Synopsis
The Reds started the month 3 games above .500 but ended 1 game under; thus fell 2 spots in the NL. Pitching and defensive numbers went in the wrong direction, and offensive numbers were worse. Interleague play not kind: 4-8, but 2-7 against Royals, White Sox, and Blue Jays.
- Drop in batting numbers significant
- RH bat production down
- Bruce, Taveras, Hernandez, and others had horrible months batting
- Gomes/Nix platoon has been successful, plus Dickerson much improved
- Votto on DL most of the month
- Scored 2 runs or less 11 of 26 games
- The bullpen remains strong, but starting pitching is wavering
- Cueto (3-1 for June) has been the most consistent while others sstarters remain unpredictable
- Harang 5 starts, 0-3
- Arroyo struggled: 6 starts, 1-4, 33 IP, 6.82 ERA, 1.82 WHIP
- Volquez remains on the DL
Team Record
- June: 11-15
- Record: 37-38; .493 (’08, -14, .457)
- Home: 17-18 (’08, +5)
- Road: 20-20 (’08, -19)
- East: 8-9 (‘08, +2)
- Cent: 20-16 (‘08, -16)
- West: 3-4 (‘08, -3)
- Place: Div 3rd, NL 8th (‘08, 5th, 11th)
Offense
- Runs: 11th (’08: 12th) (-2 since last month)
- AVE: .247; 13th (’08: .247, last) (- .011 since last month)
- AB: 15th (’08: 16th) (-6 since last month)
- AVE w/RISP: .244; 12th (’08: .240, 16th) (down -4 since last month)
- AVE w/RISP 2 outs: .230, 9th (’08: 213, 14th) (down since last month)
Pitching
- ERA: 4.07, 6th (’08: 4.55; 13th) (similar to month)
- WHIP: 1.36, 6th (’08; 1.46; 13th) (similar to last month, but down 1 spot)
- AVE: .252, 6th (’08; .275; 14th) (worse since last month)
- Complete games (season 6, June 0), Shutouts (season 3, June 1)
- 19-23 saves to save opportunities, 3 of the 4 blown saves in June
Bullpen
- ERA 3.34 (2nd in NL0
- IP: 6th lowest in NL
- David Weathers, Arthur Rhodes, Francisco Cordero, and Nick Masset have combined for very good numbers: W-L (4-3), Saves (19-22), ERA (2.03), WHIP 1.048
Defense
- ERR: 4th highest (’08 2nd highest) (worse than last month)
- F% .988(13th) (’08: .981, 14th) (worse than last month)
- DER .7244 (2nd) (’08: .6881) (similar to last month)
From Lance McAlister (a local Sports Talk host)
- Began the month 2.5 games out, and ended the month 4 games back
- Lost Votto, Volquez, Gonzalez, and Lincoln to the DL
- Reds hit.229 in the month
- Outscored 118-97
- Dickerson led the team in hitting: .333/.394
- Five players hit below .200: Gonzalez .193, Bruce .187, Hernandez .174, Taveras .167, Rosales .079, Janish .148
- Harang and Arroyo combined: 11 starts, 1-7
Tough Month Ahead
- (H) D-Backs (2), Cardinals (3), Brewers (4), Padres (4), Rockies (1)
- (A) Phillies (4), Mets (3), Dodgers (3), Cubs (3)
Past Reviews
Rough month. Hopefully July is better for your boys.
Lester,
Yes … June was a tough month. Offense is generally horrible. Take today …. 5 times, a man on third with less than 2 outs – 5 times they failed to score. Pathetic. Given the July schedule, the standings could be interesting at the end of the month.
Thanks for the comment.
Tough month but the NL Central along with the East is wide open
Heck even Pittsburgh is only 7 games out. But they need to execute,
Speaking of executing, Met fans are all for it.
Larry,
June was indeed a tough month for the Reds, yet they remain close. July will be a tough month in terms of the schedule.
I continue to maintain that Reds’ problems lie in the defense and the offense, especially the RH side of the plate. An ineffective of late Arroyo and a Volquez on the DL doesn’t help.
On the other hand, I’m not sure about giving up prime prospects for a short-term rent of a RH bat is the way to go. In other words, who knows … but at least they are in it at this point.
Thanks for the comment.