Update on Dusty Baker:
The Reds manager spent the night in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. They were able to rule out pneumonia, but Baker still has an irregular heartbeat that is of concern to the doctors. As a precaution they held him overnight. Baker will miss Thursday nights game in Chicago, but is set to return for the teams home game against the LA Dodgers on Friday night.
Get your brooms Reds fans, there seems to be a little sweeping to be done in Chicago tonight! After taking it to 11 innings last night, the Cincinnati Reds pulled out another win in the Windy City 6-5. Chicago really lived up to it's Windy City nickname last night too. The wind was almost like an extra man in the outfield. The ball carried all over the place all night and actually aided in the Reds overtime win. Brandon Phillips hit a pop up to shallow right field. However, when David DeJesus tried to field, what seemed to be an easy out that would retire the side, the ball blew right, then left, then right over his head. His glove tipped it, but before he could catch up with the ball and get it to the infield, Phillips had reached second base. Drew Stubbs then hit an RBI single to score Phillips in the top of the 11th. Broxton's 11th inning pitching was no match for the Cubbies, as they were unable to come back in the bottom of the inning giving Cincinnati two games in the three game series.
It was nice to see Drew Stubbs getting back into the action. He has struggled behind the plate lately for the Reds, but had his first breakout game last night. Stubbs was 3-5, with three runs scored. He walked once and stole a base. He also hit the game winning RBI. "I knew it would come sooner or later. It feels good to have a multi-hit game and contribute to a win," Stubbs said.
Joey Votto was a big contributor last night, as well. He scored the first three runs early with his RBI double. Mike Leake pitched well, but ended up giving up a two run homer and 4 hits before being taken out of the game. Ludwick also came out of the game with groin tightness.
The St. Louis Cardinals also had a big win last night, leaving the Reds magic number at 3 before tonight's game. If the Cards lose tonight and the Reds win, the team will have the ability to clinch on Friday night at home against the Dodgers. If St. Louis wins combined with a Cincinnati win, the big night will be Saturday. The Reds have been playing the Cubs really tight, though, and if they aren't phenomenal tonight to get the win, they will be clinching in front of a packed Sunday night home crowd at GABP. It doesn't look like there is any reason the Cardinals will lose at all during their series with the Astros to help the RedLegs out. The Cardinals are already playing post season ball and Houston's play has been very dismal. So it is all on the Reds to take their destiny to the post season. How soon will it be? Who knows, but destiny is knocking and this is our year!
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
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Cincinnati Reds
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Breaking News
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was taken to the hospital for chest x-rays. They are trying to rule out pneumonia. The Reds have a game tonight at 8:05 pm in Chicago. Hopefully all will turn out well for Dusty and the team, while they are chasing a lower magic number tonight.
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
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Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
http://bengalsarmchairnation.blogspot.com
http://fansofthegrowl.blogspot.com
Reds vs Cubs, Part 2 of 3
Last night, the Reds somehow managed to pull off the win by a mere 3-1 against the Chicago Cubs. A win is a win, but the RedLegs still struggled behind the plate. Cincinnati ended the game with just 4 hits. That was all they needed though, after the Catcher Ryan Hanigan cleared the bases on a 6th inning double. Homer Bailey also did his part to win the game, pitching 7 1/3 innings, allowing 0 runs. Once again the team is coming together to pull out a tough win, but this game could have easily gone the other way. Cincinnati was 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded six guys for the night. This has been an issue for the Reds all season. They did get a little help from the Cubs starting Pitcher, Justin Germano. He walked all three batters, Votto, Ludwick, and Bruce in the 6th inning that eventually led to Hanigan's double that inning and the win.
There is no slowing down now, with the magic number shrinking every game. The new magic number after last night's win is 4. The Reds are also just one game behind the Washington Nationals for first place in the National League, whose game was postponed last night due to weather against the Dodgers. If they were to catch up and beat the Nationals in the standings, they would be the number one seed in the playoffs and receive home field advantage throughout.
In other Reds news, Dusty Baker managed his 3,000th career game last night. The record night for Baker came and went mostly unnoticed but the team "got just enough offense to win," according to to the Reds manager. So it is still a happy ending for him. Zack Cozart sat for the 12th straight game last night due to a strained left oblique muscle. The team believes though, that it won't be much longer before his return to the line-up. He has felt great in batting practice and he believes he can be back for this weekend's series against the Dodgers.
Tonight the Reds square off against the Cubs again at 8:05 pm EST in Chicago. Mike Leake will take the mound against rookie Chris Rusin. Leake is currently sitting on a record of 8-9 with a 4.69 ERA. Rusin brings a 1-2 record with a 5.06 ERA.
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
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There is no slowing down now, with the magic number shrinking every game. The new magic number after last night's win is 4. The Reds are also just one game behind the Washington Nationals for first place in the National League, whose game was postponed last night due to weather against the Dodgers. If they were to catch up and beat the Nationals in the standings, they would be the number one seed in the playoffs and receive home field advantage throughout.
In other Reds news, Dusty Baker managed his 3,000th career game last night. The record night for Baker came and went mostly unnoticed but the team "got just enough offense to win," according to to the Reds manager. So it is still a happy ending for him. Zack Cozart sat for the 12th straight game last night due to a strained left oblique muscle. The team believes though, that it won't be much longer before his return to the line-up. He has felt great in batting practice and he believes he can be back for this weekend's series against the Dodgers.
Tonight the Reds square off against the Cubs again at 8:05 pm EST in Chicago. Mike Leake will take the mound against rookie Chris Rusin. Leake is currently sitting on a record of 8-9 with a 4.69 ERA. Rusin brings a 1-2 record with a 5.06 ERA.
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
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Monday, September 17, 2012
Reds vs Cubs Preview
The Reds are off tonight after a tough series in Miami, where the RedLegs came away with only one win. St. Louis and Pittsburgh helped them out, though, by not doing well in their respective series either. So as they lost, their magic number shrunk. Today the team was back off to Chicago for a series with the Cubs in Wrigley Field. With the Cubs good play against the Reds at home and the Reds less than desirable play as of late, this series has the ability to shorten the magic number greatly or extend it.
The key to success in Chicago, is going to have to come from the bats of the Reds. Defensively, they have excelled, but they are still stranding guys on base during key innings. They are getting hits, but not enough, and not when they need them. Hopefully, the day off will allow them to come in to Tuesday rested, strong, and ready to hit. In their last 10 games, the Reds are 5-5. The games that they lost, the team only scored a total of 10 runs. With the National League title and home field advantage also in reach, this series and the hits could be pivotal for Cincinnati.
Homer Bailey is going to kick off the 3 game series tomorrow night and will face Cubs starter Justin Germano. The pitching has been stellar for the team this season and Bailey is no different. In his last start, he allowed just one run in 7 innings. In his last three starts, he has only given up two or fewer runs. Tomorrow, should be a good show down, hopefully with Bailey putting the team on top.
The Reds and the Cubs square off at 8:05pm EST time tomorrow night. We're all Better Off Red!
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
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The key to success in Chicago, is going to have to come from the bats of the Reds. Defensively, they have excelled, but they are still stranding guys on base during key innings. They are getting hits, but not enough, and not when they need them. Hopefully, the day off will allow them to come in to Tuesday rested, strong, and ready to hit. In their last 10 games, the Reds are 5-5. The games that they lost, the team only scored a total of 10 runs. With the National League title and home field advantage also in reach, this series and the hits could be pivotal for Cincinnati.
Homer Bailey is going to kick off the 3 game series tomorrow night and will face Cubs starter Justin Germano. The pitching has been stellar for the team this season and Bailey is no different. In his last start, he allowed just one run in 7 innings. In his last three starts, he has only given up two or fewer runs. Tomorrow, should be a good show down, hopefully with Bailey putting the team on top.
The Reds and the Cubs square off at 8:05pm EST time tomorrow night. We're all Better Off Red!
Cincinnati Sports Fan? Check out my Bengals Blogs:
http://bengalsarmchairnation.blogspot.com
http://fansofthegrowl.blogspot.com
Magic #5
Is this going to be our year RedLegs? Cincinnati has been painting the town Red all year long! Even the non baseball fans seem to be catching the fever. After such a long drought since the Big Red Machine, 2010 brought us so much hope and wonder. I was at that game. Bruce with the walk off. People that didn't even know one another embracing with excitement. Our city was finally back on the map and our boys were our heroes. Then after the dismal, short lived play-off appearance, the 2011 season left us scratching our heads. Now here we are again on the eve of another clinching performance. A new year and new magic number: Magic Number 5!
Not only is the number magic, but this team seems to be magical. In the toughest games, they find a way to dig out and get a win. They even get wins with rookies and when the odds are against them with arguably their best players benched here and there and sometimes for long periods of time, in the case of Joey Votto. They are a team built of Ludwick's and Frazier's, Heisey's and Phillips', Cuban Missiles and Cy Young hopefuls. Everyone has stepped up and everyone has scratched and clawed to get to the top and stay at the top. This team is passionate, they are go-getters, they are one, and they are willing to do what it takes to bring a victory to Cincinnati. This team is different. They are hungry. And their magic night is just 5 games away.
Not only is the number magic, but this team seems to be magical. In the toughest games, they find a way to dig out and get a win. They even get wins with rookies and when the odds are against them with arguably their best players benched here and there and sometimes for long periods of time, in the case of Joey Votto. They are a team built of Ludwick's and Frazier's, Heisey's and Phillips', Cuban Missiles and Cy Young hopefuls. Everyone has stepped up and everyone has scratched and clawed to get to the top and stay at the top. This team is passionate, they are go-getters, they are one, and they are willing to do what it takes to bring a victory to Cincinnati. This team is different. They are hungry. And their magic night is just 5 games away.
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