Slumping Reds Look to Rebound on the Road

Photo Courtesy of The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Well as I'm sure you know the Reds are in the midst of a big road trip with 3 against the Cardinals and 3 against the Brewers, the two teams that will threaten Cincinnati the most in their defense of the division title. The road trip is even more magnified now due to an extremely poor homestand against the Pirates and Diamondbacks. Pittsburgh got a pair of good pitching performances from Charlie Morton and Kevin Correia to take the opener and the final game of the series. In between, the Reds' offense started to look like they usually do. They blitzed the Pirates 11-2 behind a grand slam by Ramon Hernandez and a pair of homers by Jonny Gomes to give Mike Leake his second win. The tough one to swallow in the series, however, was Sunday afternoon, where the Reds pounded out 15 hits en route to a 7-6 loss. They loaded the bases in the 9th inning and failed to score, though they would have if it had not been for a base running error by Jay Bruce. It was an ugly series to watch, and it wouldn't get much better against the Diamondbacks. The snakes bombed four homers off of Reds' starter Sam LeCure and won a tough 5-4 game, as the Reds once again failed to complete a rally in the ninth. The next night Bronson Arroyo gave the Reds a solid 6 1/3 innings, but Cincinnati failed to muster any offense other than a Joey Votto double, falling 3-1. Even the finale of the series was tough to watch, as DBacks' starter Daniel Hudson gifted the Reds four runs in the first with three walks and a hit by pitch. Miguel Cairo's two run single was huge, as Cincinnati spotted Mike Leake an early lead. Joey Votto's third homer of the year extended a late lead, and Francisco Cordero tight roped out of trouble of his own doing in the 9th to seal the 7-4 victory.

Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press/Tom Uhlman

And so it was on to St. Louis, with the Reds and Cardinals tied atop the division in the early going with identical 10-9 records. Of course everyone remembers the bad blood that finally boiled over on August 10th of last year. It goes back further than that, though. There was John Smoltz and Chris Carpenter complaining that the baseballs weren't rubbed down properly before the game, and that they couldn't grip the ball. Or Tony LaRussa's consistently pointless mind games. Like when he asked the umpires to have Mike Leake remove his Livestrong band before a game. Or when he made it public that he thought Aaron Harang should be suspended for 10 games for hitting one of his batters in the head. Any type of advantage that LaRussa thinks he can get, he will go for. Then there was Brandon Phillips' comments last summer, followed by the infamous brawl on August 10th. A Cardinals fan came up with the following T-shirt idea to make fun of Mike Leake, while a Reds fan came up with their own response. See both here.

Photo Courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Chris Lee

All of this being said, what Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals organization did last night was absolute bush league and embarrassing. I could only hope that no other organization would ever do something like the following, especially not the Reds. And with the class acts Cincinnati has in Dusty Baker, Walt Jocketty, and Bob Castellini, I don't think it would happen. Anyway, with a big storm moving into the St. Louis area, it was questionable whether the game would start on time. With the weather under question, Tony LaRussa scratched his starting pitcher Kyle McClellan and elected to start long man Miguel Batista. This would normally be a brilliant move, except for what followed. The Cardinals had told Dusty Baker and the umpires that there was a 45-60 minute window to get the game under way and get started. Thus, Baker decided to let Edinson Volquez warm up and get ready for the game. Crew chief John Hirschbeck said, "They told us we had a window of an hour. That window turned into two minutes." I don't care how fast storms move, there's no way it could change that fast. As it turns out, Batista threw all of 6 pitches before the tarp was put on the field. By the time it came off 2 hours and 10 minutes later, Kyle McClellan took the hill and Matt Maloney had to start for Volquez. Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals lied to take advantage of the situation, because they controlled when the game started, per section 3.10a of MLB's official rules. Whatever little respect I had held on to for the Cardinals is now completely gone. To gain an uncompetitive advantage like what the Cardinals did is against the unwritten rules of baseball and good sportsmanship.

Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/Jeff Curry

Despite all of that, the Reds blew opportunity after opportunity to get back into the game after Maloney served up some early runs. Base running blunders by Jay Bruce and Chris Heisey ran the Reds right out of two innings, and cost them at least one run. Not to mention a paltry 1/13 with runners in scoring position was absolutely brutal for Cincinnati. They battled and stayed around in the game, but leaving 11 men on base is simply unacceptable in a 4-2 loss. Hopefully Travis Wood can give the Reds some innings today and save the bullpen, after Jordan Smith, Nick Masset, and Bill Bray combined to work 6 innings last night. It's going to be tough, though, with Chris Carpenter on the hill, who has won each of his last 10 starts against Cincinnati.

