Anyone want to pitch the 8th inning?

[Cincy the Red]

Damn, we have some 8th inning voodoo going on here. I am not sure what the answer is. Maybe this problem will correct itself when Marshall gets back....who knows. Unfortunately, with our challenges in the 8th, we have been giving some very much needed games away. Cingrani anyone?

 

[bone3421]

i will do it for league min. and the mlb hitters will have a hard time waiting for my ball to get there after seeing 90 mph pitches all game

they will be way out in front of my 70 mph fastball

 

[JohnU]

All in all, Sam has been a great relief pitcher. He didn't get a call on Gonzalez and I think Tulo whacked a terrible pitch to left that made the seats by about 8 inches. We were just snake-bitten in that game. Homer pitched great except for a double that was 4 inches out of Votto's reach.

All the same, it's a loss. Can't catch the Birds that way.

 

[Redsfan1507]

The game was lost early when Dusty pulled a repeat of game 3 NLDS- 2 on, 1 out, 1b open and the D playing a ridiculous bunt depth. #8 hitter DOESN'T get the walk with the P on deck...instead hits a 2 run bleeder double that would have been an out playing at DP bases loaded depth. The pitcher hits what would have been an inning ending DP, but Dusty's break only made it out 2, allowing the leadoff man to add a 3rd run. Reds lose 5-4, in a game that would have been 4-2 win, if Dustaroo doesn't dajavue and walks the 8 hitter.

Adhering to the gag order, Reds announcers only made a tiny comment that Dusty probably would have walked the guy later in the game...really ? He didn't in the 8th inning of what would have been an NLDS series win, instead beginning a 3 game/3 gaffe historic losing streak to be eliminated. If THAT isn't worth remembering, to avoid repeating,

what is ?

 

[JohnU]

First inning, Choo gets a double and Cozart swings at 3 pitches my Granny would have been able to bunt. Ah, who needs an early lead off a pedestrian pitcher who wouldn't make the Bats rotation?

 

[Redsfan1507]

Dusty couldn't score in a ho-house with a credit card, without a homer or three. The man has a baseball IQ lower than the average batboy. Players like him... like soldiers like a Drill Seargent that is 75 lbs. overweight and an alcoholic late sleeper-he's easy... but they'd rather have Sgt. Hardazz in a combat situation. Dusty is always getting his soldiers ass shot off.

 

[HammerDown]

A few years ago when the Padres were perennial NL West contenders, it was due in large part to 7-8-9 inning pitchers that were shut down, lights out, game over, go home. It effectively meant our anemic offense was given nine opportunities to score against the opponent's six. Solid setup men are crucial to winning.

 

[JohnU]

Reds tend to not put together the sorts of innings that allow for many mistakes. Again, I would rather see Sam out there than most relief pitchers. He got the crappy end of that inning.

 

[Redsfan1507]

The Reds bullpen hasn't been bad. The pitching in general had been very good. So has the defense. The Reds lead the NL in runs. So what other reason is there that they can't seem to play .500 against .500 teams ?

The first 3 runs for the Rockies would have been prevented if Dusty walked the 8 hitter. The pitcher hit what would have been an inning ending DP ball to Izturis in the next at bat.

Stupid plays as stupid does.

 

[RobToxin]

i will do it for league min. and the mlb hitters will have a hard time waiting for my ball to get there after seeing 90 mph pitches all game

they will be way out in front of my 70 mph fastball

Your off-speed pitch will kill them!

 

[JohnU]

They'd probably have to issue me a warning. Not that it would hurt anybody but because it's fairly dumb to bounce every pitch up there on three hops.