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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 > June > 20 > Entry
Sleepy time for the Reds in Seattle
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS while sitting in The Man Cave sweating my eyebrows off as broadcaster Jeff Piecoro stands in front of a camera in Seattle wearing a fur-lined jacket:
The only thing I can figure out is that while the Cincinnati Reds were in Seattle they spent the weekend Messin’ With Sasquatch, only they got more than their beef jerky yanked away from them.
Sleepless in Seattle? For the Reds, it was sleepy time in Seattle.
The National League’s best hitting team in nearly every category went to Seattle and scored one run - o-n-e - in three games while not only getting swept, they were run out of town on a rail with tar and feathers covering their bodies.
One run. O-N-E. In three games.
It was almost excusable when they were shut out, 1-0, Friday by Cliff Lee. And it was almost excusable when they lost Saturday, 5-1, by Felix Hernandez. Those are two top-shelf, top-quality, top-of-the-heap pitchers.
But Ryan Roland-Smith? He was 0-6 going into Sunday’s game and the Reds figured to knock the hyphen out of his last name. Instead, they got beat again by 1-0, getting only three hits off R-S and five walks in six innings, and no hits off the Mariners bullpen the last three innings.
DID ANYBODY tell the Reds that Seattle is buried deeply in the cellar in the American League West? In interleague games against the Mariners, the Reds are now 1-8.
Aaron Harang cranked up a good one Sunday, too, giving up one run and only three hits in his six innings with one walk - a better line than Roland-Smith. And all it got him was another loss.
One run. O-N-E. In three games.
Seattle, too, collected only three hits the entire game, but they scored the only run they needed in the fourth inning. Chone Figgins started the inning with a hard-hit ball toward second baseman Brandon Phillips. Instead of planting his body in front of the ball, Phillips tried to give it the bullfighter matador treatment - a sweeping backhand. The ball kissed off his glove and rolled into right field for a hit.
Another hit sent Figgins to third and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Franklin Gutierrez.
The Reds, leading the NL in hitting with runners in scoring position, three times on Sunday had two on base with one out and didn’t score. For the series the Reds were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position, a single for a run on Saturday by Jonny Gomes in the 5-1 defeat.
One run. O-N-E. For three games.
And for the three-game series they had only 14 hits.
Their biggest opportunity came in the seventh when Roland-Smith walked both Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey to open the inning. That was the end of R-S and Seattle brought in Brandon League. He was clearly out of Cincinnati’s league.
Corky Miller bunt the runners to third and second. One out. League, blazing 97 and 98 miles an hour fastballs. struck out Orlando Cabrera. Brandon Phillips engaged in an eight-pitch argument with League and twice fouled off 97 miles an hour pitches on 3-and-2. Then he struck out swinging on a bad pitch, low and away. Then the final six Reds went down in order in the eighth and ninth.
Amazingly, Seattle scored only seven runs in the three games - six more than the Reds.
THE SOLE POSITIVE note was another scoreless inning by lefty Arthur Rhodes, stretching his streak to 28 2/3 innings, longest in the league this year. It’s the longest for a Cincinnati pitcher since Ted Abernathy, a submariner, went 30 straight scoreless innings in 1966. Rhodes has given up only one run all season, a home run to Chicago’s Jeff Baker during Rhodes’ second appearance of the season, costing him the only defeat on his record.
SO NOW THE Reds matriculate down the left coast to Oakland, the team immediately above the Mariners (next-to-last) in the AL Central.
And while the St. Louis Cardinals keep waiting and waiting for the Reds, losing almost as often, the Reds don’t take advantage and remain 1 1/2 games out of first place.
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By Worn Cleat
June 21, 2010 10:16 PM | Link to this
And Dusty you cannot do a damn thing about stupid baserunning mistakes by Votto. There is no damn excuse for that kind of stupidity! We learned about that gaffe in little league—Votto is in the major Leagues—That is a pisser!
By Worn Cleat
June 21, 2010 10:11 PM | Link to this
Well, good for you Dusty! Nice lineup tonight. Just exactly what I ordered. However, realizing how many games you have played Bruce and Cabrera—janish and Heisey deserve many more starts along the way—if you don’t do that, tonight is worthless. I do appreciate your apparent effort, this evening, however. Thank you.
By Worn Cleat
June 21, 2010 5:58 PM | Link to this
Florence,ky: I believe you were one of those suggesting “Hanigan is terrible” last Fall. Your predictions are “TERRIBLE”!Injuries donot cause hitters to swing at higher and higher fastballs, Jack. But, when they cause the third baseman and second baseman to cover part of the ss position—it’s time for Mr. Janish! How long are you going to defend poor defense and failing offense?
By And more for Bob
June 21, 2010 5:26 PM | Link to this
Bob - I never knew having a broken typing arm (whatever that is … since most people type with their fingers) affected their knowledge of baseball history. “I remember back in ‘47 when Johnny Bench hit that home run against Pittsburgh to get us in the World Series” … uhhh … that was 1972 … “It was?? My bad, I have a sprained ankle”
By Jack
June 21, 2010 2:07 PM | Link to this
Cabrera is hurt and attempting to play through it. Now, whether he should be playing with the injury is a different question…but most likely the reason for the slump.
By Mike-Cinci
June 21, 2010 1:37 PM | Link to this
Reds are in a serious hitting slump. Phillies went through something similar. Mets shut them out 3 games in a row. Stuff like this happens. We will soon find out if the Reds were playing over their heads in May. Gomes appears to be coming back to earth. Stubbs K’s too much. Bruce can’t hit lefties and is not much better against righties. Votto, Rolen, Phillips have carried the team and you can’t expect them to do it alone. The good news is the Cards are not doing much better even with Pujols, Holliday, Rasmus, Ludwick, Freese, Molina which seem to be more formidable than the Reds group especially the 3 outfielders. The biggest problem the Reds continue to face is the lack of talent coming through the farm system. Votto is the only guy the Reds drafted you could say is a bona-fide star. Are there any “stars” down in the minors now? It does not look good and that’s the problem. Bruce and Stubbs need to step it up or it won’t be pretty. The near term evidence is they are very average players and that won’t get it done considering the positions they play and the offensive production you expect.
By bob
June 21, 2010 11:59 AM | Link to this
So sorry, Gary Moley. `I have had a broken typimg arm for over 2 yrs. and I make manyt typos. I try to use as few letters that I can. Without being a know-it-all and if my mental and phy. health was better, I’d love to show off 61 yrs of Reds data, even though much it is like the current period Keep up the good police work.
By florence ky
June 21, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this
Janish is terrible he would hit 8th for Louisville and hit .220 there.Cabrera is one of the reasons the Reds have played well. He’s had big cluth hits while Paul Janish is lucky to be on a ML roster.
By Believe it
June 21, 2010 10:40 AM | Link to this
And now the Dude trys to justify leaving poor players in the lineup, because, he says, no one else is worthy of replacing them.That’s why you have a bench:CD for Stubbs/Heisey for Bruce/Hanigan for Hernandez/Janish for Cabrera…see how easy that was? Yes, the injured would be an improvement, even while injured.
By JRed
June 21, 2010 10:25 AM | Link to this
The Reds difficulty became clear against Rowland-Smith & especially reliever League. Impatience. After two days of facing aces always around the strike zone and swinging early & often the Reds could not break the habit. League, while a hard thrower threw everything at the shoe-tops & the Red batters were all swinging from the get-go. League did not need to throw in the strike zone and did not. It’s a long season it requires Patience!
By Reds Fan In Canton
June 21, 2010 9:26 AM | Link to this
So, when we look back on where this season took it’s turn for the worst, we can point to this series. Inexcusable.
By jeff
June 21, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
i would not trade for lee unless you sign him past this season before the trade. this is young team with good parts and I wouldnt trade for a rental player. i know they are 1.5 half out but until they start showing some spirit here in June dont trade anything
By jeff
June 21, 2010 9:08 AM | Link to this
also, dusty has to seriously consider moving cabrera out of the lead off spot. teams are pitching him up in the zone and he is struggling big time. ever since he was hurt he has really had a tough time. the problem is who do you put there… i know he was a big reason to our success early but he is down to .247 now so how long can you give you the guy. the offense only succeeds when the leadoff is going good
By Jeff
June 21, 2010 8:53 AM | Link to this
Are you all surprised. Every year they try and sell us on “this team is different,” or the “locker room is so unified. The fact is that this franchise always June swoons and is out of it by July 4th. Trust me I wish I was wrong. I have enjoyed the early ride thusfar it has been fun but all the signs are pointing south. The only good thing out of all this is that Dusty wont be here next year. my fear is that a good season would have saved him.
By dude
June 21, 2010 8:37 AM | Link to this
Starting pitching was good enough the last three days to win two of those three games. Was hoping for a 4-2 road trip. Now would be happy with a 2-4. Dont be suprised if it’s 0-6. How would Baker sit players who are ICE COLD? He would not have enough bench players to fill out a line up. Dont think the Reds could get Lee with those three players. Now, take Alonso out and put Votto in the mix, might have a deal. That wont happen. Now have to hope the starting pitchers can keep the games close so they can maybe scratch out a win.
By Gary Maloy
June 21, 2010 8:32 AM | Link to this
Umm, Bob? The NY Mets didn’t exist until 1962. Hutch wasn’t the Reds manager until 1960. Luke Sewell was the Reds skipper in 1950-52. Try and get your facts straight before blogging.
By dude
June 21, 2010 8:27 AM | Link to this
How would you trade Baily, he of the troubled shoulder, to anyone right now. With the starting pitching they got in those three games they probably should have won two of three. I was hoping for a 4-2 road trip. Now I would be thrilled for a 2-4 trip and would not be surprised if they come home 0-6. Right now if Baker sit ever player who is ice cold, he would not have enough bench players to fill a line up.
By Cindy
June 21, 2010 1:36 AM | Link to this
Hey, Hal, I was at the game today in Seattle where summer has not arrived as yet. I was so excited to see my Reds! I moved to Portland 1 1/2 years ago and really miss going to GABP and watching the games on TV. What a disappointing game. I have been a fan for 35 years and have always wondered why the team plays so poorly on the West Coast. Getting swept by the lowly Mariners? Hard to swallow if you’re a Red’s fan.
By Cindy
June 21, 2010 1:35 AM | Link to this
Hey, Hal, I was at the game today in Seattle where summer has not arrived as yet. I was so excited to see my Reds! I moved to Portland 1 1/2 years ago and really miss going to GABP and watching the games on TV. What a disappointing game. I have been a fan for 35 years and have always wondered why the team plays so poorly on the West Coast. Getting swept by the lowly Mariners? Hard to swallow if you’re a Red’s fan.
By Cindy
June 21, 2010 1:35 AM | Link to this
Hey, Hal, I was at the game today in Seattle where summer has not arrived as yet. I was so excited to see my Reds! I moved to Portland 1 1/2 years ago and really miss going to GABP and watching the games on TV. What a disappointing game. I have been a fan for 35 years and have always wondered why the team plays so poorly on the West Coast. Getting swept by the lowly Mariners? Hard to swallow if you’re a Red’s fan.
By bob
June 20, 2010 11:55 PM | Link to this
“Just being me” Philips did it yet again. Circa 1950, Reds are in top of pennant race and roll into NY to play the lowly Mets. Lose 4 of 5 and Hutch destroys clubhouse. 50 plus yrs. later, the Reds still can’t be poor teams. Mariners - 1-8; KC - 1-5. Is that tradition?
By Randy
June 20, 2010 10:28 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t look promising at Oakland considering their past interleague performance record 1 win 5 losses.There should be extra batting practice with 70% of the pitches being breaking balls since that’s what I figure they’ll see in the series.
By steven ross
June 20, 2010 9:22 PM | Link to this
Aaron B wrote: Why doesn’t Dusty sit players when they are ice cold (Cabrera). Are you kidding? Dusty always plays the cold hand waiting for them to get warm/hot. It’s nerve racking how crass and blind he is most of the time. BP should leadoff. Don’t suggest Stubbs. How’d that work out last time? It’s also amazing how the Reds make terrible pitchers look like Cy Young.
By Aaron B.
June 20, 2010 8:57 PM | Link to this
I think Seattle makes a good trade partner for the Reds. One ingredient they are clearly missing is a heavy hitter at 1B. Reds just happen to have Alonso in Louisville with no chance of him joining the Big club because of Votto. Send him to Seattle with Bailey and Harang and take a shot at Cliff Lee. Or try to get some bullpen help. Gutierrez is probably untouchable but he looked awfully good… Reds need to do something to change up the chemistry. Why doesn’t Dusty sit players when they are ice cold (Cabrera). I say let Heisey and Stubbs fight it out for leadoff batter. One of them has to grab that job.