Inherited runners a problem for bullpen

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 9:44 PM Sunday, July 5, 2009

Dusty Baker can be a hard man to satisfy. He is appreciative of what his bullpen has done this year, as well he should be, but he believes things can be better.

The Reds bullpen leads the National League with a 3.23 earned-run average, but earned runs aren’t what it is all about in being successful.

Baker wants his bullpen to improve on preventing inherited runners from scoring — the players on base when a relief pitcher comes into a game.

“We still have some improvement to make,” Baker said. “We need to improve on runners inherited. That’s a big one. If we can get that one, if guys can come in and hold the runners from scoring, we’ll be better.

“I remember when (coach) Chris Speier’s son (Justin Speier) was pitching for Colorado one year. He was ridiculous — like he inherited 26 runners and none scored. That’s one of the most awesome stats I’ve ever seen.”

The Reds current bullpen has inherited 105 runners and 36 have scored.

“It’s big, that stat,” said Baker. “I’m happy where we are with our bullpen but I’ll be happier if we improve on that. Then we’ll really be good.”

Jared Burton, now at Class AAA Louisville, permitted 10 of his 18 inherited runners to score and David Weathers has inherited 14 and permitted eight to score. The best is Mike Lincoln, nine inherited and one scored, but he is on the DL.

Daniel Ray Herrera has inherited the most, 25, and only five have scored.

E.E. under fire

It is no secret Baker wanted Edwin Encarnacion to stay on rehab at Louisville through the All-Star break. But when infielder Danny Richard tore up his shoulder sliding home, the Reds were left with no choice but to retrieve Encarnacion.

For that reason, Baker is not expecting a lot of offense right away from Encarnacion because he missed more than two months while recovering from a crack in his left wrist.

“Edwin needs at-bats,” Baker said. “I was listening to (Los Angeles manager) Joe Torre talk about Manny Ramirez and Edwin is much like Manny. How long did Manny miss (50 days on suspension for using banned substances)? Edwin missed pretty close to the same amount. At least Manny could hit during that time. Edwin couldn’t (because of his injury).

“Edwin is two months behind and he’ll be playing catch-up for a while,” Baker added. After getting a pinch-hit double in his first at-bat, Encarnacion is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in two starts and he made a two-run throwing error Sunday, July 5.

Gonzo progressing

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has swung a bat, lightly, the past three days — just swing gently at the breeze, no baseballs.

But he’ll begin swinging at baseballs on a tee today, while the Reds are in Philadelphia, as he begins baseball work toward returning a couple of weeks after the All-Star game.

“My elbow felt a little tight, but there was no pain,” said Gonzalez, who had bone chips removed from his throwing elbow two weeks ago.

“I’m anxious to get ready to get back and help the team stay in the race,” he said. “As soon as I feel ready after the break I’ll be back.”

A rare feat

Micah Owings did something Saturday that no pitcher had done on the Fourth of July in more than 50 years. When Owings beat the Cardinals and hit a home run, he was the first pitcher to win a game and hit a home run on the Fourth of July since Bob Turley of the New York Yankees did it in 1955.

Quote of the day

“It is not us against Albert Pujols, it is us against the St. Louis Cardinals. He just happens to be the Grand Cardinal. And he is grand in a lot of stuff.” — Baker.

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