Reds vs. Astros: Eyewitness Report

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 9:38 PM EDT in Spring Training

This was the last game of my little trip. The highlights:

The story of the game: Aaron Harang and Homer Bailey look much, much better than last year. I don't think anyone needs another confirmation of this, but yes, Aaron Harang looks much thinner than last year. It's noticable.
Harang was spotting his fastball for called strikes all over the place, and I could tell his breaking stuff was working, even sitting on the 3rd base line.
And, after seeing Homer pitch his two innings, I'm starting to get anxious about this rotation. Notice that when I say that, I say "rotation", because if he keeps pitching like that, I think he's forcing their hand to put him in the rotation. They told him going in to ST that he had to earn his rotation spot, and well, he's getting it done. He gave up a few hits, but unlike he would have last season, he stayed calm, buckled down, and made pitches to get out of it.
That being said, his line wouldn't have been nearly as great as it was without a fantastic diving catch in RF by Jonny Gomes. I think watching him the last 4 days has really gone to confirm the fact that I think he's still the favorite for the last bench spot. Dusty seems to be auditioning all of his backup OFers for 1B spots to back up Votto if needed (Exhibit A: Jacque Jones played a few innings there today), and Gomes showed the other day that he can handle it if needed. He's hitting, he's playing D, he's hustling, he's on the team.
Another guy who I think has to head north is Chris Dickerson. This guy keeps hitting, and keeps stealing bases, and is another guy with the attitude you want out of a major league ballplayer. How they'll be used is anybody's guess at this point, but I think they both go north.
Does that mean Hopper is the odd man out here? I don't think he's done much to help his cause so far, even with a hit today.
Arthur Rhodes looked pretty darn masterful on the mound. The first two hitters he faced both struck out on 3 pitches. Glad to see him and Weathers bouncing back from rough outings in the early spring in the last few days. Cordero, you're up next.
Burton looked meh, and Roenicke looked good.
Oh yeah, and Laynce Nix hit a shot over the wall in CF in the 8th. He's yet another guy who really really wants to make this team. Will there be enough spots for all these guys? Whoever said it yesterday said it best, we're going to have a tough AAA team this season (and hell, AA too).
Darnell McDonald was 2-for-2 with a SB. I don't think there will be room for him out of spring training, but he keeps sounding like the type of guy to get a midseason callup after hitting somewhere in the .330s in the IL this year.
Francisco looks pretty good playing D at 3B. Janish looked better. If he could hit, his defense is good enough to play anywhere in the infield.

Pics of the day are after the jump.

Roar.

Daryle Ward batting.

Harang throwing a pitch.

Homer getting it done.

Jonny Gomes.

Roenicke throwing heat.

These girls were walking around the concourse, so I got a pic. This one's for you, Madville.

And this one belongs to the Reds!

Name that Red!

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By the way

I appreciate everyone who followed on the twitter, and I’d encourage anyone going to post their own eyewitness reports so we can hear another take on things.

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

hey!

the brunette with the white glasses is all Mads. im disappointed you didnt dedicated the tan blonde to me, dammit.

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Here's a little better photo obc of my blond friend with glasses

you know after she turned around and realized it was her picture that was meant for me from my good pal BK. She cleaned up after the game as I was going to introduce her to you but you’re so mean to me…

Perhaps a a flatbed truck loaded with cadavers will explode in front of a Star Trek convention. One can only dream and hope.

by Madville on Mar 12, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Madville

I’ll never understand why obc is so mean to you

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 12, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

BK

i tip my cap to you, my friend. these eyewitness reports have been the most informational exposure ive had to the Reds this spring. with little radio and no TV, it’s difficult to get a grasp on how these guys are progressing, who has the leg-up, and so on. as we all know, the stats only say so much. but getting a first-hand report from a trust source goes a long way to fill in the blanks. thanks for taking time out of your vacation to think of the plebs back home.

My millions are unconventional!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 11, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

Ditto

I second that tip of the cap. Looking forward to these live reports during home games. :)

by River Otter on Mar 11, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Hell, yes.

Charlie said it perfectly. Rec’d.

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 13, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

not really perfectly

I noticed a couple of typos.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 13, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

fuc kyou

My millions are unconventional!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 13, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

i will have some pics to add to this

when i feel like getting them off my camera. I was sitting about 5 rows away from the field, about 2 sections away from thirdbase.

"Oedipus ruined a great sex life by asking too many questions!"- Dr. Stephen T. Colbert DFA.

by justin007000 on Mar 11, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

OMG

Justin went to Florida!

I can’t wait for the Eyewitness report of the pickup truck float over there

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 12, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I think they should let Janish play SS on Opening Day

I do and no on can change my mind. So there, I said it. I just think AGon is shallow and pedantic.

I want defense there and it’s not like these idiots can score runs. I say maximize the pitching by playing a .210 hitting SS with great D and let’s hope they are within five games at the Break, so they trade for a stud.

by timb116 on Mar 12, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

I would like for Janish to play SS on opening day too

In Fucking Louisville…

Can’t play MLB SS and not hit a little bit these days…got to compete at every position…

Perhaps a a flatbed truck loaded with cadavers will explode in front of a Star Trek convention. One can only dream and hope.

by Madville on Mar 12, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

so it's better to have a little bit of hitting

and a little bit of fielding than to have no hitting and a lot of fielding? I’m not sure I completely buy that.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 12, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Let Kevin Elster and Rey Ordonez go, Slyde

I miss the old days of the internet when men were men, hot girls were middle aged men, and hot underage girls were FBI agents.....

by jch24 on Mar 12, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

My reply is:

I’ll take Alex Gonzles right now over Jannish, or even Jerry Jr.deespite his limited range at SS. I would reiterate that for the Reds to compete they need to have acceptable defense AND offense at every position. No room on a team like the Reds for a sub .200 hitter with a weak OBP.

Jannish couldn’t help enough dfensively to make up for his lamo bat.

Why is obc so mean to me when I offer an introduction to a beautiful 25 year old Red's Cheerleader.

by Madville on Mar 12, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it depends

If the difference between Janish and AGon on defense is the difference between being able to cover up EdE’s faults a bit or not, then I’m willing to sacrifice in the 8th spot to a lousy hitter. My point is that for one position, especially a key defensive position like shortstop, I’d be willing to loser a mediocre bat and mediocre glove for someone who at least shines defensively.

I don’t know if Janish’s defense is that good or not. We haven’t seen enough of him the bigs to really tell.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 12, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions