Ironman92;1183234 wrote:Lineup constuction.....Stubbs and Valdez doing NOTHING while Hanigan batting 12th has 2 line drive hits
Top two in today's order completely killed the Reds today. Hanigan gets a 2B, the Arroyo tries to bunt and gets walked on 4 pitches. Normally I would applaud having Drew try to bunt, especially after how he looked in striking out in the first inning. But the count was 2-0 just after Arroyo walked with weak Valdez up to follow Stubbs, and his only offensive strength is bunting and he is over matched against a pitcher like McDonald, as he showed in all his ABs against him. If you are going to have Stubbs try to bunt, at least make him take the 2-0 and go for the bunt if McDonald gets it over for a 2-1 count, but no way on the 2-0 pitch, which he bunts too hard back to the P and they get the FO at 3rd, and the whole promising situation get torpedoed because you try to bunt a 2-0 pitch.
Later the bottom of the order gets 2 on and no out from the 7th and 8th hitter, and the inning is over before they get to Votto and again no runs. Those two situations pretty much made it so the Reds never threatened after Bronson gave up 4 in 3 innings, and then the bullpen didn't give them any more which is usually a key in comeback wins. But when you blow your two innings with 2 on and no out and the top of the order up and a PH then the top of the order up with no runs either time, your chances are minimal to get back in the game.
