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Masset boosts Arroyo's faith in bullpen
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
CINCINNATI — Before last week's trade deadline, Bronson Arroyo raved about the Reds' young pitching talent.
Now, with the addition of Nick Masset, Arroyo's confidence in the staff is even higher.
"I've never been on a team that had a lot of legitimate guys that could play for a long time," Arroyo said. "We never had all the pieces of the puzzle.
"You don't mind giving the ball up now. In the two years past, you didn't want to give the ball up. It's a legitimate bullpen now."
Reds relievers are second in the National League in strikeouts this season, and had posted a 2.76 ERA over the 35 games before a game against the Brewers on Tuesday night, Aug. 5.
"I used to go to (former manager Jerry Narron) and say, 'If I'm at 115 pitches in the seventh (inning), don't take me out,'" he said. "I don't have to do that anymore. You hope that over time, if you can shave 240 innings a year into 200 innings, it will help in the long run."
Prince makes his peace
Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder wanted to clear the air of tension after he shoved Milwaukee teammate Manny Parra in the dugout on Monday night.
"I apologize for the way it went down, but I don't apologize for the passion and the intensity," he said before Tuesday's game. "I definitely could have handled it better, but that's just the way it went down."
Hot dogs to take home
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hosted Dog Day. Shortstop Jolbert Cabrera ended up adopting a female American bulldog.
"She's beautiful," Cabrera said. "She's going to my house in Miami (Fla.)."
Cabrera showed off the unnamed puppy to players before the game. Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia suggested Cabrera call her — you guessed it — Cici.
And the name stuck.
Hairston getting closer
Jerry Hairston Jr. said he could make his return to the Reds' lineup as early as Thursday.
Hairston came off the 15-day disabled list on Friday, but has not played in the last three days because of a sore right hamstring.
"It's progressing," he said. "I'm trying my best to get out there.
"It feels good right now, but it's got to continue to feel good."
Quote of the day
Brandon Phillips sat between Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, pulling on and examining the curls of their hair.
When asked whose curls were better, he said "none of them, they're both terrible."
