FEAR AND LOATHING IN CENTER FIELD

When the Cincinnati Reds selected Drew Stubbs during the first round (eighth overall) of the 2006 amateur entry draft, they knew what kind of player they had just landed. During Stubbs' three years ('04-'06) as a Texas Longhorn, he posted some pretty serious numbers. His Freshman year, Stubbs played in 71 games for the Longhorns and hit a respectable .301 in 266 at-bats. Driving in 47 runs along with 26 stolen bases, scoring 51 times, and hitting sixteen doubles, Stubbs was on his way to becoming the next Longhorn star.

Through '05 and '06, Stubbs increased his numbers significantly. At twenty years of age during his sophomore season at Texas, Stubbs raised his average to .311 while driving in 46 runs. In 72 games, Stubbs increased his doubles (20), stolen bases (32), walks (32), and homerun (11) totals from his previous season. Stubbs was developing very nicely.

In Drew Stubbs' final season as a Texas Longhorn, he was named co-MVP of the squad and was also tagged as the Big 12 co-Player of the Year. The three-time All-American had a fantastic Junior season batting .342 in 62 games. Stubbs scored 65 runs, hit 12 homers, and stole 26 bases in 2006 for the Longhorns. While playing superb defense, Stubbs' showcased his five-tool talent and secured a spot among baseball's top prospects.

Now that we've praised Drew Stubbs' baseball ability and discussed the reasoning behind his first-round selection, we will digress. Not to downgrade or minimize Drew Stubbs' capability, or to disrespect the Reds organization, but to simply point out one thing.... strikeouts.

Here's where it gets interesting. During Stubbs freshman season at Texas, he struck out 28% of the time, but brought it down to 25% as a sophomore and junior. During '04-'06 while Stubbs was playing at Texas, former Longhorn quarterback Adam Dunn (hated by many Reds fans for his K's) led the NL in strikeouts (195, 168, 194) while playing for Cincinnati.

During Dunn's three year strikeout fest, he struck out 33% of the time. Obviously Dunn's strikeout total was repulsive (557) during '04-'06, but he made up for it with his offensive production. Posting a .249 average throughout the three years Dunn hit 126 homers, 93 doubles, scored 311 runs, drove in 295 runs, and walked 334 times all while missing only five games. Strikeouts are acceptable when a player composes such statistics.

After leaving the Big 12, Drew Stubbs became substantially prone to striking out. Playing 56 games for the Billings Mustangs in 2006, Stubbs whiffed 64 times in 210 at-bats (30%) while posting a .252 average. His first full season in the Reds organization was with the Dayton Dragons during 2007. Stubbs struck out 29% of the time and scored 93 runs in '07, but drove in a measly 43 runs as his average modestly increased (.270).

Stubbs climbed the minor league ladder during 2008, and seemed to be developing attractively, as he cut down his strikeouts. In 131 games with Sarasota, Chattanooga, and Louisville Stubbs batted .290 and struck out only 26% of the time but was still struggling offensively. He drove in 57 runs and homered only seven times. Stubbs was consistently rabid when he was on base scoring 75 times and stealing 33 bags (led Reds minor leagues), but it was not often enough with his .373 OBP.

Before making his major league debut on August 19, 2009, Stubbs spent most of the year in Louisville. He played 107 games for the Bats in '09, hit .268, homered three times, and drove in 39 runs as he represented the Reds in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game. Stubbs cut down his strikeout percentage to .250 and was considered the Reds' third best prospect behind Yonder Alonso and Todd Frazier. After being called up to the big leagues, Stubbs showed reasonable promise in only 42 games. He struck out 27% of the time but scored 27 runs, hit eight homeruns, and drove in seventeen runs finishing the season with the Reds.

The year is 2010. Drew Stubbs made the Opening Day roster for the Reds. Hitting first and seventh in the Reds' lineup, Stubbs currently has a .231 average, 15 stolen bases, 31 RBI, 36 runs scored, seven doubles, and seven homeruns in 69 games. His .306 OBP has kept his deadly speed off the base paths.

