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 > 30 > Entry
It all ended with a big ker-plunk
CINCINNATI —If ever there was a way to make a clean break from a 10-game winning streak, the Cincinnati Reds displayed it best Monday night against the San Diego Padres — make no doubt about it.
How bad was it? If you are a masochist who delights in watching batters trot to first base, your tongue would have been hanging out Monday night watching Cincinnati pitchers walked 11 San Diego Padres.
There was no doubt early in the game, even that this was a night to forget, though the Reds took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Starter Mike Leake pitched only 1 ½ inninghs and gave up five runs, five hits and three walks. Alfredo Simon came on to sprinkle kerosene on the flame and before the night mercifully concluded the Reds had lost, 11-5.
Adding to the mess was catcher Devin Mesoraco, who made his own mess by bumping umpire Chad Fairchild during an argument. Not only did it earn Mesoraco an immediate ejection, he most likely will draw a four or five-game suspension for his indiscretion.
THE STUNNER was that the Reds scored three in the first on home runs by Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce, but they lost to former teammate Edinson Volquez, who gave up five runs and six hits in his five innings. First baseman Yonder Alonso (remember him) had four hits, including doubles in his first three at-bats.
“It was a great start for us, then everything exploded and imploded,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Walks just isn’t like our guys, 11, that’s a lot. All good things must come to the end and we sure didn’t like the way it ended.”
WHEN IT COMES TO talking about possible trades and whether the Cincinnati Reds should or shouldn’t be a player in it before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, manager Dusty Baker defers to the man above — General Manager Walt Jocketty.
Trades don’t fall under his job description and he says, “That’s not my department. I’m asked about them, but that’s why they have Manager of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Executive of the Year awars.
“I am the shop foreman,” he said. “You ever been in a shop. Where is it in a tall building? Always in the basement. Where are we? In the terms of this building (Great American Ball Park), I’m on the bottom floor. That’s how it is, dude. And this is what I like.”
But Baker does have an opinion on how trades can change dynamics on a team, in the clubhouse.
“What you have to understand about making deals and trades is that you might end up getting rid of some guys who are integral parts of what you have going on right now,” he said. “Or you can bring in some guy who is not on the same page as we are could be the bad apple that ruins the basket.”
Sounds as if Baker is copasetic with the status quo.
BRANDON PHILLIPS left Sunday’s game in Denver with leg cramps but was back in the lineup Monday.
“It was what we thought, just a cramp,” said Baker. “It is easy to get cramps up there in Denver if you’re not drinking enough water. I saw it happen on his swing and I just hoped it wasn’t a knee or a hamstring or he pulled anything. It wasn’t. Just a cramp. So it’s all good.”
When asked about his leg, Phillips said, “I feel good. I’m playing. A scare? I don’t know. I’m playing.”
But when somebody asked him about the 10-game winning streak, the ever-present smile on his face dissipated and he said, “Nope, I’m not talking about a winning streak. Not talking about it.”
About facing former teammate Edinson Volquez Monday, the smile re-appeared and he said, “I like facing that guy. You never know what to expect. He can be lights out or he can be wild and be hitting everybody. Hopefully tonight he is on the wild part, but not hitting everybody.”
THE SUBJECT of clubhouse chemistry and its importance came up, with somebody suggesting that the Oakland A’s of the 1970s were always fighting amongst themselves and with owner Charles O. Finley.
Said Baker, “The teams that win without good chemistry have to have a heck of a talented team, like those Oakland teams. They had Hall of Fame superstars everywhere.
“But it makes it so much easier when guys are pulling for each other, when they stay together with no envy or jealousy because that can eat up a clubhouse, eat up people.”
RYAN LUDWICK SAID the Reds clubhouse is the best in which he has ever put on a uniform, no bad eggs or bad apples, a fun place to be.
“Ryan said it right,” said Baker. “Whoever is not playing is pulling for the guys who are playing.”
Baker said he likes to keep his team’s clubhouse activities under the radar, but said, “Now that it’s out there (Ludwick’s comment), you try to stay out of cliques and groups.”
And a lot of it comes from the manager’s office, too.
“You have to obtain and keep trust, which is difficult to do with young people these days,” said Baker. “You can’t misuse your power and authority. You be honest. You tell them the truth, you tell them you don’t want anybody talking behind anybody’s back, if you have a problem with a guy, you deal with him.”
THERE ARE INDICATIONS that Joey Votto might be available by the time the Pittsburgh Pirates hit town Friday and Baker said, “Joey is an exceptional athlete and an exceptional person who is in great shape. He is so strong and the injury was found so quickly that the leg didn’t have time to atrophy so his leg is still strong.”
Votto worked out on the field before Monday’s game, his first baseball activity, and passed all the tests.
After some on-field drills, Votto said, “I’m not pain-free. If I was pain-free I’d be playing. And I haven’t hit yet and don’t know for sure when I will.”
The Reds are 11-2 without Votto and when Baker was asked if he could ever dream of his team accomplishing that he said, “You can dream it, but that doesn’t mean it is going to happen. I dream all the time. You just hope that we can continue to play well.”
With a large dose of honesty, Baker said, “Not to take anything away from the teams we were playing but it helped that at the time the teams we were playing were strugglings (Arizona, Milwaukee, Houston, Colorado).”
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The outcome was perfect but we didn’t play perfectly. But we’ll take the outcome because you always search for the perfect road trip.” — Manager Dusty Baker on the team’s 6-0 road trip to Houston and Denver.
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By DD
July 31, 2012 4:56 PM | Link to this
Thanks Nathan.
By Nathan H.
July 31, 2012 4:31 PM | Link to this
DD- nope, it is a standard day off, they talked about it yesterday.
By DD
July 31, 2012 4:09 PM | Link to this
Heisey leading off tonight in CF with Valdez batting 2nd playing SS. I wonder if Stubbs or Cozart (or both!) are possibly being discussed in a trade right now????
By Randyman1956
July 31, 2012 3:39 PM | Link to this
Always enjoy Baker’s aspect. He focuses on two negative possibilities and ignores the possibility that obtaining a player like Victorino could solve some nagging problems like a leadoff hitter, proven World Series experience and he’d bring a winning attitude come post season. All the Phillies wanted was Ondrusek, but Walt said the price was too high. Interesting that the Dodgers gave up very little to acquire him. Then again maybe I’m being too negative.
By Nathan H.
July 31, 2012 3:31 PM | Link to this
Reds sign Broxton…
By UD86
July 31, 2012 2:37 PM | Link to this
Poor job by Mesoraco, nothing positive from what he did. Reds will most likely have to sacrifice a player to AAA to bring up a catcher. Let’s see how Dusty handles a 24-man roster. I think he will have more than a 4 or 5 game suspension. Looked like he bumped the ump a second time when Dusty tried to restrain him. Also, surprised no talking head or Hal mentioned how Mes. threw a forearm into Maybin’s head who was slumped over while chasing Bruce’s throw which got away in the collision. Real classy performance by the rookie … not.
By AP-FLORIDA
July 31, 2012 2:09 PM | Link to this
Great point Nathan H. “It took the Reds to beat the Reds….
By Mike in the Creek
July 31, 2012 1:42 PM | Link to this
Bumping / touching an umpire is a sure suspension, which means the team plays a man short. Down a catcher is playing with fire, so probably a move to occur. Any move made has significant business impact - use of an option, loss of a roster player, down a man in the bullpen - something??? A catcher has to be smarter than that, but here again - the inexperience of youth. Dusty looked more than just a little bit peeved with what happened - understandably. He’ll have to manage around whatever the outcome.
By Dr Zap
July 31, 2012 1:23 PM | Link to this
So Mesoraco got tossed? Big deal. I remember Votto throwing a hissy on a called third strike a few years back in Chicago when he didn’t make the all-star team. I say good for DM. Shows he has some spunk. I’m surprised that no one is fawning about Alonso’s performance last night. Kid could be playing for the Reds today - if he could play anything other than first. So, hopefully the Reds put it all behind them tonight and start another streak.
By wrc
July 31, 2012 12:14 PM | Link to this
It couldn’t last forever so I’m not shock or mad.I mean we were playing against teams in the bottom half of the standings and we really wasn’t blowing them away.Only trouble with standing pat is we’re hoping the Stubbs of the last two weeks continued and doesn’t revert back.I mean he’s got the tools to be good but so far only has shown flashes of it.I be glad if he just hit 250 as we can’t afford a Dunn like batting averaged.GO REDS!
By jeff
July 31, 2012 10:26 AM | Link to this
DD, I agree, sometimes the best trade is the one not made. I go back to the year we traded Lopez and Kearns for Majewski, Bray and Royce Clayton. What a bad trade that was. I do think the Reds will make a small move. Overbay would be a nice left handed option off the bench. I think Cairo would be gone but frankly he has not been the guy he was last year. I would not be surprised if they somehow got Garza for added depth. It will be interesting.
By Art Wayne Austin
July 31, 2012 10:10 AM | Link to this
The game could have been another win but Brandon’s reflexes took a hike on the ball hit just to his right. It would have been a sure double play. It was just an occasion where Brandon was not Brandon.
By Art Wayne Austin
July 31, 2012 10:05 AM | Link to this
The game could have been another win but Brandon’s reflexes took a hike on the ball hit just to his right. It would have been a sure double play. It was just an occasion where Brandon was not Brandon.
By Art Wayne Austin
July 31, 2012 10:04 AM | Link to this
The game could have been another win but Brandon’s reflexes took a hike on the ball hit just to his right. It would have been a sure double play. It was just an occasion where Brandon was not Brandon.
