I missed most of the game today because of various going-ons, but I did catch the last couple of innings. I couldn't have really planned it better, because I think the first inning would have caused my blood pressure to go through the roof.
I'm not sure how you go from an eight inning, one run gem to allowing six runs in the first inning of your next start, but it doesn't surprise me that Dave Williams would be the guy to do it. I was a fan of the Sean Casey trade because I thought he was overpaid for what he offers, and I still think that, but man it would have been nice if Dan O'Brien could have gotten a little more back. Of course it would have been nice if Dan O'Brien could have done a number of things differently, but we are where we are.
Quick Hits:
- Jason LaRue and Ryan Freel combined for seven hits. I'll bet you didn't see that coming.
- Quinton McCracken went 0-1, and he's now hitting .182 for the year. 6-32, that's Q-Mack. If the Reds want to be a real live contending team then they can't carry a guy like McCracken who brings nothing to the table. I like Chris Denorfia playing every day at AAA as much as the next guy, but if he's a bigger benefit to the Reds coming off the bench at the major league level then it needs to happen.
- It's going to be really interesting to see what happens to Elizardo Ramirez. He's better than at least one of the starters (Williams) and I think he's also a better option coming out of the bullpen then guys like Rick White and Brian Shackelford. I've been a big proponent of giving Elizardo the chance to get his feet wet in the bullpen for a long time, and this is the perfect opportunity. Swap him out for Eric Milton, and DFA White. Problem solved.
- Well one problem anyway. Something still needs to be done about Dave Williams. I'd be fine with Ramirez or Matt Belisle taking his spot, because either would be an improvement. But it's clear that Williams doesn't have the stuff to be a decent starter. Maybe sending him to the bullpen will be the ticket to getting him figured out, but I think it's more likely that he was never very good in the first place.
- Todd Coffey's looks like he's the closer now. I'm pretty happy with how that's been handled all the way around, and I hope he holds the job for many years to come. He's come a long way for a 41st round draft pick.