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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 > 12 > Entry
Another fun night in the desert
Admittedly, the Arizona Diamondbacks are bad, bad, bad — maybe worse than the Washington Nationals. But so what? In the past, the Cincinnati Reds would lose to teams like this.
This year? So far, so good. Like Bachman Turner Overdrive, they are taking care of business. Bad team? We’ll whip up on you and feel no sorrow about it.
On Tuesday night, Micah Owings made his former teammates look helpless (they are). He held them to one run (which Arthur Rhodes actually permitted to score) on four hits over seven-plus innings. He said he was not extra-pumped because Arizona traded him, but it was his most aggressive outing of the year.
The D-Backs were hopeless and helpless and Owings was even better than three starts ago when he beat the Atlanta Braves, holding them to one run and six hits. He walked three that day and didn’t walk any Tuesday.
And there was stunning defense. Jerry Hairston Jr., playing shortstop in place of injured Alex Gonzalez, made at least three above-and-beyond plays. And just think, Gonzalez is coming back Friday and Hairston will be displaced.
Hey, put me in coach … someplace.
Speaking of displaced persons, catcher Ramon Hernandez made two stupendous plays at first base after he took over for Joey Votto, who got dizzy (nothing to fret about, all is well, all tests were negative) in the fourth inning.
Said Hernandez, “For me, playing first base instead of catching is like taking a day off.”
Offense? Mostly Brandon Phillips. He singled home a run in the first, went from first to third on a shallow single, and scored a run when the Reds scored twice in the fourth inning off Dan Haren.
And how about Haren? It is almost spooky how close his name is to Aaron Harang. Haren. Harang. Both are misfortunates as to getting offensive help from their teammates. Incredibly, Haren is 3-4 with a 2.06 ERA. How do you do that?
Anyway, Cincinnati’s third run came on a Phillips home run that traveled so far it probably would be a flat rate for a cab ride — 452 feet.
So the Reds are five games over .500 and tied with Milwaukee for second place, only one game behind the Cardinals. And they face somebody named Bryan Augenstein Wednesday night — a kid making his major-league debut.
“We don’t know anything about him,” said manager Dusty Baker. “We’ll have to do our homework, call around and try to find somebody who has seen him before.”
BIG SCARE of the night — first baseman Joey Votto was protecting first base in the fourth inning when a foul ball hit by Miguel Montero whizzed past him. It didn’t hit him, not even close. But Votto signaled for help and used manager Dusty Baker’s shoulder to hobble off the field.
Nothing serious. Dizziness. Probably the residue of the flu that cost Votto four starts last week and he’ll probably be OK for Wednesday’s game. If not, he’ll be back Friday in San Diego. All tests were negative — which reminds me of the Yogi Berra story. He reportedly had his head X-rayed and told teammates, “The X-rays showed nothing.”
But I digress.
MEDIOCRE MASCOT? D. Baxter of the Diamondbacks. D. Bax. Get it? But Chase Field does have a Fatburger concession stand. Not as good as Five Guys (there’s one open now in Cincinnati by the UC campus) or the West Coast-based In ‘n Out Burger, but pretty good.
D-BACKS FANS are getting hostile. They booed a lot in the latter innings of Monday’s 13-5 loss to the Reds. Rightfully so. They were awful. And Tuesday, after about the fifth inning when their team was doing zip, nada, nothing against Micah Owings, they loudly booed every out the D-Backs made.
MANAGER DUSTY BAKER has a friend, Joe Babich of Sacramento who comes to the park with him and sits in his office during the game. He looks like Tony La Russa and I asked him, “Anybody ever tell you that you look like Tony La Russa?” And he said, “No, but because of my nose, I guess, they think I look like one of the Rolling Stones — can’t remember which one.” I said, “Keith Richards,” and he said, “Yeah, that’s the guy.”
I still think he looks more like Tony La Russa — but you are more likely to find a lion and a zebra sitting quietly in the same room as Baker and La Russa.
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By Katie
May 14, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
No wonder they called Dunn the Big Donkey. He’s as dumb as one. Why not the Big Dummy? That’s perfect. Dumbest comments I ever read from that fool. I guess Griffey was holding him down when he was on the Reds. Or was it Kearns? LaRue? Valentin? McKanin?
By wizard
May 13, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this
Too many naysayers writing off Dickerson.He will make a comeback!
By Mike-Dayton
May 13, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
Steve - so what? Adam Dunn is not on the Reds anymore. Move on.
By Steve
May 13, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this
This is from ESPN.com…what was Dunn doing the last few years in Cincy?? Ryan Zimmerman’s secret weapon: Adam Dunn Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Ryan Zimmerman has gotten a hit in every game for the past five weeks, and a few hours before the Nationals’ third baseman extended his hitting streak to 30 games Tuesday night, the guy who hits behind him in the lineup marveled at his teammate’s feat. “I don’t know how he does it,” Adam Dunn said. “I knew he was a good player, but he’s been great.” Zimmerman has made terrific adjustments this year, shortening his swing and taking inside fastballs through the middle and to right-center field, rival scouts say. It probably also helps Zimmerman to have Dunn hitting behind him when the former Reds slugger is thriving. Dunn is batting .313 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs, backed by a .448 on-base percentage. He says he’s having more fun practicing the art of hitting than at any other time during his career. “I know more about hitting now,” he said. “I’ve never really known about hitting before.” Dunn says he really began to improve his acumen after he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. For the first time in his career, he was part of a pennant race, and he was expected to anchor his team’s lineup. “It was a role that I had never really been in before,” Dunn said. “I had never really been the elder statesman in a lineup before. … You don’t want to let the other players down.” He ramped up his preparation, spending more time watching video and developing a plan for his at-bats. After signing with the Nationals as a free agent during the offseason, Dunn took that same approach into spring training — and into the World Baseball Classic. “The WBC helped a ton,” Dunn said. He recently spent some time chatting with WBC teammate Chipper Jones. They talked about how to hit against good pitchers and about Jones’ philosophy that you shouldn’t look for too much against a good pitcher who is having a good day. For example: Braves sinkerballer Derek Lowe will attack Dunn with sinkers on the outer half of the strike zone. “You’re going to have to take what Lowe gives you,” Dunn said. “You’re probably not going to pull a sinker from him. Now I’m finally realizing that and not trying to pull that sinker low and away.” Dunn’s newfound approach might be best reflected in some numbers he has this season while hitting with two strikes:
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 13, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
I disagree Jack. You can’t send EE to AAA and destroy what confidence he has gained watching this team win. Don’t you think that maybe some of this has rubbed off on him? What if he comes back and knocks the cover off the ball? Wouldn’t you agree that he is capable of doing that? I think we have to at least give him a chance to prove to the team and fans that he has turned the corner and wants to be a Red. Not only a Red but a player that they paid him to be. If he still looks like a deer in headlights and is moving in slow motion…send him to Kentucky.
By AP-FLORIDA
May 13, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Cate, do we still have rusty?
By Jack
May 13, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
EE has earned nothing. He has not been good for almost two years now. I would send him to Triple A and make him actually play his way to the major leagues. That was Jocketty’s stupidity for giving two years at that kind of money. No incentive to have a good year, this year. Hairston can NOT play everyday. Thats when he gets hurt.
By Cait
May 13, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
AP-Florida: Broken record, man. Think of something else to write or go away. You’re sounding as dull as Preacher - git r done fer Jesus!
By Jeff Jeffries
May 13, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
My advice would be to let the hungry dogs play at this time. No one owns a spot in the line-up as if it were somehow their “rightful inheritance” to pick up whenever they felt like coming back to take it again. Neither Edwin nor Gonzo were necessarily wowing anyone with their performances before going down with injury, & now they should understand that they’re just gonna have to wait until Hairston or Rosales give the coaches a credible reason to sit them out. Only then should EE or Gonzo get their next shot at the everyday lineup. Maybe by that time they will show a bit more “hunger” to get on the field & play as well.
By Ryan K.- IN.
May 13, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
EE needs to get a chance to play when he comes back. The money we gave him in the off season wasent for nothing and he has been with the team for awhile now. If he comes back and struggles and doesn’t EARN his stay at third he should be on the bench. Rosales is playing well but some of those balls he has missed is bad. I know..EE looks bad all the time at third but he showed improvement before going down with the injury. EE is a proven power hitter who can help this team in a big way. The way he carries himself frustrates me also but i really think he may turn the corner when he returnes to the lineup. He knows he has real competition there now and he’ll play hard in order to keep it. I thought this would be the year he hit over .300 and added over 30 hrs. What is Gomes doing in the ville’ right now? McDonald is horrible and Dickerson is over rated in my opinion. Do we send one of those guys down when EE comes back or what? This team is playing awesome. A win tonight for the sweep would be just what we need. Hopefully the pirates can whip up on the Cards again. That was scary when Votto went down last night. I couldn’t help but think the worst. I guess he is fine though and should be back in the lineup quickly. GO REDS!!!
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 13, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
GM, you can still get a double double in Nevada and Arizona as well as CA. Sorry they have not managed to sneak up north. They are a more than necessary evil.
By gm
May 13, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this
“West Coast-based In ‘n Out Burger” Make that “California-based” Unfortunately (or, fortunately, for my waistline) these “In and Out” burger franchises have not moved up the coast to Oregon and Washington, yet. (unlike the hordes of So-Cal residents who have migrated up here…)
By Bill from Florida
May 13, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
In my opinion EE had his chances, much more than deserved, so get rid of him (AAA, bench or trade). Gonzo can be used this year (next is a free agent) as a late innings defense lock-down. I’d try to keep Hairston in the line-up as much as possible, by playing LF against lefties and 3B otherwise, then put Janish at SS. About Rosales, I think he still needs to polish his defense at Louisville and then let’s see. Meanwhile, I like big time the 1-2 punch of Taveras/Hairston and the LH/RH switch from third to eight in the batting order with Votto, Philips, Bruce, Hernandez, Nix and Rosales. Also, I’d send Arroyo to DL to repair carpian tunnel, better now than at the end of the season. It’s a very simple intervention with no more than one month rehab and promote Maloney from Lousville in the meantime, a leftie starter is needed.
By billy hustle
May 13, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
Great to see Owings pitch well even if it is against a pitiful Dbacks lineup. Although I thought he did have a walk to Lopez in the 4th or 5th inning? I don’t think Rosales is the answer at 3rd nor am I a big EE fan. We’ll see how the next few weeks play out. Hairston definitely needs to play everyday. He helps the team in so many ways. A lot of tough decisions to make which is why I’m writing on this blog and not managing in the big leagues!
By RC
May 13, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
As much fun as it is watching Rosales goofy-butt his way around the field (and I mean that), his defense makes me nostalgic for the good old days - watching another of EE’s throws as it sails majestically into the bleachers… good times. I imagine Sabo Jr. will be making his way back to Louisville when Eddie’s activated. BTW, does anybody else think that Hairston’s tolerable play at SS and the definite spark he’s added at the top of the lineup lately might be bad news for Janish? I can see now Hairston being in a LF platoon AND being first backup to AGonz… which leaves PJ where?
By Mark in Sun Valley
May 13, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
My bet is once Gonzalez gets back, Hairston goes to 3B instead of Rosales most games. When we face left-handers, Nix will sit and Hairston will move to left and Rosalas will play. If they keep winning, I’d say the send EE to Louisville for rehab whether he needs it or not to keep the hot hand together. EE can certainly benefit, and hopefully will feel enough pressure for his job to step up his game while there.
By nick w
May 13, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
mr. redlegs, i agree that EE should play thrid when he gets back. He is a better fielder and i haven’t seen that great of hitting out of rosalses other than a couple games. But i do think hairston should be playing short. He is a much better hitter and i think he will be a great person to have batting second all year. He is not as good defensivly as gonzo but he is not horrible. I haven’t seen him make any errors while playing ss so why take him out. If he starts to struggle then yea put gonzo in but right now he is the better player so he should start most of the games.
By wizard
May 13, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
By wizard May 13, 2009 12:33 AM Some good points made about the Hairston/Janish subject—and I’d agree with the comment about Hairston being a #2 hitter, and Janish being a #8 hitter. My philosophy is that defense at SS should be primary—if you noticed the great plays by Hairston tonight—each of them that I saw, were hit right at him! If he is positioned well, he can make the plays he needs to; if he has to take three or more steps to make the play, he is not as good as Janish. There is no question that he sparks this team offensively; I still think Janish should be our SS—because he is hitting sufficiently enough—and his overall defense is better. Hairston is a better base stealer; but, they just started letting him do it. But, hey—we’re winning. Go Reds!
By jhred
May 13, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
So nice to have quality pitching. Getting now a rough idea what the Atl Braves fans used to enjoy day in and out. Offense is definitely secondary.
By Jim T
May 13, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Mick I know but I love the pitching staff on this team and with the way the offense is coming around its hard not to be optimistic. If we can get to 10 games over 500 that would quite a feat. I’ll say that is our next hurdle.
By Jack
May 13, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
Not to say Rosales is the future, but his numbers are certainly better then EE and he deserves to play ahead of him.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 13, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Let’s see, you want Hairston to remain the starter at the most critical defensive position on the field (shortstop) because he’s hitting a little right now. Nevermind his lack of arm on the backhand, lack of double play ability and the fact he’s a natural 2b. Meanwhile, you want to keep playing Rosales when EE comes off the DL, despite Rosales making erratic-armed EE look like Brooks Robinson. All because Rosales hustles, he tries, he has energy. And you keep hammering on Baker because … well … you’re just not very bright. If you’re gonna hammer him when they lose, you have to give him credit when he has this bunch playing well because this is a team that is going to sit right on a bubble all season if they keep having to rely on the Hairstons, Rosaleses and Nixes to carry them offensively. The season is a journey, not a two-week hot streak of Ifs, Ands and Buts.
By nick w
May 13, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
i agree with andy u can’t change anything right now and if he does hairston and nix have to play, i agree with rosales sitting if he decides to put gonzo back in. I have no idea what is going to happen when EE gets back in because there probably going to send down dickerson or mcdonald and thats not going to change anything. The outfield is set and they will have 4 players for 2 spots. I think it wil be hairston at short and EE at third or Gonzo at short and Hairston at third. I think you need to keep hairston in there so i hope it won’t be gonzo and EE or gonzo and rosales.
By Greg in London
May 13, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
2 observations. Micah Owings does not look like a #5 pitcher. I think there are many teams that would be happy to have him as the #3. Can we now get off of Brandon Phillips back? He is becoming aggressive, and looks like he is having fun playing the game. I’m sure he would rather hit in the 2 or 3 spot, but he doesn’t make out the lineup card.
By Gary
May 13, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
When did Rosales get called up to replace Edwin? What was the Reds record and club BA before and after? Seriously, Rosales has shown he can play third better, and can hit better. Also, Hairston is good enough and is a better hitter than Alex. But Dusty has a strong sense of loyalty.
By Andy
May 13, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
The lineup the Reds put on the field right now should NOT be tinkered with! I don’t care who comes back from injury. Gonzo might be better than Hairston defensively, but Hairston is not a liability. PLEASE…don’t platoon Nix and Hairston! When Gonzo comes back, and Baker feels the need to start him, I feel the best option is to sit Rosales, but only because of his lack of defense. Gonzo had better produce offensively! And don’t get me started on EE.
By Mick
May 13, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
Jim don’t ask for too much. As long as this team can stay in the hunt its going to be a fun ride for all of us. While we all have high hopes, I think we know they are over achieving to a certain degree. If they can stay 5-10 games over 500 until the allstar break, they are one key trade away from going to the playoffs. So I hope they can get to 10, but I’m happy they are over 500 period.
By jim T
May 13, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
5 games over 500 can we get to 10?
By AP-FLORIDA
May 13, 2009 7:39 AM | Link to this
We still have rusty!!