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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 > 2010 > October > 08 > Entry
To err is human - but four times???
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave thinking that I dare not permit the Cincinnati Reds hold the Yuengling or the Montecristo White Label because on this night they would sure drop it.
The best defensive baseball team in the National League kicked the baseball around Friday night like a World Cup soccer team and probably kicked away their chances to advance beyond the National League Division Series.
Four errors. Three hit batsmen. A mental mistake on a throw by third baseman Scott Rolen. Drew Stubbs getting picked off first base. No runs scored after the fifth inning. This was a meltdown to rival Three Mile Island, which isn’t that far from Philadlephia’s Citizens Bank Park.
It all added up to a 7-4 defeat to the Philadlephia Phillies on Game Two of the NLDS, put the Reds down 0-2 and on the Eve of Destruction, just one defeat away from quick extermination. It’s three straight wins or the uniforms, bats and shoes get put away until spring training.
And it all started so well on this night.
ON THE SECOND pitch of the night from Roy Oswalt, Brandon Phillips crash landed one into the upper deck in left field, ending the Reds’ string of 30 straight scoreless innings in Citizens Bank.
Then they made it 2-0 in the second inning without a hit because Phillies’ second baseman Chase Utley made two throwing errors.
It became 3-0 in the fourth when Jay Bruce it one into the upper deck in right and it blossomed to 4-0 in the fifth on Joey Votto’s sacrifice fly and they had rid themselves of the spectral ghost of Roy Oswalt.
IT LOOKED GOOD, Oh so good for the Reds. Bronson Arroyo was in control - four shutout innings and a 4-0 lead. It was money in Citizens Bank, right.
Then it eroded like the mud slides on the Pacific Coast Highway.
This is how it all slipped away, mostly because the ball kept slipping away from Reds’ defenders:
THE THIRD: Phillips, who had three hits, singled. Orlando Cabrera singled and the Reds had first and second with no outs. Votto flied to left, Scott Rolen struck out, Laynce Nix struck out. Rolen is 0 for 7 with five strikeouts in the two games.
THE FIFTH: The Phillies had two outs and a runner on first. Shane Victorino grounded to Phillips at second. The ball bounced off his chest for an error. Placido Polanco grounded to third and the ball bounced off Rolen’s chest for an error. So the Reds two best defenders, two guys who could win Gold Gloves, made back-to-back error to fill the bases. Chase Utlley drilled a two-run single, cutting the Reds lead to 4-2.
THE SIXTH: Arroyo walked Jason Werth. After Jimmy Rollins popped out, manager Dusty Baker pulled Arroyo for Arthur Rhodes. Arroyo, angry at himself for the walk or for being pulled from the game, tossed a cup of water across the dugout. Rhodes got the second out, striking out Raul Ibanez. After Werth stole second, Rhodes hit Carlos Ruiz with a pitch.
Logan Ondrusek replaced Rhodes and he hit pinch-hitter Ben Francisco, knocking off his batting helmet, to fill the bases. Baker stuck with right-hander Ondrusek against left-handed Shane Victorino and Ondrusek walked him, forcing in a run to cut the lead to 4-3.
THE SEVENTH: Aroldis Chapman arrived and after he slipped two high-velocity fastballs past Utley he hit him with a pitch - nicked him or grazed him. It looked as if he might not have been hit, but neither catcher Ryan Hanigan nor Baker argued, so it must have hit him - the third hit batsman of the night.
Chapman absolutely embarrassed Ryan Howard, freight training three fastballs past him for a strikeout. Werth grounded to third, an easy out at first. But Rolen decided to try for a force at second and Werth was called safe. Phillips argued. Baker argued. The umpire won and the Phillies had runners on first and second with one out.
Rollins lined one to right, directly at Jay Bruce. Easy out, right? Well, Bruce never saw it, lost it in the lights. The ball whizzed past him and he was charged with an error as Utley scored. But did he he? It appeared he missed third base but nobody in the Reds dugout caught it.
Meanwhile, center fielder Drew Stubbs retrieved the ball Bruce lost in the lights and fired to Phillips, the cut-off man. But he dropped the ball for another error as Werth scored to put the Phillies in front, 5-4. Two errors on one play. Two errors for the night by Phillips, who had four errors ALL SEASON.
Game over.
Four errors. Three hit batsmen. Six walks. Stubbs picked of first base. Two hits to start an inning but no runs. A bad choice on a throw by Rolen. A ball lost in the lights. It all adds up to a major problem for the Reds.
And Johnny Cueto becomes the savior - the guy who pitches Game 3 Sunday against Cole Hamels. Win or go home. As simple as that. Then they can try to figure out how to beat Roy Halladay Monday in Game 4.
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By MAC
October 10, 2010 8:21 PM | Link to this
I have 2 agree w/ Aaron on HBP call. I’ve umpired over 20 years…it’s almost automatic to call a close pitch strike 2 when previous pitch was a strike…throw 1 & you’re likely 2 get 1 if you’re around the plate! Same goes for HBP…I doubt ump even questioned whether it hit Utley? At 100 mph, I wouldn’t have! On BP, I wouldn’t say his pivot choice was lazy, but it wasn’t smart either IMO. A smart INF knows/considers speed of the runners, how hard ball was hit & how it’s fielded. All this AND the TYPE of THROW he receives should determine what kind of pivot a 2nd baseman will use. Both runners were fast & the batted ball hit twice & wasn’t fielded cleanly. His chance of turning 2 was very low and IMO he should have stepped to meet the ball much like a 1st baseman. Re-play showed runner was out, but BP not stepping to meet the ball didn’t help ump IMO. Here’s hoping for a well played game, timely hitting and a REDS WIN!!
By And more
October 10, 2010 11:42 AM | Link to this
Keep posting Aaron B - the dumb meter is going off the charts with everything you write. You actually wrote - “All I am saying (writing it actually but whatever) is you shouldn’t expect the umpire to make the right call under those circumstances.” - Really? When should we expect the umpire to make the right call? When does the umpire know when to blow a call based on previous events in the game? No warnings were given - everyone knew the Reds were not hitting batters on purpose - it was the second game of the playoffs and the Reds were winning - use some common sense boy - this wasn’t even on the umpire’s radar as a beanball war or a retaliation sensitive moment. And “beaned in the skull” as you wrote, is redundant.
By daleg
October 10, 2010 11:22 AM | Link to this
Dusty did it again,but,he had a lot of help. Every Red that the ball was hit to. To a Philly fans. I bet you didn’t know that you were getting a Christmas present in October. GO REDS
By Jason
October 10, 2010 10:59 AM | Link to this
I keep coming here for something new. Man Hal, you must be disgusted.
By Aaron B.
October 10, 2010 10:26 AM | Link to this
Alright I shouldn’t have said END of story.. that is somewhat arrogant. But back to Arroyo… seriously his ball wasn’t breaking as sharp as it does when he has his “A” game. GO back and watch tape of his curveball… it was hardly breaking. Yes he still had good control and he went to his fastball far more than he usually does, and he mixed in some other hybrid stuff to keep them off balance, but his big breaking curveball simply wasn’t in his arsenal. I think he was having trouble gripping the ball… he is such a good pro he overcame that. It shows you how good a competitor he is… but after walking that batter on 4 pitches I think Dusty made the right call to yank him. As for Ondrusek.. I understand he wasn’t intentionally throwing at the guys head. But this was moment after Rhodes hit a guy, and when a guy throws at another guys head, whether intentional or not, you can expect the umpires to be watching things very carefully. Then you have Chapman at over 100 also throwing a screamer inside and of course the benefit of the doubt is going to go with the hitter. Hanigan didn’t complain about it either, so what can you do? All I ams aying is you shouldn’t expect the umpire to make the right call under those circumstances. Sure it would have been nice but you have to understand the dynamics that you had 2 hit batters already, one nearly getting beaned in the skull.
By BP
October 10, 2010 8:46 AM | Link to this
Wilbur - you have no idea what you are talking about … there is more than one way to make the second base pivot and to think that some hilljack on a blog knows “the” way to make the pivot and that a professional athlete who fails “the” way is a hot dog and is lazy is beyond stupid. Go back to Wilburland.
By BRAD
October 10, 2010 8:15 AM | Link to this
NOW IS THE TIME - TRADE BP FOR YOUNGER TALENT AND TRADE CHAD 85 TO THE PATS (who need a WR)FOR A DRAFT CHOICE TO IMPROVE THE LINE… NOW IS THE TIME TO UNLOAD both of them
By buckfan69
October 10, 2010 8:13 AM | Link to this
I’ve been saying since June this team reminded me of the 1961 pennant winning Reds. I didn’t mention that the 1961 team was crushed by the 1961 Yankees. Looks like the similarities will continue, but to be really parallel, the Reds need to win one game before being crushed in the finale. It’s still been a memorable season regardless, and hopefully this will give them the playoff experience (and motivation) to do better next year.
By BRAD
October 10, 2010 8:12 AM | Link to this
NOW IS THE TIME - TRADE BP FOR YOUNGER TALENT AND TRADE CHAD 85 TO THE PATS (who need a WR)FOR A DRAFT CHOICE TO IMPROVE THE LINE… NOW IS THE TIME TO UNLOAD both of them
By TB
October 9, 2010 11:55 PM | Link to this
About BP’s pivots. He chooses to use the same pivot you’ll see a lot in the bigs. The average ML 2B has a SS arm and they can use this pivot technique instead of coming across the base. I agree that coming across is quicker, but you don’t see it any more than the behind the bag technique. This play didn’t loose the game anymore than it won games earlier this year. You gotta live and die with what works for BP. If he isn’t comfortable coming across (a lot of guys aren’t), its hard to change that.
By Wilbur
October 9, 2010 11:45 PM | Link to this
I maintain that more than a few times this year, including several times in these playoffs, BP has failed to make a proper pivot at second base. On the throw from Rolen, Brandon needed to be on the third base side of the second base bag, and stretching for the throw from Rolen.He wasn’t. Then, there would have been no doubt that the runner was out. Additionally, BP has taken numerous other throws from third and SS, and instead of coming across the bag, to complete the double play throw, away from the sliding runner, he has stayed behind the bag{toward left field}, then could not make a throw to first because of the sliding runner being on top of him. He has done this a lot this year-it’s almost like he is being lazy; or that he doesn’t know the proper technique to use{which I find hard to believe}. But, he definitely is not making the right pivots when needed to complete his throw. I doubt that the speed of the runner going to first has anything to do with it. I think it is more about “hot dog” BP being lazy. Two straight wins are very possible at home!
By Mike-Cinci
October 9, 2010 11:32 PM | Link to this
What a shame. Arroyo deserved better. This is a very good defensive team but it had its worst game at the worst time. I liked the Phily fan comment about the Phils losing 3 straight to the Rockies in the playoffs in 2007 but it made them better the next year. The Reds have good young talent and they should be a very good team for several years. Now it would be great to win Sunday night….Monday and Wednesday too!
By buckeye
October 9, 2010 8:50 PM | Link to this
StuttgartTim, thanks for correcting AARONB.I don’t know what game he was watching either.Those wer pretty crazy comments about Arroyo and Ondruseck.He must have had a dream and didn’t watch the game.and to all of you who say it is going to be fun next year remember this: DUSTY BAKER WILL STILL BE THE MANAGER MAKEING THE SAME BAD BAD DECISIONS THAT HE MADE ALL THIS YEAR AND ESPECIALLY IN THE PLAYOFFS. MOST OF OF THE PLAYOFF BLAME BELONGS TO HIM!!!
By StuttgartTim
October 9, 2010 7:47 PM | Link to this
Aaron B, End of story? Maybe end of your fantasy. I couldn’t disagree more. Arroyo WAS on his game last night. I’m not sure which game you were watching. He gave up 1 ER in 5 1/3, not 6 innings. And Logan was lucky he didn’t get thrown out? I think you are the only one to think that. He was obviously NOT throwing at the guy in that situation. Maybe it is not your intent, but when you say “end of story” it sounds like only you know the truth and therefore no one else should bother to comment. It may have been the craziest game I have ever seen , but to focus on pitching clearly misses the point. We gave up a total of TWO earned runs. That will win you most games.
By bob
October 9, 2010 5:24 PM | Link to this
Hotdog, BP has his stroke back; got 3 straight hits. BUT, he always forgets the bad times, and HOTDOG comes to the fore again. Had to turn a routine play into a hotdog one and that opened the floodgate. I am totally sick of this guy and his act. It’s all to apparent why the Indians shipped him out. The Reds might be able to get a good trade. There’s always teams out there stupid enough to get BP, T.O. and Randy Moss. It works for those teams a little while, then they see why the other team shipped them out. New England didn’t really say anything bad about RM, but I bet they’re still smiling.
By MAC
October 9, 2010 4:42 PM | Link to this
It’s all been said; it was a poorly played game by Reds. I’m hoping they step up and play well in Game 3. Two Big Questions for the off season: will the Reds make player improvements and has BP worn out his welcome? BP has done a lot of good things for the club, but I’m beginning to think his negatives out weigh his positives? I’m not sure what’s doable $ or player wise, but what about letting BP go and picking up a player “like” J. Werth…someone who plays the game hard & well, but w/out the distractions?
By Dan
October 9, 2010 3:36 PM | Link to this
One comment, You are watching a superstar being born right before your eyes. Sure Jay Bruce missplayed the liner in the lights, but he is now a real threat every time he comes to bat. This team has so much upside. Life is going to be fun in Cincy the next few years.
By Tom
October 9, 2010 2:33 PM | Link to this
Some nice posts by Phillie fans, and I appreciate that as a life long Reds fan of almost seventy years. The Phillies are fine team and I give them a lot of credit. The basicly young Reds team are new to this playoff business and they’ll improve as time goes by. If we can extend it to a fourth game, that will be some satisfaction to Reds fans.
By Y-City Jim
October 9, 2010 1:40 PM | Link to this
I’m still ticked about those white towels. Bruce has too much class to sat if was the towels but trying to see that ball with those things in the background has to be next to impossible. Come one, Selig! Ban those things!
By daveb
October 9, 2010 1:28 PM | Link to this
I hope the Reds can at least force a game 4. Knew we were in trouble when both Votto and Rolen blew a huge opportunity in the third. We just have to face the fact that the Phils are a much better team for now.
By RedsHead
October 9, 2010 12:25 PM | Link to this
Oh, how quickly the bandwagon empties when things aren’t going our way. Yes, last night’s game was ugly—but to ask what we’ve done to deserve this? Really? This is the time where we need to stand behind our team, not abandon it. To me, it seemed like a lot of fans were already off the train once it was announced Philly was our opponent. Our team made the playoffs while the majority of sitting at home wishing they were there. Oh, and, yes, we are STILL in the playoffs. It’s not over, yet. Stop acting like it, please.
By Bill
October 9, 2010 12:10 PM | Link to this
Reds fans….hang in there. You have a good and young team. The Phils have been through this too many times and are just too experienced. They really are a great team. Don’t beat yourselves up too badly. The Phils are great!! We Phily Phans have been through this ourselves and Pheel your pain. Hang in there, perhaps better days are commin.
By Steve F
October 9, 2010 12:01 PM | Link to this
Don, thanks for the encouragement. I think the Reds goal this season was to continue to develop and contend. If the Phillies make it to the World Series, please beat them damn Yankees. Go National League !
By Don
October 9, 2010 11:05 AM | Link to this
Phillies fan here … when I look at this Reds team, it reminds me of the 2007 Phils squad. Cincy could be on the verge of greatness. Much like the Reds, the Phils are a very scrappy and resilient bunch with an undeniable amount of young talent. This series is not over, but regardless of what happens it’s a great learning experience for the Reds. The Rockies’ sweep of the Phils in ‘07 only made them a hungrier team. The Phillies can’t be rattled in the postseason. They have been there, done that and have that supreme level of confidence that they will find a way to win - even if it means capitalizing on the other team’s mistakes. Many fans, myself included, have a lot of respect for what the Reds have done and how they go about their business.
By Aaron B.
October 9, 2010 9:58 AM | Link to this
First of all it was obvious that Arroyo did not have his good stuff. His ball was not breaking as sharply as we are used to seeing. He was getting by on pure guts and moxy… I am sure Baker saw this and was happy to get him out after 6 innings with a lead. Secondly, after hitting 2 batters you know Utley is going to get the benefit of the doubt when you got Chapman throwing 100+. The Reds are lucky Ondrusek wasn’t ejected, it may have hit the guys bill but that was a headhunter pitch and from that point on you know the umpires were watching things carefully. Not much else to say.. the defense choked, END OF STORY.
By jeff
October 9, 2010 9:35 AM | Link to this
In the end the season is still a success. This team was not supposed to be here. Yesterday was the sign of true inexperience and playing not to lose instead of playing to win. This team will gain alot from this series and they will be hungry to get back after this dismal performance. I like Rolen alot but the man has been non-existent at the plate since the all star break. His defensive errors really hurt this team last night. Normally Rolen is great defensively but he laid an egg last night. Phillips just seems to lose his head at times. No idea why he slid to get the ball and his positioning was p* poor on the cutoff which he bobbled. Very lazy footwork. As for Bruce that happens to everyone but it came at such a bad time. As for the offense we have seen this all year. They have a big inning or two and then shut down. Truthfully, Sunday night Stubbs should lead off, Hannigan two(if cabrera is hurt) hole, Votto, Phillips, Gomes and then Rolen. They have to move Rolen out of there. He is producing nothing right now. But then again we say that and maybe you just go with what got you here. I predicted a sweep by the Phillies based on experience and just shear more talent but I was hoping the Red would win won. They had a great chacne to put pressure on the Phillies with a win but they choked last night. No easy way to say it, they did. There’s always next year.
By Bart
October 9, 2010 9:34 AM | Link to this
One more thing I give Baker alot of credit for him management decisions over the season, but to pull Arroyo last night when he did was WRONG!!! I hope He doesnt leave this team after the season is over He is without a doubt the best pitcher they have. I dont blame him one bit fore being angry last night: he was let down by both his teamates and his manager big time!
By Jeff in Atlanta
October 9, 2010 9:24 AM | Link to this
Rolen is playing hurt — his back. Joe Simpson picked up on it after he struck out the first time. Later when he ran to first, he looked like he was running with a load in his pants. Tough call for Dusty - Rolen’s really the reason they’re here. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cairo at third Sunday. This has been painful to watch, but the reality is that a low-payroll team like the Reds is gonna have to get taken to the woodshed in the playoffs this year, then try to keep this talented team together so they can pay off in the playoffs next year. Go Reds!
By Bart
October 9, 2010 9:22 AM | Link to this
This was without a doubt the most pathetic meltdown and worst played game I have ever seen a Cincinnati play in the post season. It was truly depressing to watch and just plain imcomprehesible as to how one team could screw up so totally. How badly can a team beat themselves? Everyone who had the misfortue to watch this travesty of a game found out. Horrible!
By Gem&Heater
October 9, 2010 8:56 AM | Link to this
Stop busting on Dusty, he didn’t play last night. The Reds may have choked but Baker didn’t. This is unfamiliar territory for the Reds, so nerves take over in a crisis. But, if you want to criticize a team for choking in the playoffs, look at the Rays. This is a team many called the best in baseball. They are the same place the Reds are, down 2-0.
By buckeye
October 9, 2010 8:39 AM | Link to this
what really cost the Reds this ballgame? It was Duaty’s stupid managing.Taking youe best pitcher Arroyo out in the 6th inning(WHY?)we know Arroyo was ticked off! Dusty said that Wood and Bailey were too inexperienced to be starters in the playoffs yet he brings in Chapman(less than 1 month exoerience) in to pitch with a 1 run lead in a game you have to win,unbelievable! and his famous double switch was another big mistake.so if it weas a downer for all you just think of all the stupid moves Dusty made taking the Reds right out of this game like he has many other only this one he can blame on the errors which would not have happened if the pitchers were handled right. Dusty screwed up the pitching from game 1 and you have to agree!!!!
By michael
October 9, 2010 8:33 AM | Link to this
Face it…The Reds blew it. They looked like a t- ball team out there last night. It has been a great year and if they can keep everybody around for a couple of years, they’ll be back!
By willbill
October 9, 2010 8:32 AM | Link to this
This is why as a Cinci sports fan I get down on the teams.Only in Cinci can a team get to the playoffs and look so bad.The Bengals did it last year the Reds this year. Go Ohio State Buckeyes !
By DanR
October 9, 2010 8:28 AM | Link to this
Disappointed? Imagine how the Red’s players feel. They are the ones who have actually gone out onto the field for 164 games now and worked to get ton this point. I hope that they can clear their heads and be ready to win one at home Sunday night.
By Kyle
October 9, 2010 7:45 AM | Link to this
Face it, two of the hit batsmen weren’t hit. One faked it and one got the bill of his helmet two inches from his face. Bad call at second on Utley. He was out. If Utley is diving for the ball at second and it goes off his chest like it did to Brandon, they call it a hit and not an error. Things happen. They just happened in bunches tonight. Shows you how important home field advantage is, and the option to do the 8 day format and only run your 3 aces out there. The bright side is that the Reds did this within a manageable payroll. I’m not sure our whole payroll is as much as their three aces are making. A large chunk of our payroll hasn’t even seen the field, Harang and Cordero. The future’s bright and the Cardinals are at home wishing they had the opportunity.
By cory r
October 9, 2010 7:01 AM | Link to this
good points gary and rob—fact is the team is trying and last night was unfortunate, things happened that we really didnt see this year—phils are much better all around which we knew coming in, management didnt do enough at the deadline to help us when we needed it the most which is now, gomes and nyx do not start and bat 5th on any other playoff team, lace em up and see what happens sunday
By Gary Maloy
October 9, 2010 4:23 AM | Link to this
I agree with Rob. We’re in the play-offs. No one - ballplayer, management or among the millions of us fans had ever in our wildest dreams thought the Reds would first be no-hit, then play one of the ugliest games in the history of post-season baseball. But, that’s what homefield advantage can do for you. The soft liner that went past Jay Bruce never got up out of the white hankies the Phanatics were waving around. I disagree with Hal regarding Rolen’s attempt at a force at second base. The ball was a high hopper that he short-hopped. He chose the time-saving shorter throw to 2nd base. And btw - the umpire called him safe, but look at the slow-mo replay. I believe the throw beat the runner. Brandon Phillips was of the same opinion. 5 strike-outs in 7 at-bats…Yes, Rolen needs to break out in game 3. Aroldis Chapman got the loss, giving up 3 unearned runs. Definitely deserved better. Way better.
By Rob
October 9, 2010 3:53 AM | Link to this
What did the fans do to deserve this? You mean a winning team? A team in the post season for the first time in 15 years? A pretty good looking future with a bunch of talented young players? I don’t know. What did you do? What did any fan do? We aren’t victims here. The team isn’t trying to sabotage a great season. They screwed up. Majorly. But I’ll take screwing up in the post season over not being there at all and hope it’s a learning experience. And the season is not over yet. I’ll be cheering the Reds on loudly and proudly until the final out, whenever that may be.
By billy
October 9, 2010 1:30 AM | Link to this
This just isn’t fair, what’d us fans do to deserve this?! This is an embarrassment, a disgrace to watch. This was one of their worst games of the year. It was like their heads weren’t in it. Rolen looks totally washed up. I hope that contract doesn’t come back to bite us. This is a terrible way to go into the offseason. For me it ruins everything they did during the regular season.
By bsvr
October 9, 2010 1:10 AM | Link to this
sad about rolen. he was the difference in bringing some swagger to this club. now he is embarassing himself and hurting the reds. no justice. reds need to find a 3rd baseman for next year and hope the young guys are ready to step into rolens leadership role.
By AmericanSoldier
October 9, 2010 12:26 AM | Link to this
Big Red COLLAPSE! Pretty sad - to say the least. Arroyo deserved much better from our fielders, and Rolen needs to get his act together FAST. Still, I refuse to give up on the Reds yet, but the fat lady is pickin up her dress. LETS GO, REDS!
By Dayton Phil
October 9, 2010 12:17 AM | Link to this
Talk about a downer? The Reds set a record with their 4 errors and 3 hit batsmen. 1st time ever in post-season. Why did Bronson come out is the big question? Good job Redlegs