6-7-10 Giants @ Reds

[CarolinaRedleg]

Per Fay:

Tonight’s lineup (7:10 pm at GABP):

Cabrera 6

Phillips 4

Votto 3

Rolen 5

Gomes 7

Bruce 9

Stubbs 8

RHernandez 2

Cueto 1

v LH Zito (6-2, 2.78)

[oneupper]

I thought Bruce would get a day off against Zito. Heisey needs some PT too.

[Screwball]

In NL Central news, Chicago thumped the Pirates 6-1 earlier today. Afterwards one Cubs player said, "We would've rather played the Orioles, but the Pirates are pretty bad too."

;)

[Degenerate39]

In NL Central news, Chicago thumped the Pirates 6-1 earlier today. Afterwards one Cubs player said, "We would've rather played the Orioles, but the Pirates are pretty bad too."

;)

The Pirates have killed the Cubbies so far this year

[IslandRed]

I thought Bruce would get a day off against Zito. Heisey needs some PT too.

We'll face Sanchez on Wednesday, so that might be the spot.

[Degenerate39]

Chat. It's open

[Screwball]

And all of a sudden Cueto can't throw strikes. 6 straight out of the zone...

[Screwball]

I think the book on Huff is clear. Pound him inside early and often.

[VR]

Cueto battles through the 1st w/ poor control....21 pitches only 9 strikes.

[VR]

Nasty curve to get Cabrera. Wow.

[Screwball]

Nasty curve to get Cabrera. Wow.

Looked inside to me. Maybe it caught the black, though.

[oneupper]

Nasty curve to get Cabrera. Wow.

Kind of ridiculous call, IMO.

[VR]

BP pops up to 1st.

[VR]

Kind of ridiculous call, IMO.

Really? I thought it was right down broadway....but nearly unhittable



That little check swing thing of Votto's is odd.

[Screwball]

Zito's blowing 87 mph cheese by Votto.

[oneupper]

REDS looking at a tough night against Zito.

[oneupper]

Uribe Ks. One out. 2 ks for Cueto.

[Screwball]

Wow, Cueto got Uribe to chase a slider about a foot off the plate. 2 Ks so far.

[oneupper]

Hernandez calls for a high FB and Burrell sends it into CF.

[Cedric]

0-2 hit for Burrell. Bad location on 0-2 pitches killing CUeto.

[Tony Cloninger]

Strike 3 to OC almost hit him....it was so inside. BP missed that pop up pitch..... Votto looks very funky swinging the bat sometimes. Bernie "The pitch is by me so what the heck I will swing at it" Carbo type swings. Looks funny.

[oneupper]

Another FB up. Another hit.

[oneupper]

Rowand flies to RF. Two out.

[Screwball]

Burrel feigned tagging from 2nd and going to 3rd on the flyout. Jay Bruce laughs.

[oneupper]

Cueto throws one back to the screen. Runners on second and third.

[reds44]

That's horrible Cueto.

[oneupper]

Zito singles. 2-0 Giants.

[Screwball]

Does Cueto even throw changeups anymore?

[oneupper]

Torres Ks. End 1.5 Giants 2-0

[Tony Cloninger]

Cueto is probably got his mind on who the Reds 1st Round pick will be.

[Cedric]

Cueto pitches like he actually has dominant stuff. He doesn't.

[The Operator]

Cueto certainly is a frustrating guy. Just when you think he's arrived, he hasn't.

[Screwball]

Cueto certainly is a frustrating guy. Just when you think he's arrived, he hasn't.

Yep. Aces of the rotation don't give up 2 out, 2 RBI singles to the pitcher.

[oneupper]

Rolen walks. First baserunner.

[reds44]

Wow. i thought that was gone.

[oneupper]

Burrell catches that one at the wall. one out.

[oneupper]

Bruce puts one in the gap. Rolen gets stopped at third.

[oneupper]

Berry is doing this green light, red light thing too often.

[pedro]

Mark Berry is a horrible 3rd base coach IMO.

Don't do that to 35 year old guys with a history of back problems.

[reds44]

Mark Berry is a horrible 3rd base coach IMO.

Don't do that to 35 year old guys with a history of back problems.
Exactly what I was thinking. Give him the stop sign sooner.

[reds44]

I love me some Drew Stubbs.

[oneupper]

Stubbs singles to CF. One run scores. Bruce to third. 2-1

[oneupper]

Hernandez grounds into a DP on the first freaking pitch. Ugh.

