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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 > 2009 > April > 27 > Entry
Concussion? Oswalt gives ‘em out freely
The Cincinnati Reds have been extremely fortunate the first 19 games of the 2009 season - they have not been forced to make a single roster move since the start of the season. Not one.
That means no injuries - and somebody please knock on Edwin Encarnacion’s wooden bat because Lord knows he isn’t using it for anything else.
They are waiting to see what’s up with Chris Dickerson. Just when it looked as if he had found his lost confidence with a hit and a couple of dandy defensive plays Monday night, he and Houston shortstop Miguel Tejada clashed heads at second base. Tejada must have the harder head. He won.
Dickerson stayed in the game for a while but eventually left with concussion-like symptoms, but it doesn’t appear he has a concussion.
“He doesn’t have a concussion, even though he’s had some in his career - four or five,” said manager Dusty Baker. “They doctors say he doesn’t have one. He might be a little woozy tomorrow, so we’ll wait and see. They say 24 hours to 48 hours to make sure he’s all right.”
AS FAR AS Monday’s game went, the Reds didn’t have the chance of a spare hunk of chocolate in an orphanage, even though the Houston Astros have grown older than a leisure suit hidden in the back of a closet.
Closer Coco Cordero, brought into the ninth inning of a tie game, gave up three straight hits and three runs and the Reds lost, 4-1.
It was pre-ordained, it was written in the wind, it was beyond karma.
It starts with Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt, 23-1 for his career against the Reds when the night began, a guy the Reds couldn’t beat if he were a blanket dangling on a clothes line and the Reds all carried rug beaters.
He didn’t get the win, but he held the Reds to one run and six hits over seven innings.
“It has to be a psychological thing on Oswalt’s part and ours, too,” said manager Dusty Baker.
Then mix in the fact that the Astros were 14-1 in their last 15 games in Great American Ball Park (16-1 now) and owned nine straight victories (10 now).
Beat the Astros? The Reds were more likely to swim the Ohio River — length-wise.
And then there is Lance Berkman, who has more red on his hands than a barn painter.
His home run in the sixth inning off Johnny Cueto broke a 0-0 tie, Berkman’s 20th home run in Great American Ball Park, six more than the next most by a visiting player (Jason Bay, 14).
It was the only thing the Astros got off Cueto, who gave up one run and seven hits over seven innings.
It was 1-1 when the ninth began and Cordero gave up a broken-bat bloop single to Carlos Lee and a two-strike single to Miguel Tejada. Hunter Pence doubled for two runs and took third on right fielder Jay Bruce’s error, enabling Pence to score on Geoff Blum’s sacrifice fly.
Cordero was sincerely distraught because he coughed up a game pitched so well by Cueto.
“I’m not happy because of the way Cueto pitched, he was unbelievable,” said Cordero. “He gave the team a chance to win and that’s why I’m so upset. I should have made better pitches to give my team a chance to win.”
Cordero was upset with the two-strike pitch that Tejada whacked for a single and the two-strike pitch that Pence pounded for a double.
“I had good stuff, but two bad pitches — I tried to go in on Tejada and it stayed in the middle and I tried to go away to Pence and it was right there.”
Baker wanted to emphasize how well the Reds played — and they did — with left fielder Chris Dickerson making two excellent plays and shortstop Alex Gonzalez nailing a couple on defense.
“We had Oswalt on the ropes a couple of times and he threw up a couple of double play balls and worked his way out of a bases loaded jam (in the sixth),” said Baker. Edwin Encarnacion ended that uprising by dumping a little putt in front of the plate, then stood and permitted catcher Pudge Rodriguez to tag him.
“We played a good game, but we just couldn’t get the hit we needed off Oswalt and when you hit into three double plays, well, when you get two outs on one pitch, that’s a pitcher’s best friend and that was Oswalt’s best friend tonight.”
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By Blogcopwatcher
April 30, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this
“You betcha, ross”! You probably voted for ‘her’,also. You are old enough aren’t you? I guess you reasoned these comments out for yourself, after you realized that the Reds were so enamoured with the Dunner, that they traded his ‘all-around abilities’ to another team. All I ever REALLY had against Dunn, was the fact that he was playing out of position; and was unwilling to play first base for the Reds. As soon as he left, other teams wanted him to play first, also. Had he been willing to play first, I would have wanted him to stay. I must say, however, he pretty much stinks defensively wherever they play him—which is why he should only be in the AL, as a designated hitter.
By ross
April 30, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
blogcop..Dunn is Babe Ruth compared to the Reds OF..hes wearing it out in Washington..I hope he has a great year you go ahead and thank Dickerson is a legit ML player aworst Reds OF ever
By Son of Denny
April 29, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this
Denny Sorah is the son of Denny-Dimwit.
By blogcopwatcher
April 29, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
Dear son: Beats me? I don’t know what Denny Sorah means either.
By Sonofblogcopwatcher
April 29, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
Anyone know what “He has lasier then him.” means?
