Eh, I don't even feel like making a rapture reference. Reds lose, 2-1.

by Gray on May 21, 2011 6:39 PM EDT in Game Recaps

Joe Nuxhall Honorary Memorial Star of the Game

There wasn't much offense on either side, but Ryan Hanigan was the only player with two hits. So there's that. Honorable mentions to both starters (Josh Tomlin and Homer Bailey), each of whom allowed only one hit through six innings.

Key Plays

The Reds scored first in the seventh. After a Joey Votto flyout, BP worked an HBP and advanced to third on a Jay Bruce single. He scored on a poorly played Scott Rolen groundout. Reds lead, 1-0.
The Indians overtook them in the bottom of the inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, and two outs later Travis Buck sent one just barely over the right field wall. Orlando Cabrera doubled but was stranded. Indians lead, 2-1.
The Reds threatened in the eighth with a Ryan Hanigan leadoff single. After he was pulled for pinch-runner Travis Wood (completely baffling Indians announcers), Vinnie Pestano struck out the side to leave the runner at first.
Similar story in the ninth. Votto walked to lead it off, but was erased by a GIBP. An ugly K by Rolen ended this one.

20110521_reds_indians_0_20110521172844_lbig__medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

Jonny Gomes was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He's now 1 for his last 22 with one walk.
Edgar Renteria went 0 for 3. He's 2 for his last 32.
The only players to hit second in the order since May 5? Either one of those two or Janish, who's now 1 for his last 22.

Tweet Comment 58 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm fully convinced that Dusty Baker is a moron.

He may get decent results from his players, but obviously he has far too much faith in the 3/54, .055 -batting combination of Gomes and Renteria in front of Votto right now. There’s a reason Votto’s RBI total is low (besides the fact that he no longer hits home runs – bless his heart for pitying opposition).

But man, the offensive struggles sure are frustrating against all of these no-name and/or terrible pitchers. Hopefully this isn’t a trend, but it’s pretty inexplicable, just like Jonny Gomes’ COMPLETE drop off is beffudling. Dude’s never been this bad.

by jsl413 on May 21, 2011 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

You could always put Janish in front of Votto

Of course he’s 1 for his last twenty something too. Sometimes there’s not much he can do

Offenses struggle from time to time

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."

by ChiDa on May 21, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Dusty should quit messing with the lineup

Go back to the plan. Rolen batting cleanup, BP second. Stick to it.

Don’t worry so much about offense from the SS position. Most teams don’t get a lot of offense from the SS position. Bat Janteria 8th/9th, and don’t freak if they don’t hit. Let Janish play most games. He will probably improve given more experience; Renteria won’t.

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

by BubbaFan on May 21, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup, I agree with this

Isn’t much you can do about SS at this point except ride it out and hope one (or both) of them start hitting.

I like the idea of Stubbs, BP and Votto at the top

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."

by ChiDa on May 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

When we go back to NL play, I agree.

But while we’re doing this hedonistic DH garbage, I’d be much happier with Heisey/Lewis batting second.

by FordhamRam on May 21, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree completely

BP is a great 2 hitter, and we need to get Janish/Renteria as far from the top of the lineup as possible. And Gomes as far from the lineup as possible, period.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on May 21, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to agree-

Leave Janish in , but toward the bottom of the line-up. And, I’m a big Jonny Gomes fan but, get him the hell out of there and play Heisey and Lewis…

"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"

by iam4ukintn on May 21, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

What the crap guys...

I go out of town for a couple days and all of a sudden we can’t win a game. What gives?

by TheCinWin on May 21, 2011 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

Well, stop going out of town

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."

by ChiDa on May 21, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

You and that IMF guy just stay where you are

When you come to the fork in the road, take it.

by poojols on May 21, 2011 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Justin Turner

Getting it done

When you come to the fork in the road, take it.

by poojols on May 21, 2011 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

there was no rapture today

but there was a rupture in the top of our lineup

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Second in the order is the new leadoff

by Brendanukkah on May 21, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

I now believe in the Cleveland Indians

and I now believe in 2011 Homer Bailey.