Stubbs' 74 strikeouts currently tie him for seventh in the NL. Justin Upton, Rickie Weeks, David Wright, Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Howard, and Dan Uggla are impressive players who also share the top ten strikeout list with Stubbs, but they all set them selves apart from him with their offense.

All ten have AT LEAST ten homers, ten doubles, 38 RBI, and 38 runs scored except Stubbs. He has the second worse average among them with the third worse being .254 (Uggla). Remember Adam Dunn's 33% strikeout rate during 2004-'06? Drew Stubbs' is 31% so far in 2010. Strikeouts are acceptable when a player produces other quality statistics. At 25 years old, Drew Stubbs is not compensating.

Drew, we like you. We really do. We're aware that your development in the minor leagues peaked and it's time for the majors, but we need more from you. Your speed and agility in the outfield are priceless along with your cannon of an arm. When you reach, you are arguably the best base runner on the team, but it needs to happen more frequently.

Shorten your swing. Level it out. Get on base.

Stop striking out!

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REDS STOP SKID, BEAT A'S IN TEN

After being swept by the worst team in the AL West and losing seven of their last nine games, the Cincinnati Reds needed a win, bad. They slid 1.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and despite quality pitching against Seattle, their top notch offense had gone stale.

Joey Votto doubled in Brandon Phillips during the first inning of Monday's game against the Oakland A's, but after that the Reds allowed another mediocre pitcher to appear as a Cy Young candidate. After the first inning, Gio Gonzales settled in for Oakland and pitched seven innings allowing just one run on four hits while striking out nine. With 96 pitches, Mike "Godzilla" Leake kept his team in the game hurling six innings (1ER, 5H) and rebounded nicely after his first major league loss on June 16 against the Dodgers.

During the top of the ninth inning with the game tied at one, Jay Bruce came off the bench to drive in a run with two outs. Leading off the bottom of the ninth, Kevin Kouzmanoff drilled the first pitch he saw from Reds' closer Francisco Cordero into the right-field seats of Oakland Coliseum tying the game at two. It was Cordero's fifth blown save this season in 22 chances. Cordero finished the inning without any further damage ant sent the game into extras.

Something then woke up the Reds' offense. Ramon Hernandez led off the tenth inning with a homerun off the left-field foul pole. Brandon Phillips followed with a single and Paul Janish bunted him to second. Joey Votto and Scott Rolen then hit their fifteenth homeruns of the season, back-to-back.

"It seems like when your bats are sick, everybody's bats are sick," Dusty Baker said. "When your bats get well, it seems like everybody's bats get well at the same time."

Just to make the game interesting, Dusty Baker sent Francisco Cordero back to the mound in the bottom of the tenth with a comfortable 6-2 lead. The Shaky Cordero walked the first two batters he faced and was quickly yanked. Danny Herrera replaced Cordero and retired one, but allowed a run to score before rookie Jordan Smith took over. With one out, Smith got Kevin Kouzmanoff to groundout to Paul Janish as Conor Jackson scored from third. Smith then struck out Jack Cust to end the game as the Reds defeated the A's 6-4.

Jordan Smith received his first major league save and for the second time this season, Francisco Cordero blew a save while receiving the win.

Bronson Arroyo (6-3, 4.53) will face Dallas Braden (4-6, 3.78) and the Athletics at 10:05pm on Tuesday.

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GET YOUR SH#T TOGETHER.

Aaron Harang did everything he could to help the Reds avoid a sweep by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Harang went six innings for the Reds allowing only one run on three hits. Aside from Harang's start against Houston on May 29 (7IP, 1ER, 4H) when his team supported him with twelve runs, it was his best game of the season. Harang received the loss as his team's offense remained cramped in Seattle. On Sunday, the Reds lost 1-0 to the Mariners for the second time in three days. Only one run was scored by the Reds during their three day stay in Seattle.

“It was a nightmare weekend,” Dusty Baker said. “We couldn’t buy a run. It was a tough weekend, a very tough weekend.”

On Friday against the Mariners, Johnny Cueto also pitched well enough to receive the victory. Cueto pitched only 5.2 innings, but allowed just one run on four hits. Once again, the Reds' offense failed to score as Cliff Lee pitched a complete-game shutout (6H, 7K) to defeat the Reds 1-0.

