Gameday: Reds (25-23) at Phillies (29-18)
Posted by Michael Baumann, Tue, May 24, 2011 05:16 PM | Comments: 72
2011 Gameday, Posts
Cincinnati Reds (25-23) at Philadelphia Phillies (29-18)
Johnny Cueto, RHP (2-1, 1.45 ERA) vs. Vance Worley, RHP (2-0, 1.12 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m. Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Chance of thunderstorms, 79
TV: WPHL
Twitter: Phillies Nation
I sure did enjoy that seven-run third inning last night, didn’t you guys? What’s more, it sure was fun to see Chase Utley back in red pinstripes, even though he did go 0-for-5. Tonight, we get more of the same, as the Phillies pray their good offensive fortune from last night carries over against Johnny Cueto. Cueto has only made three starts so far this season, but he’s done quite well, with 14 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.02 in 18 2/3 innings. Cueto’s been something of a familiar face for Phillies fans over recent years. Though he’s only made five starts against Philadelphia, including the playoffs, in his career, two of them were memorable battles against Cole Hamels: the first was a 22-1 loss in 2009 that got so out of hand shortstop Paul Janish came in to pitch, and the other was the losing end of Hamels’ Game 3 complete game shutout in last year’s NLCS.
I know we gripe about the Phillies’ offensive struggles, but as fans of one team we’re often somewhat myopic about our complaints. If there’s another good team that’s run into as much bad fortune as the Phillies, the Reds might be it. They started 5-0 and as recently as a week ago were eight games over .500 and a game and a half up in the division, but since then the Reds have lost six on the trot, by a combined 24 runs, and fallen out of first place in embarrassing fashion. Not like you ought to feel bad for them or anything–I hope the Phillies win by 15 runs.
Vance Worley takes the ball for Philadelphia this evening, in what could be the first of many appearances as the Phillies’ No. 5 starter, depending on how bad Joe Blanton’s elbow actually is. Which brings me to an important point: Vance Worley needs a nickname. I mean, not like his given name isn’t awesome enough, or that “Vanimal” isn’t a good start, but I think we can do better. If you have ideas, leave them in the comment section. Extra points will be awarded for anything menacing, goofy, or alliterative.
Oh, and I bet you didn’t know this (I had no clue until I checked the date on Wikipedia), but today is the anniversary of the first night game in MLB history, contested May 24, 1935, between…the Reds and Phillies, believe it or not. So that’s pretty cool, huh?
PHILLIES LINEUP:
Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Polanco 3B, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Brown RF, Mayberry CF, Worley P
Your Gameday Beer- Free State John Brown Ale
I was paging through Wikipedia, and a bunch of interesting stuff happened on May 24. Plus it’s my fiancee’s birthday, and while I feel a personal obligation to honor that date with tonight’s beer recommendation, I know full well that none of you guys give a crap. Therefore, in honor of the (and I hope this is less convoluted than it sounded in my head) 155th anniversary of the Pottawatomie Creek massacre, I give you Free State Brewing Co.’s John Brown Ale. Brown, as you may know, was not only a rational anti-slavery militant in the Bleeding Kansas era of the antebellum west, he famously raided the federal armory in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1859 with the intention of arming the slaves and starting a rebellion in the South. Of course, that raid was put down by the 2nd U.S. Cavalry that included future Confederate generals Robert E. Lee, who led the unit, and J.E.B. Stuart. Of course, I can’t imagine many of you give a crap about John Brown either.-by Michael
GO PHILLIES
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Much bigger test tonight.
Coming in the pitching match up should favor the Reds.
Very glad the old man used the same line up.
Worleys first time facing a a start vs a real team and line up. As his other 2 starts were vs the Mets and Senators.
Posted: 06:56 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
Glad to see Worley back. I liked what I saw from him.
Posted: 07:03 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 220 The Dipsy
Vance Worley will never go back to the minors again.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:05 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
Ah well, there goes the no-hitter…
Posted: 07:07 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 220 The Dipsy
What….who….what. Why wasn’t Ibanez anywhere close to that ball? Jesus. Did it at least hit the fence?
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:07 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Bad luck there for Vance
Posted: 07:08 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
Owie… and there’s the shutout. Let’s see how Worley handles the pressure…
Posted: 07:08 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
I thought the same thing Dipsy
He was making it look like a homer
When it hit off the base of the wall.
Dunno if he could have or should of caught it but he looked a little lost
Posted: 07:09 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
YES! Nice K!
Posted: 07:10 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
Gimme a effin break AFW. That ball shoulda been caught. It was a deep fly. This is EXACTLY what I’m talking about. The score is now 1-0 and as far as I’m concerned that run goes on Ibanez. He is now a -1 for the game. That is so totally lame. How can Charlie sit in the dugout and what that sh@t.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:12 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
Don’t you people just wanna pull your hair out when you see a guy on YOUR team play the field like that? Just put a cardboard cutout in LF.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:16 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Dipsy I dont have a DVR
Or Id go back and look
All I am saying is I am not sure HE would have caught it
A good fielder would have I am sure
Dipsy most LFers are a detriment to the defense. thats why they play LF
If the Phils get a RF like Pence. Id be happy with brown in left
Posted: 07:19 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
This is just ugly.
Posted: 07:20 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Vance is having NO LUCK
as wheel is saying its a shame for worley
Posted: 07:20 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Yes Chase has gotten to run alot so far
Hope he is in the line up tomorrow
Posted: 07:22 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
I can’t accept his level of incompetence. I’m sorry. He’s terrible for even a LFer.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:25 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
I like the way Vance is holding up to the pressure. He doesn’t seem to be letting it rattle him. Struck out a batter who had already seen him once. Nice work.
Posted: 07:29 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 48 krukdriver
No panic Worley. Gotta like this kid.
Posted: 07:30 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
I thought that would be out of here, but I won’t complain about a lead-off double!
Posted: 07:31 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Luzinski, Burrell
There is a history of this.
But he needs to put up better offensive stats I agree
Especially on the road where is is the worst.
He is servicable at home with 18 RBI and all 5 of his homers and a .300 avg
I could deal with the defense if he did that home and away
Posted: 07:32 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
What’s the deal with Worley’s fan club? What’s the significance of dressing up like waiters in a Greek restaurant?
Posted: 07:32 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
I hope Ibanez doesnt K
Dipsy may stroke out :)
Posted: 07:33 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
And theres the RBI double
Makes up
Hes swining a bat at home that makes him very good
Posted: 07:34 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
RaUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLL!
Posted: 07:35 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
Nice hitting, Raul!
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:35 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Wow
Ruiz
Who will never recieve one vote for the hall of fame
But can play on my team every day of the week and 2 times on sunday
Posted: 07:36 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
YES!!!
Posted: 07:37 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
I have a feeling Worley is going to be one of these guys who pitches better in the Majors Than he did in the minors.
It happens
Posted: 07:37 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
What the hell was that? Glad to see Chase get a hit, but JRoll never should have gone.
Posted: 07:51 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Need to stop having guys thrown out at home.
Not good
yea!
Chase got his first hit
Posted: 07:52 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
CHOOCH!!!
Posted: 08:03 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 144 therookie300
Keep on hitting Raaauuuullllll!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 08:05 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 144 therookie300
How many runs in Brown costing us in right?
Posted: 08:17 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Jeff
I like Vance but you cant walk the horrible pitcher. he is not even a player…come on boy
Posted: 08:21 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Lefty
You got to ask yourself if Blanton would be pitching any better than Worley, I think – no.
Posted: 08:29 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
You cant stop David Herndon only try to contain him.
Lets get 3 innings from the big horse tonight!
Posted: 08:45 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Worley is the 5 starter now
Too bad Blanton we cant even give away now
Posted: 08:46 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 1982 Tracey
nicely played by Howard!
Posted: 08:47 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Lefty
Excelllent AB
Posted: 08:47 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Bad luck for Worley today the Reds are a good hitting teams an some balls fell.. Walking the Pitcher caught up to him….i still like that he held trough the pressure….glad Cholly made the right move an took him out….boy can Worley sweat….
Posted: 08:50 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
That just means he is well hydrated
Worley could turn into a fun story for this year.
something like that would be a nice distraction to the grind of going for 5 straight division titles
Posted: 08:53 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Big test for Stutes here…
Posted: 08:58 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Sse01
Test passed.
Posted: 09:10 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 3457 Lefty
Wow, just read the Baumann article and comments- Quite an afternoon here.
Posted: 09:14 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 48 krukdriver
The article that was supposed to be about trading for Hunter Pence turned into a Shane Victorino donnybrook.
Posted: 09:37 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
You missed all the fun
Baumann tweeted he wanted to beat me up with Shanes gold gloves if he ever meets me.
Which made my day
That with the length of the commentariet column have made me promise to be better and not try to cause a ruckus.
And I get the stat guys points etc etc.
Posted: 09:18 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 3457 Lefty
Andrew, It was classic.
I think The Dark Overlords thought we couldn’t view their tweets. And they call us Mos Eisley!
You let the cat out of the bag, Big Brother now knows the lab rats can see them.
Posted: 09:32 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 3457 Lefty
Need a big hit Chooch, raise your WAR!
Ok a walk will do, no stats for good AB’s
Posted: 09:34 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Sometimes I worry you will get upset Lefty that I am going to far causing too much trouble.
Phylan was tweeting to some Mets guy about how great Piazza is.
Baumann said he couldnt go in and look but Phylan had gone in to fight the good fight.
The stat guys come off sounding eliteist. They cant help it though.
And I am glad they make columns I can comment on. Because I would not have patience to do a column and enjoy commenting.
Posted: 09:37 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 3457 Lefty
This could be a late night.
I like the athleticism Brown and Mayberry bring. Just have to have enough patience for their full game to come along.
Neither one of them can be doubled up on a typical GIDP, not that that is a such a great thing, but it shows the raw speed.
Posted: 09:38 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 48 krukdriver
Brown’s gonna be a stud – I sure hope Ruben doesn’t flip him for someone like Pence.
Posted: 10:00 PM on May 24, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew From Waldorf
Thats not good.
Posted: 09:39 PM on May 24, 2011