Game Thoughts: Reds lose to the Diamondbacks 5-4

by JD Arney on Apr 11, 2007 3:05 AM EDT in News

Josh Hamilton

A tough thing about losses this early is that there's simply not enough information to properly classify them. We know enough to know that losing two of three to Pittsburgh would have been a Really Bad Thing, but dropping a series to Arizona is kind of devoid of context right now. The Diamondbacks could end up being very good or very mediocre, with the NL West it's tough to tell this early. And then you add in the fact that both losses have been by just a run and it's really hard to know how much any of this means.

Quick thoughts:

Josh Hamilton! Whooo! Nice way to get your first hit, plus I'm thrilled with the two walks. Last hit of the game aside, he looked pretty good in center field too. Kids quick.
I can handle that from Kyle Lohse. Four runs in seven innings isn't a great start by any means, but he didn't walk anyone and he only gave up six hits. Two of those just happened to be home runs. If he puts up numbers like that all season the Reds will be in pretty good shape.
I truly figured the game was lost when Rheal Cormier entered. Guy does not inspire confidence.
The offense is going to be a problem this year. I don't think there's any getting around it. The Reds have some good hitters obviously, but there's really nobody you can count on for consistency which is a problem. The Reds went scoreless from the fourth inning on, which is just ridiculous. I might just be spoiled from previous years Reds offenses, but these guys seem like a bunch of hackers compared to the patient teams we've seen in recent years. I said it yesterday, and I have to say it again today, I'm kind of worried about Edwin Encarnacion. It's early, but he hasn't looked comfortable. He's someone from whom the Reds really need a good season.
I don't get why the Reds didn't leave Todd Coffey in for another inning. Narron runs through pitchers like there's no way the game can go into extra innings, and it costs the Reds sometimes. I suppose it ended up not mattering too much tonight, but I think Coffey is wasted coming in to get one hitter.
Double plays have absolutely killed the Reds this series.
I was stuck with the Arizona announcers through DirecTV, but I read the game thread and it sounds like Thom Brennaman was brutal. He's really not getting off to a good start with things. Guy's even bitchier than his father, which I wouldn't have thought was possible. And hell, I like Marty, but Thom doesn't have the benefit of tenure with Reds fans so he needs to tread a little lighter.

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The offense

It's really no shock that the offense isn't that good. They're picking up right where they left off at the end of last season. Especially Ross,Phillips, and Freel. A lot of people expected this considering Rich Aurilia is gone and no significant offensive improvements were made during the off-season.

by amanda21 on Apr 11, 2007 3:29 AM EDT reply actions

there's Conine

As RHM put it, the new Aurilia, only older.

I don't know if he'll be able to keep it up, but he's been worth his paycheck so far.

I think Freel will bounce back. Phillips and Ross...I wouldn't be surprised if they fell back a bit this year, because they had usually good seasons last year.

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

by BubbaFan on Apr 11, 2007 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Ross

is really struggling. Phillips will be ok I think.

"Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down. It made me more determined." -Frank Robinson

by Caleb on Apr 11, 2007 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Why do they do that?

My question is why, why do all of the Reds continuously take the first pitch? I mean cmon! 9-10 times that pitch is going to be a fastball somewhere in the strike zone! I am sooo tired of seeing the Reds start off at bats 0-1 that I could puke! There is no doubt that the Reds can hit the ball. Jacoby needs to politely inform the fellas that more than likely, that first pitch is going to be a fastball somewhere in the strike zone! Do you really think that a pitcher wants to start off the count, down 1-0? I'm no hitting coach by any means, just tired of seeing a playoff calibre team failing to capitalize on simple things to win games! Also...........Josh Hamilton............WOW! Is there any better way to get your message out there than to hit a home-run on your first major league at-bat?? I think not, my friends! Keep up the good work!

Redlegs for life!

by kameront2003 on Apr 11, 2007 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow...just wow...

this was a well informed post...

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

um, what planet are you on?

the reds always swing at the first pitch. that's the big problem. thom said it, brantley said it, marty said it, and that's a big thing we talked about in the game threads last night. chandrathan is right in the sarcasm...

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on Apr 11, 2007 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

That's fourth major league at-bat.

Not that that's shabby...

More, more, more ....... how do you like it?

by Gapper on Apr 11, 2007 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Lohse

He if hadn't put one on a tee in the first inning it would have been a pretty good start. I do like how he came back after that and didn't fall apart.

"Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down. It made me more determined." -Frank Robinson

by Caleb on Apr 11, 2007 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

Thom Brenneman

I know thru that whole game Chris Welsh was praying that George Grande would magically appear. You can tell that Chris as a former player doesn't really agree with all the negativity Thom spews on and on about. Yeah bad plays happen. Ed-E isn't the 1st guy in MLB history to fail to get the bunt down. Hell, he bats cleanup most nights. How many MLB teams in that situation would ask their cleanup man to bunt there? I bet less than 15.

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

by MixFMKyle on Apr 11, 2007 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

I am a great announcer!

I would have gotten those bunts down.

And Ryan Freel should listen to me not Farney. Farney told him to swing, I would have told him to take that pitch! Farney knows nothing, Thom Brennaman knows all!

by Thom Brennaman on Apr 11, 2007 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Edwin's Bunt

May not have mattered anyway. Ross's K would have still given 2 outs, and A-Gon's groundout still would of left Dunn & Jr. on.

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

by MixFMKyle on Apr 11, 2007 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

Ah...

But if he'd gotten the bunt down, then the balk would have scored a run..

Also, about Thom Brennaman...If the Reds would just play better, he wouldn't have to be so negative. I'm sure he doesn't want to sit and watch the Reds lose all season. It's infuriating to watch the Reds players screw up time and time again, and I'm glad that Thom shows he cares!

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Apologist :)

What are you, the charter member of the Thommy Boy fan club? :P

Seriously though, the guy has called, what, 6 games during the regular season? If this had been going on for months it would be one thing, but the season is barely a week old and he's acting like this. I don't want him to be George Grande, but if I have to listen to him bitch all season about this stuff, then I might just pull all of my hair out.

And it's not the negativity, it's the refusal to let things go after they've run their course. I said this yesterday, but it bears repeating - I want to root for the team, not focus solely on all of the ways that they suck.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok...

He did dwell on things a little too long last night...and I think he and Chris were legitimately upset with each other towards the end of the game...

But I hate watching the Reds be ten games under five hundred every year, and George and Chris being on TV smiling like doofuses as if we were in first place.

Also, yes I am the charter member of the Thom Brennaman fan club...I think he's funny...I also think that I may be the only member!

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

nah

obc has blind loyalty to bobcats.

And if the Reds were 10 games under, it would be a different story. Let's give them a chance to get there before we crucify them. :)

And I will admit that I kind of enjoy the tension between Thom and Chris. Hopefully Chris will grow some cones and fight back here one of these days. Put the little snot in his place.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

hear hear

At one point during a rant last night he said derisively that the team is "only 1 game over .500". Uh, they were 4-3. That's really about as good as you can be after 7 games. Granted they could have been 5-2 but I doubt that would have shut Thom up.

by Red Menace on Apr 11, 2007 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha...

My favorite part of the night was when Thom was ragging on Freel and Chris finally spoke up and said:

"Freel fancies himself as a leadoff hitter, not a leadoff walker!"

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

heh

I liked shortly after that when Thom said, "I'm not picking on Freel." To which Chris responded, "It sure sounds like you are." The tension was exciting. I wonder if either of them will bring a switchblade to the game tonight.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

sample size ;)

Thom is on pace for an all-time record for bitchiness, sure, but six games just isn't enough to project in the case of a young announcer like Thom. We need to see what he can do over a full season before we get too excited.

by greg456 on Apr 11, 2007 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

ha

good point. I'm not burning EdE at the stake, so I should probably give Thom a chance.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Thom

I'm joking really, I haven't even heard Thom yet. Last night was the first Reds broadcast I've seen/heard. The thing I love about Marty is that he's so free to share his thoughts, but that HAS worn on me recently. I can't imagine Thom will last as long as Marty if he comes in guns blazing. Hopefully he'll be on the radio tonight.

by greg456 on Apr 11, 2007 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Last night

I had heard Thom on the radio and thought he was decent, and of course I've seen him do national TV games pretty poorly. But I was shocked by last night's broadcast. Hopefully he got that sand cleaned out.

by Red Menace on Apr 11, 2007 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

i hope

marty got him a vagina brush for christmas

And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

by boobs on Apr 11, 2007 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting entry from Lance McAllister's blog...

What I really like
Like father, like son....Thom Brennaman is not afraid to fire on the Reds when they screw up. I love it. He says exactly what I'm saying as I sit at home throwing things. It is fascinating to hear the dynamic of Thom and Chris Welsh. Thom is obviously totally different from George Grande from the criticism aspect. George is among the most respected people in the game, and I'm in awe of his knowledge and the network of baeball people he knows....but George is a "smiling side of the scoreboard" kind of guy. I don't think Chris knows what hit him. But I think it's giving Chris a chance to show that he is a very, very good analyst. He is challenged, and he fires right back at Thom with an explanation for why he thinks the Reds did something. I loved the exchange between the two over Ryan Freel swining away with a 1-0 count as the leadoff batter in the 8th.

I would also like to join Lance McAllister's fan club, as I think he does a great job with his radio show, and ESPN should hire him to take over for Colin CowTurd...

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

Also from his blog...

But maybe this one is a little extreme...

I'm so tired of it
What a miserable performance last night. I'm so tired of the Reds failings at "the little things" How long will it continue?
7th inning Gonzalez can't get a damn bunt down
8th inning Freel jumped out of his shoes to swing at a 1-0 pitch as the leadoff man in a tie game.
11th Edwin can't get a bunt down with 2 on and 0 outs.
Hell, you have a catcher that hasn't held a throw to the plate in over a year, and can't decide what to do on pop-ups.
You had a pitcher Monday night that didn't even know what the count was on a home run ball he served up.
I see better than I hear....and this is crap. Order Tom Emanski's how to video......fire the staff......do something. What they are doing is not working, and has not worked under Jerry Narron. It's crap. And it's insulting.

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

That's what a 3 game losing streak

will do this early in the season. If the Reds were 44-41 and then lost three in a row, I think people would be less angry about what has happened (though not too much less). But with the small sample of games, I think the assumption is that this is how it is now and how it will be all season. I'm frustrated by the last few night, but I also realize that they aren't going to fail all the time. It's a long season and this is a mediocre team. There are going to be some bumps along the way.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

Its the first 3-game losing streak of the season. Its the bubble burster. That illusion that this would be a magical year and that the Reds would shock the world by going wire to wire in first place has escaped into the dry, Arizona night. With it goes a little of our innocence, a little of our joy, a little of ourselves...

Eh.. whatever.. fricking Reds.

by TheC on Apr 11, 2007 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I know I've lost some good REM cycles...

...with these losses from another time zone.

frickin' Reds.

by Alan @ Red Reporter on Apr 11, 2007 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Cowherd

Michigan fans HATE the 'Turd, don't they? Almost makes me wanna like him, but alas, I cannot. He's a tool of the highest order. Hey, something we can agree on...lol.

by greg456 on Apr 11, 2007 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

bench

By the way these close long games really highlight how bad our bench is. It sucks when our pinch hitters are Castro and catchers.

by Red Menace on Apr 11, 2007 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Just wait until the end of the season...

When we have Votto and Bruce up here!

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed!

our starting lineup would be good if we knew there was someone to get the big hit in the later innings!

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on Apr 11, 2007 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Another Nugget from Lance's Blog.

*I was hoping the light towers would explode and shower the field with sparks after Hamilton's homer.

I wander what he's been reading?

We are the people Our parents warned us about!

by chandrathan on Apr 11, 2007 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

Ugh

They are replaying the game now on FSN.

Makes me sick.

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

by MixFMKyle on Apr 11, 2007 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

bullets, OBC style

I absolutely load thom. i have nothing nice to say about him. i don't like that he "shows he cares" because he's not one of us. He makes it known when he mentions he allegiance to Arizona or wanders out loud how Reds fans can stand the Reds. To me he's just a snot who doesn't know shit about our team and as much about baseball as he thinks he does.
You can't apply what happened after edwin's at bat to what would have happened if he had bunted. Reality doesnt work that way. Plus, bunting was not a good idea there, and not just because edwin doesnt know how to do it.
Thom's dismissal of stats with the line "If you're a moneyball guy" and "If you stand around and wait for the home run" shows his ignorance and makes me even more angry.
I don't think hobbs misplayed the ball off the center-field wall. The winning run was off and already at about third base by the time the ball hit the wall, and josh had no shot to gun him down if he would have played the carom. He had to try to catch the ball. I salute him.
Dear Sweaterpants, Please please please plesae find someone who wants cormier.
Yeah, the double plays... what's up with that?
"There's a way to play winning baseball"... jesus, i really hate the guy.

And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

by boobs on Apr 11, 2007 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

having tried

unsuccessfully to put my own thoughts on Thom into words, I'll just echo your sentiments.

by Blue on Apr 11, 2007 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Textbook post here, Gang

This is, by far, the easiest-to-read entry I have ever come across.

Brilliant!

by obc on Apr 11, 2007 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Thom...

But maybe it's because I hate George "It's a bloop" Grande with a passion.

by bigjas on Apr 11, 2007 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Thom lovers

It's like when one of your buddies dates an annoying nice girl with no personality. Then they break up and he starts dating a crazy stripper with a drug problem who steals his money. And you say, "Dude, we think your new girlfriend is trouble." And he says, "I like her. She's different. At least he has an opinion." Wait, what am I talking about?

by Red Menace on Apr 11, 2007 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

crazy stripper, drug problem, steals money

You shouldn't describe someone so close to Thom's actual personality if you're going to make an analogy.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Yellow

by Slyde on Apr 11, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

The best analogy I can come up with

Is the girl/guy who fancies themselves "brutally honest", when in reality they're just being a bitch/prick for the sake of making themselves feel superior.

I only hope that Thom's like this when they play the Almighty Diamondbacks(Did you know Jesus was born in Phoenix, after the immaculate World Series of 2001?), and not all year long.

by jch24 on Apr 11, 2007 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactamundo.

Re: "brutally honest"

"You're not wrong Walter. You're just an asshole."

by Alan @ Red Reporter on Apr 11, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It's like when we...

..voted out "wimpy" and grandfatherly George Bush (41) for the exciting and dynamic young smooth talking candidate.

by Alan @ Red Reporter on Apr 11, 2007 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

I realize this is tongue in cheek, but comparing Thom to Bill is cringe-worthy. I'd listen to Newbury College if Bill was their announcer.

by ken on Apr 11, 2007 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Josh Hamilton

The home run will definitely be one of my favorite Reds memories of the season. My only regret is that Brantley was making the call and not Marty. It was cool to hear Marty in the background getting excited about Hobbs, but it wouold have been nice if he was on the mic at the time.

by satyanaas on Apr 11, 2007 2:24 PM EDT reply actions