Despite Poor Series, Reds Still Look Good

Let's just forget about that Arizona series, shall we? It was a disappointment to say the least. Actually, all three of the Reds' losses have been disappointing. I guess that's what happens when you are roaring out of the gates at 5-0. Nonetheless, Cincinnati was not going to win all of their games and in all probability will not win 100 games. So losses should be expected every now and then. But that doesn't have to make them less painful, especially since as fans we are trained to expect our team to always win.

Photo Courtesy of: AP Photo/Al Behrman

After sweeping Milwaukee, the Reds looked very good against the bumbling Houston Astros, beating up on them 8-2 and 12-4. The second game was particularly interesting, considering Edinson Volquez struggled again and surrendered 4 runs in the first inning. The Reds would go on to score 12 unanswered and rout the Astros. The finale of the series, however, was extremely frustrating. Cincinnati, who had worlds of trouble with teams' number one starters last year ran into Houston's Brett Myers, who went 14-8 with a solid 3.14 ERA in 2010. Like a page taken from last year's script, the Reds struggled mightily, leaving 11 men on base for the game. Trailing 2-1, things looked bleak, especially since they seemed unable to come up with the big hit against the Astros' ace. It took a pinch hit homer by Scotty Rolen for the Reds to climb back even after what was a solid outing by fill in starter Sam LeCure. In the 9th, Nick Masset would serve up a tie-breaking RBI double, and Cincinnati would strand a pair of runners in the bottom half of the inning, losing 3-2.

Photo Courtesy of: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

The first game against Arizona was a no-contest, and isn't worth recapping. The Diamondbacks bludgeoned the Reds 13-2, as they teed off on Travis Wood and Matt Maloney. Bronson Arroyo snapped the Reds mini 2 game losing streak with a solid 6 inning performance, and the Reds broke it open late, winning 6-1. Yesterday, however, was an unmitigated disaster. Cincinnati chased DBacks starter Joe Saunders after just 3 innings and 83 pitches. The offense handed Mike Leake a 5-0 lead and Arizona rallied back to take a 6-5 lead. In a good moment, the Reds showed little quit once again, as Jonny Gomes snatched the lead back with a big two run blast. Nick Masset failed to hold the lead in the 8th, and Arizona took control again at 10-7. Diamondbacks closer JJ Putz struggled in the 9th, surrendering a run and letting the tying runs reach with just one out, but he struck out Juan Francisco and Jay Bruce to slam the door. It was as disappointing as it gets, but the Reds rebounded from tough situations similar to that one many times last year.

Here's some of my general thoughts on the Reds:

- When did this Reds offense become an American League East offense? They look like the Yankees or Red Sox from a few years ago. Every single batter in this lineup makes the pitcher work and makes the pitcher get them out. It's a nice change of pace and even an upgrade from the offense last year. As good as they were last year, they're even better now.

- Edgar Renteria (.600), Joey Votto (.455), Brandon Phillips (.389), Ryan Hanigan (.353), and Paul Janish (.444) are off to to red-hot starts. Votto and Phillips also both lead the league in runs scored at 12 a piece, while Joey leads the league in hits with 15.

- What has gotten into Jonny Gomes? After walking a total of 39 times in 511 at bats last year, he has already walked 12 times in 22 at bats this year. This means even though he's hitting a paltry .227, his on base percentage is a stunning .486. If he can remain this patient and continue to put together solid at bats, it only reinforces and strengthens the lineup all season long.

- Scott Rolen is the man. The man has 9 hits and 10 RBIs. How often does that happen? He is as clutch as it gets, and the Reds would be nowhere near where they are today without his valuable presence in the lineup. As good as Joey Votto is, Scott Rolen is the most important player on this team.

- I'm not ready to panic on the pitching:

Photo Courtesy of: The Enquirer/Ernest Coleman

       - Nick Masset has an 11.25 ERA right now. Any guesses what his ERA in April was last year? 11.32 would be the answer. From then on out, he was terrific, including posting 0.64 and 0.53 ERAs in July and August.

       - Travis Wood and Mike Leake are rhythm pitchers. The deeper they get into the season, the better they'll be, especially if they pitch every 5 days. They will both be fine.

       -  Bronson Arroyo just does what he does, already 2-0 in 2 starts to begin the year. And he got a win to stop a losing streak already, which he did a staggering TEN times last year. Don't tell me this guy isn't a great pitcher.

       - Last year the Reds' team ERA in April was 5.41. It ended the season at 4.01. Right now Cincinnati is at 4.90. Give it some time before making judgments on how good or bad the pitching staff is. I think they'll come around. Especially when Johnny Cueto is healthy.

       - I might scream if I see Juan Francisco take another at bat with the Reds. Please trade him while people think he is good, Walt Jocketty. Throw him three curveballs and he will strike out or pop up. The kid can't hit major league pitching, and he definitely cannot field a very good third base. Why was he pinch hitting in the 9th yesterday? Where was Chris Heisey? Didn't he crush 4 pinch hit homers last year?

Tonight, the Reds head to San Diego to take on the Padres. Hopefully Edinson Volquez pitches well, because he'll need his A game tonight against Padres' ace Mat Latos. Should be a good one, check it out at 10 o'clock on Fox Sports Ohio.

Reds Sweep Away Brewers on Opening Weekend

What a way to kick off 2011.

The Reds swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of Cincinnati, featuring different facets of their team in each of the three games.

Opening Day, which I was lucky enough to attend with my Dad, was all about the Reds' ability to come from behind. Ramon Hernandez's walk off homer was as clutch as it gets, and Cincinnati's ability to hang around in a game to give themselves a shot was key. It was typical of so many wins from last year. That the game ended that way on a day filled with so much tradition was perfect. For a full recap on Opening Day, check out my recap here.

Opening Night on Saturday almost had the feel of Opening Day - kudos to the Castellini's for putting on a great show to draw almost 38,000 fans. The game didn't provide the drama that I experienced on Opening Day, but it was a fun time nonetheless, especially with my friends Chris, Jackie, and Haitong. Scott Rolen got the game started with a two run homer, and the Reds worked Milwaukee starter Shaun Marcum to death. They would tack on two more runs in the second inning on a Drew Stubbs' triple and an error by Rickie Weeks. Those four runs were plenty enough for Reds' starter Travis Wood, who cruised through the game. The budding ace needed only 83 pitches to get through 7 innings of one run ball. He struck out 7 and threw 66 of his 83 pitches for strike. That's efficiency. On the other side, the Shaun Marcum needed 83 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings. He walked 5 and was far too inconsistent to beat the Reds on that night. Cincy managed just 5 hits for the game, but played outstanding defense, highlighted by a Jay Bruce leaping catch, and Edgar Renteria's diving play in the 9th. Pitching and defense was a trademark of the Reds last year, and it was on display today. Take away the normal Francisco Cordero near meltdown and everything went according to plan. The Reds won 4-2.

Today, the Reds got out the brooms and their whooping sticks. Bronson Arroyo gave up a leadoff homer, but despite battling mononucleosis, he surrendered just 3 runs in 7 strong innings of work. He didn't walk a batter and needed just 87 pitches to get through seven. It was the offense that shined today. Jonny Gomes got the run back with a homer, and Paul Janish, who had four hits in the series, drove in a run. After the Brewers tied it back up at two, Cincinnati responded with a four run fourth, highlighted by Brandon Phillips' three run jack. From there it was Ryan Hanigan's day. The catcher had four hits on the day, and reached base all five times he came to the plate. He crushed a solo shot and a three run homer, which gave the Reds' catchers a stunning .750 batting average for the series, with 3 homers and 7 knocked in. Brewers starter Randy Wolf, who is 10-3 in his career against Cincinnati, was tagged for 6 runs on 10 hits in 4 innings.

The sweep of the Brewers was a big way to start the season for Cincinnati. Milwaukee is supposed to be one of the main contenders with the Reds, and though it is just three games, the defending champs reminded the Brew Crew they still have a long way to climb. Poor pitching and defense did the Brewers in this series, and Cincinnati has now won 18 of their last 21 against Milwaukee. This was just three games, so there's no reason to proclaim the Reds as the clear favorite in the majors. That idea is ludicrous. We will hear more from Milwaukee as the season goes on. But, this weekend was a statement from the Reds.