The NL Everyone: Corpse Dead Royals Easily Defeat Reds

by Freneau on Jun 13, 2009 1:48 AM EDT in Kansas City Royals News

Reds vs Royals coverage, Reds vs Royals boxscore

I'd say Hochevar's mini-comeback has continued.

Seriously though, how bad is the National League? Hochevar threw a complete game on just 80 pitches.

A month ago Hochevar couldn't get the A's out. Now he's throwing a 3-hit complete game against a supposed contender in the NL Central?

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Interleague Play

Couldn’t have come fast enough…

by jsolo on Jun 13, 2009 1:54 AM EDT reply actions

BTW

Do they have seagulls in the national league?

by jsolo on Jun 13, 2009 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Not In Kentucky

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jun 13, 2009 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions

and hell

it’s not like Trey formed a lineup with the intent of scoring runs… he batted Jacobs cleanup against a lefty.. again.

And it all just fell into place, since the Reds are more hacktastic than the Royals

by BHWick on Jun 13, 2009 1:54 AM EDT reply actions

but hey

they don’t have Adam dunn striking out all the time, its a better offense now

sincerely,
everyone on BBTN and MLBN

by Freneau on Jun 13, 2009 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Seriously

who needs .402 wOBA? Not me!

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jun 13, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I know, it's almost enough to make him a league average player when you combine it with his defense!

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

not his fault he's always played out of position

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 14, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

by "out of position" you mean "in the field?"

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 14, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Man, if the Reds are truley more hacktastic than the Royals

Their fans must be distraught beyond the point of reason. I mean, I bang my head on the monitor every time Olivo, Guillen, or TPJ bats but the Royals at least get shutout in an 100 pitch effort.

by jsolo on Jun 13, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions

of positive signs we need to see in an erstwhile season gone bad… great start from hooch, a HR by Billy. These players, along with Gordon and Davies and some of the better prospects are going to determine how far this team goes in the near future.

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jun 13, 2009 1:57 AM EDT reply actions

Hillman might have finally found a fixture batting 3rd

Butler is slowly making his way to an OPS of .800 while playing adequate defense.

The team legitimately has no use for Jacobs. There is no doubt in my mind that the Royals are a better team with Kila at DH (and he can play 1st just fine when Butler gets an off day).

Of course, the team will also be better when Gordon comes back to move Teahen to RF and send Guillen packing but that’s wishful thinking with his salary. There really is no excuse with Jacobs. With his somewhat reasonable salary and SLG vs. RHP he could be traded, even if just for a fringe prospect.

by jsolo on Jun 13, 2009 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Reds PA summary

Willy Taveras – 1 pitch, 1st inning, out
Alex Gonzalez – 2 pitches, 1st inning, out
Brandon Phillips – 1 pitch, 1st inning, out
Laynce Nix – 2 pitches, 2nd inning, out
Ramon Hernandez – 2 pitches, 2nd inning, out
Jay Bruce – 3 pitches, 2nd inning, out
Jonny Gomes – 2 pitches, 3rd inning, double
Ryan Hanigan – 2 pitches, 3rd inning, out
Adam Rosales – 2 pitches, 3rd inning, out
Willy Taveras – 2 pitches, 3rd inning, out
Alex Gonzalez – 4 pitches, 4th inning, walked
Brandon Phillips – 3 pitches, 4th inning, single
Laynce Nix – 1 pitch, 4th inning, out
Ramon Hernandez – 2 pitches, 4th inning, double play
Jay Bruce – 6 pitches, 5th inning, out
Jonny Gomes – 3 pitches, 5th inning, home run
Ryan Hanigan – 3 pitches, 5th inning, out
Adam Rosales – 3 pitches, 5th inning, out
Willy Taveras – 3 pitches, 6th inning, out
Alex Gonzalez – 1 pitch, 6th inning, out
Brandon Phillips – 5 pitches, 6th inning, out
Laynce Nix – 6 pitches, 7th inning, out
Ramon Hernandez – 3 pitches, 7th inning, out
Jay Bruce – 5 pitches, 7th inning, out
Jonny Gomes – 5 pitches, 8th inning, out
Ryan Hanigan – 2 pitches, 8th inning, out
Adam Rosales – 2 pitches, 8th inning, out
Willy Taveras – 1 pitch, 9th inning, out
Alex Gonzalez – 2 pitches, 9th inning, out
Brandon Phillips – 1 pitch, 9th inning, out

