Reds Insider: Phillies 5, Reds 3: 'Up, away' and it's over

Monday, April 7, 2008

Phillies 5, Reds 3: 'Up, away' and it's over

"Up, away."

That's how Javy Valentin described the pitch home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called him out on to end Monday's game.

I've got to agree with Valentin. If it's close with tying run at second, Valentin is hacking.

"I looked at the replay," he said. "It was a bad pitch. No way I can put that ball in play."

The Phillies beat the Reds 5-3 Monday in the wrap-up of the seven-game, season-opening homestand. The Reds finished the stand 4-3.

"5-2 sounds a lot better," Dusty Baker said. "But it's over. There's nothing we can do about it."

The Reds got the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth against Philly closer Brad Lidge. Paul Bako walked with two outs. Corey Patterson reached on So Taguchi's two-base error. Ken Griffey Jr., on the bench for the day, pinch hit for Ryan Freel. He was intentionally walked after getting ahead 3-1. Valentin was then sent up to hit for Juan Castro. With Valentin at the plate, Lidge threw a wild pitch. Bako socred, Patterson went to third and Griffey to second. Valetin took a called third on a 3-2 pitch.

"You know Javy's not going to take a 3-2 fastball," Baker said.

They were behind from the start in this one. Bronson Arroyo gave up a leadoff home run to Jimmy Rollins. Arroyo got two easy outs, then gave up a double to Ryan Howard and two-run bomb to Pat Burrell.

Reds scored 2 in the first. Ryan Freel doubled, Juan Castro walked. Freel stole third and Castro moved to second when the ball got through third baseman Pedro Feliz. Freel scored on Brandon Phillips groundout. Jeff Keppinger singled Castro in.

Arroyo got two quick outs in the third and then gave solo shots to Burrell and Geoff Jenkins.

Arroyo's line: 5 2/3 innings, 9 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks, 6 Ks. The four home runs, obviously, ruined his day.

Jeremy Affeldt did a nice job in relief of Arroyo. Affeldt stranded two runners in the sixth and then pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.

Philly lefty Cole Hamels was excellent. His line: 7 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, 3 walks, 4 Ks.

38 Comments:

at 1:01 PM

Nathan said...

It is obviously working out, but why bat Castro in the two-hole?

at 1:25 PM

Unknown said...

Arroyo needs to be more "effectively wild." You appreciate someone who is always around the zone, but he's working from the corners in, and the Phils aren't scared to take their big hacks - too many homers. However, unlike last year, this one isn't over yet.

at 1:27 PM

hey hey redlegs said...

arroyo looks AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at 1:29 PM

Frank Robinson's Ghost said...

I guess the lineup isn't the big problem today.

at 1:34 PM

Unknown said...

I am listening to the Reds on 700wlw. Does Jeff Brantley put anyone else to sleep? I am going to have to stop listening at work otherwise I am going to fall out of my chair.

at 1:39 PM

Jaybee said...

As much as I like Bronson, I'm beginning to wonder if he was a "one hit wonder?" The back of the baseball card doesn't lie and there must have been a reason Boston was willing to let him go. I really, really hope he can turn things around and pitch effectively again . . . SOON!

at 1:43 PM

Anonymous said...

Just when I had almost forgotten what Eric Milton looked like! ;{(

at 1:47 PM

The Dunce Cap Marvel said...

Is it just me or does Bronson always seem to have less than stellar starts for day games? Is there a reason for this?

at 1:49 PM

hey hey redlegs said...

jaybee i agree, he was what a #4 or 5 with boston and now he's a #2 here. i love brantley he and marty are a good compliment to each other.

at 1:55 PM

Art Shamsky said...

Bronson needs to find a day job...oh yeah...he doesn't like those...another example today....maybe the Cubs would really like this guy, considering the number of day games they play....

at 2:38 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

I am convinced that it is the stupid JTM commercials with AYOYO and Creepy that are to blame. He had better learn to pitch, because he sure can't sing.

I guess Baker was right, no reason to waste the regulars when you have a guy that that on the mound.

ST CSA

at 2:39 PM

KevinFtMyers said...

Houston, we have a problem.

Starting to wonder if Arroyo can get it done anymore.

And now he has a contract other teams wont be interested in.

Well maybe he can still be a #5, a well paid #5.

at 2:40 PM

Bob Loblaw said...

EE looks terrible thus far. He doesn't even look comfortable at the plate. It's like he's lost his confidence and/or swing entirely. Of course I'm not advocating a benching or send-down, but he has to get it together. If it weren't for the game winning homer he hit in the 3rd game, he hasn't contributed anything. A slow start is one thing, but to look like a complete imbecile at the plate is another. I hope he makes me eat my words in the next couple of innings. I will gladly choke them down.

at 3:11 PM

Mr. Doom and Gloom said...

EE's not as bad as his batting average would suggest, check out the OBP, he's drawn a lot of walks. does look pretty uncomfortable up there at times though...

is it me, or is this exactly the type of get away game effort we've come accustomd to seeing from the reds the past couple years? send out a bunch of back-ups, hope for the best, if not, no big deal. i'd be pissed if i took the afternoon off and bought a ticket to watch that snoozefest.

at 3:17 PM

SCRedCat said...

It's time to give up on EE. He is just a right handed Willie Greene. Simple: Freel on 3rd, Patterson/Hopper platoon in Center. When Gonzalez comes back, Kep to 3rd. This makes the Reds stronger in the field, in the lead off spot, and on the bases.

at 3:23 PM

schlemdog said...

The first tow Arroyo starts do remind me of that terrible 7 start stretch he had last year.

How did he get right last year?

at 3:28 PM

Unknown said...

No way was that a strike... argh.

at 3:32 PM

Another losing season said...

I am convinced that it is the stupid JTM commercials with AYOYO and Creepy that are to blame. He had better learn to pitch, because he sure can't sing.

Good point. I'm boycotting JTM products until this cheesy sales campaign is concluded.

at 3:35 PM

BrettWV said...

John,
I was watching the game on gameday and it looked like the pitch to Javier was outside. Tell me what you thought of it????

at 3:45 PM

Brad said...

Cueto, Volquez, Harang and pray for rain!

at 3:55 PM

hey hey redlegs said...

can we send bronson back to boston? i'll accept a bucket of balls or a couple crates of sunflower seeds

at 4:05 PM

Anonymous said...

I would like to see stats on the ratio of complaints to compliments on this forum, if Arroyo goes out next week and pitches a no-hitter everyone will love him for a week until he gives up 4+ er and then all the complaints will come out again. I am not a huge Arroyo fan but dang gentlemen support the deck you were dealt and be an actual Reds fan. Lets see a year of supportive Reds fans no matter the record, that would be more amazing than a 60 game winning streak, a 130 win season and a World Series trophy.

at 4:21 PM

Anonymous said...

OK...This is what I think...if I'm Bronson Arroyo, I'm probably a little miffed that Baker patched together a line-up worthy of the last week in Spring Training. Granted, his pitching eventually was the thing that doomed this game, but I'm sure his confidence with what I thought was a crazy line-up had a something to do with it. That line-up would frighten NOBODY. Patterson getting a rest? If that's the line-up that we are going to run out against top-tier left-handers, we are done for.

at 4:23 PM

JackBlueAsh said...

redcat ..we have played 7 games ..you have absolutely no idea as to which u type

EE was one of our best players the second half of the season last year

calm down

at 4:43 PM

Frank Robinson's Ghost said...

Arroyo hung himself in this game -- although we'd love to see more scoring, the burden has to fall on him. (4 HRs?)

Its very early though, and I hope he rights himself. That said, there seems to be a good chance that BA could be a #3 or #4 here next year, and I think he matches up well wth most 3s and 4s in the NL.

at 4:50 PM

Joe said...

I thought Baker did a good job with the line-up today considering the opposing pitcher. Arroyo had a tough day and did not throw enough good fastballs. I think Bronson will come around with the competition he has in his own dugout. Sometimes I think he trys to get too fine with the curve ball. We have to remember the Phillys were a pretty good team last year and it does not appear they have slipped any! Good opening considering the two teams the Reds played.

at 5:27 PM

Another losing season said...

No way to find fault with Baker's lineup considering the opposing pitcher. Also, it was the third day game in a row and it's a getaway day before an important road trip. All the more reason to give some starter's a day off.

at 5:55 PM

Steven Ross said...

Arroyo will be fine when his "boy" returns: Ross! Ya all need to relax. Everyone's a manager and an expert. This just in: Hamels owns us! Move on, let it go.

at 6:03 PM

Dan H said...

Every pitcher and player has his ups and downs throughout any year. Some early in the year, some in the middle and some late. With regards to Arroyo,Fogg,EE,Dunn,Votto, lets wait acouple more weeks or starts in Arroyo and Fogg's case before we jump to conclusions. The Reds have a tough schedule in April,anywhere around 500 or a little over would be great. So far, the bullpen has been pretty solid and that's a good sign.

at 6:23 PM

Bogey said...

I'm no math whiz but I have a feeling that to continue winning 4 out of every 7 games will yeild a pretty good result at seasons end.

Guess it's all about perspective.

at 8:02 PM

ST fan said...

Four out of seven is about a 92 win pace. Not a bad start at all. I'll take it!

I guess it's simply a streak but our real power hitters are in a lefty run; Jr, Dunn, Hamilton, Votto, Bruce. Poor EE is expected to balance that.

Why does Baker have to separate Jr and Dunn. I know what the thinking is but Sparky went with Foster, Bench, Perez...back to back to back, and won big time.

Same with pitchers. Why alternate LHStraters and RHStarers. That gives the opponent a chance to rest players. Go with 4 RHPs in a row and wear out the lefty batters. I like especially to use the same handed pitcher in a day game after a night game.

at 8:52 PM

JerBear said...

I don't think you can put Griffey and Dunn back to back because if the other team has a lefty specialist in the bullpen late in the game it's like two automatic outs with Griffey and Dunn a lot of times.

Especially those side arm lefties! I think there is one on Milwaukee? I hope he was traded or something!

It's not really a knock on those two. They are very effective at times, but they aren't too successful against lefties out of the bullpen.

Cole Hamels just dominates the Reds. I don't think Griffey, Patterson, Hatteberg or Votto would have done much either.

Hamels dominates the Reds, but he is also a pretty good pitcher against the rest of the league. He's tough to beat.

I'm not too worried with Arroyo. He hasn't pitched good yet, but he's gone 5 innings and the game hasn't totally been out of hand when he's had to leave the game.

If these are Arroyo's worst starts of April than I like the Reds chances to have a good month.

at 9:45 PM

Unknown said...

Time to start wondering if Dunn and Votto are struggling because Baker told them to change their approach. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Valentin is a .202 career pinch hitter with an OBP under .250 in that role. A few homers here and there don't make you a good pinch hitter.

Of course, if you put Freel, Hopper, Bako, Castro and the pitcher in your lineup, you're really not trying to win. Jr has been stinging the ball lately, no reason for him to sit this early on.

Castro batting 2nd and Hopper 7th is silly.

at 2:28 AM

NVreds said...

"Same with pitchers. Why alternate LHStraters and RHStarers. That gives the opponent a chance to rest players. Go with 4 RHPs in a row and wear out the lefty batters. I like especially to use the same handed pitcher in a day game after a night game."

interesting point, never really thought of it that way. I think I only 60% agree but still a valid point. only because the best batters on each team will start against any pitcher and rest when its convenient, so throwing a different look at them (w/ a LH pitcher) helps. the role players will play when their needed, and not get tired.

at 10:33 AM

jfrizn said...

Dang it, going to see the Reds tomorrow in Milwaukee and I get Fogg?????

That pitch was a ball.

at 1:00 PM

Rob Dicken said...

It's time to give up on EE. He is just a right handed Willie Greene.

What a ridiculous comment. The last 2 seasons he has started for the Reds says differently.

The day game thing with Arroyo is weird. Never seen anything like it before.

at 3:20 PM

jfrizn said...

I agree EE saved us with a walkoff already this year and y'all wanna throw him under the bus. Yeah, his feilding leave much to be desired but hey, its early in the season. lets wait until we're out of it for all that. Why don't we all just groan about the bad call that ump made last night. That cost us the game.

at 5:00 PM

reaganspad said...

Dunn and Votto are hitting .310 (combined).

They will be fine. In fact when they start pounding the ball, this team might actually win a few games.

Interesting stat so far: Dunn has 6 BB's and 6 K's.
EE has 8 & 7, Griffey 6 & 4

The guy who would look to be struggling is Phillips who has 1 BB & 8 K's but is hitting .357

And yes Keppinger is amazing with 1 K...

Previous Posts

Monday, April 7, 2008

Phillies 5, Reds 3: 'Up, away' and it's over

38 Comments: