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John Fay
John Fay has been the Reds beat writer for the Enquirer since 2001. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles for the Enquirer: backup Reds writer, UC beat writer, backup Bengals writer and as a general assignment reporter. He is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of Elder High School and the University of Dayton.

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Thursday, May 3, 2007

Astros 7, Reds 5: Bullpen Meltdown III

The dreaded eighth inning again. The Reds score three, then give up three and lose 7-5. For my money, it was the worst loss of the year from an emotional standpoint.

If the bullpen gets the final six outs, the Reds go home 5-4 on the trip and feeling good about themselves because of the rally in the eighth. Instead, they go home 4-5 on the trip and wondering if the any lead is safe late.

To his credit, Mike Stanton took all the blame. He called the writers over and then said this:

“That’s an utter and complete disgrace to go out there and do that. There’s no excuse for that. You've got to go out and make quality pitches.”

“I let the team down after we battled back. There’s no excuse for that. . . A major league pitcher is supposed to go out there and get the job done. I didn't do that.”

You've got to admire his candor. But the Reds could really use Bill Bray's arm right now.

On an up note, Ken Griffey Jr. might not look like he did in '95 but he's looking like he did in '05. And he had a pretty good year that year.

That rally in the eighth, by the way, kept Eric Milton from being the first Red to lose his first five starts of the year since Joey Jay in 1963. Joey Jay is one of the first Reds I remember so that was a long, long time ago.

I've got a 6:45 a.m. flight. Will blog at you tomorrow.


14 Comments:

at 1:33 AM Blogger Chris at Redleg Nation said...

Stanton sounds like a stand-up guy, but that's cold comfort.

I always heard that hitting a baseball was the toughest thing to do in sports, but it sure doesn't look like it when the Reds relievers step out for the 8th inning.

 
at 7:26 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am starting to think that a fearless young pitcher who throws heat is better in late innings than experienced guys who supposedly dont get rattled but dont have the stuff anymore to shut the door like Stanton and Weathers and the recently departed Cormier. After hitters have been trying to time the starters fastball which is slowing down as the game goes on, bringing a young kid who can throw strikes or at least induce swings with more heat than the tiring starter had gets the hitters off balance all over again. I am tired of closer by comittee or closer by soft tosser. It only leads to too much drama that all too often lets the other team back in the game. I think the Reds should take their chances with the young arms in the bullpen. They might fail some while they gain experience, but at least they will be failing aggressivly and strike some fear in the other team. Right now, other teams know that once they knock our starter out, even after seven, that its time to party. Cut Weathers and Stanton. Let Dick Pole be the voice of experience with the young guys.

 
at 7:58 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Another late inning disaster. I rate this one up there with Arroyo's 7-2 lead after 7 innings being blown. When Stanton came in last night I thought I saw that his ERA was over 8.00 and winced. I know its early and he doesn't have a ton of innings to balance it out, but that's not good. Unless Coffey was hurting, I leave him in there after he gets the first out. He has a much better chance at striking out the next two over anyone else we have down in the pen. Oh well...maybe Jerry will figure it out in his next assignment. -MB

 
at 8:10 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John, How is Bray? How far away is he from returning?

 
at 8:37 AM Blogger Mark said...

Jr. may have hit a long one last night BUT... It's hard to stomach his light jog to 1st on a game ending double play! He sets no example for Edwin and company at all. With runners on the corners, if he beats it out then it's a 1 run game with a man on first with a good hitting Conine up next... Even in his best year with the Reds, I don't see where he has added a whole lot to this team's success.
As frustrated as we all are about the bullpen, this disease runs deeper. Until the organization makes the real hard decisions of cutting ties with a few players, it seems to shaping up to be a year of mediocrity once again.

 
at 8:59 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's great the relievers all take the blame for their putrid performances. But for some reason, it doesn't magically give the Reds a win or make the fans feel any better.

These guys are a joke. My only fear is which two players is Krivsky going to trade for another couple of damaged goods, ragged armed flops?

Is it football season yet?

 
at 9:20 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did you know that the Reds are tied for the league league in Innings Per Start? Just more confirmation that if they had any relief pitching at all, they'd probably at least be up there with Milwaukee.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/stats/teamsort/regularseason/yearly/NL/PIT/EXT?&_1:col_1=12&_1:col_2=7

 
at 9:56 AM Blogger Dan H said...

I am inclined not to do this but thought of Homer pitching in the 8th is crossing my mind after another 8th inning stink bomb by the pen. The starters have been great, the offense inconsistent, we need the bullpen to hold on to those 1 and 2 run leads in the late innings. ARRGGGG!!

 
at 9:58 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The encouraging thing is that Griffey is pulling the ball now. That hand must be feeling better because before he was taking everything to left.
Despite the recent bullpen failures.. I'm still encouraged with the performance of the pitching staff.

 
at 10:55 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Todd Coffey got the first out of the eighth and turned it over to Stanton"......this is the only area of concern I have with Jerry Narron. Since taking over the redlegs, this is what he does with his bullpen. He brings in too many relievers into the game. Every guy in the bullpen doesnt have their "A" stuff every night, therefore why role the dice in bringing in 3,4 or 5 guys a night. One is going to get burned and put another loss in the column. The versus lefty situation for Stanton which Narron states he would take everytime, well what about the guy who is on the mound? If his (Coffey) stuff is good, keep him in there. Narron rolled the dice bringing in Stanton and Stanton didnt roll the lucky seven, he rolled a three. Three meaning three runs! If Narron continues to roll the dice with the bullpen, this is going to be another up and down season which is a consistant roll of the dice for the Reds.

 
at 11:40 AM Blogger John Fay said...

Bray is throwing all his pitches in bullpen sessions. I would think he's close to a rehab assignment. I'll check it tonight. As i remember it, Griffey ran hard on the double play ball. Just saw it live. No replay.

 
at 12:02 PM Blogger Glamma said...

This bullpen trend has got to stop, we need someone to step up and get, shall I dare say, "NASTY"! I am in Texas and only see the games on TV; but, I don't see any fire from the bullpen guys, Eddie is the only one that appears to have an edge & he's on the DL.....somebody needs to step up and be the man!

 
at 12:08 PM Blogger mexicanred said...

Hey Mark: Jr. hitted a laser in the 9th. An easy double play as soon as the ball left the bat. Junior ran hard but it was impossible.
Junior is playin very well.

 
at 2:11 PM Blogger amazinglyrefreshing said...

I agree about the Griffey double play: it was hit hard and was probably in the shortstop's glove before Griffey even had a chance to get out of the box.

One of these days we're going to have to do something about Milton.

I still think we have the makings of a strong bullpen...I just don't know how to turn it around.

 
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