Pitch count summary by inning
1st: 4
2nd: 7
3rd: 8
4th: 8
5th: 15
6th: 9
7th: 14
8th: 9
9th: 4

Pitches seen, by each batter
Willy Taveras: 7 pitches, 4 PA
Alex Gonzalez: 9 pitches, 4 PA
Brandon Phillips: 10 pitches, 4 PA
Laynce Nix: 9 pitches, 3 PA
Ramon Hernandez: 7 pitches, 3 PA
Jay Bruce: 14 pitches, 3 PA
Jonny Gomes: 10 pitches, 3 PA
Ryan Hanigan: 7 pitches, 3 PA
Adam Rosales: 7 pitches, 3 PA

We should try to make a deal to get Jay Bruce. Obviously Dusty isn’t going to stand for Jay Bruce being lazy and taking pitches.

by BHWick on Jun 13, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs

that is amazing.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Jun 13, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks for doing that

I got home late last night after attending a wedding and looked up the score on-line, was pleased with the win, then looked at the box score and couldn’t believe that it was a complete game by Luke, but was convinced there was a typo in the pitch count. How could he throw a complete game with only 80 pitches? What if Xaq had pitched last night? 60 pitches? Thank you, Interleague Play!

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 13, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd imagine Zack would have thrown 81 pitches.

All strikes.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Jun 13, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

When does Willy Taveras

begin to make Tom Goodwin jealous?

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jun 13, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

I was out at the Slavic Festival, and I was planning to catch the last few innings, but the game ended early.

Zack Greinke would have loved to throw two dozen slow curves and watch the Reds fail to connect.

by BHWick on Jun 13, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions

How was the festival?

Apparently I’m going tonight with my neighbors.

by AxDxMx on Jun 13, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

it was good

I bailed out during the polka concert.

“Apparently”?… are you being kidnapped? or will they just go to the Greek festival if they can’t find parking in Sugar Creek?

by BHWick on Jun 13, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Just Amazing. 80 Pitches

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on Jun 13, 2009 2:41 AM EDT reply actions

according to baseball reference

This is the 51st 80 pitch or less 9 inning complete game-but only the 6th with the DH.

Is it safe?

by KHAZAD on Jun 13, 2009 2:52 AM EDT reply actions

Back from the game...

Hoch was obviously phenomenal. I really think it might be the most efficient start I’ve ever seen live. He was mowing people down at will. He obviously had some help from the Reds (they could use a little of the SEITZER EFFECT~!), but he looked like a true #1 draft pick stud for the first time tonight. I was proud.

About the post-game fireworks display…

It was really cluttered. I really enjoyed the fire on the fountains, it was an amazing contrast that I think they should keep regularly for HRs and such, but the strobe lights and the video slideshows really took away from a pretty lack-luster fireworks display.

The worst part about the display were the four Royals “fans” they got in the video interviews. Could they have made it any more obvious they were actors? Especially the Frank White chick and the “Experience” teen. Both were so obviously acting and saying fed lines, it was a horrific PR stunt to promote them as “real fans” (they might be fans, but saying those memories were just off the top of their heads is misleading).

Overall, fantastic night. Dayton HAS put together a really solid starting pitching staff (although we went into it with two of the worst pitchers of this decade, Pontoon and HoRam, in the rotation).