By Denny Sorah
April 29, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this
Baker talks about poor defense. He has made more errors then the whole league. With any luck Encarnation will be on DL all year. He’s lazy. Phillips should be benched. His attitude is awful right now. Team leaders don’t act like Brandon. benched. He has lasier then him.
By Sal Monella
April 29, 2009 2:13 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Jake and MikeCincy. You guys are absolutely right. Bringing in Coco to cough it up was sooo the right move. I’m shocked that there are two other people in southern Ohio who actually agree with nitwit Baker.
By Ryan K. Madison, IN.
April 29, 2009 1:09 AM | Link to this
professor..blogwatcher and get real. The three of you are tools and need to get a life. Bunch of candy asses. I mean give me a break for real
By blogcopwatcher
April 28, 2009 11:47 PM | Link to this
You can’t possibly have any friends who can read!
By Get Real
April 28, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks Profess … I had someone read my post back to me and that person concluded that you are an idiot of a high level and that blogcop is your love child … so unless you have another idea, I believe we’re done with you.
By The Professor
April 28, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this
Get Real, if you knew how to read, understand what you read, and retain what you read; you’d be able to understand how stupid your reply to Blogcopwatcher’s well said comments was.
By Get Real
April 28, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this
Blogcop moron … let me help you out a bit seeing as you are retarded - Dunn will play worse defense than the entire Reds outfield—major league AND AAA! - WRONG … DUNN IS AVERAGE WHICH MEANS THERE ARE PLAYERS BETTER AND WORSE He will also steal less bases than each player in the outfield—major league and AAA Louisville! - PERHAPS BUT NO ONE EVER SAID DUNN WAS A BASE STEALER He will also strike out more than each player in the outfields of the major league team and AAA Louisville! - NO HE WON’T BUT I KNOW LIMITED BASEBALL FANS (LIKE YOU) THINK A STRIKEOUT IS A WORSE OUT THAN JUST AN OUT SO WE WILL LET YOU HAVE YOUR LITTLE FANTASY ABOUT STRIKEOUTS Any more comments STUPID Ross? - HE HASN’T MADE ANY YET … BUT YOU HAVE YOU DUMBAZZ. ALL ROSS SAID WAS DUNN WILL HIT MORE BOMBS THAN THE ENTIRE REDS OUTFIELD … WHICH IS TRUE - SO YOUR BLOGCOPWATCHER TITLE IS LARGELY CEREMONIAL NOW ISN’T IT?
By blogcopwatcher
April 28, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this
Dunn will play worse defense than the entire Reds outfield—major league AND AAA!He will also steal less bases than each player in the outfield—major league and AAA Louisville! He will also strike out more than each player in the outfields of the major league team and AAA Louisville! Any more comments STUPID Ross?
By Ryan K. Madison, IN.
April 28, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
I said it when we signed this bum and I’ll say it again…EE is worthless and he needs to go and go now, not in a few months after he costs us more losses. He is flat out lazy and he makes me sick to my stomach. How worthless can one player be, seriously? Evrything he does is in slow motion. One hit in his last 29 at bats? Dusty Baker is totally worthless also. I wish he would fall off the bridge driving into kentucky tonight after he makes another retarded decision that cost us a loss.
By Marge
April 28, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
EE, this is not personal, you make not be a lazy person but the way you hit, the way you play defense, the way you walk, the way you look, the way you talk all point to someone who doesn’t care and is lazy. Come on people we have to join together and get Pete “Rose”ales up here. We got BP out of the 4 hole even if it was only for two games. Lets make it happen.
By Mike-Cinci
April 28, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
EE is the biggest issue now. I’ve always been for giving him a chance and the Reds thought they had something too as they gave him a nice 2 year deal. It is time for EE to step up. In my opinion you have to keep him in there until mid June but if he is still going bad it will be time to make a change. You can’t blow up the team after only 3 weeks.
By billy hustle
April 28, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
Votto is a straight stud! I’m really starting to like Hernandez. Team average of .234 is pathetic. In order to get hits you need to put the ball into play, which according to how many strikeouts the Reds have, doesn’t happen often enough. It is almost May now so no more “slow starter” excuses. They cant afford to wait until June for some guys to start hitting. It is easy to be negative after a loss but I enjoy watching these guys play overall. To me there seems to be a different vibe even when they lose (as in they look like they care). The longer they can manage to stay close to the top the more confidence they’ll gain. However, I agree with most others in that I don’t think they have enough hitting to stay there. Dusty makes odd moves now and then but he is far from the biggest problem this team has.
By Roho Radio
April 28, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this
This is rEEdEEculous and has given me a major concussion. A multi-million dollar player on pace this season for 61 hits, 8 homers, another 23 errors, and no mental fortitude. Where does he belong in the lineup Dusty? A serious conundrum for you, I’m sure. Just keep patting him on the butt and telling him to do his best, I guess. He is only 26 after all. Just a babe……BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Time to eat those coins Walt. Get someone at 3rd who wants to play the game!!
By Jack
April 28, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this
Hal, who is Wes Bankston? The guy has 6 jacks at Louisville. The problem with this lineup, is the continued lack of a right handed hitter. With Votto and Bruce, they almost have to hit 3 and 5 with a right-hander in between. The question is then who, the only two options are Phillips and EE. Pick your poison there. Use Dickerson’s injury as an excuse to put him on the DL and bring up Rosales, Gomes, or Bankston. The Reds have been very fortunate to get the number of wins that they have, that will not continue with this line-up. For those who say, no worries, they will hit….this has been the concern since day one. Can they hit? The answer was always presumed to be no, they are just now proving that theory though. Will they hit as bad as they are, unlikely, but none of these guys really has a history of hitting above .300. This team as situated is flawed and will continue to be flawed, some changes must be made.
By Jake
April 28, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Mike-Cinci. Bringing in Coco for the top of the 9th (to face Lee, Tejada, and Pence) is the right move. You should being in your best reliever when you absolutely need the other team not to score. Just because Coco threw up all over his shoes last night doesn’t make it Dusty’s fault. While I’m not a big fan of Dusty’s, its easy to see most of the commenters rip him for all the wrong reasons.
By Clint
April 28, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
They need to start hitting Bruce 3rd and Votto 4th, Phillips 2nd or 5th.
By Marge
April 28, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
It seems like they want Votto to do everything. EE stood there looking lazy as usual as he was expecting Votto to run over the catcher and knock the ball loose. Then EE could jog to first.
By Hank
April 28, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Jaybird, as long as the forceout is “in effect” for out number 3, it doesn’t matter when the tag is made relative to runner’s scoring, it’s still considered a force out.
By Brian from Florida
April 28, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
Taveras CF, Philips 2B, Votto 1B, Hernandez C, Bruce RF, Rosales 3B, Nix/Gomes LF, Gonzo/Janish SS
By Brian from Florida
April 28, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Please, change the line-up!
By Jack
April 28, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Jaybird, taking a guess based upon your comment (did not get a chance to see last night’s game), but was it the third out of the inning and in the normal course of play….force out?
By HuberTucky
April 28, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
I have had several concussions over the course of my life, the last two were doozies (hit by a car on my bicycle). The docs told me that these are accumulative. So if Dickerson has experienced “4 or 5” according to Dr. Baker, then it can indeed be a BFD! Baker continues to be an idiot.
By Brian A
April 28, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
Heartbreaking loss. This young team needs to win tonight and tom. Roster changes need to be made with EE.
By jaybird
April 28, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
I have a question about the play with bases loaded with Encarnacion at bat. When Rodiriguez tagged him for the third out, Votto had already crossed the plate. shouldn’t that run have counted?
By ross
April 28, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
nick..what good young players..votto,volquez, cueto..who else do you see..I see a team that cant score..Dunn will hit more bombs then the reds whole starting OF
By Mike-Cinci
April 28, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
It is OK to use a closer in a tie game. The Reds lost last night because Cordero did not do his job and Phillips did not do his job with men on base. You can’t blame the manager for every loss anymore than you can give him credit for every win. Teams win or lose based on the the performance of the players.
By yeah
April 28, 2009 6:47 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget that the ‘90 team was built by Pete. What has Pinella ever done on his own?
By Scott
April 28, 2009 6:39 AM | Link to this
I hope Dickerson is alright as before the slide (which was a textbook slide) he was having perhaps his best game this season. I’m glad the Reds won Sunday or the story would be a 4 game losing streak.
By Jammin
April 28, 2009 5:10 AM | Link to this
The Reds have some kind of curse at 3b-how long do we let this go on??
By JJ
April 28, 2009 4:48 AM | Link to this
Pete Roses’ teams finished 2nd four years in a row-don’t throw his name in with Dustys.
By nick50
April 28, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this
Yep…..now we know what the Cub and Giant fans found out long ago. Just like Pete…..great player, lousy manager! It’s a shame….all these good young players set to ruin by a guy nobody else would hire.
By jack cooper
April 28, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this
Speaking of Encarnation not using his bat or glove for that manner,Rosales again with 3 hits today at louisville. Hitting well over 400. Wherereds aren’t getting any better.
By jack cooper
April 28, 2009 12:09 AM | Link to this
Speaking of Encarnation not using his bat or glove for that manner,Rosales again with 3 hits today at louisville. Hitting well over 400. When does he play.since the poor hitting reds aren’t getting any better.
By marty
April 28, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this
I want to know what brandon phillips was doing in the lineup. after the way he didn’t hustle when he got his hit Sunday, he would have been on the bench if I was in charge. I can’t believe I didn’t even see anything about it in the paper. didn’t anyone question phillips or dusty baker about the play?
By blogcopwatcher
April 27, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this
“He doesn’t have a concussion, even though he’s had some in his career - four or five,” said manager Dusty Baker. “They doctors say he doesn’t have one. He might be a little woozy tomorow, so we’ll wait and see. They say 24 hours to 48 hours to make sure he’s all right.” Does this man EVER say ANYTHING that makes sense? When collisions involve the head—concussions always occur! It is about, how serious the concussion is.