(05-17-2011 09:57 PM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  Props to Dusty for giving Cordero a day off and letting Masset get a save. Shows he didn't worry about stats or using a veteran.

I'm not sure that's true. Coco was in 4 consecutive save situations. Is that enough or too much? I think Dusty realized the situation and used Masset.

Thank you cubbies.

I'll give janish credit for his hit. It was a key to getting reds two run lead. Still think it's not best baseball move. And coop I never said put Hernandez in 2 spot. But bruce or phillips or even Lewis, And rolen can protect votto so he coukd have hit 4th if Phillips moved to 2. I'd rather have Hernandez hit 6th or 7th than 8th, especially right now.

How about that play by Phillips. Looked out to me. Back to earlier discussion....extend him. Guy is heart and soul of this team. Great defense. Very good with bat too. Still has several years in his prime. I'd sure hate to see him in another uniform than a reds one.

Cubs miscues do them in again
Wood's error on sacrifice helps Reds to 7-5 victory

9:50 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2011

CINCINNATI — One day after channeling his "inner Lou," Mike Quade was back to his normal self Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.

Quade called a clubhouse meeting after the Cubs blew a four-run lead in Monday's loss, then gave an R-rated news conference while venting his ire.

The Cubs responded to Quade's day of rage with four errors in a 7-5 loss to the Reds on a rainy night at Great American Ball Park.

Kerry Wood's two-run throwing error on a sacrifice attempt in the seventh brought home the tying run and Chris Heisey's sacrifice fly brought home the game-winner. Joey Votto added an insurance run with an RBI double as the Reds swept the two-game series.

Earlier, it looked like Quade's clubhouse speech did the job. A bases-loaded walk to Darwin Barney gave the Cubs a one-run lead in the seventh and newcomer Tony Campana doubled home a run in his first major league at-bat in the eighth.

In his brief reign as Cubs' manager, Quade has been upbeat and optimistic, even after watching some difficult losses. That's why the reaction to Quade's reaction to Monday's loss was one of disbelief.

"You get paid to worry about these things and I tend to (worry)," Quade said before Tuesday's game. "Some nights are worse than others and last night (was bad). For all the ones that have gotten away early, some of the tougher ones, that was tops on my list so far."

Of course, that was before Tuesday's debacle.

General manager Jim Hendry, who tends to fume in private in a luxury suite, said he understood Quade's frustration over his team's mental mistakes.

"We all had a tough night," Hendry said. "It was a really disappointing game. … It was one of those nights he had every right to be upset. We did a few little things wrong, which we've been doing on a too regular basis lately — things we didn't do at the end of last year and things we don't do when we play well.

"You can live with the physical mistakes. You would like to think some of the guys that aren't knocking in runs will. But when you do the little things wrong, or make the mental mistakes. … I know the way Mike is, (and) it's probably twice as irritating."

Tuesday's game had its share of crazy moments too. After Carlos Pena's three-run, first inning homer off Edinson Volquez staked the Cubs to an early lead, the Reds scored three runs on two errors on one play in the fourth, tying the game 3-3.

Pena's error on Volquez's bases-loaded grounder, followed by Matt Garza's throwing error to the plate, had the Reds circling the bases like they were in a Little League game. In the sixth, the Cubs were walking off the field after Miguel Cairo apparently struck out but catcher Welington Castillo didn't catch the pitch cleanly and Cairo made a U-turn before reaching the dugout to reach first safely.

After Quade argued in vain that Cairo should be out for his circuitous route, Garza struck out Drew Stubbs to end the inning.

A crazy play on a crazy night, and the Cubs still are searching for answers.

psullivan@tribune.com

Twitter @PWSullivan

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...2945.story

La Russa on Brennaman: "Earn respect, not abuse it"

BY DERRICK GOOLD | Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 6:22 pm | (6) Comments

Reds broadcaster calls Carp 'whiner,' Duncan 'infantile'

ST. LOUIS -- Choosing his words carefully to avoid a back-and-back forth with Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennman, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa offered a compliment with a caveat.

During the broadcast of the Reds-Cubs game on Monday, Brennaman went on a brief rant that included desciptions of Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter as "a whiner" and pitching coach Dave Duncan as "infantile." La Russa said he had not heard the comments specifically, but he winced when told what Brennaman had said about Duncan.

"I think the safest thing to say is that he's a Hall of Famer and he should get the respect that inclusion in that place deserves," La Russa said. "And he ought to earn it every day from his Hall of Fame induction forward. He ought to earn it and not abuse it."

Brennaman, who is refreshingly candid and evenly critical for a home town play-by-play man, was inducted into the broadcasters' wing of the Hall of Fame.

Post-Dispatch scribe Jeff Gordon had the transcribed comments earlier today on StlToday.com.

He went onto say during the broadcast that La Russa's opinion even refuted the team's grumbling about Francisco Cordero's up-and-in pitch on Pujols. A clarification: La Russa's opinion did not. The Cardinals were frustrated by the location of the pitch, not the notion that Cordero would hit Pujols. Players said the next day that obviously Cordero wasn't trying to hit Pujols -- a "purpose pitch," as La Russa called it. Their problem was with Cordero firing high and tight without command on Pujols. La Russa agreed with that opinion and even repeated it in his own words Monday.

When a second wave of media approached La Russa on Tuesday to ask about Brennaman's commenst, the manager recast his comment for a new audience, but kept the general theme.

"He's a Hall of Famer," the Cardinals skipper reminded the media. "He ought to keep earning that respect instead of abusing it."

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/...f6878.html

Reds broadcaster calls Carp 'whiner,' Duncan 'infantile'

BY JEFF GORDON | Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 3:42 pm | (119) Comments

Cincinnati broadcaster Marty Brennaman threw more fuel on the Cardinals-Reds rivalry, referring to former Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter as “that whiner and excuse maker.”

The broadcast booth discussion turned to Dave Duncan, who was referred to as “that infantile pitching coach.”

(Speaking of infantile, WLW, the Reds rights holder, ran this contest: “Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has shingles, so we want to give you a chance to win some Tony La Russa shingles of your own! The Reds and Cards clash this weekend at GABP and we're backin' our redlegs by giving you a shot to win Tony La Russa shingles courtesy of Ray St. Clair roofing.” Stay classy Cincinnati!)

As for the Cardinals, the broadcaster mocked acting Cardinals manager Joe Pettini for supposedly having said “every time (we) come in here, it’s always something with that team.”

In reality, Pettini was referring to past and current episodes between the teams when he said: "It's always something when you come in here."

(Like, for instance, Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto ending Jason LaRue’s career by kicking him in the head with his cleats. Apparently, Brennaman "misremembers" that assault.)

To hear the excerpt courtesy of KMOX, click here. http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url...id=CBS.STL

Brennaman is known for popping off. At a speaking engagement at Marshall University earlier this year, according to the Charleston Daily Mail, he referred to La Russa as “Mr. Baseball.”

Why? “Because he acts like he invented the game,” Brennaman said.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/j...0f31a.html

First off Larussa is right - the worst thing that happened to Marty is being elected to the hall of fame. He has acted like his sh*t doesn't stink every day since.

Second - this is awesome old school baseball banter - I hope the bad blood and barbs continue. I freakin love it.

(05-17-2011 10:11 PM)50Cent Wrote:  Thank you cubbies.

I'll give janish credit for his hit. It was a key to getting reds two run lead. Still think it's not best baseball move. And coop I never said put Hernandez in 2 spot. But bruce or phillips or even Lewis, And rolen can protect votto so he coukd have hit 4th if Phillips moved to 2. I'd rather have Hernandez hit 6th or 7th than 8th, especially right now.

How about that play by Phillips. Looked out to me. Back to earlier discussion....extend him. Guy is heart and soul of this team. Great defense. Very good with bat too. Still has several years in his prime. I'd sure hate to see him in another uniform than a reds one.

I actually missed his hit when I was letting the mutts in.

I still have no idea why they put the bunt on for him in his 2nd AB where he popped out. There was one out and there was a man on 1st (team's fastest runner). Made no sense unless they were playing not to hit into a DP with Votto coming up (which begs the question why the heck didn't they send Stubbs in motion?). Sometimes I wonder.

Most damning thing I can say about Janish tonight was that in 5 ABs he faced a total of 10 pitches. We might go an entire season and never see that.

Cubs' flubs help Reds win
11:01 PM, May. 17, 2011


The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger
Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) was all smiles as teammate Ramon Hernandez crosses the plate in the fourth inning. Three runs scored when Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena booted Edinson Volquez’s groundball, which was followed by pitcher Matt Garza’s throwing error.

Written by
John Fay
jfay@enquirer.com

CINCINNATI -- This one will get no style points. But a win is a win is a win.

And the Reds won for the fifth straight time, beating the Chicago Cubs 7-5 before a crowd of 18,861 on a chilly, rainy night at Great American Ball Park. The win was the Reds’ 11th in 13 games.

All seven of the Reds’ runs were unearned. The Reds’ first three runs scored when first baseman Carlos Pena booted Edinson Volquez’s groundball, which was followed by pitcher Matt Garza’s throwing error.

The next two scored when pitcher Kerry Wood threw Ryan Hanigan’s sacrifice bunt into left field in the eighth. Chris Heisey got Hanigan in with a sacrifice fly. Paul Janish followed with single Joey Votto doubled him in.

Volquez was very good, well, except for the awful start. Volquez went six innings and allowed three runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out nine.

But he was horrible in the first inning again. He allowed a one-out single to Darwin Barney and then hit Aramis Ramirez with a pitch. Pena launched the next pitch. Right fielder Jay Bruce did not even move. The 420-foot homer gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

It was 15th, 16th and 17th run Volquez allowed in the first inning of his nine starts.
The Reds finally got something going in the fourth. Brandon Phillips led off with a single to extend his hitting streak to eight games. An out later, Scott Rolen walked. Both runners moved up on Fred Lewis’ groundout. The Cubs intentionally walked Ramon Hernandez.

Volquez was allowed to hit for himself, even though he was 0-for-14 on the year.

He grounded the first pitch hard toward first. It went off Pena’s glove. Second baseman Barney ran it down and nearly got Volquez at first. Garza, who was covering first, turned and threw home to try to get Rolen. The throw was way off target. It went in the dugout, allowing Hernandez to score and tie the game.

The Cubs took the lead off Jose Arredondo in the seventh. He walked Alfonso Soriano to start the inning. Tony Campana, the UC and Springboro product, pinch-ran for Soriano. Wellington Castillo put down a good sacrifice bunt. He beat it out after Joey Votto took his time fielding it. Arredondo walked Kosuke Fukudome to load the bases and then walked Barney to force in a run. That was it for Arredondo.

Jordan Smith came in and got Starlin Castro to ground to Rolen at third. He stepped on the bag and threw to first for a 5-3 double play.

The Cubs added a run off Smith in the eighth. Ramirez and Pena singled to start the inning. Smith struck out Marlon Byrd. But Campana pulled the first pitch he was into right for a RBI double.

Rolen led off the eighth with a double. Fred Lewis beat out an infield hit. Hanigan put down bunt. Wood fielded and threw to third to get Rolen. The ball literally went to the left field corner. Rolen and Lewis scored.

Nick Masset pitched the ninth for his first save. Francisco Cordero had pitched four straight day.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110...eakingnews

(05-17-2011 10:43 PM)Eastside_J Wrote:  First off Larussa is right - the worst thing that happened to Marty is being elected to the hall of fame. He has acted like his sh*t doesn't stink every day since.

Second - this is awesome old school baseball banter - I hope the bad blood and barbs continue. I freakin love it.

Totally agree. Brennaman is the best play by play man in baseball, but he's a pompous ass.

And I happen to agree with everything he said in this instance.

(05-17-2011 10:58 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 10:43 PM)Eastside_J Wrote:  First off Larussa is right - the worst thing that happened to Marty is being elected to the hall of fame. He has acted like his sh*t doesn't stink every day since.

Second - this is awesome old school baseball banter - I hope the bad blood and barbs continue. I freakin love it.

Totally agree. Brennaman is the best play by play man in baseball, but he's a pompous ass.

And I happen to agree with everything he said in this instance.

Absof*&inlutely.

BTW - just got back from the game a little while ago. The Cubs are the most undisciplined team I have seen in a while. They are just downright lazy and sloppy.

I can't count how many mistakes they made the last two games. Unbelievable. the Cubs aren't a bad team by talent level, but they are a very bad defensive team and a team that lacks any sniff of hustle and/or playmaking fire.

Who the hell do they think they are to tell anyone how and where to pitch to Pujols? What arrogance. Now they're whining about our announcers and even their reporters are getting in on the action. They make the Yankees look lovable.

It's fun having a real rivalry. I don't think the Reds have had one since the days of meeting up with the Dodgers in the NL West and that one had more respect and less vitriol. I also think it's good for baseball and good for the Reds. Is it good for the Cardinals? Who cares?

(05-17-2011 11:22 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  Who the hell do they think they are to tell anyone how and where to pitch to Pujols? What arrogance. Now they're whining about our announcers and even their reporters are getting in on the action. They make the Yankees look lovable.

It's fun having a real rivalry. I don't think the Reds have had one since the days of meeting up with the Dodgers in the NL West and that one had more respect and less vitriol. I also think it's good for baseball and good for the Reds. Is it good for the Cardinals? Who cares?

I'd go up and in against Pujols during their next game just to make him hit the dirt.

(05-17-2011 10:04 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 09:57 PM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  Props to Dusty for giving Cordero a day off and letting Masset get a save. Shows he didn't worry about stats or using a veteran.

I'm not sure that's true. Coco was in 4 consecutive save situations. Is that enough or too much? I think Dusty realized the situation and used Masset.

I would argue that Coco needed the day off and if that's the case, Dusty did the right thing by allowing another reliever to pitch and not the 'designated' closer to protect Coco from fatigue.

(05-17-2011 10:58 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 10:43 PM)Eastside_J Wrote:  First off Larussa is right - the worst thing that happened to Marty is being elected to the hall of fame. He has acted like his sh*t doesn't stink every day since.

Second - this is awesome old school baseball banter - I hope the bad blood and barbs continue. I freakin love it.

Totally agree. Brennaman is the best play by play man in baseball, but he's a pompous ass.

And I happen to agree with everything he said in this instance.

I grew up listening and loving Marty and Joe.

I felt that Marty was turning into a grumpy ole arrogant jerk through the 2000's. But since Brantley has been paired with him, Marty seems less irritable to me. He likes the Cowboy and I actually enjoy their banter back and forth.

As for Larussa. I could give a rat's ass what that pompous arrogant ass has to say. And I still don't completely buy that Larue's career was ended by Cueto kicking him. A bunch of B.S. Larue was due to retire and TLR and the Cards have overblown and played that incident up to the extreme. And while I don't condone kicking people with spikes........I'm in the minority believing that Cueto was pinned up against the wall by the crowd of players. People do spur of the moment desperate things when they feel cornered. I don't believe for a second that Cueto was trying to hurt anyone, nor intended to kick Larue in the head. And what still amazes me is how Cards fans and other fans ignore the fact that after the incident, Larue came back into battle. I saw video where after he was kicked, they showed Rolen holding someone back (I think Carpenter) and you can clearly see Larue moving around, with no blood on him, acting normal. So, I think this incident has gotten alot of over the top mileage out of the Cardinals, the drama queens.

Larussa seems to get less out of more every year. He has great talent everywhere he has managed and probably should have won 10 or 20 championships. Okay, I exaggerate, but you get my point. His teams seem to, more often than not, underachieve in my eyes.

(05-17-2011 11:22 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  Who the hell do they think they are to tell anyone how and where to pitch to Pujols? What arrogance. Now they're whining about our announcers and even their reporters are getting in on the action. They make the Yankees look lovable.

It's fun having a real rivalry. I don't think the Reds have had one since the days of meeting up with the Dodgers in the NL West and that one had more respect and less vitriol. I also think it's good for baseball and good for the Reds. Is it good for the Cardinals? Who cares?

Don Drysdale would have taken Pujols head off. The Cardinal players are lucky this isn't the 50's or 60's. The art of throwing inside has gone by the wayside.

Frankly, if I'm a Reds player....I'm loving listening to their whining. It just proves that the Reds winning and taking over the Central is getting to them.

(05-17-2011 11:30 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 11:22 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  Who the hell do they think they are to tell anyone how and where to pitch to Pujols? What arrogance. Now they're whining about our announcers and even their reporters are getting in on the action. They make the Yankees look lovable.

It's fun having a real rivalry. I don't think the Reds have had one since the days of meeting up with the Dodgers in the NL West and that one had more respect and less vitriol. I also think it's good for baseball and good for the Reds. Is it good for the Cardinals? Who cares?

I'd go up and in against Pujols during their next game just to make him hit the dirt.

Well, I fully expect the Cardinals to go up and in on Phillips or Votto next time we see them in St. Louis. So the Reds will probably return the favor in that game.