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 > 2012 > April > 18 > Entry
Groundhog Day; Reds lose in extras
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave, knowing the Cincinnati Reds were in trouble Tuesday night when a cardinal landed on the back of a wicker chair on the patio and, uh, left a significant deposit. That cardinal might as well have been St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse, who did to the Reds what that cardinal did to the chair.
For now, just call them Team Feeble.
The Cincinnati Reds couldn’t buy a run if they were available in a garage sale.
Would you believe the Reds played their fourth extra-inning game in the fifth game of this trip Tuesday night in St. Louis? Would you believe they lost for the third time in those four games?
Sure you would.
WHILE THE REDS search futilely for hits, one harkens back to something manager Dusty Baker said last week: “When you aren’t hitting, it isn’t fun to watch. But you have to scratch and claw. You have to get down the sacrifice bunts, hit-and-run, move the runners over, hit sacrifice flies. Do all the little things.”
Well, they aren’t.
They lost in 10 innings, 2-1, to the St. Louis Cardinals and they lost because they couldn’t do those smallball things.
They put their first runner on base in five of the 10 innings and only one scored. Brandon Phillips and Willie Harris both messed up sacrifice bunt attempts. After missing his bunt, Phillips lined into a double play. After missing his bunt, Harris struck out.
The Reds tried a one-out 3-and-2 hit-and-run with slew-footed Devin Mesoraco on first base in the 10th and Phillips struck out as Mesoraco got caught in a rundown between first and second for an inning-ending double play.
IT WAS A weird game, to say the least. St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse totally mesmerized and dominated the Reds for seven shutout innings.
Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran hit a one-out home run in the first inning, then through the next eight innings the Cardinals put 15 runners on base without one scoring.
Reds starter Johnny Cueto was all over the place for four innings, but stranded eight runners in the first five innings after Beltran’s home run. And Cueto held the Cardinals to that one run for seven innings.
THE REDS started the third with two straight hits, but after Drew Stubbs beat an infield single, he tried to take third on Ryan Hanigan’s single to right and Stubbs was called out at third by umpire Larry Vanover when it appeared Stubbs was safe.
They put their first two runners on in the fourth when Lohse walked Zack Cozart, only Lohse’s second walk of the season in 15 innings. Joey Votto singled to left, but Scott Rolen struck out, Jay Bruce (a career-worst 0 for 18) struck out and Ryan Ludwick struck out — zip, zilch, nada.
The Cardinals made two straight errors to open the eighth and that’s what it took for the Reds to score a run, but not before Phillips messed up his bunt attempt and lined into a double play. After missing a home run by a couple of feet outside the left field foul pole, Zack Cozart singled to right to tie it, 1-1.
Sam LeCure started the 10th and walked David Freese on a full count. Yadier Molina bunted Freese to second. Jon Jay was walked intentionally. Manager Dusty Baker brought in lefthander Bill Bray to face lefthanded batters and he promptly walked light-hitting Daniel Descalso on a full count after falling behind 3-and-0, filling the bases.
Pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter, who was 4 for 4 with five RBI against the Cubs in the Cardinals’ previous game, lined one hard to right field, just deep enough to score Freese from third, a walk-off win, the third time on this trip that the Reds got to watch the other team walk off with a win.
MAJOR LEAGUE baseball celebrates the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first major-league game every year, as it did last Sunday when every player wore Robinson’s No. 42.
I guess it is showing respect, but it is too bad there has to be a celebration for something that never should have had to be celebrated because African Americans should have been permitted in the game a long, long, long time ago.
Significantly, though, only eight per cent of all major league players are African American this year, lowest since 1959. Ten of the 30 teams have none or only one African Americans. The Reds have two — Brandon Phillips and Willie Harris.
WHILE HE WAS known more as a long-time minor-league roving instructor for the Oakland A’s, Ron Plaza spent considerable time with the Reds.
Plaza, 77, died Sunday. He spent 12 years with the Reds organization and was third-base coach from 1979 to 1983 under managers John McNamara and Russ Nixon. Then he left the Reds and worked 30 years for the A’s and was still working when he suffered a series of strokes before dying Sunday.
STILL TIME to get your question answered in this Sunday’s Ask Hal column in the DDN. Send them to halmccoy1@hotmail.com
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By Kyle
April 18, 2012 9:49 PM | Link to this
I’d like to personally thank the Reds for giving me back all of the hours I was going to spend watching them this summer. And all the money I was going to spend driving to Cincinnati to watch games.
