Thom said the Reds were 4-39 with RISP during the home stand. Just went 0-2 that last inning.

Good decision by Riggleman to hold Cozart up at 3rd there with no outs. Last year he's sent no doubt

And the Reds get nothing with runners on 2nd and 3rd and none down. Maybe Riggleman should've sent Cozart, that stinks.

Second and third and no out with Frazier and Bruce up and Reds don't score. Now 4-43 and Frazier 0-5 in his last at with a man on third. Wow!!!

Ops they did it again! 1-8 tonight with RISP.

Barnhart playing long ball again. With Meso out I like Barnhart as the starter. He's younger with more upside so might as well get him the majority of ABs. Pena is more suited as a backup catcher anyways.

Now Leake decides to play long ball. The Reds have the best hitting starting pitchers in the league with Leake, Lorenzen, Marquis and Cueto with his ability to bunt.

Barnhart playing long ball again. With Meso out I like Barnhart as the starter. He's younger with more upside so might as well get him the majority of ABs. Pena is more suited as a backup catcher anyways.

Barnhart is great behind the plate. He's not much of a hitter despite the 2 HRs he has hit recently.

Why is Meso still out but not on the DL?

Barnhart is great behind the plate. He's not much of a hitter despite the 2 HRs he has hit recently.

 

I understand that but he's pretty similar of a hitter as Pena. Both won't hit for much power in terms of home runs, good gap power and both have good eyes at the plate with nice approaches. Also both are switch hitters.

 

Now the differences are Tucker is about 10 years younger and an elite defender, he's also going to be very cheap for a while and under team control. In the near future Tucker is going to be the backup catcher so he might as well get most of the reps and work with the staff as much as possible.

 

It's even likely that Barnhart could be the starting catcher if Meso requires a position change. The Reds best catching prospects Wallach and Boulware are both still in the low minors.

 

Another thing is Tucker is built more to be an everyday catcher as he has been doing it the last few years in the minor leagues, Pena isn't in the best physical shape and hasn't caught as in everyday catcher since the last time he was a minor leaguer. Pena is a great option off the bench as a pinch hitter, catching a couple times a week or whenever Cueto is on the mound and spelling Votto occasionally.

Barnhart is great behind the plate. He's not much of a hitter despite the 2 HRs he has hit recently.

 

I understand that but he's pretty similar of a hitter as Pena. Both won't hit for much power in terms of home runs, good gap power and both have good eyes at the plate with nice approaches. Also both are switch hitters.

 

Now the differences are Tucker is about 10 years younger and an elite defender, he's also going to be very cheap for a while and under team control. In the near future Tucker is going to be the backup catcher so he might as well get most of the reps and work with the staff as much as possible.

 

It's even likely that Barnhart could be the starting catcher if Meso requires a position change. The Reds best catching prospects Wallach and Boulware are both still in the low minors.

 

Another thing is Tucker is built more to be an everyday catcher as he has been doing it the last few years in the minor leagues, Pena isn't in the best physical shape and hasn't caught as in everyday catcher since the last time he was a minor leaguer. Pena is a great option off the bench as a pinch hitter, catching a couple times a week or whenever Cueto is on the mound and spelling Votto occasionally.

Why is Meso still out but not on the DL?

 

And why is Dejesus still at AAA where he's hitting .375 on the year and has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games at a .360 clip. This coming after hitting .304 in 12', .319 in 13' and .281 last season. I'd much rather have him as option right now than Meso just because he can play the field and provide some extra versatility.

 

The only thing I can say is it would be nice to have Mesoraco available to DH when we play 10 AL games over the next several weeks. But I also don't want him aggregating his injury any further and he hasn't seen in game pitching in a while so who knows if he'll even be productive.

Hmmmm, maybe a little too much "visitation" with his homies. :lol2:

 

I might be wrong, but I thought I heard that he doesn't drink. He sips on Red Bulls at the club.

Not many games we are going to get a HR from Barnhart, our pitcher and Billy, but I'll take it for the win.

 

Looks like the rest might have been good for Votto.

 

Good start to the series, let's get another tonight!

Mike Leake has been outstanding lately. Such an underrated arm.