News
There's plenty to play for, Baker says
Cincinnati (64-79) vs. Houston (70-73), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
09/13/09 8:35 PM ET
CHICAGO -- There are just 19 games left in the Reds' season, and manager Dusty Baker doesn't want his players to give one game, one inning or even one at-bat the short shrift. "They know how I feel. Most of them feel the same way," Baker said Sunday. "If you're a pro, you don't want to accept losing whether there is a lot on the line or nothing." For the 14th straight season, the playoffs are out of the Reds' grasp -- a fact that became official after a 4-0 loss to the Cubs on Sunday. And unless they can miraculously pull off an 18-1 record in the final stretch, it will be the ninth straight year without a winning season. The Reds are in fifth place in the National League Central Division, 19 1/2 games behind the first-place Cardinals. "There is still stuff to play for," Baker said. "Winning, next year's club and the opinion of the organization on you, and your own personal stuff on the back of your bubblegum card. There's trying to get a contract. In the old days, they used to call this the salary drive." With a roster loaded with players seeking spots for 2010, the Reds have several decisions up in the air. Going into next year, only first base, second base, third base and right field seem to be locked up among position players. "My roommate Ralph Garr said 'don't hit nine' -- .269, .259, .249, .299," Baker said. "That's because .250 sounds better than .249 and .240 sounds better than .239. It may not sound like much, but it sounds better to me. One year, I ended up on 99 RBIs, and I hit the wall on my last at-bat." Pitching matchupCIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (12-12, 4.17 ERA)
In a game lost by the Reds, 4-3, in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday to the Rockies, Arroyo had his ninth straight quality start by pitching seven innings and allowing two runs and five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. He is 2-3 with a 2.19 ERA over his past nine starts. HOU: LHP Wandy Rodriguez (13-9, 2.76 ERA)
Rodriguez turned in another quality start Wednesday against the Braves, holding Atlanta to three hits and one run in seven innings in a no-decision. He has limited opponents to one run or less in 11 of his past 13 starts. He has thrown 182 2/3 innings, which is a career high. Rodriguez is 2-1 with a 0.50 ERA in three starts against the Reds this year. He's 5-5 with a 4.02 ERA in 14 career starts against the Reds, including 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA at Great American Ball Park. Reds notes
Outfielder Willy Taveras and catcher Ramon Hernandez have started running the bases back in Cincinnati. There is a good chance that both players could be activated from the disabled list this week. ... Left-handed starter Matt Maloney threw on the side Saturday at Wrigley Field but still has some soreness with the healing blister on his middle finger. It's not known when Maloney might get another start. ... When asked whether top prospect Yonder Alonso might be summoned as a September callup after Triple-A Louisville's playoffs end, Baker responded "probably not." Alonso spent the season at Double-A Carolina but was added to Louisville's roster for the postseason. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-O On radio
• WLW 700 Up next
• Tuesday: Reds (Kip Wells, 1-4, 5.21) vs. Astros (Roy Oswalt, 8-6, 4.03), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Reds (Justin Lehr, 4-2, 4.93) vs. Astros (Bud Norris, 5-3, 5.44), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Reds (Johnny Cueto, 9-10, 4.41) vs. Marlins (Anibal Sanchez, 2-6, 4.43), 7:10 p.m. ET
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
