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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2011 > June > 10 > Entry
Johnny Cueto: Mr. Calm and Mr. Cool
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave while watching Johnny Cueto devour the San Francisco, making me hungry for a day in The City by the Bay:
BREAKFAST at Mama’s on Washington Square: eggs benedict, French toast, orange juice, pot of coffee, whole wheat toast.
LUNCH at Lori’s Diner, a 1950s throwback: Edsel Burger with swiss cheese and fried onions, French fries, vanilla milkshake served in the silver metal container they use on the mixer.
DINNER at Scoma’s in Sausalito: New England clam chowder, Cesar’s salad, sea scallops, sourdough bread, Anchor Steam beer, cheesecake.
BED-TIME SNACK: two Akla-Seltzer’s and a Pepcid.
FOR MOST OF Johnny Cueto’s still-developing career, he has been so excitable he made caffeine nervous. At the first sign of trouble, he collapsed like a sand castle under a beach bully’s foot.
No more. The kid is as cool under fire as the San Francisco Fire Department and Thursday night against the San Francisco Giants was a printout of perfection.
The Cincinnati Reds scored a 3-0 victory against the defending World Series champions and NL West leaders during the first game of a seven-game trip that could be Trip Terrible if the Reds aren’t careful.
They were very careful Thursday to hit the ground with both feet, led by the smooth and calm performance by Cueto. He pitched seven shutout innings, gave up four hits, struck out eight and walked only two.
Both Cueto’s walks came in the first inning and it was an uh-oh beginning when he walked the first batter on four pitches. But that batter, Andres Torres was caught stealing, a fortunate occurrence, because Miguel Tejada then doubled. Freddy Sanchez grounded out, but Cueto walked Aubrey Huff — so three of the first four Giants reached base. That threat died when Nate Schierholtz popped to short.
From there Cueto was The Big Boss.
HE RETIRED SEVEN straight, three straight via strikeouts in the third inning.
Cueto’s newfound courage surfaced again in the fourth when he gave up two of his four hits, back-to-back singles to open the inning. He retired the next two, but fell 3-and-0 behind rookie Brandon Crawford. Inexplicably, Crawford swung at the 3-and-0 and flied to left.
A nice Chablis would be a nice gift for Cueto to send to Crawford.
Cueto worked with a 1-0 lead for his seven innings and 110 pitches. And he was battling umpire Tim Welke, too. His strike zone was smaller than a breadbox.
His opponent, lefty Madison Baumgarner, was nearly as stingy. But Baumgarner’s teammates provide him no aid or comfort. He came into the game with a 3.85 ERA, but a 2-7 record because his offense scores 2.6 runs a game when he pitches. On this night, they scored 2.6 runs fewer than the average.
THE REDS SCORED a run in the fourth with two outs and nobody on. Scott Rolen, playing his first game after missing four with a viral infections, doubled to right center and Jonny Gomes brought him home with a single.
Gomes had three hits but committed an extremely rare omission of hustle on his third hit. Leading off the seventh, Gomes blooped one to shallow right and it appeared foul, so Gomes stood and watched. But a stiff breeze blew the ball into fair territory and it plopped to the ground. Gomes made first base, but should have been on second.
Edgar Renteria, who was presented his World Series ring in a pre-game ceremony by the Giants (He was the World Series MVP, too), bunted for a single. With two on and no outs, Ramon Hernandez bounced into a double play and the Reds didn’t score.
There was a curious non-move by manager Dusty Baker in the Reds third when it was still 0-0. Hernandez and Cueto both reached base — two on, no outs. Shouldn’t Drew Stubbs bunt, especially in a pitcher’s park where runs are as scarce as street people with Starbucks cards? He let Stubbs swing away and he struck out. Brandon Phillips hit into a double play. No runs.
AFTER CUETO left, the Reds faced the Giants bullpen, which hadn’t given up a run in 17 innings. They scored one in the eighth when Gomes swung and missed a pitch in the dirt that skipped to the backstop, permitting Rolen to score, and one in the ninth on a single by Phillips.
Nick Masset pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Coco Cordero pitched a pressureless ninth and went 1-2-3 for his 12th save in 14 opportunities.
One down, six to go.
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By jugatech
June 15, 2011 1:34 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to the drag bunt? Maybe Stubby can do that better.It also doesn’t giveaway a players intent.
