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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 > 09 > Entry
Two wrongs and now maybe a right
OK, all ye haters and detractors, flog away. I was wrong. I was brave enough to publicly express my opinion and I’m 0 for 2. Now let’s hope I’m right on my other prediction - that Edinson Volquez would win Sunday.
When I made the predictions, I asked not to be chastised if I was wrong, but some folks just can’t help it. But I’ll keep on keeping for those who do enjoy the blog.
And, oh, pardon me for taking a day off after a road trip to have dinner with my wife. Flog me again. Thank you, sir, may I have another.
I’m laughing as I write this. Some folks just take things seriously, but I’ll keep on having fun.
And Saturday night was fun, fun, fun — and daddy DIDN’T take the T-bird away.
Is it too early to call them the Cincinnati For Real Reds?
Probably so, but taking two straight from division-leading St. Louis gives it the feel of for real and it certainly roused a crowd of 40,651 in Great American Ball Park.
On Joey Votto Bobblehead Night, with Votto incapacitated with the flu bug, the Reds unraveled the Cardinals, 8-3.
“We should have bobbleheads every night,” said second baseman Brandon Phillips. “And it felt like Field of Dreams out there — if we win, they will come.”
Phillips came out of the infirmaruy, missing two games with the flu, and contributed two hits, including a double in the sixth that helped torch a deciding five-run inning.
“The Cardinals are a great team, but we went out there and played Reds baseball,” said Phillips. “We really need to beat these guys to show them what the Reds are this year. We’re hungry and we’re out to win the whole thing. That’s what it’s about it.”
Aaron Harang celebrated his 31st birthday by giving up two earned runs over seven innings and then getting those two runs back himself with a two-run single during that five-run sixth inning that broke a 2-2 tie.
OK, Aaron, pitching or hitting?
“I liked my pitching, especially with their lineup,” he said. “The base hit got a couple more runs for us, but I was really pleased with how I pitched. I got out of some jams early and only made one mistake (a home run to Ryan Ludwick).”
Maybe what he did best, though, was to handle St. Louis icon Albert Pujols, retiring him in the first with two on, retiring him in the third with a runner on second and retiring him in the seventh with two on.
“I tried to be aggressive, go right after him,” said Harang. “Great hitters feed off timidness of somebody trying to pitch around them.”
The Reds struck first in the first when Jay Bruce launched one 411 feet, a two-run home run, his ninth. And the Reds had St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse in dire straits when he walked two after Bruce’s homer, but Adam Rosales popped out.
The Cardinals had Harang dangling on the precipice, too, when th first two Cardinals singled to open the game. Harang retired the next three.
He gave up a leadoff single in the second, but escaped that, too. Escapism was over in the third, even though he retired Pujols with one out and a runner on second.
He then went to 3-and-2 on Ludwick and the next pitch left the premises, tying the game, 2-2.
The Reds put Lohse to a survival test in the first, making him throw 30 pitches, then they relented and made him throw only 10, eight, eight and nine over the next four innings and the Reds had only one hit.
That changed quickly in the sixth when Jerry Hairston Jr. led with a single. After Bruce whiffed, Phillips doubled, then Laynce Nix broke the tie with a single and Ramon Hernandez made it 4-2 with another single.
And they didn’t stop. They filled the bases and Harang, victimized so often by lack of run support, supported himself by ripping Lohse’s first pitch to left field for a two-run single and a 6-2 lead.
“I was just trying to make contact, put something in play,” he said.
Willy Taveras provided another run with a single to make it 7-2 — five runs on five singles and a double. As manager Dusty Baker likes to call it, “The merry-go-round offense. That’s contact. The merry-go-round and keep that line moving.”
Hairston put the trim on the paint job in the seventh with his second homer of the season off the second pitch thrown by former Cincinnati pitcher Dennis “Big Sweat” Reyes.
For the Reds, it was no sweat.
“That was a great birthday for Aaron,” said Baker. I’m just glad we got him some runs. The guys are playing hard and it is fun and exciting to manage this bunch. And it was fun in front of a packed house. It is indicative of the fact people are believing in us, especially with 9,000 peopple walking up to buy tickets. That’s a lot. That means there is some buzz in town.
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By Tony DeRose
May 13, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
Is Dusty Baker Telling Us To Read Between The Lines And In The Roundabout Way Telling Us He Is Sending Adam Rosales Back To AAA When Edwin Encarnacion Returns? Dusty Baker Quote On Adam Rosales :::: Manager Dusty Baker said his fielding is the main reason Rosales was sent to Class AAA Louisville after spring training. “The one thing we told him to get across to him was to slow the game down defensively,” said Baker. “It’s easier said than done, but it is something he has to do. Just relax and slow the game down. “He had a couple of those plays (Monday) and it gets in your head,” Baker added. “That’s what we didn’t want to happen. Things compound similar to what happened to Edwin Encarnacion since he’s been here.” End Quote On Adam Rosales :::: ====================================== Dusty Baker Take On Alex Gonzalez::::::::::::: Jerry Hairston Jr. has done at shortstop and batting second in the order while the Reds have won 11 of their last 15, well, enjoy it now. Alex Gonzalez is coming back Friday in San Diego and he Is going to be at shortstop. “Everybody knows there is nobody like Alex Gonzalez,” said Baker. ================================ Not Sure How Anyone Else Feels About This But Adam Rosales, Jerry Hairston Jr. And Lance Nix Should Be Playing Everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jim T
May 10, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Mark, did you happen to see the game today. Dusty was right on with every move he made if Hariston gets the bunt down and Coco doesn’t commit the mortal sin of walking the lead off hitter as a relief pitcher the reds may have won. I guess you didn’t see the no quit effort my this team of youngsters led by Dusty.Young players make mistakes. I see them learning from them. Hence the improved record. Speaking of handling the young players it seems to me that he has been very good for Votto, Bruce, cueto and Volquez.You may want to re- think your position.I also resided in Santa Maria CA.Been to Dodger Stadium many times to see the reds of course.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 10, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Typos happen and Pole is a Dusty guy, in both SF and Chicago. Would not say I am coming around, just admit that Dusty can do some things, just not stategy or nurturing young talent. Even though we are playing well, a lot of the young players are making the same mistakes over and over. That needs to be stopped, or this fun ride we are currently enjoying can go downhill fast. And SV is just outside Burbank, CA a stones throw from Chavis Ravine and the new steroid central. .
By Jim T
May 10, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark, its Pole and I believe that is Dustys Hire. Sounds like your beginning to wake up a little bit. I’ve been to both games this weekend and heading down today hope to bring home a sweep. By the way do you live in the south west. I did 8 years in Tucson at Davis Monthan AFB. Love it out there.
By Steve
May 10, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Keep it up, Hal. Picking against them worked. Maybe have Bruce tap you on the shoulder 3 times and say “sweep”? Whatever it takes. Props on taking your better half to dinner instead of writing about your 20,789,234 baseball game. Wise move, sir.
By NYCRedsfan
May 10, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
man, you’re a cranky old goat. keep on writing though. i enjoy your stuff.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 10, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
As much as it pains me, you do have to give Dusty credit for getting these kids to believe in themselves. They play hard for all 9 and seem to show no fear of teams with better athletic talent. His strategy is still suspect and I still feel there are better people we could have, but for now, Dusty has these kids getting things done. The highest credit still should go to Pool, who has really helped mold what were previously strong but erratic arms into smart pitchers and an outstanding starting 5..
By Jim T
May 10, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
AP Florida,Why wouldn’t we give Dusty credit for this team playing well. Your a moron and your comments demonstrate a complete lack of baseball knowledge.I’m glad your name is AP from Florida because True Cincinnati fans understand baseball and appreciate the job Dusty is doing.
By Steven Ross
May 10, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
Hal, don’t worry what these little kids say. Keep your ink dry and cigars fresh and the world will turn. Let’s go for the sweep.
By cincy anon
May 10, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
If people are upset about you taking a night off - and yes, I looked to your blog yesterday after Friday’s win - it only reiterates how essential your blog and voice is to the conversation. Hopefully, the numbers are in the hundreds or thousands and not just an addicted few. This team may end up like the wire to wire team. No one expects much and they don’t always look good but they continue to plug away and win enough games. If you remember that team, the Reds weren’t expected to even make it through the play-offs and then SWEEP! I’m not predicting a repeat just pointing out the new attitude of this team. Good pitching, confidence for comebacks, heart, and some timely luck and unexpected production.
By Florida Buckeye
May 10, 2009 8:03 AM | Link to this
I’m glad the Reds are taking it to the Cardinals. I just hope that they dont rise up to the Cards and play down to the level of other teams…Sadly that’s something young teams tend to do; but, I have hope that they wont fall into that mold…Go Reds, take it to the Redbirds!
By AP-FLORIDA
May 10, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this
Reds lookin’ good…let’s hope rusty gets no credit!!!!
By JJ
May 10, 2009 5:46 AM | Link to this
Hal, if this keeps up does EE get his job back??
By Johnny Rosenstein
May 10, 2009 2:19 AM | Link to this
Hal, I thought you were right on predicting 1-2 this series. When the Reds won Friday, I immeiately thought: ‘Watch them win the first two and lose Sunday.” I’m glad you were wrong so far. Hopefully, you’ll be right about Sunday. Crowed looked great on TV! 9K walk-up! Excellent.
By blogcopwatcher
May 10, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this
But Brar, that’s ‘Fatso’ Albert!He of no baseball knowledge. He, who can only talk a good game. He, who never played the game, or any other game; but who THINKS he knows it all.
By BrarHopper
May 10, 2009 12:46 AM | Link to this
Let’s hear it for Albert (LOL) : By albert May 7, 2009 5:00 PM ross Ill tell you where you stand..Pujols will hit 3 taters and the birds will win at least 2 of 3 maybe sweep..then ross that team will be 15-20 out by Aug 1