Blog Red Machine » 2010 » September

Tonight’s Pitchers: Figueroa v Cueto and Reds lineup

Steve Engbloom — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:10:55 +0000

Here’s a look at the pitching match-up for tonight’s Houston Astros v. Cincinnati Reds game. I know. Anti-climatic since the Reds wrapped up the NL Central title last evening. But the Reds are most likely going to have to snag that #2 overall record in the National League in order to avoid the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

Houston: Nelson Figueroa (3-3, 3.98; career v. Reds: 1-1, 4.44)
Figueroa has performed both starting and relieving duties for Houston this season. For September, he’s 2-2 with a 6.12 ERA and the Astros are 3-2 in games he has started this month. The Reds blasted him for 5 runs and 7 hits just 11 days ago in a Reds 11-1 rout in Houston.

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Got Drama? Reds Clinch on Bruce Walk-off

Steve Engbloom — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:28:54 +0000

I just felt like something was going to happen, like a home run. When that was going to happen, I was unsure. I felt like it was going to happening in either the first or the sixth. Was I ever fooled.

In the bottom of the first, the Reds put their first two batters on (Drew Stubbs and Orlando Cabrera), but Joey Votto grounded into a double play. Scott Rolen drove in the first run of the game with an infield single followed by a throwing error allowing Rolen to go to second. Reds 1, Astros 0 after one inning.

Reds starter Edinson Volquez reutrned to the mound in the second and almost immediately permitted two runs to the Astros. The second would be his only shaky inning.

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Tonight’s Starters: Astros v Reds

Steve Engbloom — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:55:33 +0000

Game one of the final homestand and the Houston Astros visit GABP for three. Could be the clincher to boot. And the Reds will see a tough opponent this evening.

Image source: Yardbarker

Houston: Wandy Rodriguez (season: 11-12, 3.67; career v Reds: 7-7, 4.22)
The last time the Reds saw the lefty, Rodriguez threw six innings, allowed three runs, struckout 10 and got the win. Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA against Cincinnati this season. For September, Rodriguez is 0-0, sporting a 3.42 ERA. The Astros are 1-3 in those September games in which Wandy has gotten the start. That win was against the Reds the last time Cincy visited the Juicebox. For the year, Houston is 13-18 in games in which Rodriguez has started in 2010.

As expected, the Reds player that has little success against Rodriguez is Jay Bruce (17 AB, 1 hit, 10 K, .059). There’s a good chance Bruce will get the night off despite this being a potential division clinching game. The one Red that can handle Rodriguez is Jonny Gomes. In Gomes’ 19 plate appearances, Gomes has belted 2 homers with 9 RBI. Gomes is 7-18 overall, good for a .389 average. Miguel Cairo (12 PA) owns a .444 average (4-9) in his career against Rodriguez. Pinch hitting is a real possibility tonight if the situation presents itself.

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