I'm gonna keep on loving you, Arroyo Speedwagon. Reds win, 6-1.

by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2009 12:20 AM EDT in Game Threads Comment 56 comments

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Graynd Slaym. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Laynce Nix. The Daynce Mix hit his first career grand slam to lead the Reds over the Cardinals.

Key Plays

Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce led off the second inning with walks, and RBI man Ryan Hanigan hit a single to score Rolen. Bronson Arroyo then singled to load the bases, and Drew Stubbs also drew a walk to force in Bruce. Reds 2, Cardinals 0.
The walks continued to haunt in the third inning. Brandon Phillips walked, Rolen doubled, and Bruce walked again. Up stepped Laynce Nix and bye bye baseball. Grand slam! Reds 6, Cardinals 0.
Nix was still feeling swell after his homer, and let Skip Schumaker's ball fall under his glove for a double. Albert Pujols then drove him in with a single. Reds 6, Cardinals 1.
Bronson left the game with one out in the ninth, after having walked Troy Glaus. Nick Masset came in and gave up a single to Pujols, a fielder's choice to Matt Holliday, and a walk to Colby Rasmus, before striking out Ryan Ludwick with the bases loaded. REDS WINNARS!

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

The Reds can do no worse than split the season series with the Cardinals. A win tomorrow gives them a 9-7 advantage.
The Reds went 18-9 in September, the only month in which they did not have double digit losses. Four of those losses were to Colorado, and five of those losses were by only one run.
John Smoltz complained that the game balls had not been properly rubbed with mud. Obviously it didn't seem to affect Arroyo, but Bronson did share this interesting nugget: "They don't mud them up as much here as they do at other places. It was a cool night, and it's hard to hold on sometimes." Could a mudding deficiency help explain some of our historically lackluster pitching?
Who says Dusty Baker ruins arms? Listen to why he pulled Arroyo with one out in the ninth: "He said he was running on empty and his legs were spent," Baker said. "When I heard that, you go get him, especially late in the season, 111 pitches and Pujols up there."
Joey Votto and Paul Janish both hit doubles. It was Votto's 16th double in September and Janish's tenth (out of 37 and 20 on the year, respectively).
Arroyo won 15 games for the second year in a row. He hasn't given up more than three runs in a game since July 22.
The Brewers lost, so the Reds are only one game out of third place.

Final - 9.30.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis Cardinals	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	0
Cincinnati Reds	0	2	4	0	0	0	0	0	X	6	8	0
WP: Bronson Arroyo (15 - 13) LP: John Smoltz (1 - 3)

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Comments

Dusty

does he deserve any credit for this late season resurgence? A month ago we were talking about the possibility of losing 100 games. I mean it would have been really easy to just pack it in. I watched some of the Cubs game while I was out at the bar after class, and that team looks listless, they lost both ends of a double header to the Pirates. Lou doesn’t even seem to give a shit anymore.

I’ve been a little harsh on Dusty, and I was probably over stepping saying he broke Volquez, although I am still critical of Bailey’s work load this month. I mean this team is ending at about where we predicted, a high 70 win team. I think I predicted that the Reds would fall between 75-85 wins pending Bruce, Cueto, Bailey’s development, and if Harang bounced back and if EV could replicate 2008. Really only Bailey took a huge step forward. This team really started to falter when Cueto did, and maybe Dusty and the organize should have put the breaks on him earlier, but I really don’t think they would be much better off with Tony LaRussa pushing the buttons.

The Reds need a new manager, one like Putin.

by justin007000 on Oct 1, 2009 12:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've probably been too hard on Dusty too

He has obviously made alot of mistakes and says bizarre things about the game that are a little disturbing. For one thing, I think his really aggressive hitting policy isn’t a good one.

I have to say, though, that I do appreciate Dusty’s class. LaRussa acted like a punk after the game and I know Dusty wouldn’t do that. Sometimes it’s aggravating when he doesn’t get fired up, but he is usually dignified in the postgame stuff.

That is probably the last bit of Dusty love that will come from me lol

by Red_Poodle on Oct 1, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't blame you at all

yes, he does deserve some credit, but not much. the team is hitting now and it wasn’t before. we are getting great pitching every night and we didn’t before. it’s hard to lose games when those kinds of things fall into place at the same time.

