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Reds Insider
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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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Dodgers 4, Reds 1

Matt Belisle pitched well -- 6 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs. But the Reds didn't hit and the defense was shaky in the second.

"That's the best I've seen him," catcher David Ross said. "He had command of the strike zone. It's one of the best I've caught all year."

"To be blunt," Belisle said. "I had to step up. . . it stings not to come out on top. The bottom line is results. We're sick of losing out here."

The Reds have lost eight straight at Dodger Stadium and are 9-21 on the West Coast since 2006.

Ugly inning in the second for the Redlegs. Jeff Kent and James Loney singled to start it. Matt Kemp hit a ball that Edwin Encarnacion made a nice play on. But his throw went off Ross' glove for an error. Should have been one out, runners at first and second, no runs in. Instead, it was 1-0, no outs, runners at second and third.

Blake DeWitt hit one to Paul Janish that he bobbled. It was ruled a hot, loading the bases. Chin-lung Hu hit into a fielder's choice, forcing Loney at home. It looked like Joey Votto stepped on first, taking off the force but the umpire ruled the other way.

Pitcher Chad Billingsley singled on first pitch to get another run in. All in all, it was astonishing that the Dodgers only scored two runs.

Reds had a great chance in the sixth. Corey Patterson singled and stole second. He went to third on Paul Janish's groundout. Ken Griffey Jr. walked. But Brandon Phillips bounced into a 6-4-3 double play.

Belisle left after giving up a single to start the seventh. Bill Bray came on, got an out on a sacrifice adn then proceeded to give up back-to-back hits. They led to a pair of runs.


70 Comments:

at 11:03 PM Blogger Unknown said...

what was Ross doing? he was 3' off the plate... he needs to be blocking it and the ball is in his chest.

WOW... Great catch Jr!

 
at 11:44 PM Blogger Todd McElmurray said...

BP hitting into a DP . . . tough not to come out of that inning without a run.

 
at 11:45 PM Blogger NVreds said...

that was a nice catch by jr. apparently he can still haul his 400lb body (400 lbs according to jackauthority)

 
at 11:47 PM Blogger bearcat1984 said...

So typical. Win six in a row. Lose six in a row.

C'mon Reds. Toughen up !!!

 
at 12:00 AM Blogger Joe said...

To this point in the game.

Good game from Belisle.

Better game form Billingsley.

We need the late inning runs tonight....

Quick game - quick game

 
at 12:00 AM Blogger Joe said...

EE can play the defense...

 
at 12:04 AM Blogger Pokey Reese said...

John,

Tell Bray to lose the sideburns.

 
at 12:10 AM Blogger Joe said...

Good decision by EE to pocket that one. One day this kid is gonna earn a Gold Glove.

 
at 12:13 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

john if you had to bet the farm on it when do you think jay bruce will be in a reds uniform? also that super 2 or whatever when we save a year of free agency if he comes up at a certain date or later do you know that date ?

 
at 12:17 AM Blogger Todd McElmurray said...

Am I the only one questioning why Dusty pulls Belisle when he's slated to lead off the next inning paving the way for a pinch hitter?

Now he's used two pitchers and had to pull a double switch . . . what a waste!

I just don't understand his logic sometimes . . .

 
at 12:23 AM Blogger John from Cincinnati said...

Hey John-

These Red losers are going to go down to a third sweep in Los Angeles in three years. That has to be a record in futility. Do you know the major league record for consecutive losses in an opposition's stadium?

 
at 12:25 AM Blogger John from Cincinnati said...

I'm sick and tired of watching these losers. Wake me when they are above .500.

 
at 12:26 AM Blogger John from Cincinnati said...

Obviously, Walt Jocketty has a lot longer leash than Wayne did. Bob said "the losing stops now", yet Walt has made no moves, zero, nada and the team is still under .500. How much longer can Bob wait and watch his team linger at the bottom?

 
at 12:56 AM Blogger reds fest said...

This team haven't changed a bit. I'm sick of Jocketty. What is his job? Why don't they bring up Jay???

 
at 6:55 AM Blogger bill said...

Let's think about this. Hairston and Freel play, the Reds win. Patterson plays a whole game as the lead off batter and Hairston and Freel sit, the Reds lose because their offense stinks.

Why do you start a guy hitting in the .220s and sit two guys batting over .300?

Jocketty is not the problem. If Castellini wants to win, the Reds have to play proven producers. That is not happening.

 
at 7:24 AM Blogger Another losing season said...

This is just a minor setback. Reds never play well in LA. Tonight Cueto will get them back on track and that will set them up for a sweep of the lowly Padres. Ross is really starting to heat up at the plate and should get more playing time.

 
at 7:28 AM Blogger BATSFAN said...

Hey John you might already know, but Janish went 0 for 4 tonight but thats not what im getting at. You take a look at his minor league stats at Home for the Bats, .444 3 hrs 16 RBIS, then his road stats, .224 1 hr 4 rbis. So far with the Reds batting .800 at home, 000 on the road. Just a little food for thought for dusty baker

 
at 8:26 AM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Robbing peter and paying Paul.

This team is awful on the road, and if Dusty is going to be a manager worth his salt, he better figure it out, yesterday.

1 run? Sure Billingsly pitched well, but does anyone believe hes any better than some of the pitchers they faced last week?

And that defense!

Reds are now 7 and 16 on the road (and 14 and 9 at home)

A team that doesnt have good players is consistantly bad no matter where they play.

A team good at home, bad on the road is not focused when on the road.

Dusty, your move!

 
at 8:45 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Smart lineup by Dusty - smart. He's got Patterson and Griffey up at the top, and that way, when the power guys come up, there's no one clogging up the bases.

 
at 9:57 AM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Griffeys catch last night made #4 on Sportscenter top plays.

CSA,
This is where you copy and paste this and insert some one liner cheap shotting Griffey.

(You are becoming more and more predictable and less and less funny.)

 
at 10:41 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Reds were beat before they ever went to the dugout. AND THEY PLAYED LIKE THEY KNEW IT. It's the same as it was with Atlanta a number of years ago. I started to have a little hope for this team, but two days in L.A. made them look like the same "no character" team we have been watching of most of the year. 6-0 at home. 1-6 on the west coast. Just about what I would expect. God, I wish I could be wrong on this one and they would have a winning road trip.

 
at 10:55 AM Blogger Steven Ross said...

Ross might good at throwing out would-be base runners but he's awful at catching a throw from the outfield or, as we saw last night, a perfect toss from the infield. I've never seen a catcher drop so many balls at the plate. Don't get me started on Votto's gaff by not steping on the base. Ineptitude cost Belisle two runs. He was culable for giving up a solid single to the stinkin' pitcher. The beat goes on...on the road. Come-on Walt, do something.

 
at 11:01 AM Blogger Arden Dulou said...

As long as this team is built to win over the very long haul (see Braves, Atlanta) I am OK with WJ for now.

I would still like to see bruce/Bailey/Phillips up now. I think that helps the short and long term winning goals.

The crawl until Super 2 Day continues...

 
at 12:37 PM Blogger Petaluma Redsfan said...

Jocketty needs to bring up Bruce NOW. He goes to CF. We are tired of the losing. The six game win streak was nice but this team still underachieves by a wide margin. Team should be above .500.. Period. Jocketty and Baker need to get this team motivated to win NOW and if need be.....bring in players that want to win NOW and are dedicated to winning by doing the little things to win. Things like taking the pitch the other way, not going after every first pitch. Not getting picked off and running the bases properly. Does this team work on their skills in practice? I am not sure. They seem unprepared for success.

Reds fan in Petaluma

 
at 1:07 PM Blogger Brad said...

Krivsky 9-12 (.429)
Jockety 12-13 (.480)
good thing Walt had that 6 game winning streak!!!

When does Dusty start taking some heat??? Or at least Jacoby - whether it's deserved or not, we've already seen one shoot from the hip firing this year, why not another?

 
at 1:39 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

This blog is as stale and slow as Griffey's bat.

John, any truth to the rumor that the Reds are moving the fences in at GABP in an attempt to speed up the Crawl to 600?

St CSA

 
at 2:36 PM Blogger JackBlueAsh said...

Jr has gone from brilliant to average in the field. Hes gone from exceptional to below average at the plate

Jr is not 400lbs ..thats silly

Julie and I got seats in late August..hopefully Jr will hit number 600

JBA

 
at 2:51 PM Blogger Zippy said...

Sorry if this is breaking any rules, but I'd like to quote from a previous thread and continue the discussion here. (On that note: John, you really ought to consider organizing this blog by topic rather than chronologically, so that ongoing discussions can be kept separate from day-to-day updates.)

Anyway, Kevin wrote

Zippy,

Do you understand what a CLOSER is?

You dont use your closer in a setup role just "any old time".


Yes, Kevin, I understand that baseball has collectively decided that a team's best relief pitcher must be named a "closer" and must be used almost exclusively in "save situations," especially on the road. I also understand how IRRATIONAL this is.

Consider this. In the game two nights ago, why would it have been a "mistake" to bring Cordero into a tie game? The argument is that you need to save your closer for a "save" situation. Now, it's entirely possible that no save situation will ever occur, either because you lose the game before ever taking a lead (which is what happened in that game) or because you score more than 3 runs in the top of an inning. So, in the first place, you don't actually know that you'll ever get a chance to use your closer at all, so why not use him when you KNOW he can increase the team's chances of winning, i.e., in the bottom of the 9th of a tie game. As I've said countless times, it's entirely possible that the Reds score multiple runs in the next inning, and then Weathers (or anyone) can finish off the game. Even if they had scored only 2 or 3 runs in the 10th, you can bring Weathers in with a 2 or 3 run lead, which means he can give up a run or two and you can still win the game. I'm much happier having Weathers in a game with a 2 or 3 run lead than having him pitch in a sudden-death situation.

Now, what you seem to be concerned about is the fact that, should the Reds fail to score in the 10th, Cordero is no longer available and you'll need to count on Weathers (and/or others) to shut down the Dodgers the rest of the way. But think about that for a moment. You're afraid that you MIGHT have to rely on Weathers to pitch a scoreless inning or two, and because of that, you bring Weathers into the game when you KNOW he MUST pitch a scoreless inning?! You don't even allow for the possibility that Weathers might be able to enter the game with a 3 or 4 run lead!

Do you not see how irrational that is? It's like sticking your head into a lion's mouth because you're afraid you might someday be attacked by a lion, and you'd rather just get it over with before a hypothetical lion pounces on you unexpectedly. That makes just as much sense as bringing Weathers into a sudden-death situation for fear you MIGHT eventually have to use him in a sudden-death situation.

Kevin also said:

I said you were "condemning Dustys action with the luxury of hindsight." You are saying he did the wrong thing AFTER it already went wrong.

First of all, I can't very well anticipate every wrong thing Dusty is going to do in the future and complain about it before he's actually done it. But, for the record, I've complained about this for years, and we argued about this exact same thing when Baker made the same mistake in Milwaukee, which occurred BEFORE he made the same mistake in LA. And for the record, I'm now officially complaining about it every time he does it in the FUTURE. So now you can't call this "the luxury of hindsight" anymore.

Apologies for the long post, but this "closer" business is one of the things that irks me more than anything else in baseball. The Reds are paying more money to a guy who'll be lucky to pitch 60 innings than they're paying Harang, who'll probably pitch over 200 innings and wind up with roughly the same ERA as Cordero. Nothing could possibly make less sense than that. Runs scored in the first 7 innings count just as much as runs scored in the 9th. Harang's contribution will be almost 4 times that of Cordero's and yet he's making less money. That's baseball's "conventional wisdom" in a nutshell.

 
at 3:05 PM Blogger Will T. said...

John, what do you think about all of the comments about Ken Griffey Jr. that are made on this blog? I have been a huge Griffey fan for since I was in little league. He is one of the best players in the history of the league. The things people say are just rediculous. It would be one thing if he has been a scrub most of his career but the fact is that he hasn't been. If it were not for injuries, he would have broken the HR record. This whole love them when the are doing good, and hate them when they are doing bad is just stupid. For people to say the things they do, when half of them have probably never played a competitive game of baseball is funny. Show the man the respect that he deserves, it is not like he is a kid anymore. Granted he may be on the downside of his career, but take into consideration what he has done. What do you think about this, John?

 
at 3:53 PM Blogger Brj said...

Hey John! When you're in Southern California do you ever tune into former Red Frank Pastore's show on KKLA-FM?

http://www.kkla.com/localhosts/11554905/

 
at 3:55 PM Blogger LongTimeRedsFan said...

Baseball is and has always been about "what have you done for me lately". The fact is Griffey hasn't done much lately, and many of us feel he has been lackadaisical, lazy, and not been the team leader we expected when he came here. That's why so many are ready to see him go. That does not mean that all of us don't appreciate his total career, but he is definitely on the downside of that.

 
at 3:56 PM Blogger Reds Fan of Toledo said...

Zippy you are exactly right about the closer situation. In a tie game in the bottom of the ninth on the road, the only way to win is to extend the game. The best pitcher in the bullpen is who should get the call. The Reds must not pay attention when many other teams use their closer in this situation all the time. At this point you cannot wait for a save situation. One must put the best pitcher on the field that gives his team the best chance to get another try to win the game. If the pitcher in the game gives up a run, then this one does not belong to the reds!

 
at 3:59 PM Blogger Another losing season said...

Yeah you guys...leave Jr. alone. He has done enough in his career and should never be questioned or ridiculed about his lack of productivity or hustle no matter how much it hurts the team. He is above the team and you need to respect him. All this Griffey bashing is just plain reedikulas.

 
at 4:14 PM Blogger JackBlueAsh said...

Griffey..was one of the best players in baseball..he no longer is

His place on the roster and prohibitive salary is an impediment to this club

Id use Cordero whenever possible..how many real save possibilities is he really gonna have on this club anyway

JBA

 
at 4:26 PM Blogger Another losing season said...

Tonight's Lineup

Patterson cf
Hairston Jr. ss
Griffey Jr. rf
Phillips 2b
Dunn lf
Scissorhands 3b
Votto 1b
Bako c
Cueto p

 
at 4:47 PM Blogger Joe said...

Another LS: I agree. Volquez is going to get #8 tonight. But it is going to be tough in SD to get your sweep. Too many lefties coming at us.

will t: I am also a Griffey fan and I agree with you that he deserves better than the bashing he is getting. It hurts to see him run the bases these days. His bat is slower and he is not adjusting, thus the lack of power. Being fair, we remember him in his prime and it does not resemble what we see today.

But, Jr.s made several seriously nice plays in the field the last couple weeks and every now and then we see a glimpse.

The anticipation of Bruce does not make it any easier.

 
at 4:55 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Is there really more than one dummy who uses the word 'rediculous'? Or could it be the same person? Someone needs to investigate and give a full report.
ST CSA

 
at 4:59 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Zip,

Youre right, Im wrong, others on this blog are wrong, Dustys wrong, the other MLB managers are wrong.

Okay?

 
at 5:16 PM Blogger Arden Dulou said...

How about pointing out that Ross said 'This is the best I've seen him (Belisle)' comment. If this is the best we can hope for in Belisle please bring in Bailey.

GBA question - any chance we will see 5 way chili show up at GBA anytime soon? I plan on heading to town soon to catch a few games and I am curious if Skyline brought 5 way chili to the menu this year.

 
at 5:18 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Zip,
You dont need to keep regurgitating analogies,
I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT...
the reason I disagree is not that I cant comprehend your logic.. I just dont share the same "logic".

Im sorry if this is hard to swallow, but to borrow a phrase from a fellow Reds fan:
"What is, is."

 
at 5:53 PM Blogger Will T. said...

You are right CSA, there is more than one dummy who uses the word 'rediculous'. I am so glad that it takes a dummy to use the word.

You know, there are two (maybe one) people on here who always seem to say, "I attack posts not the people who post them". That is a bunch of BS. You attack people every day. There is a prime example. I get on numerous times a day just to read the comedy show (and I thank you for the humor), but don't act like you do nothing wrong people. If you get offended by this, then it is obviously right. Kevin, Batsfan, and Another Losing Season, I really enjoy your posts. Two other people, not so much.

 
at 6:03 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Love a good Skyline 3 way, but how do you eat chili and spaghetti at a ball game? (and not miss an inning)

Im a plain brat on a bun type myself (not even mustard) and beer, peanuts, beer, beer and beer.

 
at 6:09 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

My 3 way, by the way is chili, spaghetti and shredded cheese. (no beans, no onions) just the good stuff.

 
at 6:09 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Plenty of Skyline chili in Cincinnati. You can even buy it in restaurants known as Skyline Chili parlors where it is much easier to eat.
St CSA

 
at 6:15 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Sorry, im on a skyline kick,
Does anyone really eat the salads, burritos or wraps?

3/4/5 ways, bowls, and coneys are all they have as far as Im concerned.

Never eaten skyline @ the park though.

 
at 6:20 PM Blogger Zippy said...

Kevin,

Logic is objective, not subjective. You don't get to have your own personal logic. I've explained in great detail why it makes sense to have Cordero pitch in those situations, and all you seem to be able to say in response is that you disagree. That isn't logic, it's a personal preference.

Incidentally, just because all the managers do something a particular way doesn't make it right. Remember: over the course of the season, if you add up all the wins and losses in baseball, there are going to be the same number of wins as there are losses. If every manager is doing things exactly the same way, then it's possible they're all doing the right thing, but it's also possible they're all doing the wrong thing. Having your best relief pitcher pitch only in save situations is an example of everyone disregarding basic logic and doing the wrong thing.

Forty years ago, NOBODY used closers. So I guess you would have defended that practice back then, based on the fact that every manager seemed to agree. And now you're defending exactly the opposite practice based on the fact that everyone seems to agree. Use your head and think for yourself. Don't rely on managers to decide what's logical and what isn't. They don't always know.

 
at 6:20 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Sorry Will, but if the shoe fits.....
St CSA

 
at 6:26 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Darn it!

Now im going to have to go get some skyline tonight.

Yes, we actually have one in FT Myers, @ Sams Plaza on Cleveland Ave.!

 
at 6:26 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Darn it!

Now im going to have to go get some skyline tonight.

Yes, we actually have one in FT Myers, @ Sams Plaza on Cleveland Ave.!

 
at 6:28 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Zip,

Please relax,

were talking about chili now.

 
at 6:33 PM Blogger Todd McElmurray said...

Can't we all just get along? I miss cheese coneys and three ways . . . are we still talking about food?

 
at 6:39 PM Blogger JackBlueAsh said...

CSA.. Ill need your email addy..if people are gonna start banning posts we will have to do the same

Kevin..no offense but for a mature adult with 2 kids as you tell us you have..something seems amiss

chuckle/chuckle

JBA

 
at 6:49 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Zip,

Why do you care so much what I think?

I understand how logic works, if you notice I put quotation marks around your logic.

Look,
If you want to think im wrong or that I am unable dispute your point because I dont want to argue so be it, whatever helps you sleep at night.

 
at 6:57 PM Blogger JackBlueAsh said...

Will..

CSA and I are also Another Losing Season..ask John Fay

thank you for the compliment

JBA

 
at 7:04 PM Blogger Zippy said...

Kev,

You're the one needing to relax. You've argued with virtually everything I've posted since I started posting here, and you almost never have any evidence other than your own opinions. If you'd like to hear less from me, don't argue with me when I'm right.

 
at 7:05 PM Blogger Another losing season said...

Does anyone prefer Gold Star? I've never heard anyone say, "hey, let's go get some Gold Star". How do they stay in business? I prefer Skyline, Empress and Camp Washington. Any other suggestions. And no I never go to Skyline for their groovy salads, burritos or wraps.

 
at 7:12 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

I Guess I cant resist,

Zippy,
the difference between your opinion and mine is that you are applying short sighted, todays game is all that matters logic.

As I said, in a playoff it makes sense. But when you have to play 120 more games, you try not to put yourself in a situation of using you closer in non save situatioins and not having a closer available when you do have a lead and the proverbial "bird in hand".

Your thinking is like going after the "2 in the bush". And when you do that, sometimes momma dont get no dinner.

 
at 7:22 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Last thing from me Zip,

you "what if?" of "what if they score 10 runs and anyone can close".

I could as easily say:

What if they use Cordero, they still dont win, then tomorrow, you have a lead, cocos not available, and Weathers blows it and the reds lose.

Any hypothetical sutuation can be conjoured to support either point of view.

 
at 7:30 PM Blogger JackBlueAsh said...

Personally..I think Skyline is bland and boring..there are many far superior chili joints in Cincinnati

Blue Ash Chili..for one

conjure that

JBA

 
at 8:04 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

OK really last one,

Zip you like analogies,

youre in Vegas and you sit down at the blackjack table, youre delt a 10 and a 6 (16), dealer has 17, do you plop down all your money and say hit me!? Or wait until you get 19,20, or 21?

The baseball season is like sitting down at the table for the long haul, you play the percentages, and use your resources wisely when you know they will do the most good.

 
at 8:10 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Thanks for the spellcheck Jack.

Conjured.

 
at 8:25 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Jack, tell me about BA Chili, I would be interested in trying it. Is it only in BA or any other townships closer to NKY?

 
at 8:40 PM Blogger Cheviot Sports Authority said...

LOL, don't worry Jack, won't let that happen.
St CSA

 
at 8:54 PM Blogger Zippy said...

Kev,

Your blackjack analogy must be over my head, because I don't see how it relates to using Cordero in a tie game.

Regardless, there's nothing short-sighted about trying to win today's game rather than hoping tomorrow's game will feature a save opportunity. For all you know, tomorrow you might be losing 4 to 0 heading into the 9th, and then what did you gain by resting your closer in yesterday's game? Absolutely nothing.

Yes, it's easy to come up with various hypothetical situations that favor one decision or another. But that's the point I've been making all along. You never know what's going to happen in the future -- whether it's the next inning, tomorrow, or next week. But you know what is happening RIGHT NOW. And two nights ago, the Reds needed to stop the Dodgers RIGHT NOW if they were to have any chance of winning that game, and Dusty should have handed the ball to his best relief pitcher under those circumstances. It's not as if tomorrow's game is somehow more precious than today's. Winning today's game is just as important as winning tomorrow's.

By your "logic," Dusty should keep ALL his best players on the bench today -- so they'll be well rested for tomorrow. I mean, there's a pretty good chance the Reds will lose today, and then he's gotten them all tired out for nothing! Not to mention the fact that somebody might get injured if they play today.

Yes, now I've seen the light. Dusty should sit all his best players every game, inserting them into the lineup ONLY for 9th innings of games he's leading by 3 runs or less. That way, he can be pretty sure he won't "waste" his best players in losses or blowouts. Now, THAT would be a good long-term strategy, right?

 
at 9:00 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Jack, isnt the Crosley replica in Blue Ash?

I could make an afternoon out of it, get some chili, see the scoreboard, anything else?

 
at 9:14 PM Blogger Another losing season said...

Zippy and Kevin..you are both right and wonderful people.

 
at 9:17 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

"By your "logic," Dusty should keep ALL his best players on the bench today -- so they'll be well rested for tomorrow."

Not the same Zip.

 
at 9:40 PM Blogger Zippy said...

What's the difference, Kev? Since the team is likely to lose today, why tire out the best players and risk injury? Why not wait until we're pretty sure we'll win and then bring them in to finish it off? Don't you care about the long-term?

 
at 10:21 PM Blogger KevinFtMyers said...

Closers can only pitch 3 or 4 nights a week, usually you have 5 or 6 games a week, position players play every day, win lose or draw.

This has happened as you say, twice this year, correct? So were on pace for about 8 times this year. What is your estimation of the success rate of this tactic?

Even if it works 1/3 of the time, you are talking about 3 wins, now if you use him 8 times in these situations, he likely would be unavailable for a few save situations. Not so good.

Bottom line, if it does work out to be and advantage, its slight.
Hardly a catastrophic disregard for logical thinking.

These are of course theoretical numbers, but this seems to be a theoretical conversation.

Anyway, as I said, its a long season, there is a limit to how much you can use a closer, you use a limited resource wisely.

 
at 10:40 PM Blogger Zippy said...

Matter of fact, Kev, two days before the game in question, Bray pitched a scoreless 9th against the Indians to earn a save. So it turns out other pitchers are capable of doing this every now and then if Cordero isn't available.

I'm not interested in estimating how many times this scenario is going to come up in any given year. My point is that it's always a bad idea to insert a weak pitcher into a sudden-death situation if you've got a good pitcher sitting in the bullpen who isn't exhausted. Whether this happens 8 times this year or 38 times is irrelevant. The Reds are in no position to be thinking "well, we can just sacrifice today's tied game if it might help us win tomorrow." Whenever they have a decent chance to win, they need to do everything they can to win the game. Tomorrow they might very well be down 4 to 0 heading into the 9th, and then the well-rested closer is useless.

 
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