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Reds' Arroyo blasted for 5 runs in 1st inning

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning Wednesday, June 24, in Toronto. Arroyo gave up six earned runs in 32/3 innings of pitching.

AP photo by Darren Calabrese Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning Wednesday, June 24, in Toronto. Arroyo gave up six earned runs in 32/3 innings of pitching.

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The Toronto Blue Jays’ Aaron Hill runs past Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning on Wednesday, June 24, in Toronto. The Reds lost 8-2.

AP photo by Darren Calabrese The Toronto Blue Jays’ Aaron Hill runs past Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning on Wednesday, June 24, in Toronto. The Reds lost 8-2.

That was before he got his first batter out, Reds lose again.

By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 1:31 AM Thursday, June 25, 2009

TORONTO — Bronson Arroyo wasn’t half-bad this time — or is that he was only half as bad this time?

Exactly one year to the day after he gave up 10 runs and 11 hits in one-plus inning to the Toronto Blue Jays in Rogers Centre, he gave up five runs in the first inning to the same team in the same venue Wednesday night.

Happy anniversary.

Toronto yanked three balls over the left field fence in the first inning off Arroyo, launching the Jays to an 8-2 victory, the Reds’ fourth straight loss and ninth in 12 games.

There is talk Canadian customs may revoke Arroyo’s passport to protect fans in the left field seats, but the Blue Jays are fighting it.

Arroyo, though, admits that the next time he faces Toronto, he would prefer it to be in Cincinnati.

Asked about not being very good in Rogers Centre, Arroyo said, “Not since I switched over to this uniform. I used to do all right here (while wearing a Boston uniform.

“I was surprised Adrian Hill jumped on that first breaking ball after I walked Mark Scutaro and Hill hit it out of the park and then it was bang, bang, bang and it’s 5-0,” Arroyo added.

Maybe it was the Twilight Zone and Arroyo said, “No doubt. After the way I pitched here last year. I’d much rather face these guys in our park next time.”

As for the Reds inoffensive offense, it was the same modus operandi. One would think they faced Sandy Koufax Tuesday and Don Drysdale Wednesday, but it was only Brian Tallet and Scott Richmond.

After getting only three hits off Tallet in seven innings Tuesday, they had two hits in seven innings off Richmond.

The Reds scored a run in the second on a home run by designated hitter Jonny Gomes and the other hit off Richmond was a single by Jerry Hairston Jr. that scored a run afrter a walk and a wild pitch.

The Reds had only four hits, two by Gomes.

The Arroyo Assault in the first inning: Marco Scutaro walked on a full count. Aaron Hill homered on the first pitch. Vernon Wells homered on the next pitch. Scott Rolen singled. Adam Lind homered. That’s five run and four hits with no outs before Arroyo retired three straight.

That’s six times in his last seven starts that Arroyo has been scored upon in the first inning.

Arroyo has given up six homers in his last four starts and 18 on the season home runs, tied for the most with Milwaukee’s David Bush.

“This park hasn’t been kind to Bronson,” said manager Dusty Baker. “They jump him right away. Seems like they have Bronson’s number. It started off the with the walk and that’s about the third or fourth time in a row the leadoff hitters has started off against him with a walk.”

About Arroyo giving up runs in the first inning at a monotonous pace, Baker said, “It starts when you walk that leadoff hitter. You have to change, that, number one. And then there were ball over the heart of the plate — a breaking ball and a couple of fastballs.

“We couldn’t keep them in the ballpark early, so we were being the eight-ball from the very beginning,” Baker added. “Makes it tough when you aren’t scoring runs.”

Scoring runs? How about gathering hits.

“What we’d get, three hits?” said Baker. “Four hits. OK, four hits. We just haven’t had a very good way these last four games.”

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Oh for the Cincinnati Royals.A Professional is... "One who professes." Who is professing these guys?

Paul
11:46 AM, 6/27/2009

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Brar you have nailed it. Arroyo worries more about grabbing his privates than pitching. If he was my 3 year old, I'd bust his arz. Let that thing breath and pitch. Doesn't the pitching coach see this? I know baker doesn't because he is more worried about his wrist bands. Wrist bands on a manager? Wow! What a group of misfits. Only in Cincinnati. Bring on the Bengals. Oh God, I didn't say that.

boxter
8:23 AM, 6/27/2009

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This is just Bronson's way of indicating which teams he doesn't want to be traded to...it's working. Soon, nobody will want him and his fat $10+mil contract and even fatter 5.54 ERA. Yeah, and why doesn't he get a cup that fits? No other pitcher makes such a fool out himself yanking his crotch after EACH pitch! Like a two-year old boy who just discover his wanker.

BrarHopper
6:57 PM, 6/25/2009

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"were together again...jtm"

gern
4:07 PM, 6/25/2009

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If Arroyo doesn't even know the guy's name, maybe he should take a look at a scouting report. Arroyo is too worried about grabbing himself after every pitch. Bronson, let that thing breath for a while. George Grande said when Joey Votto gets back, the Reds will be great. 0-2 since the natural came back. Guess he needs to quit on his team again.

boxter
2:47 PM, 6/25/2009

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