Arizona powers their way over Reds

Arizona 4 Cincinnati 2

Box Score Recap


The Arizona Diamondbacks wasted no time in getting off to a good start to open the 2008 campaign. Chris Young, Eric Byrnes and Jeff Salazar all hit solo HR's as the Diamondbacks defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-2.

Both starting pitchers didn't pitch that badly for their first starts of the regular season. Arizona's Brandon Webb went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 4 and struck out 6, getting the win. Cincinnati's Aaron Harang also went 6 innings giving up 3 runs (2 ER) on 8 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts, he was saddled with the loss.

Offensively for Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips (1/4, RBI, 3 K's) had an RBI triple in the bottom half of the 4th inning, scoring Ken Griffey Jr (0/3, R, BB, 2 K's), Phillips would later score on a ground out from Adam Dunn.

Both teams will face each other again tomorrow in the 2nd of a 3-game series in Cincinnati. The defending NL West Champions will have new acquisition, Dan Haren, on the hill for the Diamondbacks while the Reds will have Bronson Arroyo make his first start of the regular season. Game time is 7:10pm EST.

Game Recaps

For those of you who decided to call in sick today, and for that I'm proud of you, to watch Opening Day because you were having baseball withdrawals, I'll be posting game recaps for most if not all of the games today.

Today did not get off to a good start, however, for the Yankees and Blue Jays. The game has been postponed due to rain and a new date should be set soon for the makeup game.

Two other games are also being delayed due to weather. Arizona is in Cincinnati to take on the Reds and Milwaukee is in Chicago to face the Cubs, both are being delayed due to rain.

A game that is already underway, the Detroit Tigers are hosting the Kansas City Royals, the game is currently in the top half of the 7th. Detroit got the scoring started in the 2nd inning. After a Carlos Guillen double to lead off the home half of the 2nd, both Pudge Rodriguez and Jacque Jones would strike out. After a Bradon Inge walk, Edgar Renteria would single, scoring Guillen from 2nd.

In the 4th inning, after Pudge Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk, Brandon Inge would hit a 1-out double to left and Renteria would be walked to load the bases. When it looked like the Royals would get out of the inning unscathed after Placido Polanco lined out to right field, Gary Sheffield would work a bases loaded walk which scored Pudge Rodriguez to make it a 2-0 game.

The very next inning, new Tigers' acquisition Miguel Cabrera would make his presence felt, lauching a solo HR to left to push the Tigers up 3-0 after 5 innings, but back came the Royals.

In the top half of the 6th, Mark Grudzielanek would hit a 1-out single, then Alex Gordon would pull the Royals within 1 after a 2-run HR to right off Justin Verlander, his first of the season and it was 3-2 in favor of the Tigers.

In the 7th, with Verlander still in the game, Mark Teahan would work a lead off walk followed by a Ross Gload single to put 2 men on and noone out, which signaled the end of the day for Tigers' starter Justin Verlander. Jason Grilli would be brought in to replace Verlander who promptly gave up an RBI single to Jack Buck, scoring Mark Teahan from 2nd to tie the game 3-3. Grilli would be pulled in favor of Bobby Seay who got Joey Gathright to line out to short. Seay was quickly pulled after 1 batter and replaced with Acquilino Lopez to face Mark Grudzielanek. Grudzielanek would untie the game with an RBI single to right scoring Ross Gload.

After 7 innings, the Royals lead 4-3 in Detroit.

Wang has rough outing, Reds win 12-8

The Yankees 19-game winner didn't exactly have the kind of game he would like to have, but then again, it's only Spring right?

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang failed to get out of the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits in a 12-8 Yankees loss on Thursday afternoon.

Edwin Encarnacion had the big day, hitting a grand slam and a 2-run single for the Reds. Pitcher Aaron Harang went 3 innings today, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2.

If you're a Yankees fan, tomorrow should be exciting. Closer Mariano Rivera will make his spring debut tomorrow against the Houston Astros.

Lofton is on Baker's wish list

Kenny Lofton has apparently joined Corey Patterson on Dusty Baker's wish list according to the Dayton Daily News.

When asked, Baker responded "I've talked to Lofton and there is still a chance we can sign him," said Baker. "Patterson, too. It's a matter of our budget and how it all fits. Right now, we don't have a roster spot for Lofton and he would like a major-league contract."

Did I miss something? I thought Jay Bruce was the Reds' "can't miss" prospect and the only players I keep hearing about are Norris Hopper, Kenny Lofton and Corey Patterson. I guess the knock on Baker is true, he wants veterans.

Fogg signs with Reds

According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the Cincinnati Reds picked up another pitcher to help out their starting rotation.

On Thursday, the Reds came to an agreement with free agent right-hander Josh Fogg on a 1-year $1M deal.

GM Wayne Krivsky on signing Fogg "It heated up here the last couple of weeks. Looking at the board of who was available, we thought he'd be a good fit."

Josh Fogg on signing with the Reds, "This was a place I wanted to end up. I think the opportunity to come in as a veteran guy and add a little stability to the pitching staff was one of the reasons I signed here."

Reds avoid arbitration with Phillips

The Cincinnati Reds settled their last arbitration eligible case, signing 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips to a 4-year $27M contract on Friday which included a club option for the 5th year.

Phillips made it clear to the Reds that he wanted to stay with the team that gave him a 2nd chance after he was traded from the Cleveland Indians.

Looking Forward to 2008: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds come into 2008 wanting to end their streak of 7 straight losing seasons after finishing at 72-90 in 2007.

General Manager Wayne Krivsky wanted to make some changes during the offseason, the first of which was doing something the Reds' organization usually doesn't do....hire a manager who didn't come from within the organization. The man they hired came as a surprise to some, but a guy who may be able to instill change in this young team...that man was Dusty Baker.

Baker has a reputation of helping teams go from worst in the division to division contender in his first year. When he was hired as the Giants' manager in 1993, the team was coming off a 72-90 season, the following year, the Giants won 103 games. In 2002, the Chicago Cubs won just 67 games, Baker was hired in 2003 and led the Cubs to an 88 win season and the NL Central crown.

One thing the Reds needed to do was bulster their bullpen, their relievers posted a 23-31 record in 2007 with a league-high 5.13 ERA while converting 34 of 61 saves. So, they went out and signed former Ranger and Brewers closer Francisco Cordero to a 4-year $46M contract with a $12M option for a 5th year.

The Reds also needed to address their starting rotation. Their only consistant starter, again, was right-hander Aaron Harang who won 16 games. Bronson Arroyo surpassed 200 innings pitched, but didn't have near the year he had in 2006. The Reds traded young outfielder, and fan favorite, Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers in exchange for highly touted pitcher Edison Volquez. Along with Harang, Arroyo and Volquez in the rotation, Matt Belisle and Homer Bailey may also have a good shot at a starting spot.

The Reds were rumored to be looking into a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard but the Reds were unwilling to part with their top prospect Jay Bruce.

Total list of arrivals and departures:

Arrivals:

RHP Cordero

RHP Volquez

RHP Sergio Valenzuela (Rule 5 pick)

manager Baker

Departures:

OF Josh Hamilton

RHP Kirk Saarloos

OF Jason Ellison

OF Buck Coats

LHP Eddie Guardado

LHP Eric Milton

1B Jorge Cantu

Offensively, this team won't look much different from last season. Ken Griffey Jr, Ryan Freel and Adam Dunn will probably make up the Reds' outfield while David Ross, Edwin Encarnacion, Brandon Phillips (if the team can come to a contract agreement) and Alex Gonzalez will return to the infield.

Prediction Time:

Though Dusty Baker has a reputation of leading teams to better years than before he arrived, I just don't see that reputation holding up this season. I just don't think the Reds have the pitching or the offense to overtake the Chicago Cubs in the division.

Reds - 76-86

Reds, Affeldt nearing deal?

According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the Cincinnati Reds are apparently close to a deal with free agent left-hander Jeremy Affeldt.

The deal is still pending a final dollar amount and a physical which is already scheduled for early next week.

Walt Jocketty hired by Reds

According to the Associated Press, former Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty has been hired by the Cincinnati Reds as the special assistant to Reds' CEO Bob Castellini.

Mariners, Reds making push for Bedard

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners and Reds are making a push for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The Mariners are willing to trade their top prospect, Adam Jones, while the Reds would rather not part with theirs, Jay Bruce.

Rangers close to deal with Guardado

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Texas Rangers are close to a deal with former Mariners and Reds closer Eddie Guardado.

Rangers acquire Josh Hamilton

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers sent young pitchers Edison Volquez and minor league pitcher Danny Herrera to the Cincinnati Reds for young, and talented, center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Reds close to a deal for Bedard?

12.10.07 12:55pm PST

John Fay of the Reds Insider has an update on the Reds pursuit of Erik Bedard. According to his information, people inside the organization say the possibility of landing Bedard is 75%.

When the Bedard rumors started, did anyone guess the Reds would be the team to land him?

12.8.07 8:01pm PST

According to John Fay of the Reds Insider, the Cincinnati Reds could still pull off a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The package that the Reds could put together would include Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and another top prospect.

Reds still after Bedard?

According to John Fay of the Reds Insider, the Cincinnati Reds could still pull off a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The package that the Reds could put together would include Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and another top prospect.

Reds talking to Mike Cameron?

A new team has jumped into the bidding for free agent center fielder Mike Cameron, the Cincinnati Reds. Before the Padres hired new manager Bud Black, they interviewed current Reds manager Dusty Baker, who Mike Cameron strongly recommended and went so far as to say he would like to play for Baker.

The Padres have had talks with Cameron's agent, but they're waiting for a decision from Japanese free agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome before trying to seriously re-sign Cameron. Though, if they wait too long, they may not have that chance.

Tomko unlikely to return to San Diego

12.5.07 9:53pm PST

According to Padres' beat writer Corey Brock, the Padres are unlikely to sign Brett Tomko. Though the Padres made a 1-year $1.5M offer, Tomko wants to see if he gets an offer to be a starter.

He's received interest from the Nationals, Pirates, Reds and Rockies.

12.2.07 2:19pm PST

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Padres GM' Kevin Towers expects to re-sign veteran Brett Tomko to a 1-year deal as a part of the Padres' bullpen.

Mets, Reds after Erik Bedard

Reds Insider John Fay reports that the Reds are going hard after Orioles' ace Erik Bedard. The rumor is the Reds could be offering Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and one other player, though the Orioles could ask for Jay Bruce to be the 3rd player, the Reds don't want to give him up however.

The Mets offer is Aaron Heilman, Carlos Gomez and Philip Humber though the Orioles rejected the offer, according to Marty Noble of MLB.com

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