"Red Reporter is respected as a meme-factory" RijoSaboCaseyWKRP

by redandblue on May 21, 2011 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

I believe in one of those things

I will never believe in any Cleveland sports franchise…

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."

by ChiDa on May 21, 2011 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

So Todd Frazier is 2-3 with his 11th HR so far tonight.

His OPS is up to .965. I understand all the bullshit about “he’s never had an MLB at bat” but common. We KNOW Gomes sucks. Isn’t it time to give someone else a try? Maybe someone with some upside who won’t swing at a ball 3 feet outside?

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on May 21, 2011 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, I'm not sure the "never had a MLB at bat" line holds in May

this isn’t exactly a pennant race we’re in here. And hey! look what Zeke Carrera did in his first MLB at bat.

I’m just not sure how to take Gomes off of the team. DL? I can’t imagine him being DFA’d.

It really sucks. I’ve said it a bunch, but I really like Gomes the person. It’s just, well, I also like Elie Weisel the person and he shouldn’t be batting 2nd either.

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on May 21, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the reckoning is coming

At the very least, Heisey and Fab 1-5 Freddy will be manning LF from here on out. I kinda don’t mind Gomes as a pinch-hitter against lefties, but I’m so blindingly disgusted with him right now I really want to see the DFA.

by Charlie Scrabbles on May 21, 2011 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the thing.

I mean, I like the person too, but he just holds very little value to the club right now. He only plays one position (and poorly), he can only hit lefties, he’s not a LIDR. Even his one strength, mashing lefties, I feel like Heisey or even Frazier could match that, especially when combined with the defense.

I was pretty against a DFA, but he’s kind of a waste of a roster spot right now.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on May 21, 2011 9:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm sure they won't DFA him

But he’ll probably only get 1 or 2 starts next week. I just pray like hell that Heisey or Freddy hits like a mensch and convinces Dusty to keep Gomes on the bench.

by Charlie Scrabbles on May 21, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Heisey is a mensch

and Super Flewis is just waiting to got 8 for 15 or something

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's hopin'

by Charlie Scrabbles on May 21, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

R U SAYIN LEWIS AINT NO MENSCH?

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on May 21, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

That or he'll be DL'd and they'll run him on rehab through Lousiville.

He’ll rake there, and they’ll decide he’s cured, and this whole situation starts again.

"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."

by crolfer on May 21, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

a sense of doom is starting to build for me

maybe it’s just because Philadelphi and Atlanta are comign up. This week is going to test this group. If they can’t get through this, I guess it means they really don’t have what it takes so I hope they can pull this out despite the complete failure of key personnel

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

he could just flat disappear like Bailey did for about 4 months last year

I wouldn’t love being Baker right now, he has a big conversation in front of him. But if he can handle having a fan fave (and clubhouse fave) disappear – or even DFA’d – without getting someone taking a dump in the clubhouse, then he’s worth whatever millions he’s getting paid.

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on May 21, 2011 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to take a dump on his desk

If he doesn’t get Gomes out of the lineup against RHP

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on May 22, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I was against picking up the option

I know it wasn’t that much money, but there’s a reason he had to sign a minor league deal a couple of years ago. He’s still the same player he was then. Only two years past his prime, rather than at it.

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

by BubbaFan on May 21, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm all for it

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."

by ChiDa on May 21, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

4-game losing streak

And aside from the first game, they were pretty close losses.

Today was especially aggravating. Homer pitched great, except in 7th inning. The mistake to Buck wouldn’t have been so bad if Assdribble wasn’t on base. And then the double to O-Cab. Didn’t score, but Homer seemed to have lost something that inning. Maybe he was tiring.

Offense has been slumping a bit – the Cards took the lead in runs scored. But even over the last 7 days, the Reds have one of the better offenses in MLB.

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

by BubbaFan on May 21, 2011 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

yeah Homer pitched 7 innings and gave up 2 runs

that us an ace start, our offense needs to ge it together

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

silver lining:

Hard Jay remembered he’s dead fuckin’ nasty at baseball.

