Phenom: Reds-Yanks Gamer I

The Cincinnati Reds pay their first visit to Yankee Stadium since the 1976 world series, and bring with them 24 year-old Edinson Volquez, arguably the most dominant starter in the game right now. He leads the majors in strikeouts, and his K/9 is 10.74, almost a full K better than his closest competitor. In his two losses, he gave up a total of 1 earned run, and allowed only 5 runs in three no decisions that comprised 19 innings of work. In his nine victories, he's allowed only 10 runs in 56 innings of work.

The Yankees counter with Mike Mussina, who hasn't lost since May 20th. Junior's DHing for Cincy, who have lost their last five games while the Yankees look for their eighth win in a row. Lineups follow, comment away.

Cincinnati
J. Bruce rf	.318
J. Cabrera ss	.214
K. Griffey Jr. dh	.244
B. Phillips 2b	.268
A. Dunn lf	.228
J. Votto 1b	.278
E. Encarnacion 3b	.241
C. Patterson cf	.195
P. Bako c	.241
E. Volquez	1.64
i
NY Yankees
J. Damon lf	.331
D. Jeter ss	.276
B. Abreu rf	.278
A. Rodriguez 3b	.335
H. Matsui dh	.321
J. Giambi 1b	.259
R. Cano 2b	.228
M. Cabrera cf	.252
J. Molina c	.221
M. Mussina	3.87

Comments

[attackgerbil]

Damon down swinging, way in front of the pitch.

[attackgerbil]

Jeter with a busted bat single right back up the middle.

[attackgerbil]

Jeter caught stealing, then Abreu flies out to deep left to end the Yankee first.

[attackgerbil]

Phillips down swinging, and then Dunn grounds out to first. Joey Votto goes yard on a 1-1 curve ball that hung a little bit. Encarnacion grounds out weakly to first. Reds 1, Yankees 0 heading to the bottom of the second.

[attackgerbil]

Volquez starts Rodriguez off with three straight balls. The 3-0 was a straight strike, ARod taking all the way. Fouls off the 3-1. Payoff pitch, way outside and in the dirt; it rolls to the backstop. ARod holds at first on the walk.

[attackgerbil]

ARod swipes second on the first pitch to Matsui, which was a change-up taken for a strike.

[attackgerbil]

Matsui smokes a rope to right, but Jay Bruce with a good jump makes the catch; ARod has to hold at second.

[attackgerbil]

Stache takes ball 1. The 1-0 was way in and low; Giambi quick-steps out of the way. Takes ball 3, and then takes the 3-0 for a strike.

GAHHH!!!! Cincy Reds camera crew just did a super-close-up on the Stache's stache. Some things should never be seen in high-def. I am scarred.

The 3-1 change looked inside, but is called for a strike. Giambi takes a fastball for strike three. Two away to Robinson Cano.

[SF]

I am in DC visiting the in-laws thinking "how am I going to see any baseball" and then realized, oh yeah, I subscribe to MLB.tv! My brain is old.

[attackgerbil]

Slider in the dirt gets past Bako; ARod takes third on the play, but Cano grounds out to first to end the 2nd inning.

[attackgerbil]

> My brain is old.

Don't fret too long, SF. At our advanced age, we'll forget it soon enough.

[attackgerbil]

Reds Third inning:

Patterson pops out weakly to short.

Two away as Bako grounds out to first.

Jay Bruce takes strike one. The 0-1 is grounded slowly up third, but rolls foul just shy of the bag. Fouls the 0-2 back. Then singles the 0-2 to right. Really good piece of hitting there, off the plate and low. He just went out and got it.

[attackgerbil]

Jolbert Cabrera singles a hard shot back up the middle, advancing Bruce to second. Junior up with two away. He grounds to short, where Jeter flips to Cano for the third out.

[attackgerbil]

Melky lines the first pitch to right for a single.

[attackgerbil]

Volquez is very quick to first.

[attackgerbil]

Molina hits a weak roller in no mans land that Molina almost beats out for a single; Cabrera advances to second.

[attackgerbil]

Damon takes strike one on the inside corner. Now a balk on Volquez pushes Cabrera to third.

[attackgerbil]

Damon breaks a bat and singles back up the middle, scoring Cabrera.

[attackgerbil]

Jeter up with one away. The first pitch is called a strike. Seems like the ump has a low zone. Damon gets gunned down. Bako had a good throw. That's two CS for Bako.

[attackgerbil]

Jeter works a full count. Wow.. bad call. Low low low, but called strike three. End of the third, tie game at one run each.

[krueg]

this ump is retarded...that was low.

[SF]

"this ump is retarded"

Is that really fair to retarded people?

[attackgerbil]

Definitely, Krueg. He's called a couple that were borderline but plausible, but that pitch was awful.

[attackgerbil]

Abreu makes a catch on a deep fly to the right field corner. No wall fear that time.

[attackgerbil]

Dunn falls behind 0-2; he then grounds out to Stache for the second out.

[krueg]

I've only seen bits and pieces of the game so far (NHL draft is on!!!) But I have seen a strike zone from the bottom of your scrotum to the dirt????? Retarded.

Very true SF...my bad!!! :)

[attackgerbil]

Votto, who homered in his first at bat, falls behind 0-2 again. Moose misses inside for 1-2. The 1-2 is grounded softly to Cano, who flips it horribly.. way out of the reach of Stache for an error on the throw, advancing Votto to second.

[attackgerbil]

Encarnacion takes a (low) strike. At least the ump is consistent.

Wow!! Molina catches Votto hanging too far off the bag, throwing second on a pitch a bit outside to end the Reds fourth inning. Nice throw, sloppy base running. Don't see that pickoff very often.

[attackgerbil]

Abreu grounds out 4-3, bringing up ARod.

[attackgerbil]

ARod swings and misses at a pitch low outside, then fouls the next pitch back. The 0-2 is inside. two more misses to make the count full. The payoff: swing and a miss. ARod says a bad word loudly enough for the fancy parabolic microphones to easily pick up.

[attackgerbil]

Matsui flies out to left to end the fourth inning, score still tied at one.

[attackgerbil]

Encarnacion launches his bat twenty rows into the stands behind third.

On the next pitch, Encarnacion ropes it to left but Damon misplays the ball; it hits his glove but it's scored a double. Don't know about that. No outs to Patterson.

[attackgerbil]

Patterson puts down a great bunt; almost safe except for a strong throw by Molina. Encarnacion advances to third.

With the infield in, Bako grounds to Cano; Encarnacion has to hold.

Bruce IBB'd to bring up Cabrera.

[attackgerbil]

Awfrul. Cabrera doubles the first pitch to the left field corner. With Damon throwing from deep in the corner, Bruce scored from first.

[attackgerbil]

Griffey singles to right. Abreu made a perfect throw. Molina blocks the plate with his glove, but the ump says that Cabrera slid around or over the tag or something. Looked like a shit call.

[attackgerbil]

Fly out to left ends the Reds fifth. I have to stop watching this game for a minute.

[krueg]

Why are guys called safe on other bases when the ball beats them there without making a tag but not at home???? It's kinda like travelling in the NBA...was the tag made or not????

[krueg]

I'm glad I'm not really watching...bats,hello??? Almost time for the Sabres #13 pick!!!

[IronHorse (yf)]

Suzyn Waldman (consider the source!) says that the news out of Seattle is that Erik Bedard is on the trading block.

This game feel liks many of the pre-streak games. But the Yanks are facing arguably the best pitcher in the league so far this year so I am trying to stay on a steady keel.

[IronHorse (yf)]

SF: Just saw in the thread above that you are in DC. So am I. Came down this morning for a meeting and am about to leave - at the airport at my gate listening to the game via mlb.com. Nice day in the District. I had 2 hours to kill between my meeting can coming out here so I went down to the Mall and sat on the top step of the Lincoln Memorial people-watching. Used ot live here and I love that spot in the evening.

2 out, man on, Bako up...

[IronHorse (yf)]

That's 2 men on, not one...0-1 to Bako

[IronHorse (yf)]

Jeter shows more range than he is usually given credit for. Big play to end the inning and stop an evolving rally.

[attackgerbil]

krueg, it looked to me like the tag was made. The throw had him beat easily. The Reds announcers (I can't get the YES feed tonight for whatever reason) say he lifted one of his feet over the tag and put it on the plate. I didn't see it that way.

[attackgerbil]

> Erik Bedard is on the trading block

If it's true I might have an even easier time getting better tickets in September for the Yanks-Ms series.

[attackgerbil]

That rumor combined with Bavasi and McClaren gone makes it look like the Ms are going into fire sale mode already.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Yeah AG. Terrible season for them.

What do you think of the John Gibbons sacking? Each year lately I keep thinking Toronto is on the verge of challenging at least for the #2 spot, but they seem to disappoint. I guess he finally paid the price.

Man on first, one out, and Griffey up. Gulp.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Angelina Jolie on the TV at the airport gate doing her UN Ambassador thing. Makes me want to be a refugee...OK, not really.

Giambi muffs his throw to second after tagging first - man back on first. Giambi makes Chuck Knoblaugh look like a sharpshooter with the ball.

[IronHorse (yf)]

2 outs, man on 1st, 0-2......and.........

[IronHorse (yf)]

Ball an then foul ball...1-2...

[IronHorse (yf)]

Ball 2 (wild pitch), stolen base for Cabrera, who is now on second but hurt his wrist/hand on the head-first slide. Possible dislocation. Glad I am listening and not watchign right now.

Cabrera coming out - (substitute) man on 2nd, 2 outs, 2-2...

Erkel is warming in the Yankees pen...

Moose induces pop-up. Still 4-1 as we go to the bottom of the 6th.

[attackgerbil]

ARod singles to center. Sweet line drive.

[attackgerbil]

Godzilla singles to right. Hard shot, ARod has to hold at second. One away to Giambi.

[IronHorse (yf)]

OK - 2 singles and we've got A-Rod on 2nd, Matsui on 1st, Thong-stache up and Volquez tipping 92 pitches. Big big chance here. Come on Jason.

[attackgerbil]

Stache fouls the first pitch back, then takes low-in.

Stache flies out to deep left center; ARod tags up and moves to third.

[IronHorse (yf)]

1-1...1 out...high fly in left center. A-Rod to third. Damn. Robbie up.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Oops - sorry for that - you've got the play by play. I'll stick to snide remarks.

[attackgerbil]

Help me Robsino Canobi. You're my only hope.

Runge calls a wide strike one.

[IronHorse (yf)]

C'mon Robbie - give us a dble in the gap.

97 mph f-ball.

[attackgerbil]

Hehe IH, I'm busy with Dad duty.. probably stepping away in just a minute after this inning to finish dinner for the little man.

[IronHorse (yf)]

0-2...hmmm....

Gotta say, not thrilled with Robbie coming up in clutch situations...let's hope he makes me a fool...

[IronHorse (yf)]

I'm a fool! I'm a fool! Woo-hoo!!!

A-Rod in! Volquez at 97 pitches, 1st and 2nd!

[attackgerbil]

ROBI!!! Line single to center on a change hung over the middle of the plate, scoring ARod.

[IronHorse (yf)]

D*%n - I gotta board my flight. Time to put the espn on my b-berry on "auto-refresh"...I'll stick out fo Melky's AB here...

[IronHorse (yf)]

1-1 to the Melkman.........inside....2-1

[attackgerbil]

Runge doesn't give the outside corner to Volquez on the first pitch, does on the second pitch as Melky takes both. The 1-1: way in and low. Volquez at 100 pitches. The 2-1: change on the inside corner. Maybe a bit inside. Good pitch anyway. The 2-2 is fouled off.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Strike 2 on the 82 mph change a fter throwing 97 mph heat.

2-2...

[IronHorse (yf)]

AG: How old is the little man??

[attackgerbil]

Melky way in front of a low change for strike three and the end of the Yankee seventh. Reds 4, Yankees 2.

Gotta admit, Volquez is really fun to watch work.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Damn. Well at least I can board. 2 runs is certainly doable, esp. now that Volquez should be out - at least I hope he is.

[attackgerbil]

A bit over a year and a half. I want to get him a plastic bat and ball soon. And get myself a cup for when I'm teaching him .. I've seen too many youtube videos.

[attackgerbil]

Safe travels, IH.

[attackgerbil]

Runge's strike zone is losing its consistency.

[IronHorse (yf)]

"And get myself a cup for when I'm teaching him .. I've seen too many youtube videos" HA! Awesome age. My older daughter is 22 months and I'm loving it.

Gotta go - enjoy the night-time routine and I'll hope for good comeback news when I land!

[attackgerbil]

Moose gets Dunn swinging on the full count fastball.

[attackgerbil]

Votto ropes a double to right on a fastball over the middle; Abreu can't grab it, looked like a bit of wall fear. Encarnacion grounds out, pushing Votto to third with two away to Patterson.

[attackgerbil]

Patterson is behind 1-2; Moose shakes off six pitches from Molina, prompting Patterson to call time. He steps back in and flies out to Melky to end the Reds' eighth.

[attackgerbil]

Jared Burton in for Volquez. Betimit takes the first pitch for a ride, but Patterson pulls it in at the track in right center.

Damon breaks his bat and grounds out 4-3.

[attackgerbil]

Man, if Betemit could only have knocked that ball out pinch hitting..

Jeter up. He takes a fastball for strike one. The 0-1 is low away. 1 and 1: outside. The 2-1 is called a strike. Looked low, again. Jeter takes inside for a full count, then grounds out 6-3 to end the Yankee eighth.

[attackgerbil]

Yankees bring in Billy Traber for the ninth, and Chad Moeller is behind the plate after Betemit's pinch for Molina last inning.

[attackgerbil]

Bako leads off and grounds out 4-3.

[attackgerbil]

Traber suckers Bruce on a 1-2 pitch with a junk breaker, and Janish bounces back to Traber to end the Reds ninth.

Abreu, ARod, and Matsui coming up in the bottom of the ninth with the Yankees trailing 4-2.

[attackgerbil]

Cordero in to close it out for the Reds. He starts Abreu off with a fastball inside. Then a low fastball called for a strike. 1 and 1: low-away. The 2-1 is a screaming heater in on the hands that Abreu falls back. Deuces: just missed away. Very close. The payoff: Abreu hits a hard shot toward the hole between first and second, but Phillips made a good stab and fast throw to get Abreu. Nice play.

Looks like Phillips hurt his leg on the play, but is staying in.

[attackgerbil]

ARod comes to the plate with one away. The first pitch is a fastball low that is called for a strike. Getting really tired of that. The 0-1 is outside. Cordero gets a fastball past ARod's swing to make it 1-2. Then way low out to make it deuces. The 2-2 is a line drive that Brandon Phillips leaps and snags. Perfect position for that play.

[krueg]

All good things must come to and end...start another streak tomorrow!!!!

Sabres got their guy...6'7" defenseman Tyler Myers!!!! Great job Darcy Regier!!!

[attackgerbil]

Last out coming up in the form of Matsui, who goes down an 0-2 hole quickly. Now he takes ball one, and ball two. The 2-2 is away to make the count full. The payoff: Godzilla goes inside out on a fastball on the hands to single to right. Two away, Stache up.

The first pitch is so low, but still called for a strike. Runge, you are an ass. The 0-1 is low, but not as low as the last pitch. Maybe it was in. Now Cordero misses low away to make it 2-1. The 2-1 is bounced to Phillips who throws to first to record the final out.

Ballgame. Reds 4, Yankees 2.

[attackgerbil]

Semi-weird/interesting thing about watching the Cincinnati feed: McCain presidential ads already running.

[Lar]

First loss for the Yanks in a week and change. It is against the insanely hot Volquez, so we'll see how this recently rejuvenated offense handles this setback.

Would've loved to see Moose take this one though. Ah well.