Reds' Opinion on Game 6

The Big Red Mechanic is very level-headed about the bullpen.

Go to The Church of Baseball, if for no other reason, then to check out the photo of Tony Womack.

Blade at The Cutting Edge defines a Typical Reds Win (TRW) and Typical Reds Loss (TRL). This ought to make games wraps much easier from here on out.

It's not a game wrap, but JD thinks Ryan Freel should beat up Tony Womack. Dude, don't say things like that. He might actually do it.

Also not a game wrap, but check out the big Exclusive Interview with Jay Bruce at RLN. It's spiffy.

j.p at Reds & Blues says “The Reds’ hitting can’t carry the team every game; the team is going to have to learn how to lose the close, low scoring affairs.” In fact, I think they did that pretty well.

Shawn at Cincinnati Reds Blog points out that the bullpen needs improvement in his week-end wrap. I'm glad he brought it up. I didn't want to say anything.

Jacci at We Heart the Reds urges us to put away the brooms. Talk about Encarnación all you want, but I think that Jacci as a blogger has been the most impressive development for the Reds in 2006. While you're there, check out the in-person wrap of Saturday's game. It's insightful, funny, and heartwarming.

Pirates' Opinion on Game 6

JJ at Bucco Blog is surprisingly unwilling to just enjoy the first win, picking apart all the reason why his guy should have lost. He's right, of course, and they lost to the Dodgers today, but how's he going to get through the long haul with an attitude like that?

Mike Boyko at Buried Treasure is happy to see his team manufacturing runs. I'm a little afraid of how familiar the Pirates' commentary is. Are there Pirates fans out there right now, slightly afraid of how much like the Reds their team seems?

Pat at WHYGAS? ('Cause speed turns me on!) has several posts from the day of the Pirates' first win, but this one was my favorite, thanks to this conversation between announcers that he recounts:

Lanny: That song echoes for a lot of us the sentiments from high school for all those girls that wouldn't give us the time of day.
Wehner: That was every girl for me.
Lanny: Not many dates with the ladies in high school, John?
Wehner: I didn't like girls.
Lanny: Stop the presses! John Wehner doesn't like girls!

That's Chris Welch-worthy!

So I'm checking on the Reds headlines in the non-Cincinnati media, and this article in the Newark Star-Ledger pops up. It takes a while to find the one bullet dedicated to the Reds on page 3, but I eventually get there:

Even with their outfield logjam apparently settled, the Reds are still shopping Austin Kearns to see if he can bring back a decent starting pitcher in a trade.

Is it just me, or is this a big duh? There shouldn't be a single person on the roster who's immune for the right price. Sure, the right price for Ryan Freel is a forfeit of every game with the Cardinals, but the price is still there.

Could be worse, of course. The Daily Herald felt the need to use this headline yesterday:
P-Lee-asing day

And if that weren't bad enough, the Chicago Sun-Times followed up with this gem:
What's the D-Lee-o with Cubs' delay?

Even if Chicago wins the upcoming series, we can at least take comfort in the knowledge that Cincinnati still tops the league in getting headline puns Dunn.

Was I the only one who noticed that the Pirates' catcher, Ryan Doumit, bears a striking resemblance to Evil Wicca Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Is evil afoot? Does that explain his 2-run home run on Thursday? Certainly the fact that it was Rick White pitching didn't have anything to do with it.

The Reds failed to pull off the four-game sweep of the Pirates today with a score of 5-3 in Great American Ball Park.

Dave Williams got the start against his former team and exceeded my expectations. He allowed only three runs (two earned) on five hits through six innings. Matt Belisle was the weak link in the bullpen tonight, allowing two earned runs on two hits through the seventh. Kent Mercker and Todd Coffey each pitched an inning of hitless relief.

The Pirates scored their first two runs in the fifth on a Jack Wilson home run to left field after Victor Santos reached base on a throwing error by young Edwin Encarnación. They scored their third run in the sixth when Jose Castillo sent a sacrifice fly to center to score Jeromy Burnitz. Score: 3-0.

The Reds offense realized they were supposed to be involved too in the bottom of the sixth. Brandon Phillips pinch-hit for Williams and doubled to center. Tony Womack then doubled to right field to score our most recent middle infielder. Felipe Lopez then hit a ground ball to the short stop, and for some reason they sent Womack home. He was out, though Lopez advanced to second on the throw.

After a pitching change, Lopez stole third and Ken Griffey Jr doubled to center field to bring him 'round. Adam Dunn struck out and Encarnación grounded out to strand Griffey on second. Score: 3-2.

Alas, the Pirates were back at it in the top of the seventh, having their way with Belisle. Freddy Sanchez singled and Chris Duffy doubled to bring in a run. Jack Wilson put down the sacrifice bunt to move Duffy to third, and Jason Bay put up the sacrifice fly to move him to home. Craig Wilson struck out. Score: 5-2.

Ryan Freel made his appearance in the bottom of the eighth when he walked for Womack. Griffey doubled him him two batters later to score the final run for the Reds. Score: 5-3.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 4-2. They have Monday off before beginning a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs. Tuesday Bronson Arroyo takes on Glendon Rusch.