No problem, fuckweasel! - jch24

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on May 21, 2011 11:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I know how to end the Gomes-slump

he needs to change his walk-up music

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

Shake it up Dusty

Hi-Z LF
BP 2B
Votto !B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Stubbs CF
Hernia C
Jannish SS
Pitcher

This is a stronger line up Dustman – you can even platoon Fred in LF
But Gomes needs to sit a while

Rick Santorum telling my father [he] doesn't know about torture is like Carrot Top telling Lebron James he doesn't know about basketball." Meghan McCain

by Madville on May 21, 2011 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

how bout this for tomorrow

1. Stubbs
2. BP
3. Votto
4. Bruce
5. Rolen (DH)
6. CMM
7. Heisey
8.Cairo
9. Janish

by Red_Poodle on May 21, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Rolen's shoulder is the issue

I wouldn’t be surprised if he sits entirely until PHing for Gomes/Lewis in the 7th

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on May 21, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point

Bit of wishful thinking there

by Red_Poodle on May 22, 2011 12:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Here

1. Stubbs
2. BP
3. Votto
4. Bruce
5. Rolen
6. Alonso
7. Hernandez
8. Janish
9. Pitcher

LTP is for Stubbs only!

by OGC Reds on May 21, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I am laughing my ass of at the Red Sox/Cubs game

This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.

by Ram27 on May 21, 2011 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

But its the Red Sox looking like the Cubs. I can’t believe the Cubs fans took their W flags there. I wonder if they sang their little song.

by ol Pete on May 22, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

-ManBearPig is a witch!

From the previous recap:

Clap for OCab when he boots another tailor made double pay ball.

AND HE DID!

Please Come Back From Town and find me on twitter

by thevole on May 21, 2011 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

he called the bruce extension as well

burn him!!!

by vottomatic on May 22, 2011 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions

My take from the game today

Got to see the Reds Live for the first time today and here are my opinions/thoughts

First – Gomes should not be in the lineup period, but batting him second is against nature. Right now Gomes looks lost at the plate, he let’s strikes go by but swings and misses badly at balls either in the dirt or chin high. Where is Ramon Hernadez? He would be fine DH.

Secondly – The offense is slumping all around but the lineup makes no sense. Scott Rolen lacks the power he had first half last year and usually older players whose power numbers have gone down don’t regain it. My idea is Stubbs/Heisey leadoff, BP two hole, Votto 3rd, Jay Bruce in cleanup, Rolen 6th, catcher 7th, shortstop eigth.

Joey Votto looks a bit off/tired, I think a day off is in order.

Dusty – Batting Gomes second is horrible, even having him in the lineup is a bad idea. Leaving pitchers in that can’t find the strike zone and letting them load the bases is baffling. Today with a runner on and Renteria up, for once where a bunt may work he let’s Renteria swing away which results in Renteria making an out and the pinch runner staying on first. I can tell the players enjoy playing for him and do play hard but he is hurting them with some of his decisions.

Homer – Not sure if the Indians radar gun was off or what but he was pitching 88-92 for his fastball most of the game with his off speed stuff as low as 75 and he seemed to be doing very well other than the mistake against Buck. I felt he’s learning to use his off speed and keep hitters guessing. He didn’t deserve the lacklust offensive effort that happened. I just hope he’s OK becuase it did look like something happened in the 7th with his velocity more around 85-87 and the last time I saw the Reds in Cleveland was last year when Homer had the injury happen.

The loss today should not have happened – No Siezmore or Haffner and yet the Reds muster one run and lose.

Beware of the toothpick, it knows what you're thinking.

by Pilsner73 on May 21, 2011 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Sorry for the typos, tired and wanted to get my thoughts posted.

Beware of the toothpick, it knows what you're thinking.

by Pilsner73 on May 21, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Rolen comment is well-founded

That shoulder injury isn’t going to get healed. The Reds need to seriously begin the search for a real third baseman unless they intend to go with END. (gulp)

I do a lot of stupid shit, but I'm not an idiot. - JCH24

by johnu1 on May 22, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions