Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2011 > July > 19 > Entry
Zero, zero, zero, zero and more zeros
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, which doubled this night as a sauna/whirlpool/pressure cooker, as hot as the Cincinnati Reds’ bats are cold.
It is not true that the Cincinnati Reds are using manager Dusty Baker’s toothpicks as bats. It only looks that way.
Just when you believe matters couldn’t get worse, they get putrid.
Pittsburgh 1, Cincinnati 0.
The Reds have now gone 18 straight innings against the Legitsburgh Pirates without a sniff of home plate. They are putting up more zeros than the Japanese air force did in World War II.
And get this: The Pirates have scored three runs in the series so far and haven’t driven in a single run with a base hit.
In their 2-0 win Monday, the Pirates scored one run on a ground ball and another on a sacrifice fly. On Tuesday they scored their one run on a ground ball.
MIKE LEAKE PITCHED his initials off Tuesday — six innings, one run, two hits, two walks four strikeouts and one big, fat loss.
The Reds had only four hits through eight innings, one an infield hit by Fred Lewis and one a single by Leake.
They staged a two-out uprising against Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan in the ninth, singles by Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan.
But Jay Bruce grounded to second to end the game and push the stranded runners total to nine and the hits with runners in scoring position to 1 for 7.
In their last three games, the Reds are 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position.
THE REDS HAD one major opportunity and it arose in the seventh — bases loaded, one out.
Typically, the Reds filled the bases without getting the ball out of the infield on two walks and an infield hit by Lewis.
And there was only one out, needing only a fly ball or a ground ball to the right side to score a run.
But pinch-hitter Bruce, 0 for 5 in his career against left-handed relief pitcher Joe Beimel, made it 0 for 6 by striking out.
Right-hander Chris Resop came in to face Drew Stubbs and he swung at the first pitch and grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Reds are now hitting .184 this year with the bases loaded and are 0 for 8 with the bases loaded since the All-Star break.
THE PIRATES, though, are in first place because they know how to score runs without hitting a home run, or even a single.
Legitsburgh scored the game’s only run in the first inning this way: With one out, Cincinnati native Josh Harrison singled to right. Neil Walker bounced a ground rule double over the left-center fence, putting runners on second and third. Andrew McCutcheon grounded to short, scoring Harrison from third.
The Reds had a mini-rally in the fifth when Hanigan doubled and took third on Leake’s grounder, the second out. Drew Stubbs struck out on three pitches.
So now the fast-fading Reds find themselves five games out of first place and find themselves not only trying to find a way to win a game, but trying to find a way to score a run.
THE REDS ARE 1-7 this year against the Pirates and they did a poll on the TV broadcast asking if fans thought the Pirates would stay in the race or fall out of it.
The voters said they’d fall out of it, but they forgot one thing. The Pirates have seven more games against the Reds, all at home.
IT IS OBVIOUS you have a lot of questions about what is going on, or not going on with the Reds, so send those questions to Ask Hal at halmccoy1@hotmail.com and we need them by Thursday at noon.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By NAD
July 20, 2011 4:58 PM | Link to this
Bruce is a superstar in the early making. What do you mean he does not come up with the big hit? He won it for us last year. Hit the only HR against the Philly in the playoffs, two times has hit the winning homerun in extra innings only to have the bullpen give it back up. There will be more big months for this superstar. The Reds tough times make you all a bunch of micro managers. I would hate for you to be my boss…
By KNOW IT ALL
July 20, 2011 2:35 PM | Link to this
MIKE-CINCI you are so so wrong. It is the attitude and the manager that developes the talent. A good manager and coaching staff can easily develope good talent, and set the tone of the attitude. The current Reds manager and some of the coaching staff have no idea how to develope talent. The manager doesn’t see talent because he continues to place players that are not performing in the starting lineup instead of letting the new talented players develope now as they are hungry and want to play. Baker is old school and it is not getting him or the team anywhere those days are over. He can’t sit guys down because of this veteran bond thing he is stuck on. Sit their butts down if they can’t hit, strike out too much, bad attitudes, etc.
By Mike-Cinci
July 20, 2011 12:21 PM | Link to this
It’s not the attitude. It’s not the manager. It’s the talent…there is not enough of it.
By bob
July 20, 2011 11:54 AM | Link to this
There is so much truth in all the posts. The team is totally lost with no leadership. Votto is sleep walking; you can see it in his play at first base as well as at the plate. Phillips has no strike zone. Rolen is a “ghost” living on “rep”. Stubbs at leadoff; or anywhere is totally insane. To read that Leake might be on the trading block is disappointing. He is going to be a great pitcher someday,(reminds me of a young Maddux) can field his position like a cat and has one of the 2-3 best fundamental swings on the team; yet Dusty in his wisdom bats Bruce for him. I’d FAR rather take my chances with Leake to put the bat on the ball than Bruce, Stubbs & Gomes. Bruce may be the most over rated player I’ve ever seen. Nothing ever changes in his approach. He could hit off a pitching machine throwing pitches to his “groove”.
By DD
July 20, 2011 11:11 AM | Link to this
Hey Believe It…grow a pair. Acting like a child again posting under other peoples names - shocking. Another wasted pitching performance last night. Been going back and forth with what this team needs more - starting pitcher or a bat. That’s becoming clearer with every game this team plays. The question I have now is if it’s worth it? Not sure if I’m willing to give away any top prospects to help this year’s roster.
By Tony
July 20, 2011 11:07 AM | Link to this
Why are we even keeping Alonso? He is a true 1B and will never see the majors with Votto. I doubt he will have an impact in LF. He could be playing, at least in the AL as a DH for a lot of teams while he improves his defense and I bet we could get a SP and a true LF for him. I wonder if anyone would take Hernandez, Arroyo and Coco and give us anything of value in return as well in the way of hitting. Call up Mesoraco(sp?) to play with Hanigan as has been said. We are wasting good pitching out of Cueto, Willis, and Leake with no offense.
By KNOW IT ALL
July 20, 2011 10:43 AM | Link to this
Why did we get rid of Josh Hamilton? Other than injuries he has been a role model having God in his life and no more drugs. Did you know that he is taking care of that little boys complete education plus? He was the power hittle that we lack and could field his outfield position. Why did we get rid of Dunn when we had nothing in return? Why do we have Rolen still, hasn’t played for 3 games is he injured or just tired? And most of all why do we still have Baker for a manger? NOTE: Stubbs is starting this Friday night or Saturday night because one of those nights is STUBBS BOBBLE HEAD NIGHT. What recognition that is for the strike out king, Owners happy because sold out game. The team won’t draw the crowd just bobble heads….SO SAD Tonite the Reds will score, Final Score Prediction Pirates 5 Reds 2
By DONNJOO
July 20, 2011 9:55 AM | Link to this
I LOVE THIS TEAM!!! BRING BACK MARGE AND PETE!!!
By DD
July 20, 2011 9:27 AM | Link to this
This is a great team that Jocketty has put together. No leadoff hitter. No clean-up hitter. No left fielder. No shortstop until last week. A right fielder that had one good month and three lousy ones. A third baseman with one foot in the grave. A center fielder who is a strikeout machine. No leaders; nobody with any fire. This team is dead.We need Dickerson!
By slag
July 20, 2011 8:56 AM | Link to this
This team needed to keep Pete Mackanin as the manager or go out and get a true, real baseball mind in Bob Brenly. The guy is a former catcher, great with people, smart, and a tough guy who will kick you in the rearend. They did not need to get a turd of a manager in DB and pay this guy 3mm plu a year.The guy is far too worried about promises he makes to players and friendships. He ruined the hell out of Janish the past 2 years…
By rookie_blue
July 20, 2011 8:29 AM | Link to this
What a lousy Reds team this year. I’m not wasting anymore of my time watching them. What is wrong with Joey Votto? He’s been moping around since before the All-Star game. He’s a head case.
By taxpayer
July 20, 2011 8:28 AM | Link to this
I love the REDS and enjoy every game sure it would be GREAT to WIN……they all are good and it will be a great year!!!!!!!!!!!
By jeff
July 20, 2011 8:22 AM | Link to this
First of all let’s see the good in this. Hopefully due to the underachieving hopefully Dusty and Jacoby get the ax by seasons end. These young hitters have shown no progress under Jacoby and they show no approach at the plate. As for Dusty ultimately this season of disappointment falls on him and Walt. Castellini loves Walt so my guess is Dusty will feel the heat. 2- You can put a fork in this team. There is no fire and no leadership. They really are hard to watch and they show no fundamentals. This also falls on the coach. 3- Even if this team somehow wins the division does anyone really think they can compete with the likes of Philly, Giants or Braves. What I do is I become Sellers to whatever extent they can. This team is nowhere near Championship level. Heres the moves to do: 1- DFA- Gomes and Renteria 2- I call up Alonso and Valaika or Frasier. Maybe even Sappelt I trade Ramon since he wont be here next year anyways. Get what you can. I bring up Mesoraco and pair him with Hannigan Someone will take Co-Co but we will have to eat some of the salary. Get what you can. You have to start finding out who can take that job. Is it Ondrusek, Is it Masset?? 5- I also field any offers for Volquez? He is a free agent and my guess is the reds don’t wont him here next year after the debacle he’s had. I cut loose Jacoby today. Something needs to shake this team up. As Crash Davis said, “Scare Em, Their Kids”. Shake it up Walt. This teams is what it is a mediocre to below average team. Bruce minus one month has been a huge disappointment. I think he had 32 RBI’s in May. The rest of the year he has 25. I can’t believe how these hitters don’t know to shorten up with two strikes and two out. This team needs a shake up but my guess is the management team doesnt have the guts to do it. They will finish under .500 and near 4th place. With that said, they aren’t far off. This is where the “players manager” is not good for this team. They need a guy with some fire and gusto. I would move on from Dusty but that is just me. Oh well There’s always next year
By gom
July 20, 2011 7:45 AM | Link to this
to KIA - again repeating what others have ALREADY SAID. The Pirates have no pressure on them today as no one expected them to win. Come late August and September, they will feel tons of pressure (if they are still in it) and fold up like a dollar store umbrella in a hurricane. Plus Clint Hurdle will certainly have imploded by then as he can’t stand the heat either. And, dude, it’s gom not GOM. As for Redsfandownunder, I agree kid’s baseball and your version of football definitely trump the Bengals and Reds. But, we Still have better beer than that swill you have in Australia
By Gem&Heater
July 20, 2011 7:19 AM | Link to this
It’s unbelievable to waste two straight impressive pitching performances by guys the team wasn’t initially counting on as starters. And saying Stubbs struck out in the 5th on three pitches doesn’t do justice to the pathetic performance. The TV guys were commenting on how angry Leake was when he grounded out prior to Stubbs AB. It’s no wonder he was angry, he knew Stubbs was the next batter and there would be zero chance to score a run. Stubbs is a lead off hitter who can’t get on base, the worst possible choice for a team that can’t score runs. The Dragons Billy Hamilton is also a lead off hitter who can’t hit but at least he can get walks and bunt. A Class A player would be a better choice than Stubbs at this point. Stubbs and Gomes should absolutely not play any more this year. The Reds can’t win anything with this team so it’s looking like time to do what all the commentors want, bring the kids up and see what you have for next year.
By joe
July 20, 2011 7:03 AM | Link to this
This is a bad Reds team. The year 2010 was a fluke.
By KNOW IT ALL
July 20, 2011 6:48 AM | Link to this
Dusty do all of us a favor and just resign. GOM you said Pirates don’t have a chance to get into the playoffs, WRONG. They have 7 more HOME games against the REDS which will put them in. Reds never could beat up weak teams but Pirates can. Why Baker did you have Bruce pitch it when Rolen has been sitting on the bench for days and could have done better then Bruce did? Heck Dusty if Heisey starts a game then you have Leake on the bench if not pitching to be a pitch hitter, 10 hits out of 35 at bats is better then Gomes, Stubs, and most anyone else. Reds 5 games out as I said they would start going down hill after All Star Break if Baker was still the manager.Stubbs 127 strike outs so far and Dusty keeps putting him in the line-up, excellent management skills and knowledge. Congrats for Texas Rangers and Josh Hamilton winning 12 in a row wouldn’t you love to cheer and see a team like that play? I am so happy that I have never paid to see the Reds play a game. Votto needs to sit, ain’t there this season so replace all of them from manager to TV Crew announcers. GO PIRATES
By AP-FLORIDA
July 20, 2011 6:24 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else hear a “FAT LADY SINGING”?
By Retired Sgt
July 20, 2011 5:26 AM | Link to this
How is it possible that someone can reach the major leagues and NOT know how to bunt? either work with Stubbs to teach him how to bunt, or send him to AAA and teach him there. your leadoff hitter is supposed to be one of the more successful batters in OBP, not striking out. Put a regular lineup out the Dusty. Sparky won, not just becuase he had fgreat palyeers, but he didnt play statistics. He played the best players on his team the majority of the time. Who should you be playing? Heisey (CF), Phillips (2B), Votto (1B), Rolen (3B-and Cairo, when rolen needs rest, about every 3 or 4 games), Cozart (SS), Hannigan (C), Bring Alonso up and put him in LF, and RF, because we really need his ARM, Bruce. Your Pitchers are Cueto, Leake, Arroyo, Baily and bring back WOOD.
By redsfandownunder
July 20, 2011 1:53 AM | Link to this
I feel for you northern hemisphere people. The Bengals season will not be pretty. Glad I at least I have my kid’s baseball to look forward to…and Australia Cricket.
By Episode 2 a new hope
July 20, 2011 1:44 AM | Link to this
After the 29th its obvious there must be changes, either the guys we trade for, or call up the AAA guys (who ever is left down there).No more Gomes or Lewis please…They have reached there ceilings…Maybe Heisey has to? Heisey would be a nice compliment if we needed another all or nothing guy but other then Votto,Phillips, and Cozart (so far) all we have is all or nothing guys. No Consistency. Walt will make some moves either by trade or AAA by Agust 1st…I just hope they work and they are not to late.
By Steve in Richmond
July 20, 2011 12:52 AM | Link to this
As Reds fans we have to accept, this is the best it is going to be. We are a fourth place team and fading fast. By the time Atlanta and SF pitching get thru with this lineup…we will be hoping for an early snow.
By baseballguy-1
July 20, 2011 12:17 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more like Jay Bruce is going to be another Paul Householder; and Drew Stubbs is going to be another Austin Kearns. Big time players come up with big time hits (at least some of the time, anyway!!), but not these two. Very disappointing.
By Mike Mc In Ky
July 20, 2011 12:08 AM | Link to this
While Im very enthused with you wanting a triple A revolt Mr. Down Under, think about this point for a second. Dusty will NEVER put 2 or 3 rookies in there at one time, let alone even more. I love the Louisville team, but unless we are going to bring Rick Sweet, and the great hitting coach too, it wont do us any good!! Within a month of being up here they would be so starved for PT that they’d be as undisciplined as we’re putting on the field now. ITS TIME FOR CHANGES!! Can anyone hear us?? We used to able to say ?At least we’re better than the pirates!” when we were bad before, well we can’t say that anymore Dusty n Walt, GREAT JOB GUYS!!
By Caroline Anderson
July 20, 2011 12:05 AM | Link to this
I hate the Reds and I love it when they lose, especially because Marty blowhard Brennaman sounds so despondent when they lose. Go Pirates!
By redsfandownunder
July 19, 2011 11:33 PM | Link to this
If Jockerty doesn’t care enough to try something new, why should I continue to care? Easy alternatives are available in AAA that he refuses to consider. Major League roster spots should be reserved for those who produce. Congratulations Bucks. If the Reds are going to lay down and die, then I hope your time has finally come.