Archive for April, 2010

Dusty Baker denied a FoxSports Network report that he went to the front office and asked for an extension. The story which came from a baseball source said the Reds weren’t ready to make a decision on his future. This is Dusty Baker’s last year on his contract. “I haven’t talked to them. I don’t know where he heard that,” Baker said. “It’s going to come when it comes,” Baker said. “If it doesn’t come, what can you do? You still have to keep living, still keep doing your job.” I am with the majority in Cincinnati on this one. [...]

Aaron Miles, one the last Reds cuts this Spring, signed with our arch rival the St. Louis Cardinals. He just had a poor spring with the Reds. He refused assignment to the Louisville Bats.

Well, despite popular belief, Aaron Harang will make his scheduled start tonight. It doesn’t hurt that Houston is playing very badly, the opponent for tonight. And, that the game isn’t in Cincy. Aaron was booed pretty good in his last start. Also, Brandon Phillips will bat second tonight. He didn’t hit there once last season. Scott Rolen will hit clean-up and Orlando Cabrera will bat sixth.

Cincinnati entered Monday’s day off ranked 29th in the 30-team majors in earned run average 6.02 and starter’s earned run average 6.52. The Reds rank last in the majors in wins by starting pitchers, with one by rookie Mike Leake. Leake has been the only consistent starter for the Reds. Bronson was okay till he laid an egg his last start. But the starting pitching for the most part has been unacceptable. Aaron Harang’s spot in the rotation has been skipped. I assume for two reasons, one to clear his head and the other rest his arm. I predict if [...]

The Reds finally won a game and snapped the 8 game winning streak of the San Diego Padres. Thanks in part to the clutch hitting of Ryan Hanigan, Jay Bruce, and Ramon Hernandez. The rattled off three hits in a row to score two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Homer Bailey pitched pretty well while tying his career high with 8 strikeouts. He did give up 4 runs in 6 innings but the relief corps bailed him out. Arthur Rhodes got his first win of the season and Francisco Cordero got his seventh save. The Padres’ Adrian [...]

Reds manager Dusty Baker had two starting lineups on his desk before Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Padres, contingent on the condition of shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera was kept out of Saturday’s lineup due to what Baker described as general soreness. Baker said he’s trying to rest his veteran players early in the season. “We’re trying to get the older players into the hot weather,” Baker said. Cabrera was given the thumbs-up for Sunday’s game. He was back at shortstop, batting second.

Aaron Harang thinks his bad pitching is bad luck. I guess he thinks one win in his last 21 starts is bad luck. His 8.31 ERA is bad luck. Him giving up 15 runs in his last 9 2/3 innings is bad luck. It’s no wonder that the Cincy fans are booing him. He has been horrible for the past two years. I admit to giving him a pass for last year but I see now he doesn’t deserve one. He is just a mediocre pitcher at best now. I just saw that the Cubs are putting Carlos Zambrano in [...]

The Baltimore Orioles claimed Pitcher Pedro Viola. The Reds had designated him for assignment when they put Mike Leake on the 40 man roster. He pitched fairly well for the Reds last season in a relief roll. The lefty has a good sinker and a decent fastball.

I saw this stat today while doing some research. Aaron Harang has one win in his last twenty starts. What happened to the guy that won 16 games in back to back seasons? When he pitches he has no emotion and looks like he just doesn’t care or want to be here. I know he is a West Coast guy but he has been here too long to feel like that. I hope he can step it up and start pitching to his potential.

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan has rejoined the Cincinnati Reds as a special adviser for baseball operations. Morgan is the latest former Reds star to work with the ballclub. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench has been a special consultant, and Eric Davis and Mario Soto work with current players as special assistants. Ken Griffey Sr. also has been a special assistant in the player development department. Morgan, 66, will support and assist in the development of the club’s community outreach and diversity initiatives while participating in the efforts of the Reds Community Fund and Reds Hall of [...]

The Reds led the Dodgers 9-3 after four innings but blew the lead, only to win 11-9. Paul Janish singled ahead the go ahead run in the 8th inning. The Reds starting rotation has yet to win a game. They are the only team to achieve such a great honor. Homer Bailey lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs. Luckily for him, the Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley was way worse. The Reds relief was good again until Nick Massett arrived in the eighth. He has been pitiful this whole season. He gave up four runs his 1/3 inning [...]

Edinson Volquez has been suspended for 50 games for violating the Major League drug policy. Volquez became the first player suspended under the major league drug program since Manny Ramirez(notes) of the Los Angeles Dodgers was penalized 50 games last May. Volquez said in a statement he received a prescription in the Dominican Republic as part of his treatment to start a family with his wife. He said the drug was banned by MLB—four types of fertility substances are illegal under baseball rules. “As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training,” he said. “Although I understand [...]