Time for a recap of today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 3
Chicago (NL) 5
WP: Hart (2-1)
LP: Cueto (8-7)
S: Gregg (20)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–As usual, Joey Votto is pretty much the only positive for this team. Votto went 2-3 with a double, a homer, and 2 RBI. The guy is just a stud, and it’s a shame he has to play in the middle of such a horrible lineup.
–Jonny Gomes hit a homer in the ninth inning. Off a right-handed pitcher. Imagine that.
NEGATIVES
–TOS*
–This team can’t hit, they can’t pitch, they can’t field. I don’t know what else to say.
–I didn’t see the play, but some discussion in the game thread indicates that Willy Taveras and Chris Dickerson loafed after a ball that allowed Derrek Lee to get an extra base. If that happened, why should we be surprised? The hallmark of Dusty Baker’s teams in Cincinnati has been a lack of effort and a lack of fundamentals. The 2009 Reds are no exception.
ETC.
–The Reds have now lost 7 of their first 9 games of the second half. They are 8 games under .500 and 7.5 games out of first. Anyone who thought this team was a contender is being rapidly disabused of that notion.
–After 96 games, the Reds are 44-52. After 96 games last year, the Reds were 46-50.
That’s right. This team has a worse record than last year’s team that lost 88 games, despite better pitching. I’m glad Walt Jocketty got rid of all the offense. This speed and defense thing sure is working out well, isn’t it?