Dusty made a ton of head-scratching, in-game decisions this year that ended up backfiring. his lineup philosophy was ridiculous. i know it’s hard to place blame on him because of the team’s failures, but i have to wonder if things would have been different if taveras and gonzalez didn’t hit at the top of the order so many times.

my point is, if LaRussa were pushing the buttons, things probably would have been different simply because he knows how to put a good lineup together. i’m not saying we would have won 30 more games, but maybe 7,8, 9, 10—enough to give us a winning season. yes, we’ve seen LaRussa act a fool post-game (last night, and remember the Harang garbage?), but the dude knows how to win games. in my opinion, just because Dusty keeps a cool head in interviews doesn’t mean he’ll win a bunch of ballgames.

by GrooveLeg on Oct 1, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Remorse: Fire Dusty

Giving 366 at bats to Corey Paterson, the bulk of those in the lead off spot, entrusting people like Alex Gonzales at short (even declaring him to be one of the best short stops in the league), batting Juan Castro second, giving another 437 at bats to Willy Taveras (predominantly in the lead off spot), etc., etc. How many runs have we given up by having out machines at the top of the order? And speaking of player development, notice even in the post the lack of it under Dusty, which should be no surprise since he is the contemporary John McNamara, a standpatter who prefers a lineup filled with overpriced “star” veterans. Remember when he started Scott Hatteberg last season over Joey Votto? Any of you remember the nonsense he offered by oping about how it doesn’t matter if you get on base (as an explanation for his batting order choices), only that you can run the bases really well? Yes, they’re finally starting to win a little. They’re finally playing “up to their potential” of being a 70-something win team. Congratulations. The manager, however, still stinks and needs to go. He’s not to blame for all of their problems, but he has cost this team quite a few games over the past couple of years with his bad field managing.

by tonywf on Oct 2, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly I'm feeling okay about next year

lets make a few assumptions….

Harang puts up an ERA in the high 3’s or low 4’s over 220 innings.
Arroyo puts up a league average season over 220 innings.
Cueto puts up an ERA around 3.50 over 200 innings
Bailey puts up an ERA around 4.5 over 160 innings
Maloney does a similar job as Bailey

The biggest problem is there isn’t much depth beyond those five, maybe Owings.

Okay what if…
Bruce puts up the season we know he can, what if these final weeks are an indicator of what he can do next year?
Stubbs can produce at his current rate?
Rolen stays healthy?
We keep Gomes, Dickerson, and Nix or Balentin and they all rotate through left field?

Hanigan is the starting catcher, and works about 110 games?
Votto doesn’t miss a month with personal issues?

Plus assuming Rhodes doesn’t fall off a cliff, I feel pretty good about the bullpen.

Isn’t that a team that can win 85 games? Is that a pennant drive? Probably not, but it is a step forward.

Now Slyde tell me why I am wrong.

The Reds need a new manager, one like Putin.

by justin007000 on Oct 1, 2009 12:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You have not been too hard on Dusty, neither has Poodle or anyone else

Remember this is the guy who:
Insisted on playing Alex Gonzales,batting him second and stuck with him until the day he was traded.
Continued to play T-virus, lead him off and he’d still be there if not for an injury
He benched Dickerson when he was hot
He benched Nix when he was hot
He bench Jannish when he was hot
He’s the guy who brought in Coco for 5 straight days and had no one up and throwing when it was obvious that Cordero was gassed
This list could go on, on and on.
Point is that Dusty Baker is a terrible fit for for this team, a rote tactician. and has a love affair with guys who have never quite ‘made it’. He’s a hopeless romantic!

Dusty is an enigma, bright, careful to shield his players from critics, a man with a myriad of interests and a good manager of the clubhouse. Problem is that he thinks more like a player than a manager and he’s an old softy. He just good ol’ Dusty Quixote.

ah Cervantes, …what a yummy bakery

Jay Bruce will become a major league baseball STAR, starting in April, 2010.....

by Madville on Oct 1, 2009 6:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that book too !

Nobody listens to Andrew

by nlt-andrew68 on Oct 1, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting about the mud

Perhaps part of the Reds’ plan to have a hitters’ park?

Or are they just chintzy with the mud to save money?

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

by BubbaFan on Oct 1, 2009 6:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah i'm sure it's the mud, smoltz...

it was probably the mud in all of your last 4 starts too… chyeah

by GrooveLeg on Oct 1, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Reds take 3rd place, is Cy going to trash talk?

by ol Pete on Oct 1, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it was cheshire who was pumped about 3rd, not me

"And then there was the USAID guy in Kandahar who drove a giant pink Cadillac, which the locals set on fire one day. If you wanted to destroy something symbolic during a riot, you just could not do better than that. Good stuff." - Ghosts of Alexander

by Cy Schourek on Oct 1, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just kidding. Anybody who wants to trash talk about 3rd place is welcome to it. If the Reds do finish in 3rd, I’m sure i’ll hear it plenty whenever the locals want to complain about player A, B or C, Macha, Melvin or the owner. Something like “They were the wildcard in 08 and last year the Reds beat them.”

by ol Pete on Oct 1, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

It wasn’t uncommon for the Reds to be picked above the Brewers at the start of the season. I didn’t necessarily agree with it, but it shouldn’t come as a shock. Well, unless you want to talk about the 9-game lead that the Brewers had on the Reds on August 22nd. :)

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone said Votto just had the Reds doubles record, is that true?

