I mean, I love the Reds.  I really do.  But the Brewers need to dig deep and figure out exactly who they want to be after getting thumped by last-place Cincinnat.  They’re in deep trouble if they don’t get out of this hitting slump.  And their bullpen is springing some leaks.

Give some credit to Cincinnati - they played pretty plucky in winning 3 of 4 from the Brew crew.  The game they lost Tuesday night would have been a win too if a) Stanton could get the third out in the 8th and b) Griffey gets another foot out of that long homer try to deep right in the 9th.  Oh, and if they hadn’t stranded so many runners in the first two innings.  And if they quit hacking at pitches.  But it was RIGHT THERE for the taking.

• The biggest shame of Tuesday night, however, was that Griffey made two spectacular plays in right field and none of them made the top plays on ESPN.  They should have been 1-2 (with the diving catch and double up on first from his knees being the top play).  Where is the love from the Worldwide Leader?  It’s in Boston and New York, that’s where.
• Junior is 12 away from a landmark 600 homers.  I’m guessing he hits it by mid-August.  I wonder if he’ll hit those 12 before Bonds hits his next two?  At least it looks like Junior is staying with the Reds, which probably means for the rest of his career.
• Pedro Lopez took a nasty shot to the face yesterday and it was pretty scary to watch him bleeding on the ground.  He’s on the 15-day DL with a broken cheekbone, but he’s probably done for a while unless he wears one of those Rip Hamilton facemasks, which would be interesting to see.  You can bet it shook up the pitcher - the Reds hit him hard and got some runs after that.  With Alex Gonzales out indefinitely, Cincy is running out of shortstops.
• I must be hallucinating but the Reds bullpen is coming showing a few signs of life, In particular, David Weathers has had an admirable year.  He’s done almost everything this team has asked him to do, including pitching almost two full innings yesterday to hold down a win.  Those worth mentioning:  Weathers (1.07 WHIP!  who would have thunk it?), Jared Burton, Mike Gosling (in limited opportunities.)  It’s not much, but it’s a start.  Perhaps everyday Eddie can be back next year.     
• Javier Valentin is pure clutch.  He has the knack to come through when the Reds really need him more times than most. 
• Jeff Conine has suggested that he will retire at the end of this year. 

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Season