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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 > June > 02 > Entry
Have no fear, Volquez probably OK
There was fear in the Cincinnati Reds dugout when Edinson Volquez walked off the mound after the first inning, but fear not.
It probably is not that bad.
After Volquez left his assignment to face the St. Louis Cardinals after only one inning, it was announced that he had numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his pitching hand. Not good. Not good at all.
After the game, though, Volquez described it was a tingling than ran down his arm and into his fingers. And it was only on one pitch.
He is going back to Cincinnati tomorrow to have it checked, but the guess here is that it was much ado about nothing and he’ll take his next turn.
Meanwhile, without Volquez, without Joey Votto, without Willy Taveras, without Jerry Hairston Jr. and without Edwin Encarnacion, the Reds came from behind Monday to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game One of a four-gamer in Busch.
All the Reds need is a third baseman with a bandaged head playing the flute and the picture would be complete.
Volquez’s return from the wounded-in-action list lasted one inning Monday night in Busch Stadium and he quickly rejoined his incapacitated buddies.
Volquez missed his last start with back spasms but this time left after one inning against the St. Louis Cardinals with numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his right hand, or as he described it later, “Tingling from my elbow down to my fingers.”
He joined Edwin Encarnacion (wrist), Joey Votto (stress), Willy Taveras (hamstring) and Jerry Hairston Jr. (flu) on the unable to perform couch.
If that sounds like a prescription for a sound drubbing, well, it wasn’t. After Volequez spotted the Cardinal a one-run lead in the first and Mike Lincoln gave them another in the third, the quilt-patch Reds came back to score a 5-3 victory, moving back to within 2 ½ games of first place.
And although Volquez vacated the mound and is going to Cincinnati this morning to be examined, it may not be serious. After the game Volquez said he didn’t feel it any more and that he felt it on only one pitch, a fastball to the second hitter he faced, Colby Rasmus.
To compensate, “I threw about 10 curveballs in a row and I usually don’t throw more than three curves the whole game,” he said.
And that got manager Dusty Baker’s attention, too.
“We figured something was wrong when he started throwing all those breaking balls,” said Baker. “I mean, he was throwing great in the bullpen — 94 or 95 miles an hour.”
Said Volquez, “I’ll have to check with somebody on what’s going on with me. I’d never been on the DL and then this and I’ve never had this happen to me, either. Never had pain in my arm.
“It disappeared then and I don’t feel it no more,” he said. “It’s crazy. The best part is that we won and stopped a losing streak.”
The win ended a six-game road losing streak and was the Reds’ first victory on this trip after losing three straight in Milwaukee over the weekend.
The Reds pulled this one out with a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Laynce Nix.
Lincoln followed Volquez with three innings during which a home run to Rasmus was the only damage and Lincoln was rewarded with the win.
“Our guys were scraping and fighting,” said Baker. “They were determined against a good Cardinals team that plays well at home. That’s a big one to stop that losing streak and maybe we can start a winning streak.”
Of Lincoln’s stand-in performance, Baker said, “Lincoln has been struggling but he is throwing the ball better right now. He gave up a double (on his first pitch) and a home run, but he didn’t give up any more.”
Baker was asked before the game about how he has patched together makeshift and quickshift lineups since the injuries began piling up after nearly an injury-free April.
“I haven’t had my infield together for I don’t know how long,” said Baker. “All four have been gone at one time or another. We’ve held together because of our extra guys. Our extra guys have done an outstanding job. But how long can we expect our extra guys to perform like this? That’s the question.
“You want your regular guys back, for sure, but without our extra guys, boy, we wouldn’t be close to where we are. So many times this year we’ve played with 23 or 24 guys.”
And Monday was another time.
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By The Professor
June 3, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
“Man sees{including Albert}what he wants to see, and disregards the rest”. Albert: Just because you see something one way, doesn’t make it correct!Just because you see what Baker is doing, and agree with it, does not make he or you right!
By Albert the Great
June 3, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this
I know several Reds fans well..they pretty much are knowledgeable about the ball club..then I went on this blog and see several guys talking about the Reds being contenders with guys like Dickerson, Janish, Rosales..and the so called star Jay Bruce a .220 hitter being the franchise player..its sort of comical to talk baseball with some of the group..some very good reds fans on board..and most make sense
By Larussa is a genius ... in France
June 2, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this
Albert - the Cardinals have been a better franchise for awhile (we all know that fact) but why are you on a Reds’ blog?
By Florida Buckeye
June 2, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Jack, and TB, I am not naive enough to think that a home team broadcast team isnt going to be biased - just listen to our own guys - however, they were completely uninformed about the Reds…some of their pregame comments made me wonder about their reasearch; and for the first part of the game it was just too much of a Rah Rah Redwings Fest…I guess it’s too much to be a broadcaster and not a fan at the same time…Add me to the amazed list w/r to the Reds doing so well and having so many injuries and unforseens in the lineup…Kudos!
By Bill from Florida
June 2, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this
With the two first months of the season gone, it’s hard to believe what the Red’s line-up has faced so far, comparing to spring training plans: Encarnacion and Votto in DL, Hairston, Rosales and Hernandez platooning in 1B and 3B, Hanigan as the regular catcher, Gomes and Nix platooning in LF instead of Hairston and Dickerson, Bill Bray and Jared Burton gone with Herrera and Fisher in. So, I think Baker has had more work than expected so far. Personally, I hope Votto will return soon and Encarnacion will do better. Otherwise, it’s hard to believe Reds will manage to score enough runs to end better than 4th place this year. I still think Encarnacion is a lost hope and Owings is not a major league starting pitcher.
By Albert the Great
June 2, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
blogcop..I just find it amusing that not all Reds fans but some like you are soooooo ignorant..u have not won in years and they are 4 games over 500 and this is a great club..I would love to have dickerson/Janish, Nix, hanigan, rosales on our AAA team..they could contribute..The Cards are 2nd only to NY in WS titles and have won one recently..not all red fans are as dumb as you..most of them realize they still need alot of help..are you under 300lbs yet
By Jack
June 2, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
FloridaBuckeye. Guess I am missing your point, but you are upset that a Cardinal’s broadcast of a game featuring Cardinal announcers was a little bias? What were you expecting? Next I bet you will be telling me that Yankee annoucers openly root for the Yankee’s to win.
By Blogcopwatcher
June 2, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
Oh, now the prediction has gone from ‘you’re going to lose all four and be 6.5 games behind, when you leave town’ to ‘you might win an occasional game’. Hey, ding dong, why don’t you just shut your stupid face, watch the games, and enjoy baseball; instead of demonstrating your childish behavior to Redsland!You are quite a bore.
By Tom
June 2, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this
Great win last night plus the Marlins finally put it on the Brewers.
By KennyG
June 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the commenter “Albert the Great” is even a real Cardinals fan. Cardinals fans for the most part are known to be very informative and understand the game very well, and this head of Albert’s fan club clearly doesn’t understand a thing. You probably were born in Columbus and just started rooting for the Cards because they are good. You’re the ideal fan! ::cough cough::
By KennyG
June 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the commenter “Albert the Great” is even a real Cardinals fan. Cardinals fans for the most part are known to be very informative and understand the game very well, and this head of Albert’s fan club clearly doesn’t understand a thing. You probably were born in Columbus and just started rooting for the Cards because they are good. You’re the ideal fan! ::cough cough::
By KennyG
June 2, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the commenter “Albert the Great” is even a real Cardinals fan. Cardinals fans for the most part are known to be very informative and understand the game very well, and this head of Albert’s fan club clearly doesn’t understand a thing. You probably were born in Columbus and just started rooting for the Cards because they are good. You’re the ideal fan! ::cough cough::
By KennyG
June 2, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the commenter “Albert the Great” is even a real Cardinals fan. Cardinals fans for the most part are known to be very informative and understand the game very well, and this head of Albert’s fan club clearly doesn’t understand a thing. You probably were born in Columbus and just started rooting for the Cards because they are good. You’re the ideal fan! ::cough cough::
By Mark in Sun Valley
June 2, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
The extra innings package makes you listen to the home teams announcers most of the time, and I have to say to anyone that complains about Marty, Thom, Jeff, George or Chris should hear what goes on in other markets. The Cards broadcasters are at least passable. Milwaukees TV crew is horrendous, as are San Diego and Houston.
By Florida Buckeye
June 2, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
TB, mostly I was referring to the pre-game show, and the sportscaster’s unfamiliarity with the Reds; their make-up, and story lines. . during the first few innings they were Homers, but after that it did even out…I agree with the Cubs announcing team though, thanks, I forgot about them!
By rick
June 2, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
It looked like albert p was going to slid until he saw the throw was off-line, so he tried to pull up and couldn’t - never do this AT HOME KIDS at h
By James Bradley
June 2, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
Mike the Masochist has spoken! Sure glad he’s not in charge of the world. Mike, if the comments bother you to the point that you think they should be disabled, then you really need to stop reading them or else you might end up blowing your brains out. Grow up, you child.
By TB
June 2, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye… I also had to watch the FS Cardinals broadcast last night and I’m not sure where you’re coming from. I thought those two broadcasters were very fair the entire night. They mostly praised the Reds, especially their great pitching this year. And in the top of the 9th, instead of making negative comments about how the Cards were going to lose, they actually discussed how the Reds should feel pretty good about the comeback victory in spite of Volquez’s early exit. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly no Cards fan, but I thought those guys were really unbiased. I mean it’s not like they are Cubs announcers who do nothing but whine and complain when Votto goes deep on them again and again.
By kasko61
June 2, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
This team reminds me of the great gladiator, Spartacus, who led the slave uprising against the mighty Roman Empire. Despite all odds, Spartacus and his men waged terrific battles against the Romans. However, when captured, the Roman could not identify Spartacus. Man after man said: “I am Spartacus.” Well, this Reds team refuses to quit, and fights on every night, with new heroes leading them to victory. “I am Spartacus!”
By Mike
June 2, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Hal, You might do us all a favor if you just disabled comments on this blog entirely. Your blog is amazing…best Reds coverage anywhere. But many of the comments are idiotic. As always…a few morons ruin it for everyone.
By Albert the Great
June 2, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
blogface..You guys are still sniffing A from behind and will be all season..u may win a game on occasion with that team but not that many..we will be fighting in Sept while the AAA Reds will be looking toward 2010 like every year..King Albert..best hitter of All Time along with Ted Williams
By Florida Buckeye
June 2, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, a couple quick thoughts and a question: First off, is there spell check or grammar check available on the blog? Not for you, but for us? Sometimes I can’t understand points are being made, due to the mistakes. Secondly, I couuldnt get the FSN Ohio Feed last night, so I had to watch the Cards feed: I’ve NEVER in my life heard such a one-sided calling of a game…what a bunch of Homers, ha! Lastly, I’m impressed with the never-say-die attitude, and the bulldog tenacity of our young team…Let’s go Reds!
By The Professor
June 2, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this
Hey huh: It’s a blog, not a research paper!
By Kyle
June 2, 2009 6:45 AM | Link to this
Some knucklehead St. Louis fan with Albert in his name was on here telling us how horrible the Reds are and how his namesake Pujois was going to tear the Reds up. watcher is referring to Sir Albert’s graceful slide into second base last night.
By huh?
June 2, 2009 1:24 AM | Link to this
Can someone please explain to me what the idiot below is talking about? Apparently he dropped out of the 2nd grade since he doesn’t know the difference between your and you’re
By blogcopwatcher
June 2, 2009 12:40 AM | Link to this
Has anyone seen Fat All-Butt? Nice prediction lame brain. Oh,and nice Late slide into second base. Don’t they teach any fundamentals in spring training? Your not just fat and ugly, but clumsy, as well. No one can rely much on your ignorant rants and predictions anymore! Soooo, say goodnight Fat All- Butt. “Meanwhile, without Volquez, without Joey Votto, without Willy Taveras, without Jerry Hairston Jr. and without Edwin Encarnacion, the Reds came from behind Monday to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game One of a four-gamer in Busch.”