Last Toronto start one date Arroyo would like to forget

OSU kicker thrust into rose-hued spotlight
3:00 a.m.
OSU looking to extend winning streak over UM
11/21/09
Ohio State-Michigan series has slipped in stature
11/21/09
Coles dismayed as RedHawks lose again
11/21/09
Coldwater wins D-V regional title over St. Henry in 4 OTs
11/21/09
> More sports headlines

By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 3:48 PM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

TORONTO — If Bronson Arroyo is superstitious, and his teammates say he is, this might not be a good day for him to pitch tonight, June 24, in Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays.

“Happy anniversary, Bronson,” somebody said before Tuesday’s game.

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “Somebody already told me. Last June 24 is a date I’d like to forget.”

Arroyo starts tonight in Rogers Centre, scene of one of life’s embarrassing moments — and it barely lasted more than a moment. And amazingly it will be exactly a year prior to the day — June 24, 2008.

Arroyo gave up 10 runs and 11 hits and never recorded an out in the second inning, becoming only the sixth pitcher in major-league history to allow at least 10 earned runs in game in which he retired three batters or less.

“Well,” said Arroyo, “It can’t get any worse. Can it?”

Bailey for Saturday?

It looks as if Homer Bailey gets another chance Saturday. It will be his turn to pitch when the Reds need a starter to face the Cleveland Indians.

Bailey pitched for Class AAA Louisville on Monday, gave up a leadoff home run but nothing more — that one run and eight strikeouts in seven innings. He has won five of his last six starts and given up two runs in his last 381/3 innings.

Hard Luck Harang

Aaron Harang continues to be Mr. Hard Luck Guy for the Reds, commandeering the title last year and continuing it this year.

He has not won a game over his last five starts, and one of those outings was a complete game, a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. On Sunday, he gave up three earned runs in seven innings, walking none and striking out seven, but lost to the Chicago White Sox.

He smiles and plods on and says, “For the most part, I’m making good pitches and the ball keeps going between people and falling in out of reach. Hey, I know the guys are trying — they want to win — so I’ll just keep plugging and hope things change.

.500 everywhere

If it’s symmetry you seek, check out the Reds as they began a three-game series against the Blue Jays Tuesday. The Reds were 34-34. They were 17-17 at home and 17-17 on the road.

Symmetry in baseball, though, doesn’t win World Series rings, or even wild-card spots. It gets you anonymity in the middle of the pack, not real good, not real bad. It makes you mediocre, as the Reds have been the past eight losing seasons.

Quote of the day

Jonny Gomes is a steps runner — up and down and up and down the lower deck aisles. After he was spotted doing it early Tuesday afternoon at Rogers Centre, he smiled and said, “Just getting my Rocky on up here in Baseball North.”

Share this article