And beastly 1-armed pullup by Ludwick, there

by Cy Schourek on Oct 1, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

According to teh Fay

Votto broke the club record for doubles in a single month. The record was 15 and Votto hit his 16th last night

by Red_Poodle on Oct 1, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For a total season, the Reds record is 51 doubles

Held jointly by Frank Robinson and Pete Rose. Votto has 37 on the year.

by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Getting back to next year's conversation........

Harang’s biggest problem is a lack of run support. He is a solid #2 or #3 pitcher. I think he micro-pitches with a lot of pressure because the hitters don’t hit when he pitches. Give him some run support and he’s probably a 15 game winner.

Can we even count on Bronson to pitch all of ‘10 this way. I am very impressed with his second half. But it’s a 162 game season. IF he brings it all next season………it could propel us far.

Bailey. I have been one of his harshest critics for years. Never believing the hype. Disgusted with his attitude at times. Disgusted with his regression. What I see now is a legit major league pitcher. The only thing I can see is that it finally “clicked” plus he added the splitter. I think he may surprise next season.

Cueto. It appears all he needs is some off season rest to come in strong next spring. Third season’s a charm? Let’s hope so.

I actually like the depth at the 5th starter spot. Lehr. Maloney. Owings. Possibly Travis Wood. Far better options than we’ve had for awhile.

The bullpen will basically be the same which is solid. Everyone is back.

The lineup is pretty much set with what you see now, with a small chance for a new SS, and a decision to be made on Ramon Hernandez. They won’t pick up his option, but there is a small chance of re-signing him to a lower contract for a couple of seasons. Gomes most likely gets arbitration and will be the starting LFer next season, possibly alternating with Dickerson for the lefty – righty thing.

CF Stubbs (RH)
LF Dickerson (LH) / Gomes (RH)
1B Votto (LH)
2B Phillips (RH)
RF Bruce (LH)
3B Rolen (RH)
SS Janish? (RH)
C Hanigan (RH)

I don’t mind Dickerson in the 2-hole. I hate Janish there. I wouldn’t like Gomes there either. The 2-hole is a question mark for me. Seems like Joey would be a good 2-hole hitter, but I like him better in the 3-spot.

by Dude Rock on Oct 1, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If that was the outfield

I’d probably manage it such that Stubbs starts against 50% of RHP and 100% against LHP. Gomes starts against 50% of RHP and 100% of LHP. Dickerson would then start in LF against 50% of RHP and CF against 50% of RHP. That’d give all of them about 100 starts each, and obviously if one of them is hitting well, he stays in the lineup until he tires or slips. And you could have Dickerson lead-off at times, even when Stubbs is in the lineup if you want to break up the lefties.

If Dickerson is not in the lineup, I think I’d rather see BP bat 2nd than Gomes. I’d bump Rolen up to 4th and bat Gomes 6th.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dickerson was easily the best OBP leading off an inning; that seems to imply he should lead off. Unfortunately, we don’t really have a #2 hitter on the roster. I’d like to see us pick up a SS who could bat #2 (Cabrera for example) but I don’t know where the money will come from. With the personnel we have, I might put Stubbs there – he seems to have cut down his K’s and that would put two speedsters in front of the RBI guys.

by no1marauder on Oct 1, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

honestly

I’d bat Votto there. Reds 2-hole hitters have 16 more plate appearances than the 3-hole hitters. I’d like to give those plate appearances to the best hitter on the team.

But, given that Dusty would never do that, I’m fine with Dickerson or Stubbs hitting there.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he'd make a lousy shortstop....

Nobody listens to Andrew

by nlt-andrew68 on Oct 1, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Rolen in the 2nd slot

Jay Bruce will become a major league baseball STAR, starting in April, 2010.....

by Madville on Oct 2, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

kinky

The Reds need a new manager, one like Putin.

by justin007000 on Oct 2, 2009 3:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duncan thinks that Arroyo may have been using pine tar to get a better grip on the ball

Says that might why Arroyo was successful and Smoltz wasn’t:

Duncan, who said the umpires told him the baseballs indeed were rubbed up, said Arroyo was able to deal with the issue because “I’m sure he had pine tar on his cap. He didn’t have any problem getting a grip. Balls like that can generate a lot more movement than a slick ball that hasn’t been rubbed up.”

Asked if he had seen Arroyo go to his cap, Duncan said, “Just every pitch.”

Then Duncan said, “That’s not the point. The point is that a pitcher should never be able to have control over how a ball is rubbed up, whether it’s more or less. And since the umpires don’t rub the balls up and their clubhouse guys do, I’m sure he had some control over it.”

Duncan said he didn’t and wouldn’t ask the umpires to investigate Arroyo’s head gear. “It’s gamesmanship,” Duncan said.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

waaaaaah !

Nobody listens to Andrew

by nlt-andrew68 on Oct 1, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody reads FanShots

by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FanShots suck

Get rid of them, I say.

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

by BubbaFan on Oct 1, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have them mix with fanposts and distinguish them somehow with design

SBN is too busy working on new ways to have ads move and flash.

by ol Pete on Oct 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I really hate them

They need to die.

The problem is the format is too restrictive. You can post a link or an image, but not both. You can’t easily quote from and comment on an article.

The FanPost/FanShot thing just blows. It’s like being limited to writing a bumper sticker or a dissertation…when most people want to write something in between.

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

by BubbaFan on Oct 1, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Cardinals...

you a bitch

People, please. We're all frightened and horny, but we can't let some killer dolphins keep us from living and scoring

by Man Mountain on Oct 1, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

unreal...

by GrooveLeg on Oct 1, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FUCK YOU DAVE DUNCAN!

The Reds need a new manager, one like Putin.

by justin007000 on Oct 1, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Willy T

Does anyone think that he will be starting for the Reds come Opening Day 2010?

by no1marauder on Oct 1, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dusty does

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

I think Willy is in Dusty’s doghouse.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think

Willy is wearing Dusty’s dog collar. bow wow.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

Jay Bruce will become a major league baseball STAR, starting in April, 2010.....

by Madville on Oct 2, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT

im not sure what to think about this one. Vick served his time and i think his punishment was commensurate with the crime, but an endorsement deal? i dont know if that is ok. is it even a good thing for Nike?

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nike denies it

http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE5903SW20091001

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

drama!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he got a sweet deal, but its past.

by ol Pete on Oct 1, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade Value

Any for Willy T? The old adage is “Speed never slumps”; does anybody think there might be a big market club willing to take this albatross from around our necks? $4 million is a lot for the Reds, but chump change for the Yankees and a few others.

by no1marauder on Oct 1, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt any smart team would take him

but the Royals….

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 1, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know how good Yuniesky Betancourt is?

Well this guy’s even better!

by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taveras pretty much has no trade value

The Reds were basically the only bidder last year, and went above and beyond what they had to pay him. However, I’ve been really impressed with Jocketty’s ability to move ugly contracts. I doubt we’ll see him moved in the offseason, but perhaps around the trade deadline next year.

Which means that Willy would be getting playing time during the first half of next year.

by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHY?!?

People always asking, 'Uncle Jemima, why you sell booze?' I say 'sell whatchu know' and I knows about booze.

by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Oct 1, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

would anyone go

for a Willy for Milton Bradley swap? I know MB is a whiny, self-loving bitch who gets hurt a lot, BUT if they could get him back close to 2008 productivity, I’d think it would be a classic buy-low move. Cubs have needed a CF for a while now, I don’t think they like Fukudome out there, and would rather use him in right. A good switch hitter would look real nice in the lineup.

Stubbs
Phillips
Votto
Bradley
Rolen
Bruce
SS
C
Pitcher

Obviously the Cubs would need to eat 2-3 Milli in the deal, but it sounds like they would be more than willing to do that.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Oct 1, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way dude. bradley eats puppies.

and he has horrible breath and he doesn’t wipe properly. Willy, on the other hand, has far better hygiene and he doesn’t throw chairs at fans.

by GrooveLeg on Oct 1, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Willy makes 4 mil next year

Bradley gets 21 over the next 2 years. the Cubs would have to eat like 15 mil to make it happen, and it wont.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Year 3 was an option on Bradley

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Oct 1, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

year 3 was an option

it was dependent upon an easily-reachable games played goal, something like 70 games. so it kicked in.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 1, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not it

I think the point is that the Reds would have to help another team out and take on salary in order to get rid of Taveras. And I agree. There’s no way the Cubs will agree to take Willy AND pay the majority of Bradley’s contract. It is more likely the deal would get done with the Reds acquiring Bradley for Taveras and the Reds paying most if not all of Bradley’s salary.

by Brian B on Oct 1, 2009 2:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs