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 > July > 27 > Entry
Every day is Groundhog Day
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave as the 2012 Cincinnati Reds continue to win at the pace of The Big Red Machine — minus the offense.
It is like Groundhog Day every day these days for the Cincinnati Reds — and that’s a good thing.
They seem to win every day the same way — not much offense, but superb starting pitching and lock-the-gates bullpen work.
It was that way once again Friday night. Bronson Arroyo furnished the starting pitching, Alfredo Simon and Aroldis Chapan furnished the bullpen work and the Reds put together just enough offense for a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies.
SO THE POSITIVE numbers mount: eight straight wins, 19 games over .500, 15 wins in 17 games, a two-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates, who absolutely refuse to shrivel up and die.
ARROYO’S NIGHT was significant because Coors Field has been a House of Horrors for him during his career.
He had never won a game in Coors, mostly because he is a breaking ball pitcher and breaking balls just don’t break much in the thin Denver air. But he used mid-80s fastballs and a slew of changeups to befuddle the Rockies.
But on this night, against a good-hitting Rockies team, he pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up no runs, six hits, no walks and struck out three.
And he knew his limitations. When he put two runners on with two outs in the seventh pitching coach Bryan Price came to the mound. Arroyo had thrown only 85 pitches, but was out of petrol in the thin Denver air and told Price, “Enough.”
SIMON CAME ON to get the last out of the seventh, pitched a scoreless eighth and then Chapman cleaned up with his usual alacrity.
He struck out the first two batters on six pitches, gave up a single, then struck out the last batter for his 20th save.
And the amazing numbers continue. Thirty-four of his last 43 outs are strikeouts. He has 11 straight saves without giving up a run since a blew a save against Minnesota June 24.
Remember when manager Dusty Baker was reluctant to use Chapman in back-to-back games? Well, he has appeared in 10 of the 14 games since the All-Star break and he has been untouchable.
OFFENSE? NOT much of it, but more than enough because of the rare Coors shutout.
The Reds broke a 0-0 tie in the fourth on Ryan Ludwick’s run-scoring double and a sacrifice fly by Todd Frazier. They added the other run in the sixth when Ludwick walked and ended up scoring on back-to-back wild pitches.
Ludwick finished with a double, single, walk and an RBI. Catcher Ryan Hanigan had three hits.
But Ludwick knows where the success is coming from. “If we keep getting pitching like this we are going to be very dangerous.” Armed and dangerous.
And as general manager Walt Jocketty kiddingly said the other day: “Joey who?” Yes, the Reds are 9-2 since Votto went on the disabled list.
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By Cowboy is a phony
July 29, 2012 1:10 PM | Link to this
These guys are hilarious.
By Cleat
July 29, 2012 9:38 AM | Link to this
That would be imposters…
By Perry Mason
July 29, 2012 1:16 AM | Link to this
For the impostures that continue to defame others here, if you ever log on to your financial institution , your email account or have an internet service provider to whom you pay a monthly fee - they all know who you are and the PC(s) you use. Sleep well knowing that info. Fraudulent and slanderous activity can have severe consequences from which hiding behind a screen and a keyboard is not exempt as has been demonstrated on numerous occasions within the judicial system.
By Cleat
July 28, 2012 8:15 PM | Link to this
Hey, DD, or Matt the blog cop…blow that BS out the other end. All of your ignorant remarks are out of line and in error; and tell the DDN the next time they want to take the time to listen to a never-was, that I said you are a moron, unworthy of further mention. As far as Stubbs and Bruce: TOO DAMN MANY K’s in crucial and non-crucial situations! This means to those capable of understanding{which obviously doesn’t include you or the other ignoramous with which you associate}that they both are paid way too much salary, in the opinion of many. Whether or not this team is winning, their contribution “sucks”! Before the DDN does away with me, on the basis of more of your stupid lies, that you continue to make up, please tell them I said this last message to you: You should spend less time trying to figure out who is using ficticious names; and you should stop being blog cop whenever you like. That is as annoying as your continued lies about me. You and Jim t have it all wrong; so please no more detective work. Your comments are wrong—a complete waste of time, and greatly error-prone. Stop with the nasty comments, or I will have to report you to the Blog Police…oh, I forgot, that’s YOU! Tell the DDN that your blog BS is out of line and more annoying than Slide Stubbs poor fielding of all those one-bounces, in front of his sorry as*! haha.
By jim t
July 28, 2012 7:21 PM | Link to this
DD, I could almost agree with you but I really think he post under at least 5 ID’s.Thus, there isn’t as many fans displesed with the team as he would like others to think. I could careless what he post. I won’t waste time responding to him even when he trys to convince others he is me. I have e-mailed Hal who understands our concern but has no way to block his post. The mods can delete them but unless he is obsence or vulgar little they will do. He indicated he uses different computers. He advised me to ignore him and that is what I do I post eleswhere but do enjoy trading thoughts with you,Mike,Jeff and a few others. Its obvious the guy is a very loney individual who has very little in his life but to engage others with nonsense and insults. I used to think he was funny but now I feel sorry for him. Sad actually. Lets get 9 in a row tonight. Cards have already lost. Go Reds!!!
By Colgar
July 28, 2012 7:15 PM | Link to this
Not that the Reds need the help right now but….. http://www.fullofschatz.blogspot.com/2012/07/brett-tomko-could-help-staff-that-needs.html
By DD
July 28, 2012 5:56 PM | Link to this
Wow…Jay Bruce is a two-time All-Star (not getting in by the fan vote btw, but everyone’s favorite LaRussa wanted him!) yet he sucks. Bruce sucks, Stubbs sucks, Rolen sucks, we’re better without Votto, we have the worst manager in all of baseball……and we now have the best record in the NL and are only 1/2 game behind the Yankess and their $200 million payroll. The responses to this blog after an 8th straight victory unfortunately prove the collective knowledge of Reds “fans” is pathetic. Embarassing really how dumb some are (led by the chief yahoo Cleat or Cowboy or whatever name he wants to go by today). And by the way, I noticed you posting under jim t’s handle again on the July 26th blog. DDN has been notified. Your run is about to end.
By Cleat
July 28, 2012 3:54 PM | Link to this
Sure do agree with you Jeff, on your views of all of the outfielders…potential…potential…potential. What a joke. And, how long has this been going on. I’ve not criticized Bruce before, but frankly he’s as bad as Stubbs. I’m just thankful his parents didn’t give him a first name of Bruce…”Now ATTEMPTING to hit, Bruce Bruce”. Go Reds!
By Cleat
July 28, 2012 3:39 PM | Link to this
I go away for a bit, and all the supporters of my anti-Stubbs; pro Heisey comments finally show up—what’s that about? Go Reds!
By edge95
July 28, 2012 2:40 PM | Link to this
STFU? What does that mean?
By HarryBectoris
July 28, 2012 11:44 AM | Link to this
I believe the 1970 Reds were 70-30 at one point, then played just .500 rest of the way.
By jim t
July 28, 2012 11:30 AM | Link to this
LMAO!!! Great post Nathan. Enjoy that two year old they grow up fast.
By Nathan H.
July 28, 2012 10:47 AM | Link to this
Unsolicited observations from a slightly less impressive home office/man cave that is usually interrupted by 2-year olds and a nagging wife watching the Reds game streaming illegally from a UK website; The Reds offense broke stride in the top of the 4th when Brandon Phillips smashed a line drive single, he advanced to second on a Jay Bruce flyout. Pomeranz winged a 80mph curveball right over the plate, and Ryan Ludwick made contact, hitting it right on the screws (ode to Cowboy). Ludwick’s RBI double drew first blood scoring Phillips. Ludwick himself came across home plate on a sac fly laid out by possible ROY Todd Frazier. Ludwick scored again in the 6th off a Adam Ottavino wild pitch. The Reds won another game and they did it without walk-off home runs, 9th inning rallies, or reunions with old closers. With quality veteran pitching and small ball offense, they got it done. Walk-offs to sac flies; a win is a win and that’s all this club seems to do for Cincinnati. I can’t be more pleased about it either, Stubbs-to-the-rescue or quality pitching and pen; like I like my beer, I don’t care if it comes from a vortex bottle, wide-vented mouth, punch-top or frothy glass, as long as it gets in my belly. The Reds are winning, it’s Saturday morning and most of us reading Mr. McCoy’s column have our health; Take a deep breath everyone and enjoy the ride.
By crrob
July 28, 2012 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mike we need a leadoff hitter we cant settle and hope for the best, the nl is so weak this year we have a shot to go to series///jeff good points but im not sold on ludwick down the stretch although he has played well of late///////////its been fun lets win another series and get ready for a big couple of weeks ahead///looks like pirates arent going to cave
By TYGO
July 28, 2012 10:15 AM | Link to this
“Whiner Votto”? Seriously? A cancer? Good God, man, are you truly that stupid? Let’s hope that Jocketty can find a bat to get us to the postseason. Miracles happen but they don’t generally last. This team will not make it with Bruce and Stubbs flailing away like blind men. It’s been a good ride but the bottom is going to fall out at some point. I know, I know, don’t be critical when we’re winning, but unless/until Bruce and Stubbs crank it up a notch this roll ain’t going to last. Personally, I can’t wait for that “whining cancer” to get back in the lineup. To even remotely believe this team is better without Votto is insane. Forget the record, look at the stats. Your comment makes as much sense as the win-loss record with Stubbs in the lineup. Stubbs goes 0 for 30 and the Reds win. It’s not because Stubbs was penciled in. Geez, get a clue.
By STFU Cowboy
July 28, 2012 10:05 AM | Link to this
My name says it all. You NEVER have anything good to say. You’re a hater, that’s all there is to it.
By Cowboy is a phony
July 28, 2012 9:42 AM | Link to this
Chris, would those be ice cream salesman? What is the Reds record w/o Votto? Have you watched them play lately? Can you honestly say they aren’t playing better w/o Votto? I was being sarcastic, but you have to admit they are better right now and they look more relaxed and not having to wait for Votto to win the game.
By ChrisInVenice
July 28, 2012 9:22 AM | Link to this
Cowboy - those men with the nice white jacket are your friends.
By Cowboy is a phony
July 28, 2012 8:59 AM | Link to this
Joey “Pipp”. The Reds are better without the whiner Votto. They are playing better baseball and not waiting for Votto to get the hit. Every player is doing their part now and looks like the chemistry on the team is better. Votto and his huge contract is a cancer in the clubhouse. Now, before everyone blasts me on here….what is their win % without Votto? Numbers and actions do not lie.
By jeff
July 28, 2012 8:29 AM | Link to this
19 games over, never would have guessed that. Of all the years the reds are 19 over go figure the Pirates are playing out their wazooo’s. Oh well makes for an interesting race. Great game by Bronson he really had them off balanced. I’ve said all year if not for Chapman, Simon is the MVP of this bullpen. He has really bailed them out alot and now has become a go to guy. **Ludwick has been awesome here the last couple of months he has really solidifed this team expecially with Joey being out. ** Dusty Baker—I am rough on ole Dusty but I have to give credit where credit is due. He has really got this team believing. ** Now for the bad…..Drew Stubbs o for 5 again last night. Trust the back of the baseball card. Sure he was 7 for 15 in Houston but before that he was 10 for 71. I do not Trust him enough to be in a playoff game. The reds still need to add someone to the mix. I still think Heisey gets hosed, the kid is hitting .270ish and gets shelved for potential. And I can;t stop at Stubbs. WHERE IS JAY BRUCE. The man makes 8 million dollars and he shows up about once a week. Bruce and Stubbs are in a neck and neck race for most overrated- underperformig. Bruce gets the nod because of his contract. Hate to say I was right on Bruce but I was shocked when they paid him like they did. Oh well, the ride wont last forever so lets enjoy the streak while we can
By Michael in Singapore
July 28, 2012 5:58 AM | Link to this
I questioned early on both signings of Ludwick and Simon….but both have done a very good job for the Reds. I keep waiting for the hammer to drop on possibly obtaining a legitimate lead off hitter..but with the Reds winning like they are they may choose to let it ride. This team is pretty solid all around. Would be nice to add some speed with Hamilton on a Sept call up. I don’t think Cozart stands much of a chance here in the future.
By Brad
July 28, 2012 12:05 AM | Link to this
Nice outing for BA. I was wondering if he took himself out during the game or if it was Price. Great seeing a guy doing what’s best for the team. Go Reds, I’m loving the streaking.