- W. Bloomquist homered to deep center
- P. Earth explodes

by JobDDT on Jun 13, 2009 4:51 AM EDT reply actions

If Bannister Is

Our fifth starter, we’re doing fine.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jun 13, 2009 5:35 AM EDT reply actions

Hochevar's 80 pitch CG

How can this be!! Our local media baseball expert kevin k says that Luke is a bust and will never be any good. I am so confused right now. Perhaps the NL being on par with AAA ball helps explain this.

by Royalfan on Jun 13, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions

Kevin Kietzman

should just stick to internal K-State athletic department rumors and politics. That’s his power alley. And his only one at that.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 13, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

and nailing being serviced by interns while driving around mission hills...

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 14, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Great job Hooch!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was really cool to see. Hopefully this can give him that ‘mental’ jump that he needs. Maybe he’ll start throwing like a major league #3/4 starter, which as of this point in his career he has shown flashes of that level.

Lastnight he showed, he still has upside!!!!

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jun 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Before, he was just

scared cause his old man was at the game and his eyelids were jammed.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 13, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I find it ironic

That Lincecum had a CG shutout with 8K’s last night.

Luke just can’t win.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 13, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure I find that ironic at all.

by KCScuba on Jun 13, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe Ironic is the wrong word

But Hochevar is always being talked down against Lincecum. And then he goes and dominates. And Lincecum still bests him on the night.

I don’t care particularly. As i said on another thread, I still think Hooch was the right pick on draft day.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 13, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Great game by Hochevar

is it okay to say something nice about a Royals pitcher other than Greinke? Or without saying “Greinke would have…”?

Yes, the Reds offense is pathetic, but an ~80 pitch complete game is an ~80 pitch complete game.

Would be nice if Billy could hit a homer off an RHP eventually, but hits are hits.

Mike Jacobs is still slightly above replacement level!

Finally: is it time to cue up the Miguel Olivo 3-year extension?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

I'll kill you

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jun 13, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

I loved that when I first saw it.

Now, it just makes sense.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Jun 13, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

That. Is. Awesome!

Cheese… milk's leap toward immortality.

by ratherfantastic on Jun 13, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

A guy named VictorW created it

and won a Beyond the Box Score contest. I used it for fun here.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

It's amazing that teams keep hiring him

I figured blowing out the arms of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior would be enough, but teams keep going back.

by Top Ramen on Jun 13, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Fun Facts from 2009

Jonny Gomes .413 wOBA, 0.3 WAR, 2009 Salary: $0.6M (minor-league contract, too!)
Mike Jacobs .325 wOBA, 0.1 WAR, 2009 Salary: $3.5M (first year arb)
Jose Guillen .336 wOBA, -0.6 WAR, 2009 Salary: $12M

I’ll try to leave the poor horse in peace for a little while…

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

HoRam and Gloadie earning Royals money while not playing for them - priceless!

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Gload also has a .400 OBP if haven't noticed

by GobbleforCyoung on Jun 13, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Jonny Gomes also has 34 ABs this year

- W. Bloomquist homered to deep center
- P. Earth explodes

by JobDDT on Jun 13, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

and has STILL been more valuable than Jacobs

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jun 14, 2009 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of dead horses

I thikn we need to remember that this was Miguel Olivo calling the game. If that had bee Buck or Brayan, it probably would have taken 130 pitches, and cost 3-4 more runs.

If anyone knows how to get guys with now knowledge of the strike zone out…

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

"now" = "no"

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on Jun 13, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know, I kind of like the Olivo with "now knowledge"

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 13, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

"Now Knowledge" sounds like a Hillman-ism

“We’re keeping Olivo as the starting catcher because he has better Now Knowledge of the strike zone. His Now Knowledge is much better than Brayan’s. Also, Olivo had 3 home runs against Cleveland, including one against a Cliff Lee who won the CY YOUNG*. Right now he’s getting the Fearful Contact I want out of our players. The extension is all but done.”

*Cliff Lee plays many games against the Royals. His Cy Young is invalid.

Cheese… milk's leap toward immortality.

by ratherfantastic on Jun 13, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions