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From news of the day to news of the weird, John Fay provides a glimpse of what it’s like to cover the Cincinnati Reds

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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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Reds 6, Phillies 1

This just in: Johnny Cueto's good.

He went four innings against Phillies and allowed a hit, a walk, hit a batter and struck out two. 49 pitches, 33 strikes.

He worked out of a jam -- thanks to a Ryan Howard double play -- after giving up a single and hitting a batter in the sixth. That was the only trouble he get in. He faced the minimum nine batters in the seventh, eighth and ninth.

He faced the heart of the Phillies' order twice. He retired Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell a second time to close out the game.

Cueto's up to nine innings this spring. He's allowed one run on six hits. He's walked one and struck out eight.

I see no way he doesn't make the rotation.

Dusty Baker gushed a bit about Cueto before the game. He said he didn't spend a lot of time reading reports on the Cueto before spring training.

“I read but I scanned,” Baker said. “I didn’t want to be persuaded one way or other, so I didn’t really study, study. . . I’m not distrusting of reports; it’s just I trust my own eyes more.”

So what do his eyes tell him?

“Same thing yours tell you,” Baker said.

That is to say Cueto has off-the-chart stuff.

“I’ve had some really good people tell me about Cueto – guys from other organizations who had nothing to gain by telling me what they told me,” Baker said.
Cueto has looked extremely good.

“Spring ain’t over,” Baker said. “Just pitch, son, that’s all. No pressure, no expectations. Just pitch.

“I’ve got some expectations. I ain’t going to tell him yet. That comes later. Next year or two years.”

Back to the Phillies game:

Jerry Hairston went deep in the third to make it 1-0.

The Phillies tied it in the third with three straight two-out singles off Bronson Arroyo.

Scott Hatteberg untied it in the fourth by following Corey Patterson's second infield hit of the game with a home run to right. Hatteberg came in hitting .375 this spring.

Bronson Arroyo's line: 4 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts.

"I feel good," Arroyo said. "I'm ahead of where I was last year at this point. i fell like I've got life on fastball like I'd have at the end of April."

Bill Bray followed Arroyo and worked a scoreless inning in his spring debut. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

"It went pretty well," Bray said. "I felt good. No pain, that's biggest thing."

Craig Tatum made it 5-1 with a two-run homer in the seventh.


36 Comments:

at 7:33 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who is RF?

 
at 8:01 PM Blogger REddlegg in Colorado said...

Anon's 6:33-

He's Eric Dickerson's Nephew,

He's been a bright spot on the ST roster and has some good skills.High Kout ratio, though.

Has real good speed,some power, & has Dusty's attention.

HIs stats in Louisville looked good.

 
at 8:12 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know that... John didn't have a RF listed in the lineup is why I asked.

 
at 8:12 PM Blogger Ol' Timey Redsfan said...

Who else is going pitch tonight?

Arroyo is like he's on the beam tonight.

 
at 8:25 PM Blogger Ol' Timey Redsfan said...

Good outing for Bray. First pitch strikes to all but the last batter, good to hear him coming out strong.

 
at 8:41 PM Blogger Unknown said...

CTR says he blew one by a batter. Nice to hear!

 
at 8:43 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

John,

I heard Mo Egger talking this morning about how Bronson Arroyo walks around wearing a Red Sox hat. Is that true? If so, that is very disrespectful. The city, ownership, fans, etc. have been nothing but good to him and he walks around with a Boston hat on? I lost all respect for him. Is he trying to send a message that he wants to go back to Boston? Castellini went out and gave him a big extension, and he returns the favor with that? Do you think Sean Casey would wear a Cincinnati Reds hat in Boston? Don't think so. He has class. Why does Bronson think Boston wants him. I think he forgets that he didn't leave Boston and now regrets it, the traded him. They didn't want you, Bronson.

 
at 8:46 PM Blogger redfuture said...

Tatum just hit a tater. I'd like to see the defensive whiz get a few more atbats. He can probably hit match Ross' .200 right now.

 
at 8:50 PM Blogger Grizzlyfox said...

How about Cueto? Gets into trouble and then goes right at Howard and gets that DP. That's good stuff right there.

 
at 8:51 PM Blogger Grizzlyfox said...

I personally don't care if Bronson wears a Boston hat, let the dude be himself, if he wanted to go back to Boston he wouldn't have signed an extension.

 
at 8:54 PM Blogger John Fay said...

I've never seen Arroyo wearing a Red Sox hat.

 
at 9:01 PM Blogger redfuture said...

John, is this Cueto's normal day to pitch or is he being adjusted to fill a particular rotation spot? If so, I suppose it would for the #4. Most years a #5 isn't needed for the first 10 days or so.

 
at 9:07 PM Blogger Matt McWax said...

I never knew of Tatum being a defensive whiz, but I haven't really read up on him. He's probably pretty experienced at least with his college background/age. I think with a strong showing at Louisville, he'll get a shot.

 
at 9:22 PM Blogger Hugh D. Pohl said...

What silliness about Arroyo and his hat! Just as ridiculous as those commenting about his guitar playing interfering with his pitching, or his hair or blah, blah, blah.

 
at 9:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mo Egger is an idiot. Trying to stir the pot for his pathetic talk show..wait..does he still have one? Cincinnati has the worst sports talk shows..Doc is good. Greg Dolye was awful..and Ken Broo? Where do I begin? I think John Fay and CTR should join Doc on the airwaves.

 
at 9:28 PM Blogger redfuture said...

I read in one of John's articles that Volquez & Cueto both got their haircut. John gave a strong inkling that it came from Dusty. That is one thing I approve of Dusty. Harry Kallas, the phillie broadcaster, is raving about Cueto's pitching tonight.

 
at 9:42 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

The only person worse than Mo Egger on the radio is Alan Cutler. Ken Broo is right up there too. Didn't he leave here once before? Guess that shows how hard up channel 5 is.

 
at 9:47 PM Blogger NVreds said...

haha, cueto earned a 4 inning save because he came in with the tying batter in the box, thats pretty funny.

another dominant outing by johnny C. he's on the fast track. yes, finally the reds have something from their farm.

 
at 9:53 PM Blogger Hugh D. Pohl said...

I heard Sean Casey stitched together a Reds/Pirates/Detroit hat and is sporting it around the Boston spring training complex.

 
at 11:06 PM Blogger REddlegg in Colorado said...

Funny thing is, when ever I talk to Bosox fan's(Out here in CO),the tell me to watch out for Arroyo going back to Boston.I laugh & snicker at them,telling them they are crazy.But the word in Boston is He want's to go Back to Boston.(I personally don't think the want him or need him)

I'm sure he does want to return Boston,World series Champs,w/potential for another.If I were him I wanna play for Boston too.That was the team that he get his stuff working decently.

Now I also think he like it's in cincy.the contract extension proves that.Job security is a wonderful thing!!!!Can't a guy like other teams too,,,,,,???

 
at 11:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wouldn't doubt that he wears Red Sox hat. Who can forget this classy little number from this offseason.

http://bostonist.com/2008/01/07/dear_boston_i_m.php

"I think I need go back to Boston... I gotta get out of Cincinnati..."

I'd like to see Kriv kick his cornrows to the curb.

 
at 11:22 PM Blogger REddlegg in Colorado said...

That is the where the Bostonians are getting their info.Crazy article Anon 10:11

 
at 11:40 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

IF, he was wearing a Sox hat, my question would be: Is it a new one? Or possibly an old one, say one that was worn in a World Series? If its his WS hat I have no problem with it. Whats next? He cant wear his ring?

-Kevin in Ft Myers

P.S. Now if it was a Cubs hat, he should have his a$$ kicked!

 
at 1:25 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Personally I am sick and tired hearing about Arroyo and the Red Sox and Griffey and the Mariners. Good thing those two aren't the super stars of this team anymore. I LOVED what Jay Bruce and Joey Votto both said. That they want to spend the next 10 years winning championships in Cincinnati! Now that's the attitude I've been longing to here! Plus coming from our future studs makes it so much sweeter.

 
at 7:48 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think some of the folks here would rather have a starting 8 who all came from the west side of Cincinnati, and sucked. Welcome to the 21st century, fellas---caring whether Reds players love Cincinnati is like caring if a hooker really means it this time...grow up...

 
at 10:06 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I heard alot about Cueto last year, and he seems to be living up to the hype

NOW! How does everyone feel about that Bedard deal? Cueto and Belisle are your 4 and 5, not to shabby.

If we would have pulled the trigger with Bedard and given up Bailey, he would have solidified the best rotation in the national league.

Rumor was that we were close to a deal that would have sent Hopper, Drew Stubbs, Bailey, and another minor league guy (not sure, but it wasn't a big name) for Bedard. Cincy balked on it and wouldn't trade Bruce, so when asked about Bailey, wouldn't trade him either. At this point I bet they wish they did...

 
at 10:15 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Got to agree with Kevin in Ft. Mitchell. If he does wear the hat, it might have something to do with winning the world series with the BoSox. Can't hold that against him.

Far as Mo Egger is concerned, I have checked him out and there's not a whole he offers except bitterness towards sports and people who are not like himself. Either it's his radio schtick or he's really an unhappy guy.

 
at 11:30 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

bronson sure is in love with himself. i think theo saw the same thing we do: he needs to quit nibbling with his breaking stuff and start locating his fastball. he needs to spend less time in front of the mirror, and more time throwing strikes. until then, he has a better chance getting on american idol than getting back to the all-star game. as far as i'm concerned, he can take his fancy leg kick, his pretty mouth, and bloated era back to boston. lets give the kids a chance.
tb in bexley

 
at 11:37 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Jay, see you in 09!

Enjoy another fun year being held back by massively inferior outfielders!

 
at 12:36 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I have been in the camp that the Hamilton for Volquez trade was a good trade for the Reds, I just read that Hamilton is batting .522 in Spring Training, with 11RBI.

Clearly, the Reds traded away a potential stud... However, Texas initiated the talks for Hamilton -- so the Reds likely would have been unable to obtain Volquez without trading Hamilton.

Let's hope that Volquez and Bruce live up to their hype.

 
at 12:44 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cueto and Bruce seem to be good enough to be starters.

Bailey might need to start in AAA.

The rotation could easily look like...
Harang
Arroyo
Cueto
Volquez
Belisle (5th starter)

but I think Fogg will get Belisle's spot and be the #4 guy. That would move one of the rookies to #5, so whoever that be might start the year in AAA.

Subtract Fogg/Belisle and insert Bailey for next year and wow.
Adrian

 
at 1:02 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This just in. Johnny Cueto has pitched 9 innings against a mix of major and minor leaguers who have never seen him before. These so-called "scouts" who say he's the ace on the staff already are likely the same guys who said how great Homer Bailey is. Maybe he'll be in the rotation and put up a 4.00 ERA and win 12 games, but I wouldn't expect the 2nd coming of Mario Soto just yet. He needs seasoning, and the number of innings that he can pitch in a full season is questionable.

 
at 1:23 PM Blogger reaganspad said...

You know, Krivsky is just brilliant. not only the acquisition, retention and great showing of dominance by Volquez and Cueto....
but he adds a 2.98 ERA who is coaching these kids on being a Major Leaguer.

Brilliant...
And having 21 year olds Bailey AND BRUCE developing their games at AAA. 3 months there will hurt neither player

 
at 4:23 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cueto was drafted by Dan O'Brien. So were Bruce and Bailey. For all of his bonehead major league moves, he was a good talent evaluator.

 
at 4:53 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fogg is dreadful and won't make this club. Where do you get Fogg making the rotation? That's simply ridiculous.

Affeldt will barely make the team.

The rotation will be

HARANG, ARROYO, CUETO, BELISLE, and BAILEY/VOLQUEZ/AFFELDT....

Fogg is so incredibly inferior to the three pitchers far ahead of him for the fifth spot it isn't funny.

Fogg is a Coutlangus-quality starter. Sorry Josh fans, he won't make this club.

 
at 9:18 AM Blogger Frank said...

When is the last time you saw a team (Phillies) play only nine players in a spring training game??

 
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