By Bill*
June 11, 2011 1:51 AM | Link to this
Failure by Stubbs once again, and he remains in the lineup. A .233 hitter with runners in scoring position, and cannot bunt! What good is he??? Three K’s tonight— 88 on the year! They wasted a great performance by Travis Wood. But Dusty will have the answer tomorrow—he’ll play Gomes in LF again, instead of leaving Heisey in the lineup, for ever, like he did Bruce and Stubbs.Erroreia will get another start at SS, and that will fix everything. Lewis is the only leadoff possibility in LF—play Heisey in center, BOTH OF THEM EVERYDAY, until the cows come home!I’m tired of watching DS, that’s Drew Sucks!
By jim m.
June 11, 2011 1:44 AM | Link to this
SEE??? our wonderful strike out machine Lead-off hitter STUBBS cant even get a bunt down in the 9nth!!then of course he has to strike out. I am tired of watching that from the lead-off spot.. Time to get this team a lead-off hitter. Janish isnt hitting and Stubbs cant do nothing when it counts. He will strike out at least 1-2 times a game.. Heck of a way to show your MVP he has no chance to drive in 100 runs.. Come on WALT do something!! Another wasted chance to gain ground. even the announcers said the Reds failed in the minors to teach Stubbs the importance of bunting. I sure hope they are with Billy Hamilton!! HINT!! HINT!!
By Jim M.
June 10, 2011 11:40 PM | Link to this
This team has to get a leadoff hitter that can get on base, NOT strike out after the pitcher does his job to sacrifice!!! GRRRRRRRR, can bunt when needed.. I just hope Reyes doesnt end up a Cardinal!! if we could get him and Kemp that would be a devastating lineup
By Nate
June 10, 2011 10:57 PM | Link to this
Sounds like good eating in San Francisco. No wonder their players produce…they are well-fed.
By Believe It
June 10, 2011 10:46 PM | Link to this
I guess Heisey’s “3—bouncer” to second base for a putout in the 1st inning tonight sorta disproves what knowledge you purport to have about the man and his play, huh Mikey?
By Know Some of it
June 10, 2011 9:03 PM | Link to this
Know it all, I’ll bet the wives know these players better than DB does; and being with them 24 hours would be a real stretch, even if they aren’t married. I am happy to see you not sounding like you want to cuddle with DD…perhaps he has become his old self: “Matt, the blog cop”!That is who he is, you know. Trust me, you don’t want any part of that…delusional.
By Believe It
June 10, 2011 8:44 PM | Link to this
And, I suppose sending $30 million down to AA is the death knoll of Mr. Chapman,mikey? Be careful when you laugh out loud—some may consider you ignorant and uninformed. Stay tuned, Mikey…
By Believe It
June 10, 2011 8:23 PM | Link to this
Oh,btw, Dickerson is playing behind Granderson who happens to have 19 homeruns…Movin’On Up…
By KNOW IT ALL
June 10, 2011 7:21 PM | Link to this
Another thing that irks me about Baker was his decision weeks ago prior to Chapman being put on disable list was how Baker inserted him in 3 straight games. The combination of pitching too much, continue to watch the stupid speed gun. So many distractions and now he has lost his control. Hopefully this is not a multi million dollar bust
By Mike in KY
June 10, 2011 6:34 PM | Link to this
@Believe It: How funny. Just as you sing the praises of Chris Dickerson, he gets booted to AAA. LOL! Yep, real loss for the Reds cutting ties with that DL denizen.
By StuttgartTim
June 10, 2011 5:57 PM | Link to this
Absolutely Stubbs should have been bunting. And Slag hit the nail on the head. Stubbs CAN bunt. He just obviously was not told to bunt. That’s the managers’ job. If Dusty has reservations about Stubbs’ bunting then he should have him laying them down every day in practice. The benefits of having a guy with Stubbs’ speed, bunting, is obvious to most.
By KNOW IT ALL
June 10, 2011 5:28 PM | Link to this
First of all those of you that think we know more about baseball than Baker your point is wrong. We are entitled to what and how we feel as to how Baker manages. Some of us are pretty intelligent I think and feel that Baker lacks some common baseball sense. Just because he is with these players 24 hrs per day and knows them quite well as nothing to do with ordering a bunt or putting a creditble player in the line up that deserves to play. Right now things should start to improve everyone is getting healthy. The season is moving along and Reds have yet to have more than 1 or 2 hitters hot at the same time. When that happens look for a winning streak that may hit double digits
By Tom
June 10, 2011 4:59 PM | Link to this
And, the choice, not to bunt Stubbs, and perhaps move two runners into scoring position, may have cost the Reds two runs,also.Instead of bunting, Stubbs moved one step closer to 200+ seasonal K’s!
By Believe It
June 10, 2011 4:35 PM | Link to this
That Dickerson is playing behind a player, in the best baseball organization in professional baseball—for decades, would be a compliment from Mr. Girardi, who is in fact a better manager than your hero, toothpick. Yes, in deed. And, no doubt is making more salary than when he was getting screwed by Baker, as well. And, yes,the fact that he was allowed to get away from the Reds, to end up with the best in baseball— for decades—would, in fact, be tossed at the feet of your hero’s DB and WJ!
By Believe It
June 10, 2011 4:31 PM | Link to this
That Dickerson is playing behind a player, in the best baseball organization in professional baseball—for decades, would be a compliment from Mr. Girardi, who is in fact a better manager than your hero, toothpick. Yes, in deed. And, no doubt is making more salary than when he was getting screwed by Baker, as well. And, yes,the fact that he was allowed to get away from the Reds, to end up with the best in baseball— for decades—would, in fact, be tossed at the feet of your hero’s DB and WJ!
By Worn Cleat
June 10, 2011 4:06 PM | Link to this
In addition, the only time Gomes has hit the ball this year, is when he is facing pitchers who cannot locate there pitches low and away, in the dirt—including the past couple of days—only once did that happen, and he struck out.The pitches he hit were all up in the zone, and generally, had little movement on them. Play Heisey, he’s better in ALL areas.
By Worn Cleat
June 10, 2011 3:52 PM | Link to this
@mikey, if you were capable, at least once, of accurately reporting upon what you read, I’d be aghast! Maybe you should change your name to know it all, or Matt, the blog cop. The point that was being made was about speed{and/or lack thereof} and bunting; not whether or not, one particular bunt turned out successful. There have been many times,this year, Mr. Blog cop, when bunts, not executed have hurt the Reds. Anymore brilliant observations from the ‘Cousin of blog cop’?
By Mike in KY
June 10, 2011 3:36 PM | Link to this
@Believe It: The only time Heisey is outhitting Gomes or Lewis is when he’s facing relievers who don’t make adjustments. If Heisey doesn’t get a hit in his first AB as a starter, he’s going 0-for. Otherwise, he’s going 1-for until the rest of the team hits their way to the opponent’s bullpen. And, of course, Gomes going .423 (11-for-26) with seven RBIs over his last 10 games means he’s unfit to play. And now you’ll tell us about Gomes’ nebulous defensive blunders when I have yet to see Heisey get a ball to the cutoff man on fewer than three bounces on a pressed throw. But then again, we’re worried about the lineup on the best offensive team in baseball. And, while you’re busy fretting, why don’t you take a look at what a “better” manager is doing with Chris Dickerson…Girardi has him riding the pine as a defensive replacement player in the Bronx. But that’s Dusty’s fault too, right? eyeroll
By Believe it
June 10, 2011 3:07 PM | Link to this
Heisey is out-hitting all LFers, but Gomes will play and Heisey will, unjustifiably, be made to sit, just like Dickerson was forced to sit, so Patterson,Taveras, and Stubbs could shine. How has that worked out for the little red machine? Dickerson was a better defender,and like some others we have now, made more frequent contact,but rarely got to play his best position, CF, because Baker, etc. wanted others to play.Therefore, Like Heisey,now,lost confidence and skills, due to unequal playing time! Baker is a rally-killer, before the rally gets started!
By Mike in KY
June 10, 2011 2:46 PM | Link to this
Worn Cleat: Let’s analyze how much Renteria’s bunt added to the Reds chances of winning. Next batter grounded into a double play and the next batter strikes out to end the inning. A grounder through the left side allows Gomes to get to third and a runs scores on that double play if Tejada can even make the turn. The choice to bunt Renteria may have cost the Reds a run. Of course, everyone here is a better manager than Dusty Baker. That’s why you’re all managing baseball teams at some level, right? All of you, high school and college coaches at least, right? I mean, you’re such great evaluators of talent and temperament when you watch these guys three hours a night, at best, and interact with them exactly never. Of course, were Narron on the Reds bench, you’d have nothing but glowing remarks about last night’s gritty Reds victory.
By RRF
June 10, 2011 2:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s replace Dusty Baker with Thom Brennaman. TB announces as if he is the greatest expert on baseball. In reality, I am glad I have Direct TV so I can switch to the other teams announcers and not have to listen to this fool.
By Mark
June 10, 2011 12:18 PM | Link to this
Hal, Nice Hall of Fame wordsmithing. You havn’t lost a step. …Acme Oyster Bar.
By Colgar
June 10, 2011 12:09 PM | Link to this
It appears you all missed a good game last night. The Reds won and still you guys think you’re better managers than Dusty Baker. Lets take a poll which of these managers is/were better than Baker? Jerry Narron? Pete McKanin? Bob Boone? Dave Miley? Jack McKeon? Ray Knight?
By Ray
June 10, 2011 11:48 AM | Link to this
Scoma’s…Mama’s in North Beach…Anchor Steam…and a Reds win on the road. As a native Cincinnatian (ok, Hamiltonian) and former resident of the Bay area, doesn’t get any better than that.
By just a fan
June 10, 2011 11:03 AM | Link to this
Once again the Reds win in spite of Bakers stupidity.
By David
June 10, 2011 10:27 AM | Link to this
Dusty’s rule is that you don’t bunt with the leadoff hitter before the 12th inning.
By slag
June 10, 2011 10:23 AM | Link to this
No mike the blame does go to Baker. These guys need to start fearing him a bit more instead of the biddy/buddy crap routine. Stubbs is not a bad bunter but just an infrequent one. He’s bunted twice the past 2 weeks for hits but he refuses to because a bunt hit ain’t pretty in these primma donna’s minds.It’s been quoted by the coaches that they continually “encourage” him to bunt. Well, guess what, you tell the MF’r to bunt or he ain’t playing. The guy has a swiss cheese long swing and he’s going to SO 210 times this year. That is disgusting for both a LO hitter and a guy that runs like a gazelle.It’s just another reason why the offense is so inconsistent and the team won’t put together long winning streaks. You have almost a third of all your games in a year decided by 1 run and Stubbs comes up an inordinate amount of timesin the late innings but all we see are whiffs. That sickens me to watch and any manager worth his wait would make the SOB bunt a couple times a week minimum especially when he starts to slump which is about twice a week.Baker is a joke of a manager. He sits Gomes after 2 really good games against the cubs on wed and plays that horseshIT fRED lEWIS WHO WAS 1-9 LIFETIME AGAINST Ryan Dumpster yet Gomes, who hit a HR on monday and almost a GS on tuesday, sits the bench.
By steven ross
June 10, 2011 10:23 AM | Link to this
There was a curious non-move by manager Dusty Baker in the Reds third when it was still 0-0. Much of Dusty’s moves, or lackthereof, are parallel to his lineups. They don’t make sense to me either.
By Worn Cleat
June 10, 2011 9:54 AM | Link to this
Yes, I have to agree with Mike’s assessment here: Hernandes is awful to watch when running—he must be the slowest human ever created, on the base path’s! However,he does demonstrate, now and then, how easy it is for ANYONE to lay down a bunt for a basehit, down the third base line, when the opponents 3rd baseman is playing deep—even the slowest human alive can get a basehit bunting, if he does the deed correctly…so what’s up with Stubbs stubborness, in not learning to do it, with his BLAZING SPEED???? Even erroriea put down a base hit bunting last night, and he’s not much quicker than ‘turtle’ Hernandes.
By Mike
June 10, 2011 9:07 AM | Link to this
The decision to not have Stubbs bunt isn’t that bad. If you think about it, you have a bad bunter trying to bunt over to third the slowest runner on the team. We’ve seen earlier in the season that bunting Hernandez over has a low success rate. The blame doesn’t go on Dusty for the decision, the blame goes on Stubbs for not becoming a better bunter. Given the batter and the runner, Dusty made a justifiable decision.
By KNOW IT ALL
June 10, 2011 8:27 AM | Link to this
Great pitching performance last night, shut out the World Champions so off to a better start on this road trip already. Again Baker amazes me with bonehead non-decision to not have Stubbs bunt runners over with no outs. Just don’t understand Baker, no brainer on this decision. Anyway fortuately they only needed 1 run. Lets get number 2 win tonight….