My Maloney has a new profession, it's M-L-B S-P, Reds beat Cubs 4-3 in 11

by BK on Jun 6, 2009 11:59 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 19 comments

Matty throwing a sick changeup to an unsuspecting Cub, probably Soriano. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Star of the Game

Matt Maloney. I can't say enough about how well he performed in his major league debut. He had a little trouble early, but bounced back to pitch 6+ innings of solid ball. You can't ask for much more out of your 5th starter. He gave up 2 runs, both on solo shots, and struck out 4 hitters.

Key Plays

With a little trouble in the first, Matt Maloney buckled down. After a double by Alfonso Soriano and his steal of 2nd base, Chris Dickerson made an amazing catch in center field for tonight's Frischs Big Boy Big Play of the Game.
In the bottom of the inning, Dickerson produced on offense by singling in Jerry Hairston Jr., and a 2-run HR by Ramon Hernandez gave the Reds a 3-0 lead.
In the 4th, Bobby Scales homered off of Maloney to put the Cubs on the board.
In the top of the 7th, Maloney faced his last hitter when Geovany Soto hit a solo HR of his own. Daniel Ray Herrera came in for Maloney and got three quick outs to end the Cubs threat.
In the dreaded 8th, David Weathers gave up the tying run as Jake Fox hit a sacrifice fly to center. Dickerson made yet another amazing sliding catch, but by the time he got up and threw the ball in, Ryan Theriot had already scored to tie the game.
In the 11th inning, Jay Bruce scored the winning run as he was running on contact as pinch hitter Adam Rosales hit a dribbler down the 3rd base line. Seemingly, Bruce's size caused Mike Fontenot to make a bad throw, allowing Bruce to score the winning run.

Other Notes

Matt Maloney was the first Reds pitcher to get a base hit in his first major league AB since Scott Randall in 2003.
Jay Bruce needs to take the getaway day tomorrow off. He went 0-for-3 again, and his average is down to .212. His plate discipline has still been decent, but he can't get a base hit to drop to save his life. A day away would clear his head a bit and let him start fresh and rested on the upcoming road trip. We're gonna need him.
Furthermore, Jonny Gomes should start in RF tomorrow. He hasn't started since May 25, which was almost 2 weeks ago, and was 3-for-4 in that game.
Hairston had two hits in the leadoff spot, and scored a run.
Nick Masset continues to dominate out of the bullpen, as he pitched 2 perfect innings to get the win. His ERA is 0.86 right now, which is downright studly.
Dickerson has absolutely killed the Cubs in this series on defense in CF. He's got 4 diving catches and an assist in 2 games.
GABP sold out, for (if I'm recalling correctly) the 2nd time this season. Hopefully that number will continue to increase as the Reds stay in the hunt.

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I only got to see/listen to innings 1-3 and 9-11 because of work

Did Maloney really look that solid after the bases-loaded jam early? If so, that’s awesome.

/Also, I know I left myself open for a September 11 joke

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. A f*ckin' playground for the cocks*ckers.
-Lee Elia on Cubs fans

by Farneyismycopilot on Jun 7, 2009 12:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He definitely was

He had trouble in the 1st and 2nd, but really settled down. As a basis of comparison, it took him 36 pitches to get through the first two innings, but his next 36 got him through the next three innings into the 6th.

"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san

by BK on Jun 7, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fan-fucking-tastic

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. A f*ckin' playground for the cocks*ckers.
-Lee Elia on Cubs fans

by Farneyismycopilot on Jun 7, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

am I the only one who's not too bullish on Maloney?

I’ll take his numbers from the day, sure. But two bases-loaded jams and two upper deck home runs aren’t a recipe for success.

Speaking strictly for myself, we all need to see what his next two starts look like before Volquez comes back. For better or for worse, though, he reminded me of ’08 Cueto: cruising-cruising-cruising MONSTER HOME RUN.

by Cy Schourek on Jun 7, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll gladly take '08 Cueto from Matty at this point

It looked like nerves got the best of him a few times, which I can understand because the crowd last night was probably 4 times the size of the biggest one he’s pitched for up to that. I’m not saying he’s the next big thing, but if he’s able to keep putting up numbers like he did last night, he could be a legit back of the rotation lefty, which would make this rotation a little bit more versatile.

"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san

by BK on Jun 7, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also, re: Matty M

He’s also responsible for one of the better lines out of Papa Schourek in recent history. After Bob Brenly gives us Maloney’s background and talks about how he grew up in NE Ohio, my dad says, “Maloney’s already a winner…he got the hell out of Sandusky!”

by Cy Schourek on Jun 7, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matty looked decent

he’s got a little Andy Pettite thing going on. the first home run from Tiny Tyke concerned me because I cant imagine he has much power. I dont worry about the Soto bomb…he’s got good power.

Dickerson made two phenomenal catches and Theriot was thrown out twice on the basepaths. If those four plays go the other way we’re not too terribly optimistic, imho.

"We're going to Adonis, son"

jch24

by obc2 on Jun 7, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think anyone's expecting him to be an ace

But if he can be a fourth or fifth starter, that would be great.

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

by BubbaFan on Jun 7, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes.

It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians. Henrik Ibsen

by Madville on Jun 7, 2009 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dickerson looked great in CF during the Brewers series, too

But when the T-Virus activates from its latency period, it will be back in center?

"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.

by battlekow on Jun 7, 2009 12:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No doubt

Baker’s hierarchy is static, though in his defense Taveras has been good out there when healthy. But there’s no way he makes that throw to get Reed at third on the flyout, which saved a run because of the Scales HR. That might’ve beeen the best Reds throw I’ve seen this year.

by ken on Jun 7, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hairston looked pretty excited about it, if I remember correctly

Death to Flying Things Dickerson was a terror last night. I hope Maloney buys him dinner.

by Cy Schourek on Jun 7, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm impressed with Maloney

and C-Dick’s defense. He’s certainly earned the chance to start until Volkie returns.

And I think this was the 3rd sellout. They sold out one game of that weekend Cardinals series a while back.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 7, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Joey Votto bobblehead night

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. A f*ckin' playground for the cocks*ckers.
-Lee Elia on Cubs fans

by Farneyismycopilot on Jun 7, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs