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By Thaq Diesel 

• The Reds are the second team in the majors to win 20 games and are a half game out for the best record in baseball.  What a great start to the season.  I couldn’t be more pleased or surprised.
• It was only a two-game series, but it’s still sweet to sweep the Cardinals.
• Who would have thought that the Reds on Wednesday, near the top of the majors in home runs, would be shut out in the thin mile-high air?   It was a shame because it was a pretty good pitching performance by Brandon Claussen. 
• Aaron Harang had a masterful pitching performance in Colorado striking out 12 and breaking  bats all over the place.   The Reds have a low ERA the past 10 games too, which correlates to the 8-2 record.
• It was cold and rainy, but there was NObody in the stands in Colorado.  It’s a shame because the Rockies have had a great and suprising start too.  They have the 2006 “Thaq Diesel Reds vs. Colorado Rockies” curse to thank for that.
• Tomorrow, we get another look at Elizardo Ramirez.  He’s had two quality starts since his call up from the minors and will need all the help he can get as he matches up against the Diamondback’s Brandon Webb (4-0, 2.22 ERA)
• I heard a podcast a couple days ago: “Baseball Today” on ESPN.  The host said, “The Reds are off to a hot start, their pitching has been great, but it just can’t last.”  We’ll see. 
• The Tigers are the American League version of the Reds this year - nobody expected them to compete, but they’re getting great hitting and solid pitching and have put together a great record and are only 1.5 games out of first.  The Reds, the Rockies, the Tigers; it’s just kooky.

May 4, 1976 at Shea Stadium 

Mets 5, Reds 3  (11-9)

The Reds dropped their second straight game as they traveled to New York to take on the Mets.  Fred Norman only logged two innings and gave up two runs on no hits (yes, you’re reading this right) and five walks.  In the bottom of the second, Norman walked the leadoff man before getting one out.  Then he walked three batters in succession, including the pitcher for the Mets, Tom Seaver, before getting out number two that resulted in the second run of the inning.

Pedro Borbon didn’t fare too well either.  In the bottom of the third, he gave up two more runs to give Hall of Famer Tom Seaver a comfortable four run cushion.

Pete Rose and Ken Griffey both had two hits and Joe Morgan drew three walks and scored.  The Reds scored all three of their runs in different innings.

By Thaq Diesel

As mentioned in my previous post “Great Players Make Great Plays…”

http://www.redscuttingedge.com/2006/04/16/great-players-make-great-plays-against-the-reds/

there have been quite a few bullies with their boots on the nape of the neck of the Reds during the past few lean seasons.  The Cardinals, the Braves and the hated Astros have been among the worst.  If Lance Berkman wasn’t killing the Reds with his power hitting and RBI production, the excellent pitching staff of Houston was.  Roy Oswalt hadn’t lost a decision against the Reds in 16 games, which is absurd.  Well, the Reds can finally claim a win against Roy, but they have a lot more pain yet to give back to make it even.  I wonder if Jerry Narron shouted hysterically from the bullpen when they pulled Oswalt after 6 innings:  “I’M NOT GOING TO LET YOU PUSH ME AROUND ANYMORE!!!!!”  We’ll see if the Reds can beat Oswalt again this season.

• Great job by the Reds winning another series in April against a quality team.  Prior to the loss Sunday, the Reds had the best record in the majors.  Who knew? 
• The pitching staff has pulled its collective stuff together.  Through the last seven games, the Reds have given up just 2.4 runs per game.
• Elizardo Ramirez had a three-run outing through six innings in his second start.  Though a loss, it was still a good outing and a quality start.  This kid has me excited.
• David Weathers goofed up his ERA and added his name to the Danny Graves memorial “give the fans a cardiac while still getting the save” list by giving up a 9th inning two-run homer to Berkman Friday night.  Oh well.  I guess it’s about results.  Just win baby!  Right?  Hello?  TAP-TAP  Is this thing on?
• I laid down a jinx on Cincinnati in an earlier post saying “…at least the Reds don’t suck as much as the Rockies this year.” I figured the Reds would finish 20 games below Colorado just for me saying that.  Technically the Reds have a better record than the Rockies, but not by much.  Colorado is leading the NL West division with a 15 -10 record.  Next week:  the locusts and the four horsemen of the apocalypse.  Yes, through April , this has been a Bizarro World baseball season.  (see:  “The Reds Season Could Be Rockier”  http://www.redscuttingedge.com/2006/03/)

April 28, 1976 at Veterans Stadium 

Phillies 7, Reds 6  (9-7)

The Reds lost another game as their pitching staff failed to hold the opposition down again.  The Reds and Phillies both scored three runs in the first inning, but a three run fifth by the Phillies ended up being the difference.

Joe Morgan had a monster game.  He went two for four with his fourth homerun of the season, three RBIs, two runs and a walk.  Johnny Bench doubled and tripled and drove in a run.

Pat Darcy dropped to 1-2 on the season.  He gave up seven runs on seven hits and five walks.

By Thaq Diesel 

Bottom line:  The Reds are tied for the second-best record in the majors.  They are on a pace to win 100 games (as are two other teams in their division, so somebody has to slip).  They have hit more home runs than anyone in MLB. They led the league in runs until the Indians opened up a can on the Red Sox today.  And this with Griffey on the DL for half the month. 

 Their pitching has been hot and cold ranging from spectacular (Arroyo, Harang occasionally, Weathers as closer) to miserable like when they gave up five home runs in one inning to the Brewers (tying a major league record).  The Reds have had call-ups from the minors  (Elizardo Ramirez- finally a pitcher that throws first pitch strikes and keeps the ball down!!!) make quality starts and get wins.  Paul Wilson is starting his comeback.  Ryan Wagner is in the wings.  It looked like the cupboard was bare when the spring started, but there are two quality starters to build on and the closing role seems solid. 

Brandon Phillips has emerged as the obvious choice to start full-time at second and is producing both offensively and defensively.  The Reds have three talented catchers (and that’s not even counting Hatteberg).   

It’s a good omen that the Reds can seemingly steal like bandits in making the Arroyo deal for Wily Mo.  You start to think that karma is starting to swing around to the good side.  Based on their track record, the new ownership will definitely make moves shoring up the bullpen if the Reds are still contending in June.

It has been a long dry spell.  Let’s enjoy a successful and entertaining April and hope for the best for the rest of the season.

April 27, 1976 at Veterans Stadium 

Reds 7, Phillies 3  (9-6)

The Reds’ bats stayed hot as they topped the Phillies with a quick start.  The Reds scored five in the first and two in the second to effectively end the game early.

Johnny Bench went three for four with two doubles, two RBIs and a run.  Pete Rose had two hits and two runs and Dave Concepcion had three hits and a run.

Jack Billingham cruised to an easy win and improved to 2-2.  He gave up three runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings of work.  Will McEnaney held the Phillies scoreless in 1 1/3 innings.

April 24, 1976 at Jerry Park 

Reds 6, Expos 4  (7-5)

The Reds won in their first extra inning game of the season in a back and forth game with the Expos.  The Expos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth but then the Reds scored one in the fifth and three in the sixth to take the lead.  The Expos got back into things in the bottom of the sixth when they scored a single run to cut the lead to one, then tied the game up with another run in the seventh.

Neither team scored in the eighth, ninth or tenth.  In the top of the eleventh, Dan Driessen led off with a single and then he moved to second when Johnny Bench reached first on third basemen Larry Parrish’s error.  Mike Lum bunted both players over and then Cesar Geronimo was walked intentionally.  Then Dave Concepcion came through with a huge clutch single that scored both Driessen and Bench. 

Rawly Eastwick put the Expos down in order in the bottom half of the inning en route to his first win of the season.  He pitched three perfect innings to close out the game.

By Thaq Diesel 

The Reds took three of four from the Brew crew and in the process exchanged a couple yin-yang 11-0 butt kickings.

A quote from the AP story about Sunday’s game:
“Brandon Phillips has had an outstanding week,” Narron said. “I don’t know how many guys are going to have 17 RBI in a week.”

As a way to ensure 17 RBI doesn’t happen again, Narron has decided to sit Phillips for a few games to work the platoon system at 2nd base as originally designed.  Okay, that was a cheap shot.  Still, I found myself thinking while mowing the lawn today that Narron would most certainly pull “The Freel Manuever” and sit down a hot player.  Nay, Phillips looks like he’s actually realizing the potential the Expos saw in him when he was first drafted.  Barring a crushing slump of 15 or 20 games, let him stay in place at 2nd.  (I’m sure many of you thought the “Freel Manuever” was either to chug a 12-pack on the drive home or to swing a pool stick at someone.  Good guess, but no.)

Aaron Harang’s start today has me grateful that the Reds now have two bona-fide starting pitchers on this staff (Arroyo clearly the other).  Both have been a pleasant surprise.  Other than Todd Coffey and David Weathers, the rest of the staff has been poor as expected with the middle relief being unbelievably bad.  Perhaps a couple more pitchers can settle down and give the Reds offense a chance to muscle out some more games.  We will see tomorrow what Elizardo Ramirez (up from AAA Louisville) can do.  He’ll be starting now that Eric Milton ($9.8 million in 2006 salary, BTW) is giving up home run balls only on his PS2 for the next couple weeks as he deals with a knee injury and disabled list stint.  Despite the rough pitching start to the year, the complete game gem pitched by Harang today against the Brewers (as well as the shut out work on 4/14 at St. Louis) is something to be savored. 

April 20, 1976 at Riverfront Stadium 

Padres 7, Reds 5  (5-4)

The Reds pitching continued to struggle as the team dropped to within a game of .500.  Jack Billingham only lasted five innings and he gave four runs on seven hits.  When he left the game, the Reds were down 4-0.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Reds exploded for five runs and jumped into the lead.  Pinch hitter Dan Driessen and Ken Griffey both drove in two runs in the inning.  Four of the Reds six hits were also in that bottom of the seventh.

The Padres didn’t take very long to answer.  In the top of the eighth, Pedro Borbon and Will McEnaney combined to give up three unearned runs (although the error was on McEnaney, so he was pretty much responsible).

Joe Morgan stole two bases to bring his season total up to eight.  Cesar Geronimo had two hits and a run.

The Cincinnati Reds are finally living up to their potential and the Big Red Machine looks like a serious contender in the NL Central this year. And the best way to see the Reds in action is with Great American Ball Park tickets. Since opening in 2003 to replace Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), Great American Ball Park has won acclaim as one of the best new stadiums in Major League Baseball. Reds tickets will get you in to experience the perfect blend of history and modern amenities at Great American Ball Park.

Baseball Stats

Few baseball teams have a history as rich and vibrant as the Reds, and Great American Ball Park, with its trademark riverboat smokestacks in the outfield, takes full advantage of that fact. History buffs will enjoy the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, a mural chronicling Pete Rose’s 4,192 nd career hit, mosaics honoring the 1975 World Series-winning Big Red Machine team and 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings (the first professional baseball team in history), plus statues, banners and a replica clock from old Crosley Field, which was home to the Reds from 1912 to 1970. So make sure to get Great American Ball Park tickets if you are a fan of baseball history.

As for the present, Great American Ball Park baseball tickets will get you in to see one of the National League’s top teams led by Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang. The 2006 Reds baseball schedule includes games against division rivals like the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, plus an interleauge series against the World Champion Chicago White Sox. So if you haven’t been to the new Reds stadium yet, now is the time to get your Great American Ball Park tickets.

Sport Rosters

Great American Ball Park, with its wide concourses, comfortable seating and expanded concessions, is a big improvement over old Riverfront Stadium. And if you’re curious, the ballpark’s name did not come from baseball being the great American pastime, but from Great American Insurance Group, which bought the naming rights to the stadium. Make plans now to get Great American Ballpark tickets and cheer on the Cincinnati Reds.

Other Fields of Interest:

Air Canada Centre	Angel Stadium
American Airlines Arena	Busch Stadium
AT&T Park Chart	Citizens Bank Park
Ford Field	Fenway Park
Rose Garden Chart	Shea Stadium Chart
Staples Center	U.S. Cellular Field
Wachovia Center	Wrigley Field
United Center	Yankee Stadium

Other Sporting Sites:
Seating Charts
NASCAR Races
Incentive Travel
2007 Kentucky Derby
 

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