Sam LeCure started for the Reds on Saturday. Outside of one ugly pitch that propelled a four-run sixth, LeCure pitched dutiful. Scoring their only run of the series in the fourth inning, the Reds' offense failed to supply Lecure with an anchor. Felix Hernandez hurled a complete-game (5H, 9K) as the Mariners beat the Reds 5-1.

During their three game series with the Mariners, the Reds stuck out 23 times and collected only 14 hits. Joey Votto and Scott Rolen combined for half of the Reds' hits against the Mariners as Brandon Phillips, Jonny Gomes, Jay Bruce, and Orlando Cabrera only had one hit a piece the entire series.

There is no bright side of being swept by the worst team in the AL West and falling 1.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, but the performance of the Reds' pitching staff over the weekend was nothing short of concrete. The Reds' bullpen set aside their recent struggles and combined for 8.1 scoreless innings of relief allowing only three hits. A Reds' offense that currently leads the NL in runs (337), hits (650), homeruns (83), RBI (327), slugging percentage (.449), and average (.276) should have capitalized, but didn't. The Reds' pistons have trouble when it comes to collective firing.

"It was a tough series to swallow," said Aaron Harang. "We have to look forward to going down to Oakland and turning things around."

The Reds have lost six of their last seven games inspiring some of their followers to remember Junes of the past. The next three games in Oakland will be a true test for the Cincinnati Reds. They have played hot, and stayed hot, many times this season. It is the reason they are five games above .500 and only 1.5 games out of first place. Teams will always go cold during a tedious 162-game season, but only the good teams rise to the occasion and stop the bleeding. The leadership and determination of Scott Rolen, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips will be closely monitored as they attempt to overcome. Go Reds!

MONDAY: Mike Leake (5-1, 3.02) vs. Gio Gonzales (6-5, 4.21) at 10:05pm
TUESDAY: Bronson Arroyo (6-3, 4.53) vs. Dallas Braden (4-6, 3.78) at 10:05pm
WEDNESDAY: Johnny Cueto (6-2, 4.30) vs. Vin Mazzaro (2-1, 5.22) at 3:35pm

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#GOMESFACTS

Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds won only their fourth game of their last ten on Thursday beating the Dodgers 7-1. During the Reds' three-game losing streak against Kansas City and Los Angeles, the reds were outscored 25-5.

Arroyo admittedly had no command of his pitches on Thursday. The only pitch that was cooperating with Arroyo was his sinker as he used it to entice three 3-6-1 double plays in which he assisted. Aside from a career high six walks during his seven innings of work, Arroyo gave the Reds an early 3-1 lead with a three-run jack during the second inning. It was Arroyo's fifth career homerun and first since 2008.

“I’m just glad Bronson stopped the leak,” Dusty Baker said. “These guys don’t get too high when they win or too low when they lose.”

The Reds are now headed to the West Coast for six games against Seattle (25-41) and Oakland (33-35) beginning Friday. During the past four years the Reds are 13-32 out west.

“One good thing, it’ll probably be cool out there,” Dusty Baker said. “You can get your strength back.”

During the Reds ten game home-stand, Jonny Gomes remained solid going 10-32 with 12 RBI (including a career-high 6RBI game against the Royals). Gomes owns a weak .205 average in thirteen career games against the Mariners, but has far superior numbers against the Athletics (.308AVG and 12RBI in 17G). With the Reds leaving Cincinnati after a disappointing ten days to explore Western America, expect Gomes to manhandle his former league over the next week and ignite the Reds' offense. Here are some interesting #gomesfacts collected from the world wide web. Enjoy.

Jonny Gomes once went on the 15 day DL, just to see what it felt like to be mortal.

MLB is considering putting Jonny Gomes DNA on the list of banned substances.

Jonny Gomes can throw a one-hopper from the warning track to home at GABP. He can do this while playing in Pittsburg.

Chuck Norris won't fight Jonny Gomes.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Jonny Gomes is awesome.

Johnny Gomes blows bubbles with peanut butter.

Jonny Gomes' bat is the cause of global warming.

When taking the SAT, write "Jonny Gomes" for every answer. You will score over 8,000.

