2012 senior class photos
2012 West Carrollton graduation
Home of the Week
Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > August > 24 > Entry
The atrocity at Coors Field
Losing the worst-played major-league baseball game in this millennium was bad enough, but the Cincinnati Reds lost more than that — pending a medical work-up today of pitcher Johnny Cueto.
The Reds lost an almost indescribable game to the Colorado Rockies, 4-3, in 12 innings, but the real news happened about 3 1/2 hours before Rockies utility infielder Omar Quintanilla hit a walk-off home run against Mike Lincoln.
That’s when Cueto walked into the dugout after the third inning and said his elbow hurt. He was immediately removed.
Some thought equal parts of thin air and thin defense put quick closure on Cueto’s start in Coors Field Sunday afternoon.
Unfortunately for the Reds, it was something more sinister that knocked him out — soreness in his triceps tendon.
Cueto, making his 27th start, returned to Cincinnati on owner Bob Castellini’s private jet for a full evaluation today, but early indications are that the 22-year-old rookie may be shut down for the season.
The 22-year-old Dominican didn’t give up a hit in his three innings, but he was forced to throw 74 pitches because his teammates made three errors in the first two innings and he walked three.
“He came in between innings and said he was developing some stiffness and soreness in the back of his elbow,” said trainer Mark Mann. “That’s right where the triceps tendon comes into the elbow. Johnny being as young as he is, at this point of the season, logging as many innings as he has (155), we want to err on the side of caution, take no chances.”
And there was another perplexing situation in the ninth inning with the Reds leading, 3-2. It was closer time, Francisco Cordero time.
Instead, David Weathers walked to the mound and gave up an unearned run that tied the game as the Reds made two errors. Weathers committed a balk to put the tying run at second, plus he gave up a walk and two hits.
“Cordero had to leave and go home due to a personal matter,” said manager Dusty Baker. “We hope he’ll be back with us in Houston.”
As far as the game goes, it was the Reds falling out of an ugly tree and hitting every branch on the way to the ground.
They made as many errors (five) as they had hits (five), they struck out 14 times. They walked nine Rockies, threw two wild pitches, committed a balk, perpetrated a passed ball and Corey Patterson made his daily baserunning blunder by getting picked off base.
The videotape is going to Cooperstown as one of the five worst professional baseball games ever played.
Colorado stranded 18 and was 0 for 16 with runners in scoring position. Sound familiar? One difference. The Rockies won.
The game details are right out of a Dean Koontz novel. Scary.
Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the first when the Reds made two errors. First baseman Joey Votto kicked a ground ball, then Cueto walked two to fill the bases. Garrett Atkins blooped one down the right field line and right field Jay Bruce ran a long, long way. But he didn’t need to dive and the ball skidded off his glove for an error a run.
The Reds tied it in the second on Votto’s double and a single by Edwin Encarnacion.
Cueto left after three, replaced by Nick Massek, who pitched two scoreless innings while the Reds took a 3-1 lead, scoring one in the fifth on Paul Bako’s sacrifice fly and one in the sixth on Chris Dickerson’s third home run.
The Rockies pulled to within 3-2 in the seventh when Matt Holliday led with a single off Jeremy Affeldt, then stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch.
Then came Weathers in the ninth and Holliday reached on second baseman Brandon Phillips error on a ball that ticked off Weathers’ glove. Weathers was called for a balk, moving Holliday to second.
He scored on a single by Atkins on which Bruce was given an error on his throw home.
Meanwhile, the Reds didn’t score from the sixth inning on and managed only one hit, Encarnacion’s two-out single in the 11th.
“We gave ‘em the first three runs on errors and didn’t get a hit after the sixth inning,” said Baker. “Doing that and making five errors (season’s high) makes it awfully hard to win a game.
“We just can’t get the big hit with runners on base, especially with two outs,” he said. “It has been haunting us all year and we are just not a very good team at that part of the game.”
Permalink | Comments (46) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By timb
August 27, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
So, bobs, you put more stake in batting average (meaningless two out singles with no one on do wonders for run scoring) rather than power which is instant offense? His RBI’s? Jeez, he was batting 7th most of the time. On this team of low OBP guys who the heck was on base to drive in? Oh, and I addressed defensive concerns downthread. Suffice it to say 20 home runs means more to winning games than 20 errors do. As I said below, like many third basemen before him (and one current stud) he will better as he ages. As Michael noted, he’s young and inconsistent. He is also cheap and, as Uncle Walt noted some time ago, he is one of Uncle Walt’s five untouchables. That is good news and bad news for many Reds fans. The good news is they will still have him to complain about. The bad news is he’ll still be here for them to complain about. I think, though, an interesting case can be made of moving Votto to left, Encarnacion to first and signing the great Hank Blalock to play third. EE can’t be nearly as bad as Votto on throw to pitchers (a subject that goes unremarked upon by the commenters here).
By wiz
August 26, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
If we really do need a quality SS—why don’t we use the one we already have?BP. Which is more important: SS or 2nd?
By wiz
August 26, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Huber you always make my day! Ha,ha,ha,.
By HuberTucky
August 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
You forgot to credit EE with his #1 standing in the Majors with air- mailed balls into the stands & dugout. Plus, he appears to be perhaps the slowest on the concept of “running out ground balls” (aka hustle), but IS #1 in pouting expressions.
By bobs
August 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
timb, you forgot to mention that EE is 10th among third baseman in RBI’s and 9-10 in batting average. Good stuff there. The good news is that he is only the second worst third baseman in the NL with 20 errors (although less games then the leader). Hal, since the Brewers evidently dont have a need for Bill Hall, how about EE for Hall…and we will even throw in Coco? But seriously, I would not mind Bill Hall as our third baseman. In 70 less bats then EE, he only has two fewer RBI’s.
By michael
August 26, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
AP- FLORIDA, totally agree with you. Kepp and Hairston would be great utility guys, although I do think Hairston will return to his lifetime .260 something Average. He does have speed and can play anywhere. Add a CF to your wish list and then we might compete.
By AP-FLORIDA
August 26, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Keppinger and Hairston are not major league starters on any team (except current reds) I think Hopper deserves a chance to show his stuff. Wasn’t too bad end of last year. Find us a catcher and a ss (hanigan might do for now) But first we must find a quality shortstop…and a manager too>>>
By michael
August 26, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
EE is so inconsistant, but has shown flashes of brilliance. This is why I would be willing to give him a bit more time. He is cheap, and the Reds stink, and they have nothing to lose.
By timb
August 26, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Did you guys know that Official Whipping Boy Edwin Encarncion is tied for 4th among Major League Basemen in terms of homers? Out of 14 regular third basemen he ranks in the middle of the pack in both OPS and slugging. Statistics just don’t bear our grudge against a 25 year old who will only improve. With that said, let’s keep blaming for everything until they run him out of town on a rail too!
By Jim
August 26, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
EE has been given plenty of time to prove he is more than a below average hitter and terrible fielder and he has failed. When the Reds finally release him, I can guarantee that he will stay unemployed because no other team will honestly believe he is a major league. player
By timb
August 26, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Michael, I agree. EE is cheap for at least one more year (he will be eligible for arbitration after next year) and he has shown promise. I think the second half of your post is Hal’s position, i.e. he does show promise, but the Walt has soured somewhat on it and you have trade something to get something. This team can’t hit, however, so it’s important to keep someone around who can. Still, no one ever mentions how Votto can’t play defense? Wanna know why? Because Marty doesn’t gripe about his defense and Brantley rarely complains. Jeez, I hate those two.
By michael
August 26, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
EE could turn out OK, and we have nothing to lose by keeping him in the lineup. Give him a little while longer to develop. If we can get a star SS or Infielder involving EE in the deal, then let him go. Hairston, Kepp, or one of many others can play a fundamental 3rd Base.
By AP-FLORIDA
August 26, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
I, for one, think EE is a keeper. At least with him, you feel he is improving and has a chance to do something each at bat. With bako, and cp, you say just another out/passed ball etc. It doesn’t do any good to bring up players and let them sit, especially in a lost season. We know bako/cp and others are not going to get better. I agree we should stay off of EE. You don’t know what you got till it’s gone
By BIRDIE41
August 25, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Sunday’s game is just an example of the way it is going to be as long as Dusty Baker is manager for the rest of this year and for ever how many years that Dusty is signed for. Also since Cordero left is there some way we can keep him from returning without having to pay him the rediculus balance of his contract(Krivsky and Castellini’s great deal)?
By timb
August 25, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Is anyone else in favor of replying to Bob and Walt’s letter with a demand to shut Cueto (and maybe Harang) down for the duration of this travesty? After all, if Dusty’s gonna play Bako everyday (oh Javy Valentin), then why shouldn’t we get to see more Josh Fogg or Jeremy Affeldt?! [shudders with horror]
By timb
August 25, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye, I agree that defensive lapses (especially the stupid mental lapses) are annoying. But, I also remember when Aramis Ramirez was a kid and made 35-40 errors a season. He does not do that now. Now, I will also state that where I see similarities between the two, I refuse to say EE is a younger version of Aramis or even that he will ever be that good period. But, sometimes, defense is a skill that comes with age. Also, Huber is dead on. This is one dreadful team and I see a perfect comparison: you expect absolutely nothing from either and are surprised if anything decent happens.
By timb
August 25, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye, I agree that defensive lapses (especially the stupid mental lapses) are annoying. But, I also remember when Aramis Ramirez was a kid and made 35-40 errors a season. He does not do that now. Now, I will also state that where I see similarities between the two, I refuse to say EE is a younger version of Aramis or even that he will ever be that good period. But, sometimes, defense is a skill that comes with age. Also, Huber is dead on. This is one dreadful team and I see a perfect comparison: you expect absolutely nothing from wither and are surprised if anything decent happens.
By wiz
August 25, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Huber,Florida Buckeye, and Mark I truly enjoy your posts! Keep ‘em coming.
By HuberTucky
August 25, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Good idea, Wiz. I don’t have one but knowing what’s coming, I see a revival in bomb shelters. Bottom line on the Reds, regardless what each of us THINKS or opines, the team sucks and is in last place. It is always said that you can’t argue with success. Well, neither can you argue with failure. There is an analogy there with Dumbya but I’ll just let it be.
By Florida Buckeye
August 25, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
I remember much earlier in the season, and last and the year before, that I wanted EE gone…I noticed that someone posted that we should forgive his defensive gaffes due to his power numbers…It got me to thinking. . Hmm, so, we forgive him his D-, and CP his inability to hit/run the bases, Bako for hitting/D- behind the plate, Dusty for regularly defying logic, BP for not hustling and doggin it, The entire team for not hitting, and well…quite frankly, I am starting to realize that IF we continue to forgive all the mistakes because of potential, or, other parts of their game…all we have left is a freaken Fantasy Team, and a bad one at that!
By Mark in Sun Valley
August 25, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Why is it everytime I read a quote from Dusty as to how we lost it sounds to me like “Aw shucks, lost again… Oh well, time to go fishing”? I do think EE has talent, but his best success came when Jerry Narron rode him every day. Some players need a velvet glove and some need a riding crop. How much extra infield do you think the Reds will take after yesterday’s catastrophe?
By Mark in Sun Valley
August 25, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I am amazed at how little contact this team makes. Phillips, EE, Votto all headed to 100 strikeout this season. Bruce has 100 K’s between Louisville and the Reds. And Dickerson, though starting out well, had 100 strikeouts before he was called up, and Ks 1 out of ever 4 at bats. And it seems the way Jacoby combats this is to have them swing at the first pitch for a few games, ground out weakly, and then back to the strikeouts. It’s maddening. I believe Davis can do better, but I think he is more likely to be a roving coach at all levels than full time with the big club.
By wizard
August 25, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Huber have you got a underground hideout? I’m commin’ over, if your shelter is fallout proof. Has Carl Rove announced what color code it is? Red/orange…?
By timb
August 25, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Did you guys know that Official Whipping Boy Edwin Encarncion is tied for 4th among Major League Basemen in terms of homers? Out of 14 regular third basemen he ranks in the middle of the pack in both OPS and slugging. Statistics just don’t bear our grudge against a 25 year old who will only improve. With that said, let’s keep blaming for everything until they run him out of town on a rail too!
By timb
August 25, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I know we all like to bash the non-hitters in the line-up, but did ANYONE notice all the young kids who supposedly can hit, do not and have not. The Reds had 5 hits in 12 innings! They made 36 outs and managed 5 hits. That is so terrible is goes almost un-commented by everyone who wants to criticize Corey and Paul (not that either doesn’t deserve it mind you). This team is just terrible (reminds me of 1989’s team, oh Scotty Madison where have you gone?) and replacing Patterson and Bako isn’t going to improve anything. 5 hits? Just boggles the mind.
By HuberTucky
August 25, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Patterson, Bako, Coffee, Belise, Majewski, Coco, Edwin, Rusty, Jacoby, Pole…Hey! we’ve FINALLY located those mysterious WMDs!
By Cait
August 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I watched most of yesterday’s game on TV, then left to go to my fantasy football draft and missed the 8th inning on, and after reading this, I’m glad I did. Thanks for telling it like it is, Hal.
By Mark
August 25, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Playing Cabrera yesterday instead of Rosales further illustrates that Dusty does not like to play youngsters. Look for Jocketty to fill the 09 roster with maybe one high-priced FA and several veteran retreads. If the team went into next year with Votto at 1st, Janish at SS, EE at 3rd, Bruce in RF, Dickerson in LF and Hanigan at C, Baker’s head might explode.
By bobs
August 25, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
AP-Florida hit the nail on the head…how can any Reds player feel good about their chances when they see Patterson/Bako in the line-up? I understood mid-season when Patterson had to play once in a while to spell Griffey, but now, bring up someone else, play Cabrera, play a pitcher, they could not do any worse then CP. Hal, thanks for the great articles and the blog. I know I have bagged the year and reading the DDN the next day is only source of info I get.
By Jon
August 25, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
I remember Wayne Krivsky saying that people would be disappointed with the number of strikeouts that Bruce has at the major league level, especially at first. The guy knew talent, why he wasn’t just consulted with on contracts and ultimately retained I have no idea.
By rockieredsfan
August 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Went to Friday and Saturdays game - Friday the young guys looked fresh and ready to play, but the bull pen blew what would have been a really good effort, glad we still won. Saturday a 360-degree turn around. We were fortunate the Rockies didn’t play well neither, and we still ended up losing. I’m glad I was not there yesterday, but did watch on the local Denver station. Terrible, terrible, terrible! A note to fans - on Friday all players in the starting lineup with the exception of Bruce and Harang (starting pitcher) signed autographs for the few Reds fan in attendance plus a few of the non-starters signed. On Saturday, Bruce signed a few as well and some of the other players took the time to sign. So for that I thank the players. Spoke with Hal on Friday when he walked to the stadium and encouraged him to write his book. He said he has to find the time. He also said his wife bought him a computer for Christmas to write his book and it was still in the box! Let’s hope he finds the time and soon. Finally, the Rockies annoucers stated that Cordera went home to be with his wife who was having a baby.
By donb51
August 25, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Hal, I guess this is why I keep tracking the Reds. Your articles are a delight to read and this one in particular just happened to be a high quality piece - so fluid and natural. I know I am hard on you at times, especially with our differences about Dunn. But thanks for being there during our soon to be decade of darkness.
By Steven Ross
August 25, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
We just can’t get the big hit with runners on base, especially with two outs,” he said. “It has been haunting us all year and we are just not a very good team at that part of the game.” Well Dusty, as AP_Florida said, it’s tough to generate any runs when your 7, 8 and 9 hitters are Patterson, Bako and the Pitcher. Are you really this daft?
By BRAD UHLENHAKE
August 25, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
DESPITE ALL THE OTHER LISTED GAFFES, OUR NEWLY APPOINTED FIELD LEADER, BRANDON PHILLIPS, LOST THE SUNDAY GAME FOR US! BP IS A FREE SPIRIT AND A GREGARIOUS ADDITION TO THE TEAM but IF HE WANTS TO BE THE STAR (flash-back to HIS REPORTEDLY perceived jealousy of JOSH HAMILTON’S STATUS LAST YEAR)… if BP WANTS TO BE A STAR, HE HAS TO LEAD BY HIS EXAMPLE AND PLAY - HE must HUSTLE AND CONCENTRATE every PLAY - NOT JUST WHEN HE WANTS TO. WE LOST SUNDAY DUE TO HIS FIELDING FLUBS AND HITTING FAILURES TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A g.w.h. ON 2 LATE GAME CHANCES HE HAD. YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT BRANDON - LIVE THE PART!
By Mike-Cinci
August 25, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Votto looks to be a good player. Phillips plays great defense but is suited to be a #6 or #7 hitter on a good team. He is not a middle of the line-up hitter. Keppinger is a back-up player. EE is sometimes hot but often cold. He is not a prome time player. Dickerson is a 4th or 5th outfielder. Patterson is awful. Bruce looks average. Is he just a better Austin Kearns? There is no catching. Overall the pitching is below average with a few bright spots but all teams have a few bright spots. The outlook is not good. The Reds are short of top major league talent and what they have is just average or worse. This is a team with last place talent and no help in the minors.
By AP-FLORIDA
August 25, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Like I’ve said for weeks, these guys have no confidence in Rusty therefore do not play their best for him. Having CP/bako/and the pitcher up two or three times a game is like giving the other team nine outs per game. hard to win when you have 9 outs before you start
By Keith
August 25, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
Dusty’s an idiot. We can’t get the big 2 out hit b/c it’s CP at the plate, who can’t hit any other time. When you get 5 hits in 12 innings, that means you’re not hitting any other time. This team is lousy at everything, and the manager has done noting all year to make me believe he can motivate them to improve.
By Jon in Colorado
August 24, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
I was at this game. My first Reds game since moving here 6 yrs ago. Also the worst major league game I’ve ever seen. Please Walt, just blow it up and start over with the few talented youth that is left.
By AP-FLORIDA
August 24, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
yep, those short naps do wonders. nice free agent signing. was that walt’s first move?
By post office Dean
August 24, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
What did me in today was CP getting picked off first base again, I think it was the ninth time, I guess he is just so unused to getting on base he does not know what to do when on the base path. I swear he never moved on the throw over to first.
By rob in stl
August 24, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Discounting the rookies what position players are established major leaguers? Brandon Phillips and that is pretty much it. Oh, I suppose you could include Encarnacion but the way he has played this season it would be a stretch to call him a solid big league player. Everybody else is either a backup or a 25th man type. These last 31 games might be real rough.
By wizard
August 24, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
I’m leaving now—Matt, the blog authority, is here once again, so he will inform all who inhabit this place, as to what is what—since none of the rest of us understand anything about “rookies” and such!Tune in off and on during the morning hours—he’ll still be here demonstrating his dogmatism.I leave him to others!
By Mike-Cinci
August 24, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Cueto is just sore and he does not need Tommy John surgery. If he does we won’t see him until 2010. Votto really looks good. He may turn out to be a fine player but soon moved to the outfield or put on the trading block to make room for Yonder Alphonso who may or may not be worth the $ to sign him. Bruce has no idea how to lay off the high pitch. He needs some plate discipline to go with his natural talent or he will be only a better version of Cory Patterson. He is clearly not a gold glove candidate. Bruce should improve but sometimes these guys don’t. This team is a long way from being competitive but they seem to be nice fellows. Anyone who thinks this team only needs a few pieces has not watched these guys play. They are bad at just about everything needed to win games.
By wizard
August 24, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
You are correct”looking really bad”—He is flat out guessing. It looks like he hasn’t a clue, as to where he wants a pitch to be, Huberpoolpocketlug{nice tag!}. I sure hope he figures it out—he is looking helpless! I had just finished saying to my wife—“a good count to steal on”—when Patterson was picked off! What the hell was he looking at? He didn’t even flinch—most people would be returning to the bag!Yes, I would still do anything necessary—to permanently eliminate this embarrassment from the lineup: Dikerson/CF,Bruce/RF, Daffy Duck in LF
By Matt
August 24, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Family comes first, not baseball, HuberPoolPocketLugJohnJacobJeingelheimerSchmidt. It isn’t like Coco getting a save is really important at this juncture, anyway. The Reds are buried in the basement of the division. Bruce is going to have his ups and downs, as any other young player. He’ll strike out a bunch, make errors in the field, make “rookie” mistakes. It’s all part of maturing as a big league ballplayer.
By HuberPoolPocketLug
August 24, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
“Cordero had to leave and go home due to a personal matter.” I guess the Reds needing to depend on their $15 million-a-year ace closer was trumped by Coco’s issue at home. Patterson left 5 men on base and Bruce struck out 4 times looking real bad. Bang-up job, Jacoby! And the beat goes on. Yes, the atrocity continues.