By Jim M.
April 18, 2012 9:14 PM | Link to this
I think it sucks that this team looks so lost at the plate, and the hitting coach is still employeed. Thgis isnt the first time i have complained, but look at the Cardinals. they loose one of the best players in our lifetime to free agency and they dont look like a team that will fold at all. they have a rookie manager that is smarter than Baker. How can Bob and Walt keep Baker and this coaching staff when they are doing nothing that will entice me to spend money to watch this mess. The Cardinals look like they prepare to WIN every game. the Reds look like they HOPE they dont loose. Guess who wont be in any playoff games till that changes!! this team needs a shakeup right after this road trip. Francona would be my choice to take over AND let him pick his own coaching staff!! AND i bet he puts Chapman in the rotation right behind Cueto!!
By Mike n The Creek
April 18, 2012 8:26 PM | Link to this
Kuddos for the radical lineup shakeup = gotta try ! Not sure about Cozart at the leadoff - he’s been real good in the 2 hole - but few options. Anybody know the last rookie to have good success as the leadoff -for any team??? Need to keep our fingers crossed for Latos tonight. He’s 0-2 in St Louis with a 25.31 ERA! Oh my - this might get UGLY!
By redsfandownunder
April 18, 2012 8:09 PM | Link to this
Two points: 1) Chapman is not going to be able to pitch 2 innings every 2nd day - this would equate to 162 innings over the year - unprecidented use for a reliever. He needs to start to fulfill his potential. 2) Stubbs has a lot of deficiencies - defence really is not one of them. Give the diving issue a rest.
By Bill in Kentucky
April 18, 2012 7:01 PM | Link to this
Ha, DD that’s one out of how many hundreds for Stubbs not diving? Leave it alone DD, you favor too many losers,Stubbs and Baker.
By Francona Please
April 18, 2012 6:46 PM | Link to this
How about Terry Francona? And the Boston third baseman needs a new team—Reds new third baseman? Chapman should have been used and wasn’t, Bray was—unforgivable. Fire Baker Faker!
By DD
April 18, 2012 5:23 PM | Link to this
JB in NC….you must not have been watching last night if you “have not once seen him (Stubbs) dive for a ball”.
By wrc
April 18, 2012 5:00 PM | Link to this
This is what you get when you really don’t have a idea in spring training.I mean what does the Reds hitting coach do.I mean he’s been on Dusty staff now for how long.Can anyone name one player he has help,I didn;t think you could.As far as Dusty goes if it wasn’t for Bonds he be sitting at home as he is CLUELESS.You notice SF got rid of him when they knew Bonds was going to be gone as even then Dusty hated playing rookies.If you noticed SF didn’t developed any long lasting young players while he was there.The Cubs took only one season for them to realized he wasn’t the answer.I know I for one won’t waste my money to watch a third rate hack managed(thats a joke)the Reds.Sorry IF I insulted any third rates hacks as I’m sure you deserve better.
By redsfandownunder
April 18, 2012 4:56 PM | Link to this
My best guess why Chapman was not used is because he is not able to pitch every 2nd day. I wonder if anyone considered using him as a starter?? Although it really doesn’t matter who is pitching if Stubbs, Rolen and Bruce are not hitting and we have Willie Harris as our LH batting secret weapon off the bench.
By JB in NC
April 18, 2012 4:39 PM | Link to this
Agree with all the Dusty comments, but watch out - gom will tell you that you don’t like him because he doesn’t look like Sparky or La Russa. How then, I ask, does one critize any move he makes. He talks about not starting Heisey because he is so good off the bench. I am wondering why he did not pinch hit Heisey for Stubbs late in the game with runners on - of course Stubbs strikes out looking. Send Stubbs to Louisville and get him straightened out - teach him to bunt and race for balls that fall in front of him. With so much speed it mystifies me why he never ever tries to make that catch. I have been watching him in center field for YEARS and have not once seen him dive for a ball. Dusty’s favs always play center field. although I know you’d rather not be reminded.
By H2o
April 18, 2012 3:06 PM | Link to this
Wow, this team is really stinkin’ the place up. Couldn’t agree more that Baker & Jacoby MUST go, take Harris & Bailey with ya!
By Mike n The Creek
April 18, 2012 2:32 PM | Link to this
Sure hope the attitude in the clubhouse is a lot better than the skeptism here in Hal Land! That’s what will determine Dusty’s fate - none of us here! I would like to hear Dusty’s take on the Hannigan / Mes base running substitution - that will be a doosey! It was always my understanding that the backup catcher was last one in - learn something new from Dusty everyday I guess. Maybe he’s just trying to be a source of entertainment - the Reds offense is putting everyone to sleep. Let’s get one tonight - PLEASE.
By Kyle
April 18, 2012 2:01 PM | Link to this
Perplexed by the hit and run with Phillips and Mesoraco. Phillips was getting a no doubt fastball that he had already swung and missed twice. Why kill the inning when you have Cozart (and possibly Votto) coming up. Can anyone explain that one? Whats the worse thing that happens, Phillips gets a hit and Mesoraco only gets to second with Cozart/Votto due up?
By randyman1956
April 18, 2012 12:36 PM | Link to this
Dusty is not only embarrassing himself but the team as well. He doesn’t have a clue as to how to mold this team into a cohesive unit.The Reds should try something radical like bringing up Billy Hamilton for awhile.His speed is awesome and he could at least pinch run until they fight through this funk and start making Dusty look like the next coming of Casey Stengal.
By pargolfer70
April 18, 2012 12:28 PM | Link to this
I am not real big on Monday morning quarterbacking but last night’s game did leave me asking a couple questions. 1) you hit and run with a catcher on 1st? and 2) where was Chapman in the 10th?
By pargolfer70
April 18, 2012 12:24 PM | Link to this
Not a big fan of monday quarterbacking but hit and run with a cather on 1st?——and why wasn’t Chapman being used in the 10th?
By jeff
April 18, 2012 11:42 AM | Link to this
The catch 22 of this season was that if the reds were good and made the playoffs then dusty would probably stay the only good part is that if the reds end up being bad then Dusty will be gone and hopefully Jacoby too. Jacoby is the land where opposite field hitting goes to die. I just hope he doesnt get to Cozart too. I gurantee this team/ franchise will be better off without Dusty Baker. They will come out of this rut but the fact is for the long haul Dusty is not the solution.
By DONNJOO
April 18, 2012 11:27 AM | Link to this
WHEW!! OL’ DUSTY STIRRED UP THE IRE LAST NIGHT. HE SURE IS DRIVING MY WIFE TO DRINK AS SHE TRIES TO FIGURE OUT HIS MANAGING STYLE. THIS WAS ALL PRETTY WELL COVERED. HE WILL STAY UNTIL B.C. TELLS W.J. TO CUT THE CORD. HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING…GO REDLEGS
By Bill Murray
April 18, 2012 11:20 AM | Link to this
As in Groundhog Day the same losing continues day after day.
By WilmingtonGary
April 18, 2012 11:08 AM | Link to this
Alright you Dusty apologists get ready to jump on me. I know you can blame it on the hitters if you wish. But in critical situations it was Dusty ball. Scott Rolen finally gets on in the 7th. We have Frazier available to take over 3rd base. Does Dusty pinch run for Rolen to put some non batter pressure on the pitcher and take part of his concentration off the hitter. Of course not. Then with the game on the line we use Lecure and Bray. Oh yeah, thats right, Dusty will tell you there unavailable. Why hasn’t the hitting coach been replaced. It isn’t just this year, look at last year. The hitters don’t know how to bunt, can’t sacrifice runners ahead, etc… FIRE DUSTY NOW. PLEASE, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE
By Reds Fan In Canton
April 18, 2012 10:39 AM | Link to this
Can we please trade Dustbag to ESPN for Francona? I’ll even buy the clubhouse beer and chicken.
By bobmc
April 18, 2012 10:31 AM | Link to this
Many good comments from Jeff and others. There is no rhyme or reason to most of Dusty’s moves. I don’t think Jocketty sees it because he is as hung up on his old formers Cards as Dusty is; but then I can’t explain his love for Stubbs. He is the most overmatched hitter I’ve ever seen in a lineup. They all rave about Rolen. Why? He’s too old and brings nothing. Does anyone wonder why pitchers are so successful after leaving Cincy? To mention as few: Lohse, Harang, Demptser.
