Farmers only stare into your soul

by Rick House on May 31, 2008 4:31 AM EDT in News

I'd like to say something pithy, but I'm sure this thread will only succeed in getting people to make fun of Ben Jukich's mug, so go ahead. Give it your best shot.

Belisle

Triple-A: Matt Belisle did all he could to throw the game away in his relief debut, but he was saved by Gary Majewski and the Bats won 5-3. Belisle got only 1 of his 5 batters out, but Majewski struck out 2 IronPigs to save it for Adam Pettyjohn (6-1), who gave his first shutout performance of the season. UP NEXT: Lehigh Valley at Louisville, 6:15 tonight.

Jukich

Double-A: Ben Jukich took a no-hitter into the six and went 7.2 shutout innings in Chattanooga's 4-0 win. Jukich struck out 6 and allowed just 3 hits and 1 walk. Chris Valaika was 2 for 4, and Carlos Fisher struck out 2 for the save. UP NEXT: Game 1 vs. Huntsville, 7:15 tonight.

High A: Dan Perales was 3 for 4 with a homer in Sarasota's 5-3 win. Juan Francisco tripled and walked twice, and Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette had a coupla strikeouts. UP NEXT: Game 2 vs. Clearwater, 6 tonight.

Low A: Logan Parker launched his 4th homer of the year before Dayton's game was postponed by lightning. Creepy. That game resumes at 5 -- the Wizards lead 2-1 in the bottom of the third inning -- with a 7-inning game to follow.

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The IronPigs

are not a very good team. I think Jeremy Ruby will probably be safe.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 31, 2008 6:33 AM EDT reply actions

The IL has some really bad teams then

The IronPigs and Clippers especially

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on May 31, 2008 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Belizzle

Is probably done. He is having Gary McJeffsky get him out of bad situations. You really have to suck fo shizzle to have Gary McJeffsky bailing you out.

Dusty's head needs an MRI. Beeeeeeeepppp...

by Paul Householder on May 31, 2008 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Though I note with some surprise...

That McJeffsky seems to have gotten his ERA below 4.00 somehow. Since his ERA was in the double digits earlier this year, I thought he must be pitching pretty darned well of late, and he has been, allowing only seven hits, three walks and two earned runs (with 12 Ks) in his last 12 innings.

If Lincoln continues to get assassinated periodically by opposing hitters, McJeffsky might actually be a better option out of the bullpen

Dusty's head needs an MRI. Beeeeeeeepppp...

by Paul Householder on May 31, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup

Majewski has been lights-out lately. Positively unreal.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 31, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

AAAA pitchers are like that in AAA

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on May 31, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Could be

But he was really awful when he first went down. Like Paul said, double-digit ERA. Something has changed. He’s been a different pitcher lately

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 31, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

we said that last year

and the year before. the fact is he’s a guy who historically pitches well in aaa and pitches like shit in the majors.

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on May 31, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm wondering if it's a confidence thing

For him and Coffey both.

He was pretty sucky at the start of the season. It really is impressive that he’s brought his ERA down so low. He was the proud owner of about a 20 ERA in Triple-A earlier this season. Confidence crushed in spring training, maybe?

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 31, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

when was his confidence crushed in 2007?

or 2006? How about he and Coffey aren’t good enough to pitch in the majors. Majewski had a 20 ERA in the minors because of a couple bad appearances early, with a small sample size. Now the numbers are regressing back to the mean. ERA is a terrible way to measure a relief pitcher’s effectiveness, anyway. Look at Majewski’s K:BB ratios: 2:1 in the minors, 3:2 in the majors. Look at his WHIPs: 1.33 in the minors, 1.52 in the majors. It’s even worse with the Reds (2.11 in 38 innings).

Why is it more complicated than that? He’s 28 now and should be in the prime of his career. But he’s not good enough.

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on May 31, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just really struck by how awful he was at the beginning of the season in Louisville

And how good he is now. It’s just bizarre.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 31, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't want the team to give up on Belizze.

This guy has some nasty stuff. If he can accept the role of a reliever and go in and throw strikes…I am sure as death and taxes if Matt is let go or traded for some bats, he’ll end up being a really good reclamation for someone. Speaking of Magic Man – there’s a guy who you’d think some team would take a chance with.

"When I got my award, I just wore my usual stuff," Dunn said.
"Was it for the Reds organization or all of baseball?" Bruce said.

by Madville on May 31, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions