The Streak Plus Battle of Ohio

Lets talk...the losing streak:

I do apologize for my absence. It feels like a decade since I last blogged, but it's hard to bring myself to write about such a depressing team. Losers of five straight, this club has a lot to change. This is the longest losing streak thus far this season. Yes, they faced stiff competition during those five games. World Series Champs the San Fransisco Giants, then they took on the WS runner ups, the Kansas City Royals, for two games. BUT COME ON. That was last season's WS match up. I'm talking about winning games that matter NOW. We can't just beat up on the Brewers all season long and think we're a good team. Quality wins matter. I'm starting to question my faith in the front office. It's like they are completely fine with sitting back and doing nothing, all the while the fans are stuck watching the demise of this ball club. I'm fed up.

Lets talk...Cueto's rant:

You know who else is fed up? Johnny Cueto, and he very well should be. He spoke on Wednesday through an interpreter, but the message was crystal clear. He is doing his job, and he's tired of everyone else not doing theirs. Every time this guy goes out he's giving you a chance to win and the Reds just blow it. And I'm not talking just this season. Run support during a Cueto start has always been scarce. He's your ace for god sake, give him something to work with!

Lets talk...Battle of Ohio losing records:

Even though the Cleveland Indians just took three of four from the White Sox, they're still the bottom-dwellers of the AL Central at 17-23. But we can't say much because we're nowhere near the top of the NL Central at 18-22! The good news is, this is a rivalry series and we seem to do well against teams with losing records, who woulda thunk it? It starts with pitching. Mike Leake has got to have a solid outing. He's coming off one of the most embarrassing starts of his career giving up 9 runs and 11 hits, 3 of which were home runs against the Giants last Saturday. We'll see if it's time to swim or if the Reds continue to sink. I live with my boyfriend who is a Cleveland fan. I need them to win this series!!! First pitch goes out at 7:10.

 

Reds Rally around Rookie

Lets talk...Rasiel Iglesias:

You may remember Rasiel Iglesias from his first start back in April. He went five innings and gave up three earned runs and five hits in a 5-7 loss. The Reds sent him down after his performance against the Cardinals, but that is not the same young man we saw last night. The Cuban native was DEALING. In only his second career start, the 25-year-old rookie pitched eight solid innings, only allowing two hits the whole game. Almost every hitter he faced he would get ahead of them 0-2. Iglesias admitted that it was a good thing for him to head back down to AAA, and it helped him gain the confidence he needed for his second start in the majors. One of the best moments of the night was seeing Iglesias' reaction when the Reds got the W.

Lets talk...the dilemma:

When Bailey went out for the season for Tommy John surgery, I admit, I was frightened for our starting rotation. The only experienced pitchers we had left were Cueto and Leake, but now we've got a different problem on our hands. A good problem to have, mind you, but now we've got one too many pitchers and not enough roster spots open.  Manager Bryan Price does seem optimistic though saying, "There is a scenario that he (Iglesias) can stay with us," he continued, "he has a better understanding of where he needs to go with his pitches than most pitchers his age". After last night's performance I don't know how you could send him down again. There's talks of Iglesias and Lorenzen, (who's also only made a handful of starts), switching between the starting rotation. Both would work out of the bullpen when they were not starting. We'll see what the front office decides to do.

Lets talk...what's next:

After the win last night, we are once again sitting at .500. There are worse places to be, just ask the Braves. Todd Frazier continues to crank out the homers. He's now tied for the lead with none other than Bryce Harper of the Nationals for most HRs in the NL.  Now, we've got the Giants coming into town for a four-game series. Cueto takes the mound at 7:10 tonight, looking to improve his 3-3 record. Go Redlegs!

Walk-Off in the 5-1-3

Lets talk...catchers:

First, happy 513 day! A made-up holiday to celebrate your love for the Queen City. It was nice waking up this morning after an exciting win! Our catchers were huge contributing factors in last night's victory. Backup catcher Brayan Pena had his first three-hit game of the season. He hit a single in the ninth setting up Devin Mesoraco for glory. Michael Lorenzen, a pitcher in the starting lineup was brought in to pinch run for Pena. Before last night, I had no idea that a pitcher could have that kind of speed, but the kid can move. Mesoraco, who has been out of the daily lineup due to injury the past month, was able to step up to the plate last night, literally and figuratively. He hit his first ever game-ending hit, leading the Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Braves. I have criticized using Mesoraco as a pinch hitter instead of letting him heal, but I stand corrected. If we can keep Pena's bat hot, this catching/pinch hitting duo could be a spark in the offense. Pena is hitting .588 in his last five games.

Lets talk...Todd Frazier:

The Todd Father had himself yet another productive evening. He didn't waste any time, hitting a two-run bomb in the first inning to give the good guys a 2-0 lead. That gives him 11 on the year, which is second most in the NL. Todd received quite the honor this week. He will serve as an official 2015 All-Star Game spokesperson. The Reds' third basemen is well-deserving. He was selected for the first time to the National League All-Star team in 2014 and participated in the Home Run Derby. He has created quite the campaign to be voted into the game again this year the way he's swinging the bat. He has made it publicly known that he would be honored to be invited to both, but he really loves the derby. A lot of players won't participate because it messes with their swing, but Todd has no such worries.

Lets talk...bearcat football recruits:

My favorite subject, bearcat football! When there's a need for speed, head south. We've got some kiddos out of Florida that want to play in the new and improved Nippert Stadium. Earlier this week, Jordan Merrell (WR/RB) out of Fort Lauderdale committed to THEE University of Cincinnati. And cornerback Dontye Carriere-Williams out of Miami has committed on the defensive side. It is said that Carriere-Williams had at least 15 offers on the table, but I'm glad to see he made the right choice.

Bullpen Woes Continue

Lets talk...yesterday's game:

The Reds faced the White Sox yesterday with a chance to take two games out of the series and the opportunity to have a winning road trip. Instead the bullpen blew another one at the hands of Aroldis Chapman no less. He gave up three singles in the ninth, the third of which brought in the game winning run. Chapman usually isn't the one we need to worry about when there's a call to the bullpen. That was his first earned run of the season in 12 2/3 innings. Reds fall to the Sox, 4-3.

Lets talk...perspective:

The Reds went 5-5, splitting this past road trip. They were .500 which isn't great, but also not terrible, exactly how I would describe this ball club thus far. They look great in some games, and horrendous in others. When the offense is clicking, the pitching flounders. Or, when we get a good start, there's zero run support. It's definitely frustrating to say the least. You know what else is frustrating? Billy Hamilton! He's slumping and in the worst way. Our leadoff hitter was 7 for 40 on the 10-game road trip and 0-5 at the plate yesterday, accruing three strikeouts. Oh hey, you know what else is frustrating? Injuries! First it was Homer Bailey, and now Devin Mesoraco doesn't seem to be making any strides towards being back in the everyday lineup. Yes, he pinch hit yesterday but news flash...we don't play in the American League. We have no use for a designated hitter. What it all really comes down to is we are a mediocre team with a mediocre record. The Cardinals are miles ahead of every other team in the division at 22-9. If we have any hopes of catching up, we need a miracle in the bullpen, Billy Hamilton to get back on track, and find a way to beat the Cards every chance we get.

Lets talk...free agents:

Switching gears to football. A questionable decision in my opinion, the Bengals signed former Ohio State star quarterback Terrelle Pryor yesterday. It may be my hatred for the Buckeyes, or just logic but I don't agree with this move. Pryor has bounced around a couple different teams in his NFL career including Oakland, Seattle, and most recently the Kansas City Chiefs. There's a reason he hasn't found a home yet people. There are only a handful of running quarterbacks that succeed in the pros. Not everyone can be a Russell Wilson. Pryor, like the last few QBs from OSU, likes to be mobile. While that's exciting and flashy in college, you have defensive players that are a lot stronger and way faster than those you faced in the Big Ten. Look at the great quarterbacks in the league; Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger. They didn't achieve greatness by running all over the field. They are POCKET PASSERS, as most of the greats were. Sure you have your exceptions, i.e. Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Michael Vick. But in the past decade, rushing QBs have been flops in the pros, and I'm including Pryor in that category. The Bengals also made some other free agent moves signing three more undrafted free agents.

Offense Agrees with Interleague Play

Lets talk...run support:

Finally, we give Cueto some. It didn't hurt that he went nine innings for his longest start of the year. The Reds' offense paid their thanks by putting up double digits against the Chicago White Sox. No Joey Votto last night due to his blow up with an umpire, but luckily the Redlegs had some help from the rest of the lineup. Zack Cozart, back from his wrist injury, got things started by driving in a run. Skip Schumaker got in on the action with an RBI double. AND by God Marlon Byrd did it again! Byrd hit a three-run homer, his fourth in the past five games. Thank the sweet lord baby Jesus he's getting hot in May because he was ice cold in April.

Lets talk...Barry freakin' Larkin:

Finally, the Reds show some respect to a man that gave every year of his career to this organization. They hired him on as a minor league roving infield instructor, which I believe is just his first step in the door. The Reds need a manager that knows the game in and out, like Larkin. Who better to lead this team to victory than a man who has done it before as a player! No, it's not like they will oust Bryan Price next week and usher Barry into the position, but I do believe it's in the future. If not, it definitely should be. 

Lets talk...about the Kevin Gregg petition:

Yes, there is a petition on social media asking people to sign in support of sending Gregg down to AAA. I personally find this to be hilarious. I obviously want Gregg to succeed, he's on my team, but how many chances can we give this guy? He blows the game every. single. time. I'm over it. If I wasn't such a softy, I'd sign the dang thing. Either way Price needs to lay down the law. Either get in there and do your job, or get sent down.

Cinco de Mayo en la Ciudad de Acero

Hablemos...records:

First, can I just take a moment to address my three quarters of spanish I took in college coming in handy on this Cinco de Mayo. Second, and more importantly, the Reds take on the Pirates tonight in the steel city. Both clubs have less than spectacular records of 12-13. If you can take a trip back to the beginning of the season with me, when we were all in higher spirits because of a first series sweep. A sweep in a series against these Pirates no less. All of Cincinnati had us at 162-0. Well now reality has set in and we're one game under .500. 

Lets talk...road trip:

Before the Reds hit the road, they gave us some devastating news about Homer Bailey. Out for the season, and having Tommy John surgery this Friday on his pitching elbow. Lovely. The morale of the club is definitely down, but they did manage to split the series in Atlanta with a stout Braves team. Now they've got a three game series with the Pirates. Starting tonight on the mound for the good guys is right hander Michael Lorenzen, who was called up when the news of Homer came through. His first career start was last week against the Brewers and it wasn't pretty. Lorenzen gave up three solo home runs and eight hits in five innings in the loss. Now that's he's got his feet wet in the majors, hopefully he can give us a good outing tonight. Mix your margaritas early, the first pitch goes out at 6:05!