When Jonny Gomes puts on Chris Sabo's RecSpecs, he can see the future.

Jonny Gomes' Gmail account exceeds 1GB.

Jonny Gomes once took one of Dusty Baker's toothpicks to the plate as a bat, and got an intentional walk.

Jonny Gomes doesn't sleep........he waits.

Jonny Gomes even hits pitches thrown by used car salesmen.

When Jonny Gomes falls in water, he doesn't get wet. Water gets Jonny Gomes.

Jonny Gomes doesn't mow his lawn. He begs it to grow.

Jonny Gomes' mom has a tattoo that says "son."

Jonny Gomes was what Willis was talkin' about.

The G in OMGreds stands for "Gomes."

Superman wears Jonny Gomes pajamas to bed.

Jonny Gomes can eat more ice cream than Jeff Brantley. Barely.

Jonny Gomes once left Marty Brennaman speechless.

Jonny Gomes can touch MC Hammer.

For Jonny Gomes, the warning track isn't there to warn him, it's there to warn the wall.

Johnny Cueto (6-1, 4.50) will face Cliff Lee (4-3, 2.88) and the Mariners at 10:10pm on Friday.

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"THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO."

Reds' manager Dusty Baker has not been thrown out of a game since April 25, 2009 when he was ejected along with Jerry Hairston. Known for his collected composure, Scott Rolen has only been ejected two times during his major league career prior to Wednesday. Both men exploded when umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called a full-count fastball from Clayton Kershaw a strike during the sixth inning of the Reds' loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.

After attempting a stroll to first, Rolen argued with Wendelstedt concerning the location of the pitch. Rolen must have said the magic word as Wendelstedt ejected him faster than a bat out of hell. Dusty Baker then emerged from the Reds' dugout continuing Rolen's dispute, and was also briskly tossed. On AM radio, both Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley concurred that the pitch was an obvious makeup call from a previous Wendelstedt blunder during the same at-bat. The pitch should have been ball four, sending Rolen to first, and loading the bases for Jonny Gomes with no one out.

“I was upset,” Rolen said. “I thought that was a big at-bat, a game-changing at-bat, possibly. I reacted to that.”

“I saw it the same way Scott saw it,” Baker said. “That was a big call in the game. They’re human, too, but you don’t have to like it.”

The Reds went on to lose the game 6-2. Mike Leake received his first major league loss (5-1, 3.02) in a disappointing start (6IP, 9H, 5ER) for the Reds. The Reds have lost three straight games and five of their last eight. Somehow they have managed to remain tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

“Don’t panic,” Baker said. “You’re going to go through periods like this. There’s a long way to go, and you go hot and cold sometimes.”

Sound familiar? Dusty Baker's mentality is currently identical to one month ago, when the Reds initially emerged atop the NL Central.

Bronson Arroyo (5-3, 4.80) will attempt to salvage a win against John Ely (3-3, 3.38) and the Dodgers at 12:35pm on Thursday.

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"FORGET THIS GAME."

The only Cincinnati Red who will want to remember Tuesday's 12-0 loss to the Dodgers is rookie Jordan Smith. During the ninth inning of the Reds' debacle, Smith made his major league debut. He pitched one scoreless inning. Enerio Del Rosario was sent down to Louisville to make room for Jordan Smith on the Reds' roster. Del Rosario allowed seven of his last nine inherited runners to score.

Before joining the Reds on Tuesday, Jordan Smith was pitching at Double-A Carolina. In 27 appearances there, Smith went 1-3 posting a 5.08 ERA. The Reds' sixth round pick in 2006 was a starter in the Reds' organization with 74 straight minor league starts (30-22) prior to this season. During spring training this year, Smith was assigned to the reliever role, and began closing games for Carolina. The young right-hander seemed to be accommodating his new gig of late. During his last six appearances for the Mudcats, Smith allowed only one run and posted a 1.13 ERA in eight innings.

“I had to adjust my pitches, certain pitches at certain times,” Smith said. “I was a bit bullheaded, trying to be too aggressive with my fastball at certain points. But a couple of weeks ago it started to click and I got into a nice rhythm.”

