Reds August Game Thread 2024

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

(09-07-2024, 08:58 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: I've mentioned that the Reds starters don't know how to get out of trouble because Bell pulls them at the first tough situation in the 5th or 6th inning. He's also leaving them with a literal "no win" situation. He did this recently with Lodolo in Tampa Bay, also. When Williamson pitched his ass off, a poor play by Frailty "forces" David Bell to pull him with two outs in the 6th inning of a 2-2 game. Now, the only decision he can get is a loss, which is exactly what he was headed for if Friedl didn't rescue him with the two run homer off of Manaea. That kind of shit really pisses you off as a pitcher. He busted his ass, gave Bell his best effort and all that he can do is lose because Bell wouldn't let him finish the inning. Even if he finishes the inning but gives up a run, he can still get off of the hook or even get a win because he gets three outs by the Reds to try to tie it or take the lead. Bell's style completely eliminates the hope for a win by his starter.

Example 2: Lodolo in Tampa Bay
2-2 ball game, bottom of the seventh, Lodolo is rolling.
Strikes out first batter of the inning on five pitches, right handed hitter.
Forces the next hitter, who is also right handed, to ground out weakly to 2nd on the first pitch, his 93rd and final pitch of the game.
Bell pulls him, even though the next hitter is 0-3 against him, because of statistics. The 4th time through the lineup blah, blah, blah.
Busted his ass, was on a roll, was NOT in trouble . . . given no chance to win. Stuff like that will stick in the memory when it comes time to sign his next contract and Bell has done this a lot more than just these two examples.

He did it again today.
Aguiar in the 5th inning . . .
Ground out
Single
Strikes out Lindor
Gets pulled because "90 pitches"

Best case for Aguiar is a no decision and only has a chance at a loss if Santillan lets his runner score.