The Reds Report: September 11

by:Eric Roseberry09/11/16
[caption id="attachment_206976" align="alignnone" width="600"]Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports[/caption] I don't know about you, but I woke up this morning still hurting from yesterday's football game. The start of the NFL season was a nice pick me up, but it couldn't completely take away my disappointment. I knew there was only one thing that could bring me all the way back. My guess is it's the very thing you need to feel better as well. What could possibly cure our collective hurt like September baseball in Cincinnati? Let's get to this week's Reds Report. 1. Once again the Reds had a rough start to the week. They were swept by the Mets in a three game series at Great American Ball Park. However, they bounced back over the weekend to take three of four from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even though they finished the week 3-4 they stayed above .500 in the second half (28-25). 2. While it wasn't enjoyable to watch the Reds get swept by the Mets, it was good to see Jay Bruce back in Cincinnati. The beloved outfielder was traded to New York on August 1. The Reds honored Bruce with a pre-game video tribute. You'll want to get the kleenex ready. 3. Earlier today Zach Buchanan noted that Alfredo Simon re-injured his shoulder and is done for the season. The fact that Simon won't take the mound again means he's wrapped up a pretty inauspicious record. 4. One of the bright spots for the Reds over the past few weeks has been the play of Jose Peraza. Billy Hamilton's oblique injury has meant more consistent playing time for the twenty-two-year-old rookie. Since returning to the major league roster on August 20, Peraza is hitting .425/.436/.562. It's beginning to look like he could be a fixture in Cincinnati's lineup for years to come. Wick Terrell, C. Trent Rosecrans, and Mark Sheldon all took the opportunity to talk about the prospects of Peraza being a starter in 2017. Up to this point, he's done everything necessary to earn a spot in the lineup. However, Cincinnati might have to make a trade, or Peraza might have to be willing to change his regular position, if he's to play regularly. 5. Yesterday everyone's favorite Red, Joey Votto, turned thirty-three. Since I can't actually get him a present, the least I can do is honor him with the final few points of this week's Reds Report. 6. Joey Votto's interactions with fans have been a hot topic this season. There was the time he faked throwing a ball into the stands. There was the time he vehemently stomped on a paper airplane. Who could forget when Votto grabbed a fan's shirt in disgust? Votto was in a kinder and gentler mood when it came to fan interaction this week. 7. How did you celebrate your birthday this year? I went to Outback (sorry Cracker Barrell) and enjoyed a bloomin onion, steak, and tasty beverage. How did Joey Votto celebrate his birthday? Votto went 4-5 including a home run to help the Reds knock off the Pirates 8-7. Votto has been insanely hot the past few months, and he's trying to become the first player to hit over .400 in the second half of a season since Ichiro in 2004. I really hope Reds fans are taking the time to appreciate Votto because you're gonna miss this...you're gonna want this back. You might even wish that these days hadn't gone by so fast. 8. Not everything went right on Votto's birthday. He did find himself in the dark during his post-game interview. 9. On a personal note, you can hear my debut on MLB Radio Network tonight at 7PM. I joined host Vince Gennaro for a segment on his show Behind the Numbers: Baseball SABR-Style. We took a few minutes to talk Brian Dozier of the Twins, Joey Votto, and Adam Duvall. The station is channel 89 (Sirius 209) for SiriusXM subscribers. The Reds will be home this entire week. Tomorrow night the Brewers will travel to Cincinnati for a three game series. Over the weekend Cincinnati will hook up with Pittsburgh once again. They'll play four games in three days against their Central Division rival (there's a day night double header on Saturday). You can follow the Reds all season long, and Eric's writing, at Red Reporter

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2024-03-27