[merklaw]

Dittos.

No way one of the top 10-11 position players go. I've heard some rumblings that mirror the things a few posters have put on here recently, i.e. some worries about middle relief losing some reliability in the past month or so, although I haven't heard the Garza thing. I wonder if Masset is close?

[bird]

Reds and Padres about to start game 2. Reds need to do a whole lot of things better than they did last night. Bailey against Marquis tonight.

Reds again jump out to a first-inning lead, 1-0.

Unbelievable. The Reds went up 6-0 after three innings, only for Bailey to give up six runs in the top of the fourth. 6-6 game. LeCure in. Another long night for the bullpen.

[bird]

Reds come back for a 7-6 victory. The bullpen held, and Phillips hit a solo HR in the seventh.

That was a little closer than it needed to be after taking a 6-0 lead, but the Reds wound up with the win.

I didn't think the Reds would sweep the Padres, but I didn't count on giving up 17 runs in two games either.

[lmavcch3]

First of all, I like the trade for Broxton for 2 minor leaguers.

Second, I hear all the talk about Bryce Harper but I'll take Frazier for NL rookie of the year. He's excelled anyplace he's played and his stats are better. That over the head catch down the right field line tonight was sweet!!

Hope BP and Mascero are OK.

[14Red]

What a game, good to get the 7-6, win, anyway possible. Hard to believe Homer tonight, he's pitched so well in July. Up 6-0 and wham, 6-6. No walks, he was getting hit hard! Great job by the pen, Lecure, Marshall and Chapman.
Big hit by BP, may need to sit him for a couple of days, don't want that calf to bother him the rest of the way.
Just so everyone knows I'm an equal opportunity critic...
Bud Black, SD manager's moves...
-Marquis, pounded early in the game, settled down, but 7 innings??? Don't think he was pulled one batter too late?
-double switch late with Yonder Alonzo, your best hitter???
-pinch hit your #1 and #2 batters in your lineup in the 9th?

[bird]

It's easy to say Marquis stayed in one batter too long when the last batter hit a home run. But he only threw 111 pitches.

How did Bailey throw 84 pitches in less than four innings?

[WGOU]

A very good pickup in Jonathon Broxton.

[dorciepatrick]

Agreed.
A very nice "under the radar" find by Walt Jocketty. Also a surprise in that the bullpen has been a great strength of this year's Reds.
Broxton is signed through this year @ $4 million.

The big question is......Who is going to go bye-bye to make room for him? No matter who it is, it'll be a tough pill to swallow as everyone in the Reds' pen has performed pretty well.

[merklaw]

Broxton's numbers were not that great this year (1.41 WHIP) but he was KC's closer (24 saves I think) and he's a solid major league reliever. Good addition. I think there has been concern about Bray's health. which obviously is the case, as well as if Masset will make it back this year at all. I'm guessing not given that they went out and got Broxton. Arrendondo and Ondrusek have been fading lately, at least as far as runners getting on base and making us sweat (the "CoCo" theorem). Marshall is much better suited to set up role and that's going well, but my guess is that Broxton and Marshall will now be the set up men, depending on if opponent has righties or lefties coming up in 8th. Broxton to get occasional save opportunity if Cuban Missile has pitched in 2 straight games, or 3 of 4, something like that. LeCure/Simon still middle men, but Broxton could fill that role too if Simon throws a few more clunkers out there like Monday night.

Good pickup. He can fill many roles in pen.

X Paul so far is really a nice addition to the team. Hope he continues to do so well off the pine. Heisey good 4th OFer.

Reds now have best record in baseball I think. Heal, Joey, heal!!!!! Evil spirits come OUT of that knee!!!!!!

[wisdome]

Don't fix what is not broken!

[14Red]

Originally Posted by bird

It's easy to say Marquis stayed in one batter too long when the last batter hit a home run. But he only threw 111 pitches.

How did Bailey throw 84 pitches in less than four innings?

My opinion is that Marquis gave the Pads 6+ innings, was on life support the bottom of the 3rd, gave them 2 more good innings, at what point to you take him out? 3rd time through the order, etc.

Baily had a horrendous 4th inning. The really bad part was that he did have a 6-3 lead with the pitcher up, hits a swinging bunt down the 3rd base line, and Homer couldn't get another out. He probably threw 30-40 pitches in that inning alone?
Homer's pitched so well, you just have to throw this one out. Some nights, you just can't get a break. Homer can run his pitch count up time to time getting behind batters.

[14Red]

Originally Posted by merklaw

Broxton's numbers were not that great this year (1.41 WHIP) but he was KC's closer (24 saves I think) and he's a solid major league reliever. Good addition. I think there has been concern about Bray's health. which obviously is the case, as well as if Masset will make it back this year at all. I'm guessing not given that they went out and got Broxton. Arrendondo and Ondrusek have been fading lately, at least as far as runners getting on base and making us sweat (the "CoCo" theorem). Marshall is much better suited to set up role and that's going well, but my guess is that Broxton and Marshall will now be the set up men, depending on if opponent has righties or lefties coming up in 8th. Broxton to get occasional save opportunity if Cuban Missile has pitched in 2 straight games, or 3 of 4, something like that. LeCure/Simon still middle men, but Broxton could fill that role too if Simon throws a few more clunkers out there like Monday night.

Good pickup. He can fill many roles in pen.

X Paul so far is really a nice addition to the team. Hope he continues to do so well off the pine. Heisey good 4th OFer.

Reds now have best record in baseball I think. Heal, Joey, heal!!!!! Evil spirits come OUT of that knee!!!!!!

The bullpen is much more flexible. YOu can even go to the situational close. If it's the 8th and Ryan Howard is up, you use Chapman then, and bring Broxton in for the save.
I think this is a move for the future also. YOu could sign Broxton beyond this year and then move Chapman into a starting role for 2013.

[bird]

Arroyo goes for the Reds tonight. He's pitched well lately, apart from the bad outing against the Diamondbacks two weeks ago. He also had that three-hit shutout in San Diego right before the All-Star Break.

The Reds could really use a decent outing from him tonight to give the bullpen a break. They've thrown a lot of innings the past two games.

[merklaw]

Plus I'm gonna be there......need Bronson to pitch well so I can relax and enjoy.

[14Red]

Nothing would suprise me tonight. Bronson could go 8 innings 5 hits and 2 runs, or he could get bombed like he does on occasion. Although this year he's been BronsON more than BronsOFF.

Hope BP is ok. It would be devastating if he can't go for an extended time. He's our best clutch hitter, and the anchor of our infield defense.

[bird]

Dusty says that Phillips will be out for a few games, but Phillips makes it sound like it might be longer:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120801/SPT04/308010062/Phillips-m-going-out-awhile?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

[dorciepatrick]

To make room for Broxton, the Reds put Bill Bray on the 15-day DL. They say it's a lumbar muscle strain.

WHOOPS.....I spoke too soon. The Reds called up Todd Redmond to replace Bray. They still haven't announced a move to make room for Broxton.

[merklaw]

Geez I didn't realize Phillips was hurting that badly. Terrible news. They ought to consider tweaking rotation so Cueto goes vs Pirates. Maybe start Richards or LeCure tomorrow with Leake in long relief. Especially if we W tonight somehow without BP too... Dang it.

[14Red]

Mez - 3 game suspension. I thought 5 would have been the max. 3 is ok.

[bird]

Originally Posted by 14Red

Mez - 3 game suspension. I thought 5 would have been the max. 3 is ok.

They'll probably have to make another move just to bring up a catcher. No way do you only want one catcher available, even if it's only for three games.