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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > June > 26 > Entry
No voltage for Volquez
Funny how players - and coaches - can be extremely superstitious.
Cincinnati Reds first base coach Billy Hatcher walked out of the dugout before batting practice in Rogers Centre Thursday with bullpen coach Juan Lopez.
He and Lopez were about to play catch, but Hatcher stopped him and said, “Let’s go over here behind first base by the stands. We played catch there yesterday and we won.”
Yep, that was the reason.
Well, then what happened Thursday night. The Blue Jays unraveled the Edinson Volquez mystery in a 7-1 rip job during which they nailed him for seven runs (five earned), six hits, three walks and a hit batsman.
Toronto hitting coach Gene Tenace is from Portsmouth, Oh., and etched his name into Cincinnati Reds history as a villain more evil than The Penquin. Playing the the Oakland A’s in 1972, he hit home runs in his first two at-bats in Game One and hit .348 with four homers in Oakland’s seven-game victory.
On Thursday he leaned against a batting cage, his hair gray but his memory sharp. Long-time Reds scout Gene Bennett is from close to Portsmouth, too, and still works for the Reds.
“You see Gene Bennett, you tell him I said hello,” said Tenance. “And tell him he is still 1 for 4. He had four major-league players in the Portsmouth area and he only signed one. The one was pretty good, Don Gullett. And I can understand him not signing me, but how could he not sign Al Oliver and Larry Hisle?”
It was 37 years ago, but Tenace hasn’t forgotten how he made the Reds pay for not considering him a major-league prospect.
Guess who else is from that area? Yeah, Brandon Webb. To Bennett’s credit, he wanted the Reds to draft Webb, but they didn’t.
So Volquez is now 10-3. After the game, the Reds busily filled out customs forms, copying names and numbers from their passports and asking each other questions like, “What number do I put in here? What’s our flight number? What can we carry across the border.”
Leave the bats, guys. They’re useless.
It is so easy to say, “Well, the Cincinnati Reds couldn’t hit a bat boy these days.”
Easy? And correct. A few years ago, Toronto pitcher Jesse Litsch was a bat boy for the Tampa Bay Rays, so it should have been embarrassing that the Reds couldn’t beat him all over the Rogers Centre artificial turf.
In reality, Litsch is pretty good — 8-4 with a 3.82 earned run average after holding the Reds to one run and three hits over eight innings.
The guy who had assault and battery perpetrated upon his person was Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez, 10-2 with a 1.71 ERA when he arose for breakfast Thursday.
The Blue Jays were unimpressed with his credentials and pounded him for seven runs (five earned) over 4 1/3 innings en route to a 7-1 victory, taking two of three from the Reds, also known as The Unhappy Wanderers.
The last-place Blue Jays jumped on Volquez early, a two-run home run in the second by Scott Rolen after Volquez issued a walk.
They scored three in the third with only one hit because Volquez hit a batter, walked two and made a throwing error. That made two of the three runs that inning unearned, but Volquez put himself in jeopardy with a high throw to second base that should have been a double play but retired nobody.
Toronto completed the thumping with two more in the fifth with three doubles and Volquez’s ERA sprouted from 1.71 to 2.08.
Volquez knew before he left the bullpen after his pre-game warm-up that it would be a day of doom.
“Bad day, bad night,” he said. “I knew this would happen some day. I threw too many strikes in the bullpen. I don’t like that. I even told Dick Pole (pitching coach) that I don’t like that. Same as when I was in the minors — any time I threw too many strikes warming up, that didn’t work for me in the game.”
And the mound was not a comfort zone for Volquez.
“The mound was higher and the landing area was flat and that made my back tighten a little bit,” he said. “No excuses, but the bullpen mound was really nice, but the mound on the field was really high.”
Adam Dunn produced the Reds’ only run off Litsch with a double in the fourth, enabling him to score on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Phillips.
Dunn’s effort to stick a sock in Toronto general manager P.J. Ricciardi’s mouth was moderately successful — 4 for 12 with three doubles, two runs, two walks, four strikeouts and no RBIs, about as well as anybody wearing red could do..
Litsch, a 23-year-old righthander drafted in the 23rd round, held the Reds to three hits over his eight innings and retired the first 10 until Dunn’s double.
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By ExactlyEsasky
June 27, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
D8Nken, Although I hated his firing, I agree that Kriv is somewhat responsible for much of the major league mess. He should have known how all-or-nothing this offense is and should have taken steps to address it. Bear in mind, it’d be even worse if Gonzalez were getting 4 ABs a day. In fact, if Bruce had opened the year in CF, the starting eight as Kriv would’ve designed it (Dunn Bruce Griffey EE Gonz BP Votto and Ross) would ALL be on pace for over 100K’s. Ugh! —- That said, I would still defend virtually all of his transactions, from Arroyo to BP to The Trade to Kepp. The extensions he gave made sense at the time (and may yet in a few cases), and were all below market. And every contending team signs a few vets to “stabilize” their pens; it just doesn’t always pan out, even for Boston and New York.
By ExactlyEsasky
June 27, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
D8Nken, Although I hated his firing, I agree that Kriv is somewhat responsible for much of the major league mess. He should have known how all-or-nothing this offense is and should have taken steps to address it. Bear in mind, it’d be even worse if Gonzalez were getting 4 ABs a day. In fact, if Bruce had opened the year in CF, the starting eight as Kriv would’ve designed it (Dunn Bruce Griffey EE Gonz BP Votto and Ross) would ALL be on pace for over 100K’s. Ugh! —- That said, I would still defend virtually all of his transactions, from Arroyo to BP to The Trade to Kepp. The extensions he gave made sense at the time (and may yet in a few cases), and were all below market. And every contending team signs a few vets to “stabilize” their pens; it just doesn’t always pan out, even for Boston and New York.
By D8Nken
June 27, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I have heard a lot lately about how Wayne Krivsky was fired prematurely. The evidence is the young players and how well they are doing. I agree that Krivsky appears to have done a good job improving the talent in the minors. However, his major league trades,free agent signings, and contracts given to were terrible. The team is now stuck paying several guys no longer here a lot of money and guys we should be moving cannot be moved due to over-inflated contracts. The team needs to commit to a plan of going with the young players but cannot unload anyong to do so. Now I don’t know if Krivsky should have been fired or not, but he is also responsible for a lot current problems.
By Mike-Cinci
June 27, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
The Reds don’t have an attitude problem they have a talent problem. Their players just aren’t good enough. Cordero is wasted on this team. It needs to rebuild. He should be traded for prospects. I would trade Harang too. Let Dunn and Griffey go after the season unless you can get a prospect or two for them now. You won’t be able to do much with Arroyo. The Reds owe him $25 million in 2009/2010 and no team will touch him at that price. The mistake Reds management made was thinking this team could be competitive. Adding Cordero and signing Arroyo, Freel, Ross,and Stanton to multi-year contracts were mistakes. Get ready for several years of painful rebulding baseball with journeymen players that other teams don’t want and unproven players from the Reds barren minor league system. Firing Baker and his coaches won’t help. It will probably happen in stages this year and next. Bad teams always fire managers (Mckeon, Boone, Miley, Narron) and get the same result. The Reds need better players.
By Greg in London
June 27, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
A thought struck me about the last 3 days. I think the Reds were out-scouted. When you examine the fact that Arroyo, Harang and Volquez were ALL smacked around, with comments like “It seems like they knew what pitch was coming” it should concern the players, coaches and management. Read between the lines and there have been many comments lately about the importance of scouts, and specifically advance scouts. If the Toronto Blue Jays, from the American League, can have such good information from their scouts, it is a terrifying thought that the NL Central Division teams can formulate the same plan. Just like in “Bull Durham”..Manager: How did we ever win 14 games? Coach: It’s a miracle!
By ExactlyEsasky
June 27, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Hey folks, Grim! HuberTucky asks, “How long, Bob?” Unfortunately, Bob played his cards prematurely with the Kriv firing, so any more housecleaning of management will just make him look like a mid-western Steinbrenner. As a result, I think the staff will stay, though perhaps a coach or two will be let go. The only thing to really do here is trade some guys off and let the kids play. I don’t think we have a choice. For me, that would include Jr, Dunn, Arroyo, any vet reliever, Encarnacion, any catcher, any bench or near-bench player. In other words, keep Kepp, Votto, Bruce, and Phillips, along with all the young pitchers. Cordero is probably the most valuable trade piece we have, but I’d think the offer would have to be pretty strong to move him. In the starting eight, we have to acquire smarter players. It’s unbearable to watch EE, Dunn, Griff, the catchers, even Phillips up in a clutch situation—they just don’t play situational baseball. Bruce was wrong to bunt the other day, but at least it shows he’s thinking about competing! Dusty’s devotion to Patterson has got to be disheartening to other players—after a point, you have to wonder, right? Hopper is a much better offensive player and he can go get the ball; what does he have to do?
By Dave Mosher
June 27, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Another good column by Hal McCoy…Vol- quez hit the proverb- ial bump in the road at Toronto…He(Volquez)knew before he went to the mound that it was going to be a bad night. As for the Reds’ abysmal record…It’s what they get for wanting a “big named” manager. It’s called “Cincinnati logic” and ownership & management still hasn’t figured it out and until they do the Reds will continue having a losing record. How sad because the team has some good up and coming players with a lot of talent…But lackluster attitudes run from the top to bottom & the lack luster attitudes generate lackluster performances & lack luster performances generate losing records.
By MAC
June 27, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Yes, this is a bad team. About the only thing we have to look forward to is the development of the young players. However, not only do the Reds not have the right mix of players, but the manager and coaches in place don’t appear to be what’s needed for such a young team either? In short, it appears ownership is in constant rebuild mode and one has to wonder if Mr. C is regretting the firing of Mr. K? Krivsky may not have been the most congenial guy, but he did have an eye for talent and most of it on this team can be attributed to him. Question is, what do they do next; when will the moves begin to take place? No doubt, it will be a tough decision to make, but I think the Reds have to try and package some of their young talent w/ Arroyo, Griffey and Dunn in order for anyone to take them?
By Mike
June 27, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Hey..the Reds want us all to take 3 deep breaths, sigh and continue to be thier supporters no matter what. As Dan Rather used to say..”here’s a reality check! ” This team is Bad ( with a capital B )Only good thing are the kids, but I fear they are being contaminated. 17 days from the Break and this inept team is a whopping 13 1/2 games out laying on thier butts looking up in the Central cellar!! But, we all have a consolation…Castellini and Jocketty are still evaluating. Now..don’t you feel better??
By joe
June 27, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this
Well, it finally happened. The tutelage of Dick Pole has gotten to the best pitcher we have. When is he going to get fired. It’s obvious this guy doesn’t know what he is doing.
By HuberTucky
June 27, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Well, I think we know who the REAL terrorists are! This team continues is reign of terror, terrorizing its fans. Ya know, a good team adjusts. We see good teams adjust to the opposition mid-game…adjust hitting, adjust pitching. The coaches and manager put their heads together. But this team is hopeless and pathetic. And the Braintrust On The Bench is a failed combo. Tonight the Dreads were beaten by a guy who was recently a bat boy as we all sit and watch our ace get his a*s kicked. No adjustments. EVER! What more can we as fans do? I already refuse to pay one cent to attend a game and throw down $50 to watch these duds. Thank gawd for remote control. I flip over to something else a million times a game rather than watch the thrashing and expected failure from a team that exhibits about half-a-heart. Most of these guys are just going through the motions, seemingly bored, listless. This team has no heart, no leader. No desire? They too easily accept failure. It’s just disgusting. It’s not even the All Star break and the Reds are 13-1/2 games out (only one team in the Majors, Seattle, is farther back). Reds are 8 games below .500. How long, Bob? How long?