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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 > 2009 > May > 03 > Entry
Reds pitching: a march of zeroes
Yank the chain and turn out the lights kind of pitching is, as Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker likes to say, “a beautiful thing.”
When the other team can’t score, it takes all the pressure off the anemic offense that takes the field for the Reds.
So that’s what the pitching staff is providing.
For the third time in four games, the Reds pitching staff came up with a shutout, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-0, Sunday. Johnny Cueto went eight innings and gave up no runs and four hits. Arthur Rhodes pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
On Friday, Bronson Arroyo pitched eight scoreless innings against the Pirates, giving up four hits. Coco Cordero gave up a leadoff hit in the ninth, then went 1-2-3.
On Wednesday, Edinson Volquez pitched eight scoreless innings against the Houston Astros, giving up one hit, then Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Indeed, what a beautiful thing. Of course, the Pirates have been shut out in three of their last four games and have scored in only four of their last 40 innings.
For Cueto, is was his third straight sensational outing, pitching far and above the experience of a 23-year-old who understands and speaks English but refuses to do interviews in English. He uses catcher Ramon Hernandez to interpret.
He is afraid he’ll make a faux pas. But if he concentrates on his English the way he has concentrated on the mound he should be able to teach an English Lit class by Friday.
It was Cueto’s third straight above-and-beyond start since an embarrassment in Houston April 17.
With two outs and nobody on in the fifth inning of a scoreless game, Cueto walked pitcher Roy Oswalt. Then he gave up another walk and an infield single to fill the bases. When he walked Lance Berkman, forcing in a run, Baker removed him.
Asked if that was a message and if Cueto learned from it, Baker said, “That’s not what we’re trying to do, but if he learned a lesson from it then so be it. That wasn’t the reason.”
Cueto was asked about that incident and said, “It made me want to work harder and have better starts. I wanted to go deeper into games and I’ve worked harder to do that.”
After Houston, Cueto pitched seven in Chicago, giving up no runs and four hits in a victory. Then he faced Houston at home and gave up one run and seven hits in seven innings, getting no decision.
Then came Sunday.
“I wanted to pitch the ninth, too, but they said, ‘No, too many pitches,’” said Cueto after throwing 110.
Said Baker, “He wanted to go back out there but we thought that was enough, especially when we need him sharp for his next start, which will be the St. Louis Cardinals.”
Baker was more than upbeat by what her saw from Cueto.
“Great job by Johnny,” he said. “He was locating the fastball and he had a good tempo. Whenever he got behind he’d back off and concentrate harder and relax and throw strikes.
“He walked one and had a number of three-ball counts where he would come back and throw strikes — a matter of concentration and desire right there. He is pitching great, boy.”
Jay Bruce gave Cueto the only run he needed with his sixth home run of the year in the second and catcher Ramon Hernandez provided a comfort zone with a three-run single in the third on which he was thrown out at second.
Hernandez was upset early Sunday morning, still seething from striking out in the eighth inning Saturday night with two on and nobody out in a game the Reds lost, 8-6.
“I just lost it, no good after that at-bat,” said Hernandez. “That was terrible.”
But he made up for it and said, “Last night was a terrible game for me and I wanted to bounce back and help my team,” he said.
Of Cueto, Hernandez added, “The last three games for Cueto has been all about fastball-control, down on both sides of the plate with a four-seamer and a two-seamer,” said Hernandez. “He has been getting ahead of hitters
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By Florida Buckeye
May 5, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Bill in Fl, I would bet this year that EE has more errors than dingers…he’s been close to that almost every year!
By Jack
May 4, 2009 10:25 PM | Link to this
.261, 26, and 68 or something is NOT GOOD. I have no idea why you think these are numbers ar good. he either needs to go al out and hit 40 home runs and gt 100 rbi’s or hit .330 and 20 homr runs. His current numbers are not good.
By timb
May 4, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
So, Jake, are you saying we should have kept Dunner, because nothing gets the natives more restless than pointing out how good Adam Dunn is/was? EdE hit behind Dunn last season and led the current incarnation of this team in bombs. Without him, we’ll have an overbiting third baseman sprinting back to dugout with his .750 OPS. Jake, one last question, when has Adam Rosales EVER hit 26 HR’s at any stop in the minors? Hint: he hasn’t.
By timb
May 4, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
Cowboy is the worst broadcaster I have ever heard. Between making non-sensical observations, he continually rags on EdE, Dickerson, basically whomever sMarty tells him to hate. sMarty may have been good at one time, but he’s embarrassingly angry, bad-tempered, and judgmental nowadays. I can barely listen to either of them
By redsfandownunder
May 4, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this
Good on ya Gary M. BTW - for all the Cowboy haters out there. Like many of you, I grew up listening to Marty & Joe on the radio - the greatest sound to ever exist in the world. Unforunately, they don’t grow those guys on trees. If you have mlb.com and listen to broadcasters from other markets, you’ll find that Cowboy is not that bad in comparison. that
By Bill from Florida
May 4, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
I’ve just checked over EE’s defense stats, errors: 2008-23 (2nd most NL), 2007-16(5th), 2006-25 (1st).
By Steve
May 4, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
Kumplaynin’ abowt spelin’ an gramer ohn a blogg is stoopid. Stik too bacebal and ehvreewon kan injoy.
By Mike-Cinci
May 4, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
The Reds are going great. I would not change anything at this time. If the good pitching continues this team will win a lot of games. I would not trade a pitcher for anything as long as they are still doing well. Teams never have enough pitching. Usually somone gets hurt and you need every good arm you have.
By Gary Maloy Jr.
May 4, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Answer to timb regarding PeteRose-ales and your assertion that he is applauded while sprinting back to the dugout after flying out: “It’s only been three games, but Rosales entered Sunday batting .556 (5-for-9) with three RBIs. He had three hits during Saturday’s 8-6 loss to Pittsburgh and had at least one hit in all three of his games.” (reds.com). By the way, I thought it was the Germans who invaded Manchuria, and it was the Japanese who had trouble on D-Day on the coast of Normandy. Thanks for confirming for me. ;D
By Jack
May 4, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
timb, how about actual stats? The person who led the Reds in homers last year is now playing in Washington. In fact, he had more home runs and rbi’s just in a Reds uniform then your boy EE. EE is a career .261 hitter who has not seen .261 for a few years. His K-walk ration is 2-1 (not in a good way). His numbers, EXCEPT home runs, are tracking downwards. Lets also remember that EE batted in front (if my memory serves me correctly, which is always not the case), of Dunn, who had the ninth best OBP number in the league…which means that EE usually had someone on when he was batting and failed to produce.
By timb
May 4, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this
Mike, do you that factual inaccuracy hurts my story any? I’m betting it does. thanks for the very needed correction. Point is, saying 26 year olds are washed is silly. I will just close by asking Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? [don’t stop when I’m on a roll]
By Mike
May 4, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
Timb: Ernie Banks played his entire career with the Cubs. I think you are thinking about Lou Brock.
By timb
May 4, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
Bill from Florida, your #4 hitter you want to trade for? Yeah, you don’t need to. He’s on the DL right now. You know, the guy said to write off after one month of the season; the guy who led the team in homers last year? I love you people and your “I hate EdE” T-shirts. Stop listening to Marty and just realize the player you’re trying to run out of town for being lazy and not trying, just played the first month of the season injured. Why are Reds so awed by a non-prospect who runs to the dugout after he flies out? Reminds me of the time the Cubs gave up on an OF they thought was lazy and defensively challenged. The Cards took him and he became a cornerstone of two World Series team. His name was Ernie Banks. EdE may not be in the HoF someday, but he may also be a monster that you gents and ladies are running out of town, because you listen to too much Brantley and Brennaman.
By Jack
May 4, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
Great argument, which extra outfielder should be starting in left? When your two choices should not be starting in the first place, does it really matter which one starts? For you on base percentage lovers, .300 is a good batting average, not a good on base percentage. Top 50 in the NL is .356.
By nick w
May 4, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
I think we first need to get gomes up in majors but the only person i would think of putting down is mcdonald. Then your going to have gomes, Nix, Dickerson and hairston all being able to play left field everyday. So i dont know about that, i havent seen gomes play so right now i would go with Nix in left. I think janish should be playing ss. You get a better hitter and his defense is not as good as gonzalez but he is not horrible. I like your lineup Bill, i think you could switch rosales with nix but i think with ramon hitting better he would be a good clean up hitter.
By Bill from Florida
May 4, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
I still think of Taveras CF, Philips 2B, Votto 1B, Hernandez C, Bruce RF, Nix/Gomes LF, Rosales 3B, Gonzo SS as the line-up. Give more chances to Hanigan (can catch to Arroyo & Harang as well) and Janish, thus he should be our regular SS since 2010. Forget about EE, it’s a lost $7MM case. Hairston isn’t a regular player. Dickerson can supply an extra back-up for the outfield and pinch running. Nix, Gomes and Rosales can supply the needed extra-punch while a RH clean-up hitter is traded in for the 4th hole. GO REDS!!!
By Gary Maloy Jr.
May 4, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
You’re right, redsfandownunder, I missed the fact that both Nix and Dickerson are lefthanded. I just get fed up with the bickering and the unnecessary attacks on Baker. (These same people would have demanded Sparky Anderson’s head on a platter after the 1971 season.) As far as the lingual accessment… too many people harrass Hal about his blog-language (not necessarily Y-City Jim, though…) without being critical of their own use of the language. Surely there are those who don’t give a damn about using the language properly. But basic things like a/an and (correct!) verb conjugation should be pre-requisites for blogging. As far as Nix and Dickerson - given the correction you gave me, put Nix in LF and let him play his hot hand. When he goes cold, give the kid a chance. But I stick with my prior comments about Rosales, Gonzalez and Hannigan. Otherwise, redsfandownunder, have a great day, mate. Best regards from the other side of the planet (northern Norway).
By Mike
May 4, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
Is Brantley driving anyone crazy? His obvious redundant explanations on pitching mechanics game after game,has him up there with George in driving you crazy statements. Jeff..just broadcast the game. Tell us what happened. the ga
By redsfandownunder
May 4, 2009 5:30 AM | Link to this
To Gary Maloy Jr. - those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Nix and Dickerson both bat LH which is AN unorthodox platoon situation. Notice how I was able to point this out to you without throwing around insults? Can’t we all just get along? Go Reds.
By Gary Maloy Jr
May 4, 2009 1:04 AM | Link to this
I quote Y-city Jim @ 8:48pm: “the Cowboy, who comes off sounding like a idiot most of the time.” The correct version would be: “the Cowboy, who comes off sounding like AN idiot most of the time.” Seems like you’re the idiot, Jim. You can’t even tackle the most basic of English grammar. As far as Dickerson, the OBP and AVG and errors reflect the 22-23 game season. I support the guy who notices the tendencies of the players - including Dickerson’s defense and the fact that he seems to be awakening at the plate. What-have-you-done-for-me-lately-Dickerson is coming around. As is Gonzalez and Phillips. Edwin will NOT be put in leftfield - THAT is a ludicrous idea, ohdave (BTW are you the Dave from Centerville that is Hal’s nemesis?). Imagine Encarnacion’s throws home from the outfield. All the fans in the first five rows between the dugouts would have to come to the games looking like hockey goalies if he were put in leftfield! Put Nix and Dickerson in a platoon in left, PeteRose-ales at 3rd and let these guys play ball. Btw, I’d let Hanigan catch Micah as well. See you October, Reds fans!
By david in dayton
May 3, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
I still like the HAVOC crew for starting pitching nickname. Harang Arroyo Volquez Owings Cueto. i already got a tshirt made
By MBH
May 3, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
Hal, Pretty impressive, eh? To date, one fourth of our games won by shutout; just under one half of our wins by same. So my question to you is: What’s the major league record for shutouts by a team in one season? And might I suggest (with no offense intended toward our Italian brothers and sisters) the nickname of “The Goose Egg Mafia” for our guys.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 9:24 PM | Link to this
bcw, I hope your right. Go Reds
By blogcopwatcher
May 3, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this
It will be interesting to see all three of their numbers at season’s end—hopefully all will be injury-free.I’d like to see them all do well. I see Dickerson improving all of his numbers, if healthy.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
BCW, Nix obp 394 and dickerson 321. Now what were you saying. plus I can’t remember nix missing any fly balls.
By Y-City Jim
May 3, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this
BCW, Dickerson’s OBP is currently .321, which isn’t all that great. Nix, on the other hand, has a .394 OBP and an OPS of 1.027. While I don’t expect them to remain at that level, if he is completely back to his former self and plays exclusively against RHP then he could the Reds some serious punch. Sames goes for Gomes, whose career numbers versus LHP are impressive.
By Y-City Jim
May 3, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this
Jim, what I asked was whether the media questioned Dusty concerning the repeated base running blunders. That statement attributed to Brantley runs counter to the reputation of Baker as being a players manager. I’m not a big fan of the Cowboy, who comes off sounding like a idiot most of the time.
By blogcopwatcher
May 3, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
JimT: I’ll betcha Dickerson is very happy that his on base percentage dwarfs your guys performance! And, of course you do realize that is much more important than batting average!Btw, you do know the difference between a blogcop and a blogcopwatcher don’t you?
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this
y-city-jim according to Brantley who has played for Dusty, you do not want to have a closed door session with him. While he may not to it publicly he can chew butt if he has to. I think players will accept that and consider that constructive.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this
Y-city-jim, what makes you think he didn’t address it because he didn’t do it publicly. Does your boss dress you down in front of your co workers if you needed it. I would hope not.
By Get Real
May 3, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this
Ryan - you’re the biggest homer on the board, whine like a little girl most of the time, and you are rarely correct about anything. Stay home in Madison and play with your baseball cards.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this
blogcop, one good play and one bad won’t get it in the big leagues. Have a clue. As i said go ask Dickerson, if he says he is happy with his start I’ll by the beer and pay for dinner.
By Ryan K. Madison, IN.
May 3, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
Johnny Cueto is the best pitcher on this staff. I said it at the start of the season and, like always, I’m right.
By Ryan K. Madison, IN.
May 3, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
Another great performance by a starter today. is there any other team who has 3 shutouts in 4 games? I said at the start of the season that our pitching staff is going to lead us to the playoffs. Looks like we’re off to a good start. How nice would it be to go down to Florida and take two, come back to the Brewers abd take that series? I want to catch the Cardinals so bad right now it hurts. Johnny Cueto is the best pitcher on the staff. Said it at th start of the season ans still think it right now.
By Y-City Jim
May 3, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this
Did anyone question Dusty after the game about yet another base running blunder? How many times is he going to accept runners getting doubled up?
By blogcopwatcher
May 3, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
Funny you don’t recall the very next game when Dickerson made two outstanding plays to hold Houston’s SS to a single and threw him out at second on another! You see what you want to see, apparently! Watch closer next time.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
blogcop, as far as it being ignorant to say Dickerson is not playing well, perhaps you should consider his 210 batting average almost all against righthanders which he is supposed to hit. Also factor in the 2 fly balls he has missed for a guy with a rep of being a good fielder and i think you get the picture. I bet if you asked Dickerson if he is satisfied with his performance he would tell you HELL no.
By ohdave
May 3, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
The Reds aren’t going to get a rh bat, at least not now. Rosales will stay at third if he keeps hitting and EE goes to left when he comes off the DL
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 3, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this
I agree Pole is doing a good job. My biggest complaint against Pole has always been he does not seem as quick to see the minor things mid-game to help a pitcher make an adjustment on the spot. But he has done very well with these starters so far in preparing them between starts. I will also give credit to Hernandez, who is calling and managing a good game for the starters. I still feel Hanigan is gives a better target, blocks the plate better and is better at stopping steals, but Hernandez has done well definately helped the starters manage thier pitches, in particular Cueto and Volquez.
By blogcopwatcher
May 3, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this
Dickerson was on base three or four times today—walking twice, and demonstrating a good awareness of the strike zone—which he has done consistently since coming up last year! To suggest he is playing poorly is being ignorant of the facts.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this
Mike,with Ramon batting 6th it gives Jay Bruce some protection. BP is starting to look like he may be coming out of his funk.If Dickerson doesn’t pick it up and start playing like he did last year Nix will get time against R-handers.His 179 avg against lefties will kept him on the bench against lefties.With Nix in the line up Rosales will move to the 2 hole. As sated earlier the key to this team is a right handed bat for the 4 hole. I Don’t care if it is a outfielder or 3rn basemen. Go get one Walt you wasting the best pitching staff we have had in years
By Mike
May 3, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this
Hal: Might it be time to move Hernandez to cleanup and move Phillips down to six in the lineup. I’m also in favor of Rosales batting 6 and Nix 7.
By Jim T
May 3, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
How many guys still want to replace Dick Pole. Its certainly evident to me that his pitching staff with help from Votto is carrying this team.Walt get a RH bat for the middle of this line up and the play offs could be in our future.It also may help with attendance.Cincy is starved for a winner and the reds could be it.