By ohdave
April 18, 2012 10:24 AM | Link to this
It’s ridiculous how badly the Reds are hitting. It’s historically inept. There needs to be a change, Frazier is a step in the right direction. Get Willie Harris off this roster. Goodness, what a joke. And our two big contract extensions better start producing. Phillips and Votto? Earn your money.
By steven ross
April 18, 2012 10:08 AM | Link to this
Actual Reds Fan is correct: it is still early and a lot can happen to make us forget this bad April. However, I would hope you agree Dusty made some bizzare moves last night. Beyond head-scratching. Don’t get me started on Harris & Stubbs.
By TYGO
April 18, 2012 9:08 AM | Link to this
Kudos to Bob and Walt for beefing up the pitching and locking up BP and Votto. One thing that didn’t change in the offseason was the offense. IF Rolen comes back healthy and produces, IF Bruce can become a consistent threat instead of a streak hitter, IF Stubbs can manage to get on base, IF someone steps up to claim LF, IF rookie Mesoraco can produce at the plate like Hernandez, IF the team can avoid a plethoria of injuries; IF IF IF. Much was made about the Reds being among the league leaders in offense last year but what about virtually leading the league in one run losses? Unlike some of the national pundits that, during the preseason, had the Reds in the World Series, those of us who really pay attention kinda figured there was a good chance all those “IFs” may not happen. The loss of Fielder and Puhols will not kill the Brewers and the Cards. It’s early, but IF we don’t turn this around quickly, the hole will become too deep to climb out of. Third place again? IF things don’t change.
By wilburB
April 18, 2012 9:05 AM | Link to this
How does this team manage to go from bad to worse? Easy if you have Dusty Baker and Walt Jockerty. Both need to go asap
By jeff
April 18, 2012 9:04 AM | Link to this
First let me say what a great job by Cueto on a night he surely didnt have his best stuff and for that matter the bullpen did an excellent job but both Lecure and ondrusek can not walk guiys to start innings. Its a huge no-no. Now to the bigger topic- Dusty Baker. This reds offense simply doesnt have enough talent to beat teams straight up so you have to have a creative manager and one who pushes fundamentals. I have been to spring training and to early Batting practice this manager doesn’t enforce these things. How can a pro team not bunt. You want to know the difference between winning and losing, its Brandon Phillips and Harris not getting bunts down and ALL Start Yadier Malina getting his down. Little things wins games. 2- Dusty simply doesnt get it, he is pulling all the wrong strings. It will take a miracle to explain to me why Mesoraco pinch ran. Thank god the right fielder bobbled the ball or else he would have been out by a mile. 3- One of Dusty’s cruxes is that he hangs in too long with declining veterans. Scott Rolen has not hit the ball well since the first half of 2010. The man is half of what he was and he 5-36 or something this season in the 4 whole. Drew Stubbs isnt a veteran but Dusty and this front office need to move on. I know he is fast but I have never seen a more clueless hitter in my life. He can not read putches. I legitmately asked last night if he has seeing problems. And the one who gets a pass all the time is Jay Bruce. I know he hit the division clincher in 2010 but Jocketty “overpaid” on this guy. He is a skinny Adam Dunn. Very Streaky and can’t make contact when you need him too. Rolen, Bruce and Ludwick all strikeout with two on and no outs. 4- Jacoby and Dusty, I have never seen a team swing and miss so many curveballs in the dirt. If you strikeout you don’t win games you have to put runners in motion. Rolen, Bruce and Ludwick all strikeout with two on?? I know this is a rant but the bottom line is the Cardinals are simply better. 7/8 of their position players are former all stars. Their rotation is better. We are banking on an aging/ decling vet to protect Votto in our lineup and young players who simply are not develping. Our one young player that could knock the cover off the ball we traded to the Padres. I always say if your going to gripe then provide a solution 1- Move Votto to the 4 whole and Bruce to 3. Bruce we will see alot of better pitches. 2- Move Cozart to leadoff. When Hannigan plays he bats second. Hannigan is a good two hole hitter he makes contact and gets guys over. Cozart can spray the ball. Move Phillips to 5 to protect Votto. 3- Ryan Ludwick bats 6th and Rolen 7th. 4- Heisey bats 8th and plays over Drew Stubbs. Heisey leads off and Cozart bats second when Mesoraco catches. 5- Willie Harris releases. When your 1-17 and you miss a bunt we don’t need you. This is another Dusty love story. This guy is brutal. 6- Homer Bailey gets two more shots at it. If not its Chapman time- let em tell you why Carpenter-Wainright- Garcia, Lohse Westbrook. We can match this if we go Cueto-Latos-Chapman-Arroyo and Leake. Bailey needs to step up. 7- Brook Jacoby is nixed when this team gets back from the road trip. This team needs a shake up. Last year all dusty kept saying was “give it time” now this year is our hitting will come around and we need to execute better” i know its early but this team is not a playoff team with the current lineup. Its time for changes. there is a reason stubbs was losing his spot last year. We’ll see only time will tell. PS- And by god can we actually try and steal a base.
By jeff
April 18, 2012 9:03 AM | Link to this
First let me say what a great job by Cueto on a night he surely didnt have his best stuff and for that matter the bullpen did an excellent job but both Lecure and ondrusek can not walk guiys to start innings. Its a huge no-no. Now to the bigger topic- Dusty Baker. This reds offense simply doesnt have enough talent to beat teams straight up so you have to have a creative manager and one who pushes fundamentals. I have been to spring training and to early Batting practice this manager doesn’t enforce these things. How can a pro team not bunt. You want to know the difference between winning and losing, its Brandon Phillips and Harris not getting bunts down and ALL Start Yadier Malina getting his down. Little things wins games. 2- Dusty simply doesnt get it, he is pulling all the wrong strings. It will take a miracle to explain to me why Mesoraco pinch ran. Thank god the right fielder bobbled the ball or else he would have been out by a mile. 3- One of Dusty’s cruxes is that he hangs in too long with declining veterans. Scott Rolen has not hit the ball well since the first half of 2010. The man is half of what he was and he 5-36 or something this season in the 4 whole. Drew Stubbs isnt a veteran but Dusty and this front office need to move on. I know he is fast but I have never seen a more clueless hitter in my life. He can not read putches. I legitmately asked last night if he has seeing problems. And the one who gets a pass all the time is Jay Bruce. I know he hit the division clincher in 2010 but Jocketty “overpaid” on this guy. He is a skinny Adam Dunn. Very Streaky and can’t make contact when you need him too. Rolen, Bruce and Ludwick all strikeout with two on and no outs. 4- Jacoby and Dusty, I have never seen a team swing and miss so many curveballs in the dirt. If you strikeout you don’t win games you have to put runners in motion. Rolen, Bruce and Ludwick all strikeout with two on?? I know this is a rant but the bottom line is the Cardinals are simply better. 7/8 of their position players are former all stars. Their rotation is better. We are banking on an aging/ decling vet to protect Votto in our lineup and young players who simply are not develping. Our one young player that could knock the cover off the ball we traded to the Padres. I always say if your going to gripe then provide a solution 1- Move Votto to the 4 whole and Bruce to 3. Bruce we will see alot of better pitches. 2- Move Cozart to leadoff. When Hannigan plays he bats second. Hannigan is a good two hole hitter he makes contact and gets guys over. Cozart can spray the ball. Move Phillips to 5 to protect Votto. 3- Ryan Ludwick bats 6th and Rolen 7th. 4- Heisey bats 8th and plays over Drew Stubbs. Heisey leads off and Cozart bats second when Mesoraco catches. 5- Willie Harris releases. When your 1-17 and you miss a bunt we don’t need you. This is another Dusty love story. This guy is brutal. 6- Homer Bailey gets two more shots at it. If not its Chapman time- let em tell you why Carpenter-Wainright- Garcia, Lohse Westbrook. We can match this if we go Cueto-Latos-Chapman-Arroyo and Leake. Bailey needs to step up. 7- Brook Jacoby is nixed when this team gets back from the road trip. This team needs a shake up. Last year all dusty kept saying was “give it time” now this year is our hitting will come around and we need to execute better” i know its early but this team is not a playoff team with the current lineup. Its time for changes. there is a reason stubbs was losing his spot last year. We’ll see only time will tell. PS- And by god can we actually try and steal a base.
By Ian
April 18, 2012 8:59 AM | Link to this
Hal hopefully a bear doesn’t show up on your patio this weekend.
By ACTUAL Reds Fan
April 18, 2012 8:53 AM | Link to this
People who are ready to cash in this year after 11 games clearly have little baseball history knowledge…or they are ultra pessimistic. History is full of way worse starts than this, followed by teams making the playoffs. They haven’t looked good, I agree. But they will play better than they are now. And, Baker isn’t that bad. Bray is there for lefties…he has to start using him for that sometime. Catcher for catcher pinch run was weird, I agree, but it worked (with help from Beltran, I admit). They just aren’t executing right now, are trying to hard to execute, and will come around soon. It’s not a football season, so try not to give up after 11 games.
By slag
April 18, 2012 8:38 AM | Link to this
Absolute stupidity to PR Mesoraco there…Does DB even have a clue? You take Mike Leake who is much faster than DM and had Beltran not fumbled the ball than DM is out by 15 feet..Yes, it’s only one play but it certainly resonates around the mind-set of this manager. WTH is Bray out there for? You got the hottest and most-feared pitcher in Chapman ready after an off day. Bray strikes out nobody and when the bases are juiced with 1 out you need a strike out.. WTF is a down-trodden Rolen batting 4th for?? Clearly, the guy has lost any ability to drive a ball but DB let Dunng and Whiffey Junior bat 3rd/4th for close to 2 years when both were a joke at knocking runs in with RISP so is it really that hard to interpret?
By steven ross
April 18, 2012 8:28 AM | Link to this
There were so many bad moves by Dusty last night that instead of harping on the negative, I’ll focus on the positive: he’s one day closer to being let go. Probably can say the same about Willie Harris too. Awful.
By The Miz
April 18, 2012 8:11 AM | Link to this
I know everyone says it’s early - but you are what you are and this team is a .230 hitting team (hopefully). Votto, Phillips and Cozart may hang around the .300 mark, but everyone else on this team is going to hit .220-.240. It’s going to be a long season. Scott Rolen - retire. Drew Stubbs - goodbye. Jay Bruce - next year is going to be your breakout year - or maybe it was supposed to be this year or the year before, can’t remember. Ludwick/Heisey - good pinch hitters. This is painful to watch.
By DD
April 18, 2012 8:10 AM | Link to this
I got no explanation, redsfandownunder. I like going with the three utility infielders you mentioned. Having a LH bat off the bench would be nice, but Harris (while holding a bat from that side of the plate) has about as much of a chance of getting a hit as I would. I guess the question becomes who takes that 25th spot? Do you call up a Janish or Valaika yet again since they both are hitting over .300 in AAA even though neither have done anything up here? Or one of the younger guys to sit on the end of the bench and not get the regular ABs he’s getting in Louisville? Maybe that’s the issue - I don’t know. But, I’m with you in seeing enough of Harris. Watching this team hit has been painful so far. Things have to change at some point. Right???
By Raoul
April 18, 2012 7:49 AM | Link to this
I counted 5 called 3rd strikes with men on base last night. Every pitcher the Red’s face seems to be in mid-season form. The Red’s are aggressive, but get behind then watch as the 3rd strike crosses the plate. The pre-season excitement has completely worn off and it looks like a long, tough season. This team strikes out more than when Adam Dunn was with them. What a huge dissapointment so far.
By Dr Zap
April 18, 2012 7:41 AM | Link to this
While Dusty Baker is the manager (and an awful one at that), it’s Walt Jockety’s team. He built it. Great pitching - but, ummmm Walt - you need some hitters too. Knucklehead #2.
By Come on
April 18, 2012 6:12 AM | Link to this
It’s time to call Dusty’s time over. There is no more defense for him anymore. Pinch running catchers for catchers? Going with Bray instead of Chapman after an off day? Hitting and running with a catcher on 2nd? It’s just reaching silly levels. I’ve tried to defend him before but it’s time for a change. We’re seeing some of the same type of stuff that doomed this team last year. Pitching has been fairly good and the offense is being managed horribly.
By redsfandownunder
April 18, 2012 12:28 AM | Link to this
Can someone please explain (seriously) why Willie Harris is on the roster? There is nothing in the infield that he can do that a healthy Cairo, Frazier or Valdez can do just as well or better. He doesn’t hit for power and his lifetime BA is .239. Please don’t tell me it’s b/c he bats left handed b/c his lifetime BA against righties is .243. Surely the Reds can come up with someone (even a right handed batter) who can do better against Left handed pitching? His existence cannot be justified.