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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 > May > 21 > Entry
Homer Bailey faces the Tribe Saturday
The less said about the game, the better. The Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Cincinnati Reds Thursday was a blood-letting, and the Reds donated all the blood, losing 12-5, their fifth loss in six games.
Micah Owings lasted only three innings and gave up five runs and six hits and the bullpen let the hits just keep on coming. The Phillies had 14 hits, nine for extra bases that included four homers.
It was the ugly duckling and the ugly stepsister rolled into one mess.
THERE IS NEWS, THOUGH.
Homer Bailey is coming Saturday to pitch against the Cleveland Indians and Edinson Volquez has landed on the DL with a stiff back.
And as revealed early this morning, Joey Votto has nothing more than an inner ear infection and could return to the lineup in a couple of days.
Bailey is coming to town and he’ll walk to the mound Saturday night in Great American Ball Park and pitch against the Cleveland Indians.
Volquez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after an MRI and will be skipped at least one turn with stiffness is his back.
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Bakewr said Volquez’s MRI showed no structural damage, but the team thought caution is the right course.
“It’s muscular and nothing in his vertebrae, so that’s positive news,” said Baker. “We decided that instead of sending him out there at 75 or 80 per cent, we’ll skip one start, get him well and back to 100 per cent.”
Bailey, 22, battled for the No. 5 spot this spring and pitched well enough to win it, but the club decided to keep Micah Owings, who gave up five runs and six hits in three innings Thursday in a 12-5 loss to Philadelphia.
“Hopefully Homer can up here and do the same thing he has been doing at Louisville — good except for a couple of outings,” said Baker. “We need him and he needs it and wants it.”
Bailey’s numbers are not glossy at Louiisville: 3-5 in eight starts, 4.57 ERA, nine homers in 45 1/3 innings, 17 walks, 43 strikeouts.
The Reds’ No. 1 draft pick in 1994 and a native of La Grange, Tex., was 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts for the Reds last year and was 4-7 with a 4.77 ERA in 19 starts at Louisville last year.
THE INNER EAR infection is mostly gone, replaced by a broad smile that was missing for most of the last 10 days from the face of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto.
The inner ear infection hurt, but Votto is thankful it was only that — just an inner ear infection that made him dizzy, nauseous and made him lose focus.
“With all the tests I went through, it was a pretty scary few days,” he said. “A lot of the tests were pretty imposing, tests I’d never experienced before. But to get them all back negative is a big relief. None of the tests were fun and I feel like a pin cushion.”
But he is a smiling pin cushion who hopes to be back in the lineup by Sunday — maybe Saturday —after he does all the pre-game work tonight before a game against the Cleveland Indians.
“Scared? Of course,” he said. “That’s everybody’s instinct going through different tests and it was such a shock, staying overnight in a hospital (the Scripps Clinic in LaJolla, Calif.). Finally getting the results back gave me not only peace of mind, but a sense of confidence.”
Votto said he won’t predict his return, that trainer Mark Mann and manager Dusty Baker will let him know, “Although sitting on the bench and seeing the game today (Thursday) — I wanted to get in there, but Mann’s common sense kept me out.”
Baker plans to let Votto settle in gradually and said, “Hopefully we will have him back in a couple of days. We’ll get him some reps (hitting and fielding), get some baseball work in.”
Votto left two games on the last six-game trip, once in Arizona and once in San Diego and said, “Up until yesterday (Wednesday) I wasn’t feeling very well, but it was a combination of getting over what I had and dealing with the anxieties of the unknown. Being with the club and hanging out with the guys helped, because this is what I love to do.”
Asked about reactions from people on the street when he saw them, Votto laughed and said, “While I was sick, I didn’t leave my place or I was in the hospital. I didn’t spend much time interacting with people because, frankly, I wasn’t in the mood.”
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By blogcopwatcher
May 25, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this
Any athlete who does not ‘play hard, hustle, or care about winning’ is a sorry athlete; irregardless of who his manager, or coach might be.
By Scott
May 22, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
The guys play hard,hustle and care about winning… credit goes to the manager for that. So, I don’t agree that Baker is a terrible manager, but I do agree with those who say he never should have started Owings after the Padres fill-in. What is it with our pitchers and San Diego?
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 22, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
As much as it pains me, Baker did not pitch Owings early on Thursday. He had 4 days rest between then and his relief stint Saturday night. he did not have full rest when he was very effective in relief in SD. Pretty rough for Ramon to get designated after one outing. Wonder if he will get picked up or pass through. I am angry but not surprised they just demoted McDonald rather than DFAing him. Guess we need all the career minor leaguers we can get.
By Claxton K
May 22, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
This Owings thing with Baker using him too soon after his stint in SD reminds me of how Baker misused Harang last year in SD. The same Dopey Baker who ruined young arms in Chicago so the Cubs gave him the boot. Yeah, just so the Reds could get him off the scrap heap after he’s already peaked as a manager and is on his way down and out as a failed ESPN commentator. This guy needs to go to the MLB home for washed-up managers. He just never learns from his mistakes…Patterson Bako last year, McD and AGone and EE this year. Same old same old.
By Florida Buckeye
May 22, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Hal, lack of discipline, and weak basics are what’s killing the Reds. Phillips not holding onto the ball; a first pitch pop up, when they’re reliever cant hit the strike zone; no situational awareness…add to that Baker’s propensity to give up outs…and it means the Reds end up giving away games that they should have won…discouraging as a fan!
By Bill from Florida
May 22, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Here we go again, I see the Reds struggling angain with the Astros to do not end last…
By AP-FLORIDA
May 22, 2009 6:24 AM | Link to this
Does Mark Mann have anything for what the whole team is suffering from? BAKERITIS!!!!!!
By AP-FLORIDA
May 22, 2009 6:24 AM | Link to this
Does Mark Mann have anything for what the whole team is suufering from? BAKERITIS!!!!!!
By AP-FLORIDA
May 22, 2009 6:14 AM | Link to this
How could any of you put blame on the GREAT RUSTY BAKER? I am surprised. NOT!!!
By Doltsky Bakehead
May 22, 2009 2:22 AM | Link to this
Baker is dumber than a box of rocks. Terrible terrible terrible manager. He MUST go NOW!
By Jimmy
May 22, 2009 12:47 AM | Link to this
Gomes needs to be up here immediately, replacing McDonald. If Dusty hadn’t pitched Owings in the 16 inning fiasco, he probably wouldn’t have gotten shelled today. Dusty also has too many of his favorites playing, over players who are obviously better. Dusty must go!
By max
May 22, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this
Owings hit hard again? Didn’t he just pitch 3 nights ago, 5 2/3 innings giving up only one run? And the start before that was pretty good also. I say keep him in there, the guy is a gamer. Besides, this is the Phillies. They just kill the Reds, especially Utley. They should just intentionally walk that guy and no, I am not kidding.
By J. Mark
May 21, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this
Big Surprise-Owings got hit hard AGAIN and lost another game for the Reds. When will Dusty realize that Owings is not mentally fit to be a starting pitcher? It’s about time that Homer is back. Send Owings down to AAA and let him learn to play the outfield.
By Reds Authority
May 21, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
1 draft pick in 2004? Yes. In 1994, uhhhh I don’t think so!
By Reds Authority
May 21, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this
Uhhhh, Hal, I don’t think Bailey was the Reds #1 draft pick when he was 7 years old (1994). If so, the Reds brass must really know how to pick ‘em!!!
By jim m.
May 21, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
Hopper is on the DL for Lousiville. and I want to see Gomes up here before we face 3 leftys this weekend.. McDonald isnt helping this team and its a waste to let him play against leftys!
By Jimmy1Time
May 21, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
Good for Homer! Hal I understand McDonald is a feel good story, and I want good things for him. But Norris Hopper is doing very well in Tripe A. This team is nota power team. So why isn’t Hopper up here laying down those great bunts?
By Boxter
May 21, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
Homer Bailey? Yhay’s the best this team has? Wow! 75 wins again this year