldnt be playing so much because Ross has been ungodly productive, but still i'd find it hard to believe no team could want him, especially if the Reds were willing to add some cash.

by Stevo154 on Jul 8, 2006 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

harang

nice start

"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 8, 2006 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

cmon larue

get a hit

"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 8, 2006 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

chipper

i dislike larry

"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 8, 2006 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

Cards-Astros

Albert Pujols hit a solo home run off Roy Oswalt to lead off the 10th inning - Cards win.

Maybe I'm crazy but I'm almost convinced that when they play it's better for the Reds when Houston loses than St. Louis. It's unlikely we'll win the division, the wildcard seems more likely, and Houston still seems like the biggest threat to that.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

who says

its unlikely? They're in this thing. You don't play for the wild card. You play for the penant. (Read like: "You don't live in Cleveland. You live in Cincinnati!).

by satyanaas on Jul 8, 2006 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right

They're still in it, but what's more likely? St Louis still has much better pitching so they would be the odds on favorite to win the division.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Call me

a purist or whatever; but I freakin' hate the wildcard.

by joshetc on Jul 8, 2006 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

just another way to appease the owners and make more money for them.

And I also dislike the idea that was being kicked around of expanding the NCAA basketball tourney to 128. Give me a break.

"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 9, 2006 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe's doing the games with Steve

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

that was

a quick three innings

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

grif

went a looong way for that one. It just kept tailing away. hell of a try

"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 8, 2006 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

BP

really knows how to turn the DP

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

However

Chipper was safe.

Break goes the Reds way!

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

nice twist

"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 8, 2006 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

Larue

missed a homer by that much.

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

bunt

sucked

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

larue

looked like he slipped

"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 8, 2006 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

even still

that bunt needed to be better with anybody but the speedsters on base. Pretty much Freel, Lopez, or BP would be the only to have made it.

by Slyde on Jul 8, 2006 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree

If they could get a top notch #1 or #2 pitcher, I'd trade any of the three OFs in a minute.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

I may have to jump off a bridge

If I have to see that damn Taylor Hicks Ford commercial one more time.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Jul 8, 2006 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

more more more

how do you like it...

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

by joshetc on Jul 8, 2006 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem is

niether one of them belong in a major league rotation.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Jul 8, 2006 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Wait until the 10 days is up

If no one has taken him, the Cards pay his current tab and the Red's can sign him cheap. DFA Mays and give him a shot. Just don't trade anyone for him.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Harang

Look lights out tonight.Is the Lizard going to come back up after all-star break or are the Reds going to go get another starter?

by gnarley on Jul 8, 2006 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

He'll be beck...

He only got sent down so he could get his normal starts, he would've had 10 days off so they did this to help him stay regular.

by RedsFanMatt on Jul 8, 2006 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

He just

does not try for things. That ball hit the yellow padding.

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

disagree

he was on a dead sprint. Do you want him to run head first into the wall ala Bump Bailey?

"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 8, 2006 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

He didn't even try...

He stoped before he got to the wall then it hit the top, he could've easily jumped up and caught it.

by RedsFanMatt on Jul 8, 2006 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah,

I would have liked for him to jump. He had a shot at it.

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

jinx

by Stevo154 on Jul 8, 2006 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

harang

ran out of gas big time. either that or he lost concentration after the first two outs

"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 8, 2006 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Just when you thought

there was no humiliation we had left to endure, we let John Smoltz shut us down completely, and he knocks in an insurance run to boot.

THIS IS NOT 1991!

Where have you gone, Johnny Vander Meer?

by Joe Public on Jul 8, 2006 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

Harang

now you field the ball

"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 8, 2006 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

WTF

WHY IS HARANG STILL PITCHING. Harang'sat 120+ pitches. This is ridiculous.

by Chris Sabo on Jul 8, 2006 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

well

The pitch count isn't really a problem since we are going into the allstar break, but yeah he didnt have such a great 7th. I guess Narron trust's no one. Can ya blame him?

by Stevo154 on Jul 8, 2006 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Shows how much

Narron distrusts the pen.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Hello?

Offense?

Are you there?

