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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 > 10 > Entry
From Mother’s Day to Father’s Day
That’s it. I’m out of business. Chapter Whatever. Put my crystal ball and tea leaves up for auction. Thrown in my turban and my robe with the moons on it.
No more predictions. (Well, we’ll see about that).
I went oh-for-the-weekend. I predicted the Reds would lose the first two and win Sunday. Well, all ye of no faith in me ever again, the Reds won the first two and lost the last one.
So, I missed all three.
But how about that 10-inning Sunday game. Awesome, just awesome. My driver arrived to take me home at 5, I jumped in the seat to go home shortly after seven.
After winning the first two games of the series, the Cincinnati Reds went down stubbornly in the finale, using everything but hand-to-hand combat and machetes befor losing in 10 innings, 8-7 to the St. Louis Cardinals — and as manager Dusty Baker would call it, “A big-time loss, one I really, really wanted.”
What’s the difference? A two-game swing in the standings, that’s what. Had the Reds won Sunday and swept the series, they would today stand tall, only a half-game out of first place.
Instead they fell back by 2 ½ games as they embark on a six-game western swing, beginning tonight in the Arizona desert against the Diamondbacks.
Baker knew what was coming and said before the game, “This will be a tough one. The Cardinals ain’t going to go down easy today.”
More prophetic words were never spoken.
Down 7-5 in the ninth, the Reds got a leadoff home from Jerry Hairston Jr. on a 3-and-2 pitch. Then pitcher/pinch-hitter Micah Owings, with two outs and the Reds down by a run, ran the count to 3-and-2, fouled off three, then crushed one into the seats to dramtically tie it.
Alas, closer Coco Cordero, unreliable in tie games, gave up a walk and a game-winning double to Colby Ramus.
And still the Reds stuck out their tongues at the Cardinals, filling the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th before pinch-hitter Paul Janish popped out to end it.
“They didn’t win, they escaped and they know they know escaped,” said Baker. “Damn, I wanted that one.”
Brandon Phillips said the team badly wanted the sweep, but said, “We showed the Cards we’re hungry and that we’re here. They know they got away with one today.”
It wasn’t a good day for Reds starter Edinson Volquez — seven runs in 6 2/3 innings.
And during the 4-hour, 23-minute game that started on Mother’s Day and threatened to end on Father’s Day, the Reds smashed five home runs against a team that had given up 11 all year when they hit town Friday. And there were 401 pitches thrown, most of them bad.
In addition to the 10th, the Reds trashed chances in the seventh and eighth. Pinch-hitter Darnell McDonald struck out on three pitches with two on in the seventh and Willy Taveras struck out on three pitches with two on in the eighth.
The five homers were a two-run shot by Jay Bruce (his 10th) in the third and solo rips by Adam Rosales (his first in the majors) in the fourth, Joey Votto in the seventh then Hairston and Owings in the 10th.
“Owings home run was like what you do in your backyard and your imagination — two outs, bottom of the ninth, 3-and-2,” said Bruce. “It’s crazy.
“That game was a blast,” Bruce added. “We could have won, but we played a good baseball game. It was great series. We’re having a blast. I think we sent a message to the Cardinals, although I don’t know if they got it. We can beat anybody in this league and we’ve shown that and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Said Baker, “That was a tough one to lose, but it gives you something to keep fighting for and let’s you know what you can do — that you’re never out of a game.”
Albert Pujols broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth, snapping an 0 for 10 in the series, with a home run, but he isn’t the guy who did in the Reds.
“The guy who hurt us was Chris Duncan — he came through in the clutch twice,” said Baker. “He got a big hit against Daniel Ray Herrera, a run-scoring single in seventh (that made it 6-4) and that double off Volquez in the third (for two runs). He’s a clutch guy, along with Pujols, and they clutched us.”
Now the Reds are Westward, Ho, for a six-game series in Phoenix and San Diego — and going west has not been good for the Reds in the past, young man.
Said Baker, “I never worried about going west because that’s where I live and I look forward to going there. There are a lot of distractions out west, especially in San Diego. We have to urge the team we’re on a business trip and not a pleasure trip and to take care of business.”
St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa, who used eight pitchers, seven to get the final 12 outs.
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By EmeRsinnA
May 14, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this
Здравствуйте. Не могу разобраться с разделом для темы. Кто сможет помочь? Спасибо.
By Sons a Pitches
May 12, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
I have to say I really don’t what everyone loves about Rosales. I like the fact that he hustles his butt off, but the plain fact is he is not that good at 3B. It looks like he is at best a 6-8 hitter in the lineup. As far as EE, I would love to upgrade as well, but who is out there. Run the numbers and you will find that there are not very many right handed hitting 3B that are better than EE unless you can find 50 million in the seat cushions somewhere. The other guy I am puzzled about is Janish. I am pretty sure he cost us a game in Milwakee by not covering 2nd at least twice (the marathon game). But who knows, maybe if he played more he wouldn’t have those mental lapses. Tell me what you think abotu this lineup since Votto seems to hit lefties just fine. Willy - CF, Phillips - 2B, Votto - 1B, Bruce - RF, Hernandez - CA, Nix - LF, EE/Rosales - 3B, Gonzo - SS
By timb
May 12, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
“dont want to hear again from EE or Gonzo” How many seasons would it take either Janish or Rosales to equal the power production of either of these two? At least Janish can play defense, Rosales couldn’t hold Edwin’s jock. Four months younger than Edwin and has never hit 20 or batted higher than .280 in the MINORS. Hopefully, no one will listen to reds fans who only listen to Marty
By Bill from Florida
May 11, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
At least I hope to continue seeing this very same line-up, much better that one at the beginning of the season, don’t want to hear again from EE or Gonzo. I’d like to know what happened with Dickerson, had high expectations from him for this season.
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 11, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
The comments that I have been making in this blog have been immature and I am going to stop. Hal is a baseball genius and I get mad when he doesn’t get pumped up when the Reds are playing this good. He has seen many many years of Reds baseball and I’m sure he has been burnt many times in the past by getting off to a hot start only to flame out down the stretch. When I said I wish he would choke on a hotdog I was only joking..seriously. I wouldnt want him to do that and if anything ever happened to him it would bring a tear to my eye believe me. Hal sent me an email warning me about my conduct on this blog and I printed it out and hung it in my “Reds Room” along side my signed picture of my all time favorite player Eric Davis. I have nothing but respect for him. Like I said I won’t get into battle with Buster anymore unless its healthy and about the reds and even then there will be no name calling from me anymore. I Love the Reds and only want them to be competitive and on top of the central. When they play bad it ruins my whole day…which is kind of taking it to far..according to my fiance. I really dont believe there is a bigger reds fan than me..but I’m sure all real Reds fans feel the same way. If I am banned from this blog, I understand and deserve it. Votto will hit the cover off the ball tonight. Go Reds!!
By James Bradley
May 11, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this
Buster’s been a name-calling jackass on this blog as long as anyone can remember. I read this blog but rarely comment. See why? You say something and some clown like Buster flames ya and continues the childish name-calling the whole while accusing others of childish name-calling. Must be a whole lot of very angry unhappy people in lovely Dayton. Duh!
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 11, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this
Have a nice day Buster. GO REDS!!
By Buster
May 11, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
I was done with you Ryan but you decided to start up in another blog in which I was not involved and call me a dumbass … so my previous post to you was my last as you are boring me (and many others as well)
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 11, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
I’ll stop talking with Buster on these blogs so I wont get banned. Hope to see Arroyo bounce back tonight.
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 11, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this
Hal…you see what I’m saying?
By Buster
May 11, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this
Yo StuttgartTim - no use blogging with Ryan from Madison, years of cow-tipping and wooing farm animals have reduced him to a blithering idiot. He needs help sometimes knowing when the Reds win or lose and he responds randomly to previous blogs like a senile old man yelling out stupid crap from the Senior Ward at Trembling Hills. He once posted his income on the blog and he once wished Hal McCoy would die by choking on a hot dog. You decide if he is sane.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 11, 2009 6:02 PM | Link to this
I doubt we will see Gomes, Hopper or Stubbs any time soon. None of them are on the 40 man roster, so someone would have to be exposed to waivers. Dickerson has been a bust this year so far and could use some every day time in Lousiville to get his stroke back, but the Reds would have to expose a pitcher or infielder to waivers to make that happen. McDonald would probably go straight to waivers, but Dusty “Really liked him” out of spring training and seems to have never liked Hopper, so that move seems unlikely. Gomes cannot play center and Stubbs is doing all right, but I can see them wanting him to play every day.
By Jack
May 11, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
I would like to see: Taveras CF, Phillips 2B, Votto 1B, Gomes LF, Bruce LF, Hernadez C, Janish SS, Rosales 3B.
By jim t
May 11, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
Sal, Sparky Anderson John Mcgraw or Casey Stengel couldn’t have won with last years team.Of course your sick of hearing about his MOY’s it does not support your claim that Dusty is a bad manager. Might I also remind you that yes, while he was dismissed by the cubs, he got them closer to the WS than any other manager they have had in over a hundred years.If he gets this team to the playoffs he may get his fourth MOY. You may also remember we fired Sparky Anderson.Gee, I’m a punk that is cute.Actually Bill I like your line up but I have to ask why would you sit Rosales for Janish. I don’t know if I would swap BP and Hernandez now that BP seems to be heating up but I may have about a week ago.
By Mike-Cinci
May 11, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Chris Heisey(OF) is hitting .368-5 HR-15-RBI-8-SB at Carolina; Francisco(3B) is hitting .225-5 HR-18 RBI; Stubbs(OF) at Louisville is hitting .329-0-HR-8 RBI; Alonzo(1B) is hitting .279-5 HR-28 RBI; Mesoraco(C)-the first round pick in 2007 is hitting .174 at Sarasota. He is looking to be a bust. Bailey 3-3, 4.59 ERA; Travis Wood at Carolina 1-3, 1.38 ERA. Gomes, .242-5 HR-17 RBI; Hopper, .315-0 HR-12 RBI; Valaika(SS), .161-3 HR-7 RBI.
By Bill from Florida
May 11, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
Thanks Sal, here goes my line-up for the west coast trip: Taveras CF, Hairston 3B, Votto 1B, Hernandez C, Bruce LF, Philips 2B, Nix LF, Janish SS.
By Bill from Florida
May 11, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
Id send Dickerson and McDonald down right away and promote Hopper (more skilled and more speed) and Gomes (power against lefties) to platoon with Nix. Forget about EE and Gonzo, Id stick with Rosales at 3b and Janish at SS, backing-up the infield with Hairston. I still think the Reds should look (at least for 2010) for an above average 3B power hitter RH for the clean spot. GO REDS!!!
By Sal Monella
May 11, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this
JimT, Baker’s past is irrelevant. I guess your blinders allow you to forget last year & the fact the Cubs dumped his butt. Sick of hearing about MOY. Yeah, and the Reds used to be world champs. NEXT!!! Jeezsus man, why are you such a toady for Buffoon Baker? Birds of a feather, I guess. Jim, you are even a bigger idiot than AP Florida & me combined. Plus you’re a punk. Change gears: Bill From Florida should be the new Reds GM & Manager. His moves are perfect. Yes yes yes, BFF!!!
By maxhack
May 11, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
Moving Ownings to LF is an interesting question. The main debating point these days is how valuable pitching is. However, since there is so much mediocre pitching, maybe it is just as valuable to have players who can take advantage of it. I was reading Branch Rickey’s “Little Blue Book” (I guess a blatant attempt to ripoff Harvey Pennick’s success) and he immediately moved a pitcher to the outfield when he heard the “crack of his bat”. However, I agree that if it’s going to be done this is an awkward time to do it. Doc Rogers spoke on this yesterday. Seems to me this would have to be done at AAA lever at first.
By Bill from Florida
May 11, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
I’d send Dickerson and McDonald down right away and promote Hopper (more skilled and more speed) and Gomes (power against righties) to platoon with Nix. Forget about EE and Gonzo, I’d stick with Rosales at 3b and Janish at SS, backing-up the infield with Hairston. I still think the Reds should look (at least for 2010) for an above average 3B power hitter RH for the clean spot. GO REDS!!!
By jim T
May 11, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
Yea Sal, He is a 3 time MOY and your credentials? He has the reds off to one of their best starts recently, the team is fun to watch, the pitching is top shelf, and your comment is I have blinders on. Your a bigger idiot than AP Florida.
By Sal Monella
May 11, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
AP Florida is NOT an idiot…he’s sharp like most of us on here who have easily realized that Baker is a dilrod! JimT, you are the moron wearing your Dusty blinders.
By Roho Radio
May 11, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
One question: Where’s Albert today? No posts about how the Reds stink and your Cards are awesome? Might want to rethink your mindless drivel. This race could be for real.
By Mike Cahill
May 11, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
I agree, Brian. It’s time to fix left field. Am I crazy to think that Owings might be better used in left field? At least bring up Gomes or Hopper.
By Jack
May 11, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
What a weapon Ownings can be? Pretty exciting when you have a pitcher that may be your best pinch hitter. Perhaps that it the reason why Gonzo has not been placed on the DL, but why not bring up one of the right hand bats to play left field? Keep saying it, but this team continues to surprise. Taking 2 of 3 against St. Louis is great. I would have gone further then Hal and thought a St. Louis sweep was possible. Oh, and thanks for getting rid of that stupid post bar on the comment section.
By Jim T
May 11, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
AP Florida, is a moron. But don’t worry we still have Dusty.
By Brian A
May 11, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
I knew it was doomed when Coco came in 10th. Why?? Still like this teams fight, 4-2 road trip be nice. Send McDonald down same for Dickerson. Up comes either Gomes, Stubbs or Hopper.
By Tom
May 11, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
Hal, at what point to the Reds replace Darnell McDonald with either Norris Hopper who is hitting .315 at AAA or Drew Stubbs who is hitting .329? I would imagine Hopper would be better because you don’t want Stubbs riding the pine instead of improving while playing, but McDonald hasn’t shown me that he belongs.
By Mike-Cinci
May 11, 2009 7:46 AM | Link to this
Even if Hairston had successfully sacrificed in the 10th and the Reds had runners on 2nd and 3rd, LaRussa would have intentionally walked Bruce so the sacrifice fly would not have happened. LaRussa was out of lefties. Who knows what Phillips would have done but I like his chances with the bases loaded. That said, I have no idea what Hairston was thinking as he was trying to bunt. He should have squared around. He tried to bunt two obvious balls. If he just would have stood there it was likely Boyer would have walked him. Bases loaded and nobody out would have been sweet. My guess is Hairston was trying to be too clever in that situation. To his credit he is swinging a hot bat. Chris Dickerson looks lost at the plate. He has had 65 AB’s and struck out 23 times. Ouch! It was a great ball game.
By Florida Buckeye
May 11, 2009 7:42 AM | Link to this
Hey All, I’m wondering: Since Coco’s track record is so abysmal in non-save situations…can someone please explain to me why Baker keeps putting him in when the game is tied?!? I dont get it…
By AP-FLORIDA
May 11, 2009 6:42 AM | Link to this
but, we still have rusty!!!!
By Diamond Dave
May 11, 2009 1:47 AM | Link to this
It was a great day at the ballyard, with perfect weather. Tough loss, but the Reds showed a lot of heart. I think they got too jazzed up at the end. They just need to RELAX in the pressure situations. They have the talent to get it done. What we saw was a playoff-type game. Unfortunately, the Reds never could get the lead. I expected them to score in the 10th, but it looked like JHJ was trying too hard. And then it looked like Janish could have gotten a bunt single if he laid it down the 1B line with where Pujols was playing. (I was in the sun deck, and it looked like Pujols was set up halfway between 1st & 2nd. Get it past the pitcher and…) The only thing that upset me the whole day was Nix being taken down for McDonald in the 7th. We all know Nix can mash and I’m sick of the lefty/righty thing. If you can hit, you can hit. Maybe Nix succeeds and maybe he doesn’t, but I really wanted to see that matchup. Oh, well. We still won the series and gained a game on the Cards. Should be a great series at GABP July 4th weekend. But this one’s over. Alright, guys, let’s keep it going out west!
By StuttgartTim
May 11, 2009 1:38 AM | Link to this
Hello Ryan, I don’t know what win you are referring to, but they lost the game Sunday. And you call someone else names, who isn’t even on THIS blog?
By jim m.
May 11, 2009 12:40 AM | Link to this
I kept wondering what Hairston was thinking on that 2-1 pitch that hit the ground, why did he still try to bunt it?? thats a 3-1 count and the next pitch would have been ball 4 he also swung at near the dirt. and the bases would have been loaded and zero outs!! Of Course then Bruce hits a fly to left which would have tied the game!.. still like to have heard his explanation why he didnt pull the bat back knowing it was going to hit the ground!! i hope he doesnt do that again!!! I just hope they get the Road winning machine going on the west coast this time!! and build on what they almost should have won on sunday!!
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 10, 2009 11:56 PM | Link to this
Predictions are completely pointless because the only people who take them seriously are the gamblers who are too stupid to make a pick from their own wits; uptight readers who don’t have the capacity to understand predictions are nothing more than polished conjecture and not to be taken seriously; and need-a-life fans who are not happy unless they are interminably unhappy about something. Like being in the HOF has anything to do with making a silly prediction. Sheesh.
By mamapo
May 10, 2009 9:54 PM | Link to this
I was at all 4+ hours of the game and can say it was the best loss (if there is such a think) of all the games I’ve attended. I echo what has been said that the end result was a disappointment, but I enjoyed the game. It really picked up when Votto came back out and slammed the HR - then Owing’s HR really livened up the joint. Hal, did Rosealez get his HR ball back?
By max
May 10, 2009 8:07 PM | Link to this
This is the problem with putting people in the HOF before their actual career is over. I will place a call to Cooperstown first thing Monday morning asking that they review your credentials! Actually I am so bad at predicting things that I have taken to booking my own bets at Keeneland which is the only way I go home with any money.
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 10, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Even in a win Hal finds something to be negative about…lol..give me a break? Way to go out and take it boys! Lets Go “LITTLE RED WAGON” This team is going to the playoffs. Buster you are a complete dumbass…in case you forgot.
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 10, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
Hal, I was hoping you could come to Vegas with me. We’ll sit at the blackjack table and if you say hit, I’ll stand. We’ll make a bundle. Actually, I saw it the same way going into the weekend. I hope Hairston was talked to for not simply squaring and bunting in the 10th. If he does, odds are we would still be playing.