Great Win ! For the REDS, any win is a great win. Getting a laugher, is a beautiful thing. No need to point out that they were relying on HOME RUNS. It was a fun day.
Votto moved down to the no. 5 spot, had a day he will always remember. He could play 20 years and not get three in a game again.
To the E MAIL that says DUSTY is a three time manager of the year and who am I to second guess. Where is baseball without second guessing. We second guess the PRESIDENT of the great country in the world, yet managers are perfect ??? PLEASE.
Go to NY or Boston and see how second guessing is a national pasttime ! And, second guessing is often correct. And, second guessing can be a different philosophy. But, I laugh at an e mail that says we should not second guess a manager.
I question what DUSTY did. Why in the world did Volquez pitch the 7th inning in a blowout, to up his pitch count to 118. If it's a close game, and he's feeling good, go for it.
The bullpen was only needed for two innings the night before. Cordero, who doesn't get a lot of action because there aren't many save opportunities, probably could have used another inning to help with his location, which was way of****ainst the Cubs a few nights ago.
You are asking this 24 year old, who leads the MAJORS in ERA, to pitch an extra inning when it isn't necessary. He is on pace for about 195 innings and about 240 K's. He's never gone there. COMMON SENSE says to save an inning here and there when you are lucky enough to have a blowout. I wouldn't have pitched Aaron H. in the 7th, and I have no problem with him going 118 pitches in a tight game.
Volquez and Cueto are great young talents. It's smart to protect them as much as possible when you can. The fact that he wa****ting 95 in the last inning and looking good has NOTHING to do with it. There is only so much tread on the tire. This is a young tire that is going to get hot in August.
Coco could have used an inning to help with his location. And, he would have had today off. He hasn't been used enough because there have no been save opportunities. And, remember, Aaron H. went 7 innings the night before Volquez. The bullpen wasn't blown out. There was someone else to pitch one more inning in a laugher.
You think Aaron H. isn't jealous of what Volquez gets ? He gets no run support, and in the last seven starts, the studly young righty gets over 6 runs per game.
The REDS starting pitching isn't good enough. Getting nothing out of your 4th and 5th starters makes it impossible to win. Belisle is almost at 7 runs per game. Bronson is 8.63. Going into Volquez's great start, the ERA of the starters was a little over 5.
The REDS are 24th in the MAJORS in ERA, and that's with the bullpen giving up more than a run less than last year when they were awful !!
Bako's offense still going strong ? Amazing !! Plus he throws out 40% plus of the potential base stealers. It's a wonderful story, but because it's in Cincy, and the REDS record, it's overlooked.
Who doesn't think Todd Frazier is on the fast track. Bumped up from Dayton to Sarasota, a higher A league, Frazier batted .321 with 7 Home Runs and 21 RBI's.
A caller this morning suggested that the REDS could get a cheap first baseman. BONDS. I forgot to respond out of the break. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !
Chris Henry's quote is sad. On "The Monty Show" he said, "It's been kind of rough for me. You know, just the facts that these little incidents in Cincinnati have been kind of negative things for me, dealing with cops and things like that." WHAT ?? LITTLE THINGS ?? Do you get the feeling he doesn't get it ?
Hats off to you guys. Lots of calls and high quality calls. And that goes to the ones who didn't agree ? You guys today, help make the show.
Tomorrow, Jim Maloney, a former RED BIG TIME PITCHER will be my guest. Do you remember all of his no hitters ? 23 wins in a season ?? Can you imagine what he would make today ?