Hello?

by satyanaas on Jul 8, 2006 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

at least dunn tried...

more than you can say for griffey

by RedsFanMatt on Jul 8, 2006 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

WOH

WHAT???????????

by joshetc on Jul 8, 2006 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

larry jones

have i mentioned i really dislike him?

"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 8, 2006 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

player that i dislike...

chipper jones tops my list because he's hard on the reds!

by RedsFanMatt on Jul 8, 2006 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

ray

looked like he hurt himself. At the least looked pretty funny.

"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 8, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

Ken Ray...

Nice feet, meat.

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

wow...

64 comments so far today... 600 in Thursday's loss

by boobs on Jul 8, 2006 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

week end posts

are usually down I've noticed. The Monday-Friday games are really kicking butt numbers wise lately.

"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 8, 2006 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

what a lethargic game

Didn't seem like the Reds played with much energy or urgency. They sure could use a win tomorrow. Now 3 games back of the Cards.

"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 8, 2006 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Disagree!

Over the past 8 days, this team has come back to win after being 7 runs down in the 8th. Twice in Milwaukee they came up with late runs, in one of those games they took the lead twice in extra innings. On Thurs they scored 5 runs in the 9th to send a game to extra innings. The offense has played hard! The pitchings just letting them down and will continue to. Tonight Smoltz was zeroed in - they were lucky to score 1 run.

by mattg on Jul 8, 2006 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not saying

they're playing WELL, they're not.... I'm just objecting to the point made above that they're not playing "with much energy or urgency". The pitching sucks, the offense is doing it's job and showing heart (e.g. all the late inning comebacks).

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Smoltz

Is he a "sure fire" hall of famer?

"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 8, 2006 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

I think so also

at least we agreed on that tonight! lol

"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 8, 2006 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not saying....

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions

there was no energy

They looked, to me, like they were going through the motions. Especially on offense. Way too may called third strikes. I realize Smoltz was pitching his butt off but the Reds had some chances and did not do anything with them. Hopefully they can get a win today and come back strong after the break.

"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 9, 2006 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

wit you that the offense kept grinding it out during this road trip, except for today. We all know that for the most part the offense has not been the problem. There are some small things contained within the entire offense that could be improved, like bunting, moving runners over, paying attention to the situation. Stuff like that will make the games where you're facing a great pitched game easier to handle.

"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 9, 2006 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

in regards to the 'small things'. Like LaRue getting thrown out at third on the bunt by Harang. Probably should have stayed at 2nd after he slipped.

It's a frustrating point in the season and I think we're all worried that the wheel may have finally fallen off. How awesome would it be to finally have an Aug and Sept that mattered??!!

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry boys......

I am a die hard Reds fan. Have been since the early 70s. They have played some great games this year but for a few weeks now I've noticed the bolts on the wheels loosen. If Arroyo can't stop the bleeding today, I believe the wheel will finally come off. Here we are on the last day before the break and we could conceivalby only be just a game above 500 without any major injuries the first half. This team is not going anywhere. Arroyo has been a stud but I am still not convinced he's an ace.......

Go REDS!

by wiseguy on Jul 9, 2006 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Arroyo

You're right, based on his career numbers. But he's as close to an ace as the Reds have had for years.

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

BA

well said, he's not an ace but he's the best we have. Hopefully Milton can continue to improve and if Harang continues to improve at the rate he has shown look out. Add a quality starter in the off season and there you have it, A bonafide rotation!

"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 9, 2006 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

HB

Hopefully we have a quality starter in AA that will fit into next years rotation..... Mr. Bailey.

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

good point

but do you think he'll be ready next season? Or do you take a shot like the Braves did wuth Smoltz, Avery, Glavine, and Mercker and let them sink or swim?

"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 9, 2006 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Give him a shot now!

I'd like to see him up pitching at GABP on 7/22/06 vs. the Brewers. That's the next time a 5th starter will be needed. I know everyone has an opinion of why he should or shouldn't. But if he's physically ready and if he's better than the current options available (Mays, Belisle, et al) than why not?

I don't buy that stuff about ruining him like they did Wagner. Wagner's situation shows that he doesn't/didn't have the mental makeup to be in the bigs - it's not a result of being called up too soon. Let's hope HB has a better head on his shoulders!

by mattg on Jul 9, 2006 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions