Reds Wanted the "L" More
Padres win 6-5 in 13
On paper, the Padres had no business losing this game. As it turned out, the Padres really had no business winning it.
Fortunately, although they attempted to throw the game away early, the Reds' bullpen would not be denied. Following Aaron Harang's fantastic performance, he handed over a 4 run lead to his bullpen. They promptly went into complete meltdown.
Ryan Klesko homered (he later tried to make it up to them by getting himself thrown out by 90 feet at home plate), Nevin singled, Giles walked, Hernandez singled (DJ pinch ran) and Fick brought them all home with a booming double. Sean Burroughs, who has been inept with the stick lately, attempted to lay down a bunt. He failed, but the Reds would not be outdone as they refused to retire the lead runner.
With men on first and third, the Padres obviously went on to pile up runs with the top of the order coming up, right? Of course not. The Padres, intent on giving this one away, declined to score again until the 13th. Luckily for Padre fans, the Reds bullpen is for lack of a better term "really bad," and not even the impotent Padre offense could stop them from giving up runs.
Somebody should explain to both teams (they can hold off informing the Reds until Thursday) that this is baseball, not golf. The goal is to have the higher run total.
The Positives
Jake Peavy, despite an awful first inning and unfortunate second, pitched well without his best stuff. He combined with the bullpen (which threw 6.2 innings) to shut down the Cincinnati offense for the final eleven innings.
Brian Giles, despite looking lost in right field, contributed at the plate reaching base four out of five plate appearances.
Ryan Klesko, despite getting thrown out at home plate by three football fields, hit his eighth home run and jump-started the Padres' lone offensive outburst in the top of the ninth.
Robert Fick. He has raked lately. If he keeps it up, Damian Jackson will be heading back to Portland when Blum comes off the DL.
In-Game Discussions
If there's anybody reading this blog and not participating in the In-Game Discussions over at Duck Snorts, you need to start. Here's an example of the great stuff you're missing:
And Another Thing...
How did ESPN decide, following a game in which the Friars overcame a four run deficit in the ninth, to break down the Reds' offensive output in the first inning? The Reds score five runs in the first two innings, are then held scoreless for the next eleven and finally they lose. Obviously, the only thing to do in that situation if you're Baseball Tonight is to ignore the Padres comeback and talk about and analyze the approach of the Reds at the plate in the first inning. It makes perfect sense, really. I'm not sure in what universe, but I'm confident there's one where it makes sense.
On paper, the Padres had no business losing this game. As it turned out, the Padres really had no business winning it.
Fortunately, although they attempted to throw the game away early, the Reds' bullpen would not be denied. Following Aaron Harang's fantastic performance, he handed over a 4 run lead to his bullpen. They promptly went into complete meltdown.
Ryan Klesko homered (he later tried to make it up to them by getting himself thrown out by 90 feet at home plate), Nevin singled, Giles walked, Hernandez singled (DJ pinch ran) and Fick brought them all home with a booming double. Sean Burroughs, who has been inept with the stick lately, attempted to lay down a bunt. He failed, but the Reds would not be outdone as they refused to retire the lead runner.
With men on first and third, the Padres obviously went on to pile up runs with the top of the order coming up, right? Of course not. The Padres, intent on giving this one away, declined to score again until the 13th. Luckily for Padre fans, the Reds bullpen is for lack of a better term "really bad," and not even the impotent Padre offense could stop them from giving up runs.
Somebody should explain to both teams (they can hold off informing the Reds until Thursday) that this is baseball, not golf. The goal is to have the higher run total.
The Positives
Jake Peavy, despite an awful first inning and unfortunate second, pitched well without his best stuff. He combined with the bullpen (which threw 6.2 innings) to shut down the Cincinnati offense for the final eleven innings.
Brian Giles, despite looking lost in right field, contributed at the plate reaching base four out of five plate appearances.
Ryan Klesko, despite getting thrown out at home plate by three football fields, hit his eighth home run and jump-started the Padres' lone offensive outburst in the top of the ninth.
Robert Fick. He has raked lately. If he keeps it up, Damian Jackson will be heading back to Portland when Blum comes off the DL.
In-Game Discussions
If there's anybody reading this blog and not participating in the In-Game Discussions over at Duck Snorts, you need to start. Here's an example of the great stuff you're missing:
Trevor Hoffman, with his 89 percent save percentage is in.
Posted by: Kevin at May 9, 2005 08:15 PM
Caught him looking. One out. (Death)
Posted by: Kevin at May 9, 2005 08:17 PM
Two outs. (Taxes)
Posted by: Kevin at May 9, 2005 08:18 PM
Hoffman with the assist. Three outs. (Hoffman)
Posted by: Kevin at May 9, 2005 08:21 PM
And Another Thing...
How did ESPN decide, following a game in which the Friars overcame a four run deficit in the ninth, to break down the Reds' offensive output in the first inning? The Reds score five runs in the first two innings, are then held scoreless for the next eleven and finally they lose. Obviously, the only thing to do in that situation if you're Baseball Tonight is to ignore the Padres comeback and talk about and analyze the approach of the Reds at the plate in the first inning. It makes perfect sense, really. I'm not sure in what universe, but I'm confident there's one where it makes sense.
posted by Richard B. Wade at 10:41 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for the pitch! I love Kevin's call of "Death. Taxex. Hoffman."
As for Baseball Tonight, I have no idea, but I'd venture to say that four runs in the ninth to tie is more crucial than four in the first to take an early lead. Or maybe that's just me. ;-)
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