By DD
July 31, 2012 9:53 AM | Link to this
Yawner last night. I guess one was due. John Fay now reporting Reds and Phillies have ended talks for either Pierre or Victorino. I think that’s a good thing as either would have come at a high price. Hey Hal….if Reds can muster another 10 game winning streak can we convince you to follow Marty???
By Nathan H.
July 31, 2012 9:34 AM | Link to this
While Hal didn’t deliver his unsolicited observations from the notorious man cave last night, I did; and yes it was overwhelmingly interrupted by the nagging wife and rambunctious two-year old. As advised by most of you, suggesting that I enjoy it while it lasts because they grow up fast was dually noted but not taken to heart as I couldn’t muster the patience for both the two-year old and Mike Leake simultaneously. I can’t recap the game because the wound is still too fresh and I am afraid it might be infected by the unwashed and soiled Reds cap and jersey (Mostly done out of superstition and good luck rather than laziness, but I won’t rule it out the later); I still feel that I owe most of you the pleasure of my two shiny Abe Lincolns to please your surely weary eyes. Reflecting on Devin Mesoraco’s ‘ribbing’ as I’ll call it, of plate umpire Chad Fairchild (Unfairchild as my wife referred to him last night, not really funny but I laughed because she tried), I can only offer this during the increasingly fierce argument at the plate, Mesoraco appears to brush his finger against Fairchild, which didn’t seem to be intentional, rather Mesoraco was talking a lot with his hands, and to say the least, he was doing a lot of talking. That being said I want to focus on something more positive as I fear the best of a Reds rooter might get back to the old ways of “trade the team and fire the skipper” mentality. Positive? Last night? Why sure, Drew Stubbs continued to play amazing baseball and that is a rare occasion my fellow fans, possibly more scarce than a 10 game streak (if Stubbs keeps it up, he could be a 30/30 player, yea I said it). However, he did take one step back on his 37-3 win record when he touches home plate, but whose keeping track? In conclusion, and in another assumption, I think I can comfortably say I am glad it ended this way; no division rival showdown, no high stakes wild card berth, no nail biting down-to-the-wire slugfest. The Reds 10 game winning streak came to a halt in a game that was against itself. Half of the ‘south of the border priest’s” lineup contained former Redlegs and prospects, in so many ways can we all agree, and just say; it took the Reds to beat the Reds.
By Bob
July 31, 2012 9:28 AM | Link to this
Devin Mescoraco was probably no Gerber baby and he showed it by getting ugly and acting like a child last night. Almost as ugly as George Brett charging the mound. But that’s OK. Dusty is in his corner and will forgive his being a childish brat.
By Nathan H.
July 31, 2012 9:11 AM | Link to this
Hal, it looked like you got a workout last night… I bet you wish bloggin was never invented! Keep up the good work sir.
By Ron
July 31, 2012 8:56 AM | Link to this
Way to go Devon with the “I can’t take it anymore”. Need to keep the finger from touching the ump, but if you look at that specific pitch, how can they not call that a strike. Also, if you go back to Johnny C. last start that ump was giving Johnny the head of a needle to hit or he was calling balls. I know Dusty was trying to give Todd the night off, but it would of been nice to see what would of happened if Dusty would of pinch hit Frazier for Cairo in the 7th inning. The bases were loaded and one big hit would of put the Reds right back in the game. Let’s get back to winning tonight. Go Reds.
By jeff
July 31, 2012 8:21 AM | Link to this
Hey the ride was great while it lasted. 11 walks is something you have to try to do. They need a big game today so the Bullpen doesnt get fried. ** I love Meso’s passion but he has to argue calmly. I love that he backed his pitcher and for what its worth that umpire sure did squeeze the Reds. Not to pick on Dusty but as soon as Meso takes off the mask Dusty has to sprint out there and take his spot. Always save the player whether he is right or wrong. I was screaming where is Dusty and then it was too late. Oh well things escalated quickly. **If he does get suspended the Reds need to make a move on the 40 man. IMO its an easy move. Mike Costanzo gets the boot and Navarro gets bumped up. If the Reds make a trade I would have to imagine Cairo is the next to go. Start the next streak!!!
By Did JB ever get tossed
July 31, 2012 7:48 AM | Link to this
Hal, do you remember if Johnny Bench ever got tossed? I’m sure he did. I wonder if he would consider any ejection worth it. Thanks Hal. I check for your blog every morning.
By Michael in Singapore
July 31, 2012 2:00 AM | Link to this
Wouldn’t call it a bump on Mesoraco’s part. More like his index finger brushed the umps chest protector. Inadverant contact to say the least. Regardless, good for him for standing up for his pitcher. The Pirates picked up Travis Snider…what will the Reds do?
By Brad
July 31, 2012 12:19 AM | Link to this
Mama always said that there would be days like this. Let’s get back on track tomorrow. Go Reds.
By Walt
July 31, 2012 12:11 AM | Link to this
Whoops! Looks like “The Former Reds” took care of “The Current Reds”.