The Short Version: One day after collecting 20 hits and 15 runs, the Reds return to form with a one run outing, and the Twins snapped an eight-game losing streak. The Cincinnati Reds: Good For What Ails Ya’.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (6-21) | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| Minnesota Twins (9-13) | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| W: Odorizzi (2-2) L: Romano (1-3) S: Rodney (3) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Box Score | |||
The Good
–Scott Schebler once again destroyed a baseball, a solo home run — his third of the season — in the top of the second that gave the Reds a 1-0 lead. Schebler finished the day 1-3 with a walk. He only has 45 plate appearances thanks to a stint on the disabled list (after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow), but in those 45 times to the plate, he has posted a strong .317/.378/.585 line.
–Devin Mesoraco collected two of the Reds’ six hits, including his first double of the season, and he also added a walk.
–Austin Brice and Dylan Floro combined for 3.1 innings of shutout relief.
The Bad
–Scooter Gennett makes his daily appearance here, with his fourth error of the season. Jesse Winker also committed an error, his first of the year.
Not-So-Random Thoughts
–I like it better when the Reds win, like yesterday. Unfortunately, the Reds unwisely scored their weekly allotment of runs last night, and had only one left over for today.
–Starter Sal Romano had a shutout going into the fourth inning, but surrendered two runs. A leadoff single led to an Eduardo Escobar RBI double. Winker bobbled the ball, permitting Escobar to advance to third base, where he later scored on a sac fly.
The score was still 2-1 Twins in the fifth, but Romano was unable to escape the inning. Big Sal gave up a leadoff homer to Mitch Garver, which was followed by a double from Ehire Adrianza. Brian Dozier then lined into a double play, but Joe Mauer walked and Eddie Rosario singled, and Romano’s day was done at that point. (Fortunately, Brice entered and shut down the rally.)
Final line for Romano: 4.2 innings, 3 runs allowed (2 earned) on 6 hits and two walks, striking out 1. Sal threw 89 pitches.
–The Reds threatened twice after that. In the seventh, Adam Duvall led off with a ground-rule double, knocking Minnesota starter Jake Odorizzi out of the game. After a Mesoraco single, the Reds had runners on the corners with no outs. What followed was predictable (if you’ve ever watched the Reds before): Billy Hamilton popped out, Jesse Winker struck out, Jose Peraza flew out to right field.
Then, down 3-1 in the top of the ninth, the Reds tried to get something going thanks to characteristic wildness from Minnesota closer Fernando Rodney. Schebler walked to lead off the inning. After a Duvall fly out, Mesoraco also drew a walk, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. What followed was predictable (if you’ve ever watched the Reds before): Tucker Barnhart and Jesse Winker popped out.
–There is no question in my mind that Schebler is going to be more valuable than Adam Duvall in every season going forward. At least until Duvall hits age 50, and gets to play on the senior tour.
–Tyler Mahle will head to the hill tomorrow to see if the Reds can actually win a series!
Today’s Tweets
This is from yesterday, but it’s too good not to share:
Another classic from Joey Votto. I’ll never understand how people don’t like this man.
“Shout out to Canada.” pic.twitter.com/TNQ2j4zv7L
— Aaron Woods (@AaronWoods1410) April 28, 2018
.@scheb08 with the sizzle. ??? pic.twitter.com/xZ4aK25D3N
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 28, 2018
"Folks, I'm telling you, fundamental baseball is just not happening,"-line of the day from The Cowboy#Reds
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) April 28, 2018
There is no question in my mind that Schebler is going to be more valuable than Adam Duvall in every season going forward.
Truth be told, you should focus your vitriol more towards Hamilton than Duvall.
Or, alternately, I could write about whomever I want.
And I’ve never directed a single ounce of “vitriol” toward Duvall. I compared Schebler and Duvall because they are corner outfielders.
Hamilton failed completely at the plate twice. With 1st and 3rd and none out as you described, but also two innings earlier with 2nd and 3rd and one out. That was the difference in the game. And everyone knew there was no way BHam could generate RBI’s in that situation, including the manager who pinch hit Tucker Barnhart for Billy on the 9th. If he’s not a good enough hitter to bat in his normal slot, why is he starting in the first place? Hamilton needs to be a pinch running and defensive replacement specialist. I love Billy’s speed and defense but this hitting “experiment” needs to end.
Rosell Herrera, 25, was a SS in the lower minors who was converted to a CF. He is also a switch hitter, Hmmm… Just saying it might be interesting to give him a look.
The mini box score at the top show the Twins with 8 errors, I think it was 0. As bad as the Reds have played I think they would have won if the Twins had committed 8 errors, at least I hope so. Right?
Oops. Fixed now. Thanks.
If the Twins had actually committed 8 errors, you’re right…the Reds would have had a fighting chance.
On a positive note, the Reds pitching WAR may have improved to be better than -1.0.
The Reds utilization of Garrett is perplexing, at least he leads the team in WAR.
Also, the Reds no longer have the worst record in MLB
Looking out the window just now as I type, it does look like a full moon or at least pretty darn close to one. Maybe Sunday according to some website that I just googled up.
On a slow night after a blah game Mark Sheldon posted this about Luis Castillo’s struggles and the thinking of the Reds brain trust about them
https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/statcast-breaks-down-luis-castillos-struggles/c-274266692
Warning: Sheldon’s article uses the word “changed arm angle” and “flattened fastball”.
The last time I recall these terms being used in conjunction, the subject was what had happened to Cody Reed. Let’s hope Castillo’s issues get settled quickly and more effectively.
Can’t win them all. Just,split or win each series and good things will happen. They have a chance to win the series tomorrow.
I was in and out today and missed Winker’s error or misplay. It seemed like Winker was having a not particularly good game in any facet of play today. This happens to everyone from time to time; and, it is not unusual to see a guy mess up in the field on the same day he isn’t having a great day at the plate either, especially a young guy.
On the other hand I’ve not been impressed with his base running or fielding. Maybe he would do better in LF; we will only find that out if they play him there. Maybe he will learn the tricks of the trade which can make a guy who is neither quick nor fast a decent base runner. Time will also tell the tale there. And as long as he can get on base like he has so far this season, he will be granted the time. If he ends up being something more like Adam Dunn than Jay Bruce that is not a bad outcome.
I don’t love it, haha.
Several years ago the Reds had this exciting young outfielder who played excellent defense & was arguably the best baserunner in the game.He couldn’t hit , get on base very well, & not very effective at bunting. All most everyone @ this site (& sites like this one) said “Play him, the hitting will come, he’ll become more pitch selective, he’ll improve his bunting”. Well, Billy never did. Now the Reds have a young outfielder who’s pretty good at the plate, but can’t field very well, has developed very little power (for a corner outfielder), & not a good baserunner. Everybody says ” Play him, the defense will come, the power will come., he’ll run the bases better”. There’s a place for a 23 year old who can’t field his position, or run the bsaes well yet. It’s called Louisville.
If we could combine the two we’d have a golden player. But Winker is a hitter, therefore we need him in the lineup. Then you sub Billy in late game when Winker gets on base, for speed and defense. Problem solved, just relegate Billy to the bench where he belongs. Winker isn’t going to cost us runs every game, he didn’t cost us the game today, the offense only scored 1 run. Well if he had hit better maybe they would have scored more than 1, but he is showing the ability to get on base and that trumps corner outfield defense. Base running will improve over time how can it not? Until then just run conservatively… its really not hard to follow the base running coaches instructions that’s all he needs to do on the basepaths.
On a competitive playoff contending team Hamilton would be a complete asset. Teams would let him bat at the bottom of the order without any question. They would say just concentrate on playing gold glove defense and saving runs. Actually the BRM had a player like that in Dave Concepcion when he first came up. Ultimately Davey became a good hitter but the pressure was off early in his career because that team didn’t need his offense. The Rebuild Reds don’t have that luxury and I’m not sure Hamilton will ever develop offensively like Concepcion did. I say trade him BUT I’m sure the current FO would screw that up royally.
The difference for me comes down to the old but true axiom that you can’t steal your way onto base. The corollary to that one is, if you hit, they will find a place for your bat in the line up. As long as Winker OBPs in the 40% range all he needs to do otherwise is avoid TOOTBLANs and play something at least approaching low average corner OF. Of course he should push himself to continue improving on the bases and in the field; but 40% OBP will earn him every opportunity to do that.
My point to the Hamilton/ Winker comparison is that not all or even most prospects can learn to perfect their skill sets while playing at the ML level. Surely Suarez & Barnhart have continued to improve year after year & become above average ML players.Hamilton has not substantially improved since he cam to the ML. Currently the Reds are relying on Winker & Peraza to improve parts of their game quite a bit while playing full-time. The Reds will lucky if they bat .500 in this endeavor. Even the ordained one (Nick Senzel) may be better off with a couple more months @ AAA working on his 2nd base defense & honing his hitting skills. Cowboy is right, very few players on the Reds roster are fundamentally sound. The place to learn fundamentals is the minor league.