Yearly Archives: 2011

March 22, 2011

ST Game 25: A’s 10, Reds 8

By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:34 pm

Team123456789RHE
Athletics (11-14)11520000110122
Reds (14-10)0031002028110
W: Anderson (2-2) L: Leake (1-1)

Boxscore

Mike Leake, fresh off being anointed a spot in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation thanks to Johnny Cueto’s injury, turned in a stinker of a start. In 2 1/3 innings, Leake allowed 7 runs–all earned. He walked four and struck out 2 and couldn’t make it through the 3rd inning. It was ugly.

John Fay got this nice quote from Leake about his outing.

“I felt a little too good today,” he said. “I was just missing a little bit. I wasn’t putting it exactly where I wanted.”

I hope he never feels that good once the season starts.

The Reds’ offense did make it respectable, actually coming through and scoring more than Leake allowed. Joey Votto went 3 for 5 with a 2-run home run and 4 runs driven in. Jonny Gomes also homered on the way to the Reds scoring 8.

The bullpen regulars were solid, with Francisco Cordero, Nick Masset, and Aroldis Chapman all pitching scoreless innings. All the other runs the Reds allowed came from minor leaguers with no chance of staying the the team.

It would be nice for the offense if the season started sooner than later. Reds batters are firing on all cylinders right now.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Game Wrap, NL Central, Spring Training.
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March 22, 2011

The Daily Brief: Raining? There’s No Raining in Arizona!

By
Amanda
Posted at 7:01 am

Last Game
The Cincinnati Reds had their game against the Seattle Mariners rained out yesterday. Bronson Arroyo had been scheduled to start, but was a late scratch due to continuing to suffer from the fifth annual flu-like symptoms.

Next Game
Today the Reds hope for better, more climate-appropriate, weather when they send Mike Leake to mound against Gio Gonzalez and the Oakland A’s. Game-time is 4:05pm EDT, and the game will be broadcast on 700 WLW.

Pitching Depth Being Tested
All throughout last season, the Reds displayed a lot of depth in their starting rotation. When one man went down, another one just as capable stepped in to take his spot. This depth is being tested as spring training winds down and the regular season begins.

Bronson Arroyo is battling the flu and has missed a start. He will likely be healthy in time for his start in the second game of the season, but Johnny Cueto will not. Cueto left a second start in a row early this weekend due to forearm pain. This is often the precursor of Tommy John surgery, and Reds fans are understandably worried. Yesterday, he was examined in Cincinnati.

“Everything is structurally fine,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “The only thing they found is mild inflammation in his shoulder. The recommendation of Dr. Kremchek is to shut him down until it subsides, then get him back on a throwing program.”

The plan is for Cueto to stop throwing for seven to 10 days, which means he’s likely to start the season on the disabled list. This also means that the battle for rotation spots among Homer Bailey, Travis Wood, and Mike Leake is over. All three will be starting with the team, reducing the starting depth to Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Despite initial reports, Reds relief pitcher Jose Arredondo is out of options.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Daily Briefs, NL Central, Spring Training.
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March 21, 2011

Reds announce second round of cuts

By
Amanda
Posted at 9:56 pm

Eight more players are now going to be crossing their fingers for injuries, now that they know they’ve been reassigned to minor league camp. Those unlucky fellows include:

  • Yonder Alonso (1B) – I wonder who could be blocking this up-and-comer
  • Zack Cozart (SS) – Paul Janish breathes a little easier
  • Todd Frazier (IF/OF) – Shall I resort to “tossed salads and scrambled eggs”?
  • Daniel Ray Herrera (LHP) – Aw, now who’s going to get lost in the scrub grasses outside the park?
  • Jordan Smith (RHP) – Yeah.
  • Carlos Fisher (RHP) – Double yeah.
  • Jerry Gil (listed only as “pitcher” on Reds.com. Do we not know his handedness?)
  • Kris Negron (IF) – See ya in June, kid.
Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Spring Training, Wheeling and Dealing.
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March 21, 2011

The Daily Brief: The Final Full Week of Spring Training

By
Amanda
Posted at 6:55 am

Last Game
Edinson Volquez started against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday and was wild, allowing 5 runs on 2 1/3 innings. The relief corps, including Dontrelle Willis and Aroldis Chapman, allowed plenty of runs, too, but the pitching staff was bailed out by the offense. Both Todd Frazier and Chris Heisey homered, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-8 victory.

Next Game
Bronson Arroyo heads to the mound for the Reds against Michael Pineda and the Seattle Mariners at 4:05pm EDT. This game, like all remaining Spring Training ones, will be broadcast on 700 WLW.

Fayman Gives Shortstop Prospect Hamilton Nickname
Cincinnati Reds beat reporter John Fay had a neat little blurb about up and coming Reds shortstop Billy Hamilton.

“We were playing on this field the other day. The left fielder just lost a ball,” [Bill] Doran said. “Billy took off. We were all like, ‘what’s he doing?’ He caught the ball over his shoulder, about 10 feet from warning track.”

In the title of the post, Fay dubs Hamilton, “Billy the Kid.” I only hope that Mr. the Kid deals with the oddity of shortstop with the greatest of ease, just like he dealt with the oddity of time travel.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds start the 2011 season against the Brewers. This will be just the second Opening Day match-up between the two. The last one was in 2000, which ended in a 3-3 tie after 5 1/3 innings.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Daily Briefs, Game Wrap, NL Central, Spring Training.
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March 20, 2011

Hotel Review: Homewood Suites in Avondale, AZ

By
Amanda
Posted at 8:37 pm

Keeping it real, HomewoodIf you’re looking for a nice place to stay during your Reds spring training trip to Arizona, Hilton’s Homewood Suites in Avondale is a winner. These multi-room suites make an extended stay in a hotel less cabin-fever-y by giving you more of the amenities of home, like a refrigerator and a place to sit other than your bed. If you’re traveling with kids, you can even get two bedroom suites so you don’t have to listen to them jumping on the bed and yelling at their Gameboys all the time.

Personally, I loved having breakfast provided each day. I like to get out and try the local fooderies, but sometimes you don’t want to have to be ready to face the day before you have your waffle. And, even though Homewood’s pool was way too cold for a wimp like me to enjoy, their Garden Inn partner property across the street keeps their pool nice and toasty and doesn’t mind if you walk over to make use of it.

Reds fans won’t want to miss the company at the pool, since every night we were there, it was populated with aspiring major leaguers who were, like us, taking a dip to relax after a long day at the field. It was an immersive experience in more ways than one.

Posted in Cincinnati Reds, Spring Training.
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