[Tony Cloninger]

I thought Rolen was going to do a Griffey circa 2002....during that April game vs the Expos. Just stop him.....he is fast for a 35 year old but not exactly the type to score on a hard hit double from 1st.

[RedsManRick]

Surprised Hernandez didn't give Stubbs a pitch or two to steal on. That was weak.

[oneupper]

Zito's slow stuff must be great to steal on.

[GoReds]

It's the little things with this club...

[Cedric]

Surprised Hernandez didn't give Stubbs a pitch or two to steal on. That was weak.

He's not exactly a smart hitter.

[oneupper]

Sanchez smacks a single to left. FB up.

[Cedric]

Welsh is the man tonight! His location is beyond terrible. If something doesn't change the ERA for Cueto is going to be right back over .500. Even the first pitch to Sandavol was terrible and right down the middle just missed.

[RedsManRick]

And we got joyced.

[oneupper]

Giants 4-1 Forget this.

[alloverjr]

Cueto not facing the Pirates. Who knew?

[Screwball]

Another one I thought was gone. Just another loud out though.

[durl]

Cueto ain't foolin' nobody tonight.

[Screwball]

Reds got 3-4-5 due up next inning. A 4-1 deficit is far from insurmountable, but Cueto's gotta hold 'em here.

[durl]

Reds got 3-4-5 due up next inning. A 4-1 deficit is far from insurmountable, but Cueto's gotta hold 'em here.

There's the rub.

[Screwball]

7th hit of the night right there. It's like the Giants know what's coming.

[Cedric]

7th hit of the night right there. It's like the Giants know what's coming.

I know what's coming. How can't they? The guy pitches right down the middle at the same speed.

[durl]

Sac bunt by Zito. Perfect, actually.

[durl]

Stubbs guns down Posey!! Great throw and tag!

[Screwball]

Awesome throw by Stubbs, but Cueto's been flat awful tonight. 8 hits through 4 innings.

Still 4-1 Giants.

[oneupper]

Looked safe to me. Umps gave one back after the awful call at first.

[alloverjr]

Cueto really should have thrown his last pitch, otherwise rest the regulars and get Janish and Heisey some AB's.

[alloverjr]

8 hits through 4 innings.


Joe Mays

[durl]

Cueto: 8 hits over 4 innings. 64 pitches already. Hmm...every 8th pitch is a hit.

[mbgrayson]

Reds 1st draft pick: Yasmani Grandal, c, Miami.

[Screwball]

Atta boy, Scotty. Let's put up a crooked number before Ramon gets to the plate...

[forfreelin04]

I know what's coming. How can't they? The guy pitches right down the middle at the same speed.

With Cueto, his problems are mental that turn into mechanical issues. He lost focus after striking out the first hitter of the game. He also refuses to make adjustments mid inning. He starts to get and instead of tightening up he tries to throw harder which cause his ball to be up in the zone. He also starts to spy over his front shoulder to see where the location is instead of finishing the pitch which allows for more movement on the pitch.

[durl]

Rolen ends up on 3rd. Probably should have been a double since the CF seemed to tip it away. Another deeply hit ball tonight for the Reds.

[durl]

A low and inside pitch called for a strike. That makes it a little tough on the hitters, huh?

[Screwball]

If the warning track counted as a Home Run, the Reds would be up 68-4.

[RedsMan3203]

Glad Heisley didn't start tonight :)

[Screwball]

BRUUUUUUUCE!!

Only down 4-3 now

[RedsMan3203]

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruce :jump:

[forfreelin04]

This team does not give up

[Screwball]

Stubbs strikes out swinging and looks really bad doing it. At least he didn't do that in the 2nd inning.

[Tony Cloninger]

You would think Stubbs would see that 2nd straight bender coming? Oh well......he still is looking 100 times better than April.

is the bullpen up? Or will Dusty wait until 2 are on to do anything?

[RedsMan3203]

Quick 2 out for Cueto...

[RedsMan3203]

1-2-3 in the 5th... Quickly

[alloverjr]

Heck of a bounce back inning for Cueto. Color me impressed.

[durl]

Cueto looked like he was TRYING this inning. Much better stuff!

[Screwball]

I really wish Cueto would start mixing in his changeup before the 3rd time through the order. I realize you sometimes wanna save something, but apparently fastball/slider ain't enough when you're not facing the Pirates.

[RedsMan3203]

Razor shoots one into right field for a single.

[Screwball]

Hernandez lines a single to right on the 8th pitch of the AB.

[durl]

Now let's move that runner over. C'mon Cueto.

[Tony Cloninger]

I know Ramon swung at that 1st pitch earlier...as he did back in that game where he GIDP to end the game....but to say he is not a smart hitter? A little much IMO.

[Screwball]

Rather poor bunting effort there by Cueto.

[Screwball]

Phillips smokes a double to left. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, 2 out with Votto up.

[oneupper]

Does BP still have a hitting streak?

[Screwball]

Votto grounds sharply to 2nd.

Still 4-3 Giants.

[Tony Cloninger]

I thought that was going into CF

[oneupper]

Does BP still have a hitting streak?

Yes, he does. 10 games now.

[Tony Cloninger]

How many times has Votto swung at the 1st-2nd pitches lately? Am I imagining things?

[oneupper]

How many times has Votto swung at the 1st-2nd pitches lately? Am I imagining things?

I'm imagining the same. Its mass hysteria.

[Screwball]

Apparently Pat the Bat can only hit NL pitching.

[Tony Cloninger]

It's Pattersonitis......Taveras fever.

[Screwball]

Bases loaded, 1 out with Zito due up. Let's see if Cueto can get him out this time...

[GoReds]

Does Cueto have anything other than fastball/slider?

[Screwball]

Cueto Ks Zito this time. 2 down and Torres up. Huge AB here.

[RedsMan3203]

Come'on Cueto!

[oneupper]

Torres making it an epic struggle.

[RedsMan3203]

I love me some Stubbs.

[Cedric]

Does Cueto have anything other than fastball/slider?

He doesn't have any clue on how to get MLB hitters out. It's just rear back and hope for a rocket right at someone.

Bases loaded and the guy throws a 2-2 slider to a LH hitter. Makes no sense.

[oneupper]

Long fly out to stubbs in CF.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nice catch by Stubbs on the warning track to end the inning.

[VR]

Stubbs saves 3 runs with his wheels. My goodness that boy is fast.

[RedsManRick]

Does Cueto have anything other than fastball/slider?

Didn't he have a plus change when he came up?

[Screwball]

Didn't he have a plus change when he came up?

Still does, IMO. When he's actually thrown it tonight the Giants have almost invariably swung and missed. Baffles me why he seldom uses it anymore.

At any rate, Rolen, Gomes, Bruce due up.

[oneupper]

I stand corrected with the freeze cam. The play at home previously was very much out.

[GoReds]

Didn't he have a plus change when he came up?

See, that's what I remember. I thought his changeup was one of his better pitches and his work with Soto was paying off. I also thought he could come up with a curve now and then.

Cueto needs to go hang out with Leake and figure out how to throw a two-seamer.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bruce singles to left. His 3rd hit of the night. A triple away from the cycle.

[oneupper]

Nice piece of hitting by Bruuuce.

[Screwball]

Bruce with an oppo single. And it came with 2 strikes on him.

[Reds Fanatic]

4 pitch walk to Stubbs. 1st and 2nd with 2 outs.

[Screwball]

4 pitch walk to Stubbs. Gameday has Zito getting squeezed a bit.

[oneupper]

4 pitch walk to Stubbs. Gameday has Zito getting squeezed a bit.

Not the case. All pitches were high.

[RED VAN HOT]

I have to say this. Zito's pants don't fit.

[Reds Fanatic]

Now a 3-0 count on Hernandez

[Reds Fanatic]

That was close. A late strike call. 3-2 count.

[RedsMan3203]

Hows the pen for San Fran?

[oneupper]

Ramoncito walks! Cairo will bat.

[Homer Bailey]

Wow. Pinch hitting with Miguel Cairo with them loaded.

[Screwball]

Bases loaded for...

Miguel Cairo.

[Reds Fanatic]

Hernandez walks. Bases loaded. Cairo pinch hitting.

[edabbs44]

MIGGY!

[smith288]

Cairo?? (my attempt at reverse jinxing)

[Homer Bailey]

CAIRO!!!!!

[RedsMan3203]

Miggggggggggggy!

[Reds Fanatic]

Big hit by Cairo! Reds lead 5-4!!!

[Screwball]

Who doubted Miguel Cairo??

[GoReds]

Okay, I give up.

Anyone have the url of the Miguel Cairo fan site?

[edabbs44]

MIGGY is the definition of clutch.

[Reds Fanatic]

That is it for Zito.

[oneupper]

Dusty is such a fan. :)

[RedsMan3203]

Zito.... :eek:

I love it...

[VR]

Zito puked out a two rbi hit earlier. The baseball gods giveth Barry...they also taketh away.

[Tony Cloninger]

Cairo is now 3 for 3 with the baes loaded.

Now batting for Pedro Borbon....Manny Mota! ...i.e...Miguel Cairo.

[oneupper]

Sergio Romo.

Designer name.

[GoReds]

Sergio Romo.

Designer name.

Tony's brother?

[mbgrayson]

Tony's brother?

Sergio's favorite food: Ribs.

[GoReds]

Don't see Jessica Simpson in the stands.

[guttle11]

Bases loaded for...

Miguel Cairo.

Cairo-matic.

[RedsMan3203]

:( Guess I should of read the game rules more... My Bad...

But Zito... :snicker: :snicker:

[Screwball]

Sergio Romo's got some pretty nasty stuff. He'd look good in the Reds bullpen.

[RedsMan3203]

johnfayman
I think Romo gave Hernandez the finger as he ran off the field. Hernandez went over the Giant dugout and asked what the deal was. #reds

Just sayin'

[klw]

Okay, I give up.

Anyone have the url of the Miguel Cairo fan site?
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2560771620

[RedsMan3203]

And part 2....


johnfayman

I'm told Romo always points upward after an inning. I can see why Hernandez mistook it. #reds

[Reds Fanatic]

Herrera in to pitch and Sanchez leads off with a single.

[Screwball]

Well, it's a battle of the bullpens now. Reds better tack a few more on...

[RedsMan3203]

DRH gives up back to back singles... and here we go

[Reds Fanatic]

Sandoval with a bloop single. 1st and 2nd.

[Tony Cloninger]

Terrible bullpen. 2nd division type bullpen.

[Screwball]

Herrera had Sandoval out in front, but the Panda is able to get a bloop single. Big time trouble for Danny Ray.

[Reds Fanatic]

Ground out to 2nd moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd.

[RedsMan3203]

Here comes the rook Del Rosario

[RedsMan3203]

And gives up a 2 run single

[Reds Fanatic]

That lead didn't last long. Hit makes it 6-5 Giants.

[RedsManRick]

Geez... a blooper and now a single on a pitch 6" inside.

[Screwball]

Reds pitching has surrendered 13 hits tonight, and we're still in the 7th. My Goodness.

[smith288]

That goofy chain is probably weighing down Del Rosario's neck.

[Tony Cloninger]

What good is a ground ball pitcher who gives up line drives?

[smith288]

Balls are up then.

[Reds Fanatic]

The inning is over. 6-5 Giants mid 7th.

[smith288]

Would this count as TWO come from behinds in one game if they do it here?

[Cedric]

I'm not trying to be mean... How is Del Rosario or Herrera on a MLB roster?

[GoReds]

Think Del Rosario needs to sacrifice a live chicken.

[Screwball]

Geez... a blooper and now a single on a pitch 6" inside.

Yep, pretty frustrating. But as you know, that's what can happen when you don't miss bats.

[TheNext44]

Really can't blame the pitchers for that. No ball was hit hard, they just found holes. If DRH and Del Rosario keep pitching this way, they'll be fine over the course of the season.

[BCubb2003]

Would this count as TWO come from behinds in one game if they do it here?

Can Reds hitters defeat Reds pitchers?

[TheNext44]

Heart of the lineup up this inning.

[Tony Cloninger]

You are not being mean......Welsh just said 3rd worst ERA from the bullpen in the league. You would think you would luck into someone being able to come up and pitch good? Or above average?

[RedsMan3203]

BP just missed that one.

[Screwball]

I'm not sure how Phillips didn't break his back on that swing.

[GoReds]

Romo looks a lot like Del Rosario if Del Rosario had confidence.

[TheNext44]

Yep, pretty frustrating. But as you know, that's what can happen when you don't miss bats.

I have more faith in Del Rosario or DRH than I do in Masset for the rest of the season. Just sayin'

[Tony Cloninger]

Who cares if the balls were hit hard or not? The ball hit for the single was HIT hard....line drive hit on the nose from a supposed ground ball pitcher who gives up more line drives than ground balls.

[Reds Fanatic]

Phillips grounds out to short.

[Cedric]

Romo looks a lot like Del Rosario if Del Rosario had confidence.

Both are middling relievers for a reason. It's a sad state of affairs in baseball right now. Decent relief pitching is treated like Gold.

[Screwball]

Last couple games Votto's fouled off a bunch of pitches he normally crushes.

[TheNext44]

Who cares if the balls were hit hard or not? The ball hit for the single was HIT hard....line drive hit on the nose from a supposed ground ball pitcher who gives up more line drives than ground balls.

Only it wasn't hit hard. The fact that it was not hit hard was why it fell in. If he hit it on the nose, it would have been a out to Gomes. All the hits were hit off of pitcher's pitches. Really can't blame them. They did their job.

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto hit by the pitch

[oneupper]

Votto hit by the pitch

Best AB today.

[Screwball]

Only it wasn't hit hard. The fact that it was not hit hard was why it fell in. If he hit it on the nose, it would have been a out to Gomes. All the hits were hit off of pitcher's pitches. Really can't blame them. They did their job.

Dude, that single to left was smoked. Your point is a valid one, but Uribe hit a rocket off Rosario.

[Reds Fanatic]

Santiago Casilla in to pitch

[RedsMan3203]

Do you let Votto steal here?

[Cedric]

Jairo Garcia has some filthy dirty stuff. According to Chris.

[Screwball]

Do you let Votto steal here?

Casilla throws 97, but he's got an awful, awful move. I say you green light Votto.

[RedsMan3203]

Casilla throws 97, but he's got an awful, awful move. I say you green light Votto.

Err! Bad idea....

[Screwball]

Casilla throws 97, but he's got an awful, awful move. I say you green light Votto.

Of course, it'd help if he woulda got a decent jump...

[Reds Fanatic]

Votto caught stealing and was out by a mile as Rolen strikes out.

[GoReds]

Better hit-n-runs in T-ball.

[TheNext44]

Dude, that single to left was smoked. Your point is a valid one, but Uribe hit a rocket off Rosario.

Well, I will grant you that Uribe swung as hard as he could. But that's as close as I will go in terms of saying it was a rocket. lol

[Screwball]

Well, I will grant you that Uribe swung as hard as he could. But that's as close as I will go in terms of saying it was a rocket. lol

I just rewatched it twice. The only reason it dropped in front of Gomes was because it had a whole bunch of topspin, not because it was weakly hit.

But, this is a game thread and I should let it go. Let's see if the bullpen can put a badly needed 0 on the board.

[Cedric]

I hate blaming Dusty... But are you serious? Absolutely zero logical sense in using Rhodes now and not to start the 7th. There is a reason people say Dusty can't handle a staff.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rhodes in to pitch the 8th

[Homer Bailey]

I hate blaming Dusty... But are you serious? Absolutely zero logical sense in using Rhodes now and not to start the 7th. There is a reason people say Dusty can't handle a staff.

Yeah, there is sense. Let Del Rosario face the righty, and Rhodes the two lefties. Limit Rhodes's workload as much as physically possible.

Edit: Torres is a switchy

Edit again: This is a bad post.

[Cedric]

Yeah, there is sense. Let Del Rosario face the righty, and Rhodes the two lefties. Limit Rhodes's workload as much as physically possible.

If you count this as the 7th then you are right.

[Homer Bailey]

If you count this as the 7th then you are right.

Misread your post. My bad.

[RedsMan3203]

Rhodes pitches are looking great, but he aint looking so great on the mound.

[hebroncougar]

Am I the only one seeing Rhodes is hurting?

[Screwball]

I'd rather Rhodes faced Sanchez than anybody else in the bullpen.

[RedsMan3203]

Am I the only one seeing Rhodes is hurting?

I'm seeing it..... Still getting the pitches over and where they are needed.

[Cedric]

I'd rather Rhodes faced Sanchez than anybody else in the bullpen.

Well of course. It's not like it was a hard decision. It was the wrong decision and you don't have to have hindsight to see that.

I honestly don't bash Dusty often. I just think sometimes he tries to over think the simple decisions.

[reds44]

Yeah, there is sense. Let Del Rosario face the righty, and Rhodes the two lefties. Limit Rhodes's workload as much as physically possible.

Edit: Torres is a switchy

Edit again: This is a bad post.
LOL.

Have no fear people, reds44 is in the building. The Reds will proceed to score runs.

[reds44]

Oh, and also:

Everybody in the bullpen besides Rhodes sucks. We should just rename the bullpen and call it "Arthur Rhodes".

[Reds Fanatic]

Mota in to pitch

[Screwball]

Well of course. It's not like it was a hard decision. It was the wrong decision and you don't have to have hindsight to see that.

I honestly don't bash Dusty often. I just think sometimes he tries to over think the simple decisions.

Well actually I meant that as I was kinda happy Rhodes walked Torres there, so he'd then face Sanchez. Not meant as a shot to your post. :)

[reds44]

"Easy gas" from Mota.

Also known as "HGH"

[pedro]

"Easy gas" from Mota.

Also known as "HGH"

Why do you say that? Has he been caught juicing?

[Screwball]

Giants' bullpen blows ours out of the water, Rhodes notwithstanding. Bottom of the order due up against fire-throwing Brian Wilson in the 9th.

[reds44]

Why do you say that? Has he been caught juicing?
IIRC he was suspended 50 games a couple years ago for juicing.

[RedsMan3203]

Giants' bullpen blows ours out of the water, Rhodes notwithstanding. Bottom of the order due up against fire-throwing Brian Wilson in the 9th.

He might be unavailable tonight.... 40+ pitches yesterday in a blown save.

[redsfaninbsg]

Why is it that every other bullpen has somebody that throws 95 mph and the guy actually throws strikes?

[RedsMan3203]

Wilson up and warming in the pen.

[Screwball]

Ondrusek pitching like he wants to stay in Cincy...

[reds44]

Nice inning from Ondrusek.

[oneupper]

8-9-1 for the REDS.

[reds44]

Need to get this inning to Joey.

[Reds Fanatic]

Wilson up and warming in the pen.
Wilson is coming off an outing where he had to throw over 40 pitches yesterday.

[Screwball]

Need to get this inning to Joey.

Reds will win if Votto comes to bat again.

[Reds Fanatic]

Damn.. Hernandez hit it hard but is robbed by Torres.

[Screwball]

Helluva catch. I already had Hernandez pegged for 2nd when he hit it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Nix pinch hitting

[Reds Fanatic]

Nix broken bat pop out to short.

[Reds Fanatic]

Cabrera flies out to center. Reds lose 6-5.

[The Operator]

And the closer threw 7 pitches.

This offense has surpassed what I expected, but they are still very frustrating at times.

[GoReds]

They lost, but I don't have a problem with Dusty going with Del Rosario when he did. If it works out, Del Rosario has something to build on. Someone not named Rhodes needs to step up and this was an opportunity.

Didn't work out so next time maybe they try Orondusek.

[oneupper]

I think Rhodes was used reluctantly, when DRH and Del Rosario weren't enough.

[Screwball]

Tough to win when you give up 13 hits. LeCure v. Cain tomorrow. Things might get worse before they get better...

[Cedric]

Tough to win when you give up 13 hits. LeCure v. Cain tomorrow. Things might get worse before they get better...

Sadly I think we are going to see plenty more of this. The Reds pitching staff is below average overall.

[Tom Servo]

Build a better bullpen.

[WVRedsFan]

Aapparently, the league has figured DRH out. It was as if they knew what was coming and capitalized. Waiting, waiting...

When the season started I pegged Herrera, Lincoln, and Codero as trouble spots. Slow pitchers finally get around the league enough to get figured out. Sore-armed pitchers usually just fade away and shaky closers get shakier. Never dreamed Masset would implode. Now, the combined ERA of those four is 5.48. More shocking is they have allowed 110 hits in 87 innings and given up 39 walks. They put 149 men on base in 87 innings or roughly 2 walks per innings pitched. Not good. If you combine the number one setup man and the closer, it's 52 innings with 62 hits and 28 walks, thus allowing 90 men to reach base in those 52 innings. No one can be successful like that.

Time to make a move or two and the return of Lincoln or anyone else will help unless one of the kids come through. Why do I feel Ondrusek or Del Rosario aren't the answer? Because they're not ready yet.

[Ron Madden]

Baseball aint as easy as it looks. Sometimes you just get beat.

[NJReds]

Build a better bullpen.

For a team on a budget that wants to hold on to its top prospects, that might be the easiest thing to do. I'd rather have to find a couple bullpen arms than have to get a bat or a starting pitcher.

I think Walt will find someone for the pen, and I think the Reds will be able to stay in the race all year.