Hopefully, Smith's rhythm will transcend into the big leagues. His nasty sinker could be deadly with a Gold Glove defense behind him.

“I’m just going to keep doing what I was doing down there," Smith said. "Attacking the zone and using my sinker to let ‘em beat it into the ground.”

According to John Fay, the promotion of Jordan Smith may be the first of several moves involving the Reds' pitching staff. Travis Wood and Matt Maloney's have been speculated to become bullpen help and have statistics superior to Smith's, but both Louisville left-handers have only four combined relief appearances in the minors. A healthy Homer Bailey, or Sam LeCure, could also be converted to assist the Reds' feeble bullpen.

“You hate to have anyone do anything for the first time in the big leagues,” Dusty Baker said. “A couple of guys have done it in the minor leagues. That’s help to get some basis for fact if this guy can do it. We still in the fact-finding mode. You wish you have everything perfectly in order but it’s not.”

Middle relief has been the downfall of the Cincinnati Reds this season. Besides Arthur Rhodes (0.32) and *Enerio Del Rosario (2.08), no reliever for the Reds has an ERA under 3.00 this year. Take closer Francisco Cordero (3.77) who has four blown saves out of the equation, and the remaining relievers are all above 4.00 this season. The Reds' relief corps currently ranks 13th in the National League with a 4.96 ERA.

*Carlos Fisher: 9.82 ERA
Logan Ondrusek: 8.10 ERA
*Mike Lincoln: 7.32 ERA
Nick Masset: 7.07 ERA
Micah Owings: 5.27 ERA
Danny Herrera: 4.26 ERA
*Not on the Reds' active roster

The Reds have lost four of their last seven games and have let the St. Louis Cardinals slide back into a tie for first place in the NL Central. At this point, any bullpen assistance is welcomed. Jordan Smith, we wish you the best and are sorry that your major league debut occurred during the game we don't speak of. Dusty Baker does:

"We just have to forget this game. We need a good pitched game tomorrow, definitely. We used Micah for a lot of pitches from the bullpen tonight and used Daniel for a lot of pitches. Hopefully we can jump on Kershaw tomorrow."

Mike "Godzilla" Leake (5-0, 2.68) will face Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 3.13) and the Dodgers at 7:10pm on Wednesday.

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The Reds were defeated 7-3 by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon. Brandon Phillips (hamstring) and Scott Rolen (scheduled off-day) were both missing from the Reds' lineup as the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke struck out twelve batters and pitched a complete game for the Royals. Joey Votto hit two solo home runs, but the Reds' offense only assembled three runs on five hits against Greinke. Sam LeCure threw 120 pitches effectively (6.2IP, 6H, 4ER, 4K), but received his third loss of the season.

Prior to Sunday's game against the Royals, Dusty Baker scratched second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Reds' lineup. Phillips currently owns a 15-game hitting streak and until Sunday, was the only Red to start in every game this season. According to Dusty Baker, Phillips has been aching for some time:

 ”I don’t know if you’ve been noticing how he’s been stretching and limping for about the last 10 days to two weeks. Finally today, it’s really bothering him, especially with all the running he has been doing. If you’re not hitting, you just run to first base, turn right, then go sit down. This guy has been running, stealing, going first-to-third, second-to-home, first-to-home.”

It seems that Phillips' NL leading 48 runs scored are catching up to him. During his 15-game streak Phillips is batting .463 with 31 hits and has scored 14 times.

 “Certainly you can’t afford to lose Brandon for 10 days to two weeks,” Dusty Baker said. “Hopefully having an off-day helps, too.”

Phillips will have a MRI on Monday to determine the damage, if any.



Injury is also sidelining the return of Homer Bailey. During a rehab start for Louisville on Tuesday, Bailey experienced new soreness in his pitching arm.

“We’ll probably keep him from throwing for maybe a week,” Walt Jocketty said. “Then it might take two of three weeks before he’s ready to pitch for us. There’s really no timetable.”

Luckily, the Reds have ample depth when it comes to starting pitching. Rookie Sam LeCure has pitched well during Bailey's absence despite his record hardly showing it (1-3, 3.75). The Reds have lost during LeCure's last three starts, but in his defense, LeCure faced three studs (Chris Carpenter, Matt Cain, and Zack Greinke) in those games.

The Reds also have Travis Wood (4-4, 3.77), Matt Maloney (5-3, 3.10), and Aroldis Chapman (5-4, 4.22) at their disposal in AAA Louisville. There will be no sense of urgency surrounding Bailey's return.

"Being frustrated and upset is not going to help it heal any faster," Bailey said. "Luckily the team is still doing well, so that kind of helps out a lot. Knowing that we have a good enough team that even though I’m not able to help, that we can still continue to play well."

After pitching three scoreless innings for Lynchburg on Saturday, the time-table for All-Star Edinson Volquez is becoming more clear. He is on a 30-day plan that will include two starts at each level of the Reds' farm system. After his second start for Lynchburg on Thursday, Volquez will start twice for Carolina and twice for Louisville barring any setbacks. Volquez's fastball was clocked at 96mph on Saturday and he was hitting 92-95mph consistently. Volquez's 50-day suspension ends Monday.

“Right now it’s a matter of getting his pitch count up toward 100,” Walt Jocketty said. “We want him to do that two or three times before he comes back up here.”

LHP Bill Bray is also rehabbing in Lynchburg. Bray has tossed 4.1 scoreless innings for the Hillcats allowing one hit while striking out nine.

Catcher Ryan Hanigan's fractured left thumb is improving. Hanigan was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 29.

"Now it's just getting my swing back together," Hanigan said. "I'll start playing light catch next week and see how it feels and then make an evaluation mid-week about if I can start catching pitchers or not."

The Reds will begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday followed by their first West Coast road trip of the season against the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

“The off day is coming at a good time,” Baker said.

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GOING, GOING, GOMES!

Jonny Gomes had a career high six RBI in the Reds 11-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. Gomes' 47 RBI currently leads the National League. Gomes hit a pair of three-run homers; one in the first inning, and one in the third. He was then hit by pitches during his next two at-bats by Kaneoka Texeira. During the seventh inning, Paul Janish and Chris Heisey were also hit by pitches from Dusty Hughes, but no intention was suspected:

“I don’t think they were intentional,” Dusty Baker said. “At least I hope they weren’t.”

FROM OMGREDS:
THANKFULLY Jeff Brantley pointed it out during the FSN broadcast on several occasions throughout the evening. Including the following dialogue with Thom Brennaman after Heisey got hit in the 7th by Hughes.
Jeff: Alright, now it’s getting old.

Thom: Well, you don’t think that one had any intent to it, do you?

Jeff: I don’t care if it had any intent at all. You brushed my guy once, then you hit him. He had two home runs. And now you’ve hit a third guy. Well, that bothers me.
Brantley later added, “If you’re in that locker room and you want to be Jonny’s (Gomes’) friend, I’ll tell you what to do.”

So obviously Brantley saw some or all of the HBP action as harshit. I’m certain that some of the Reds did as well but there was no retaliation Saturday and I’ll be curious to see whether there appears to be any Sunday, when the Reds face the Royals for the final time this season (and if we manage to reach the World Series, something tells me this isn’t the team we’re going to face). The question is … as long as Texeira doesn’t get an at-bat Sunday (he got an at-bat Saturday but unfortunately it was before he hit Gomes for the second time) … who is the top candidate for a fastball between the shoulder blades on Sunday? I’d guess maybe David DeJesus or Billy Butler. Don’t wish them any harm, just looked at their lineup for star players. And I don’t think I’d mess with Kendall or Jose Guillen. Because wouldn’t you say something kind of ought to happen?

By the way, what about the tremendous restraint Gomes showed by not charging Texeira when he plunked him the second time! Because I’d guess he thought about it. I wanted him to … did you? Then again, do we want to be without the services of the league-leader in RBIs for the better part of a week?

Scott Rolen went 2-4 with an RBI in front of 32,240 Reds fans on his bobble head night and Brandon Phillips (3-4, HR, 3R) extended his hitting steak to sixteen games.

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman went five innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out nine, during his start for Louisville on Saturday. The Bats were trailing Pawtucket 1-0 when the game was delayed during the sixth.

Edinson Volquez pitched three scoreless innings for single-A Lynchburg on Saturday. With 44 pitches, Volquez allowed hits to the first two Potomac batters then retired the following nine. Volquez struck out three and walked none during his first game action since June 1, 2009.

Sam Lecure (1-2, 3.12) will face Zack Greinke (1-8, 4.05) and the Royals at 1:10pm on Sunday.

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BRANDON'S PARADISE

Brandon Phillips batted leadoff for the Reds' on Thursday for the old and tired Orlando Cabrera who was given the day off. Phillips has not hit first in the Reds' lineup since April 13, 2007 when Jerry Narron managed the team. Phillips extended his hitting streak to thirteen games on Thursday, going 4-5 with two RBI and two runs scored against the Giants.

“I don't need a day off, just don’t want one,” Phillips said. “I’m here to play. What if today is the last game I’ll ever play and I miss it."

During the last thirteen games, Brandon Phillips has hit .441 with 10 runs scored and 26 hits. Phillips has raised his season average to .301 and is the only Red to play in every game this season. Phillips is tied for second in hits (74) and tied for third in runs (44) in the National League. Gangster.



Mike "Godzilla" Leake pitched the worst game of his young career on Thursday against the Giants. Leake pitched only 4.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on eleven hits. Leake left the game down 5-4, but the Reds' offense and bullpen would not allow him to lose his first major league game.

“I think what was different about this game is they had a pretty good plan for me,” Leake said. “They punched me right off the bat, and I couldn’t react fast enough. Sometimes games are going to be like that. They didn’t square every ball up. But I made more mistakes than I wanted to.”

The Reds relief brigade of Del Rosario, Herrera, Masset, Rhodes, and Cordero pitched 4.2 innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Squirmy Nick Masset was the only reliever short of perfection.

After Nick Masset allowed a run during the seventh inning, the Giants were finished scoring for the night and led the Reds 6-4. After a Ramon Hernandez single and a Chris Heisey double during the bottom of the eighth, Brandon Phillips drove them both in with his first triple of the season, tying the game at six. Joey "Capone" Votto drove in Phillips with a single and the Reds beat the Giants 7-6 at Great American Ballpark.

"I tell ya' what it's all about is believing in ourselves," said Brandon Phillips. "We did that (today). The pitching staff did its job and we just believe. We just learn from our mistakes and keep rollin'. This was a great game and we really needed it. When you're winning, you become a different player and that's what Scott Rolen has been talking about. When you start winning, you're going to see what type of player you really are. And hey, it's a lot of fun."

Arthur Rhodes extended his scoreless appearance streak to 27 outings. Rhodes' five outs on Thursday were the most he's recorded since May 1, 2008. Francisco Cordero pitched the only Reds' 1-2-3 inning during the ninth and notched his seventeenth save (tied for 2nd in the NL) of the season.

The Reds are now 1 1/2 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

"I'm doing a lot of hoping and praying and finger-crossing and stuff like that," said Reds' manager Dusty Baker. " I just hope everybody keeps believing - including the fans and everybody out there.  When everybody believes, from the front office to the administrative assistants to the ground crew to everybody and just thinks positive, good things will happen."

Bronson Arroyo (5-3, 4.65) will face Luke Hochevar (5-4, 4.74) and the Kansas City Royals (25-36) at 7:10pm on Friday at GABP.

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GOMES AND CABRERA REAP

Entering Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants, Reds' leadoff hitter Orlando Cabrera was sporting a 0-12 mini-slump. Cabrera led off the first inning with a single and scored on a Scott Rolen double giving Aaron Harang and the Reds an early 1-0 lead. Cabrera ended the day going 4-5 with three doubles and three runs scored. Scott Rolen went 3-3 driving in two runs with two doubles and Jonny Gomes went 1-2 with three RBI. Combined, the trio went 8-10 with six doubles.

Aaron Harang started for the Reds and went seven innings. Harang allowed only five hits while striking out three. After retiring the first five Giants' batters he faced, Harang walked Pat Burrell, and Buster Posey hit his first career home run into the left field bleachers at GABP. After Harang left the game, Danny Herrera and Logan Ondrusek combined for a scoreless eighth. The Giants scored again in the ninth inning off closer Francisco Cordero, but could not overcome the six runs the Reds had already put on the board. The Reds defeated the Giants 6-3 and gained a one-game lead for first place as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Cardinals on Wednesday night.

In case you missed it, the Reds were featured on MLB Production's This Week in Baseball on Saturday afternoon (Watch it here). The show highlighted the Reds' double play combination of Orlando Cabrera and Brandon Phillips, former University of Texas Longhorn Drew Stubbs, and the friendship between rookie Mike Leake and veteran Bronson Arroyo. During the broadcast, Brandon Phillips talked about his teammate Orlando Cabrera:

"We're going to the playoffs because we have him on our team."

Mike "Godzilla" Leake (5-0, 2.22) will face Todd Wellemeyer (3-5, 5.72) and the Giants at 12:35pm on Thursday.

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SAVE OUR SHIP

It is no longer an enigma; the Cincinnati Reds will need to locate bullpen help if they want to remain in the 2010 playoff hunt. The Reds have lost their last two attempts at the San Francisco Giants, both games being entirely within reach, until the Reds' bullpen entered the game.

On Monday, Johnny Cueto clearly struggled (6IP, 10H, 4ER, 5K) against the Giants, but held himself together enough to keep his team in the game. Cueto left the game down 4-3 in the sixth, but the Reds' offense offered two runs in the bottom half of the inning, giving the team a 5-4 lead and a possible victory for Cueto. Danny Herrera came into the game in the seventh with only one run allowed in his last nine appearances. Herrera quickly allowed two singles to Giants' hitters. After recording only one out, Herrera was pulled for the young Enerio Del Rosario. Giants' shortstop Juan Uribe drove in his third and fourth RBI of the game off Rosario with a single. Arthur Rhodes and Logan Ondrusek finished the game with scoreless appearances, but the Reds' offense was out of gas as they lost to the Giants 6-5.

On Tuesday, Sam LeCure made his third major league start against the Giants. LeCure pitched well during six innings allowing only one run on five hits. LeCure left the game trailing 1-0. After Logan Ondrusek and Arthur Rhodes recorded four outs without allowing a run (WOW!), Nick Masset entered the game. The Giants continued their singles parade from the previous day and scored two insurance runs off the seemingly hopeless Masset. In the end, the Giants only needed one as they blanked the Reds 3-0. Matt Cain pitched a complete game shutout (7H, 2BB, 5K).

The Reds' bullpen seems so desperate that even David Weathers has offered to help. Walt Jocketty quickly disposed of the rumors, but it still makes one wonder. Enduring the apparent inadequacies of the Reds pen, along with Mike Leake's innings beings closely monitored, Arthur Rhodes playing hurt, and closer Francisco Cordero remaining in his funk; the Reds may need even more help than suspected. Where will we find it?



The Reds' farm system is very deep when it comes to starters. Relievers; not so much. Aroldis Chapman has been speculated to possibly become an option out of the Reds' pen, but Walt Jocketty has said otherwise. It is hard to imagine that the Reds would risk his demise experimenting with him in relief situations. Chapman will likely spend more time developing in Louisville than any fan would like. Even when he is ready, he will probably have to wait for a hole in the rotation to open up. Not a bad problem to have.

Homer Bailey made his first rehab start in Louisville on Tuesday (4 1/3IP, 5ER, 6H) after coming off the 15-day disabled list. Rookie Sam LeCure has pitched very well (1-2, 3.12) as Bailey's replacement and could slide into a reliever role once Bailey returns to the Reds.

If Reds' starters remain healthy and effective, Edinson Volquez could become an option for the Reds when he returns from Tommy John surgery. Volquez is currently rehabbing in extended spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. His 50-day suspension will end on June 12, but he will not be available to pitch until mid-to-late July. The Reds will need help before then.

The obvious option would be Louisville, but there is not much there. Carlos Fisher (9.82), Logan Ondrusek (9.90), and Enerio Del Rosario (1.35) have already been up and down this season and have suffered from their inexperience. All three pitchers have showed signs of dominance, but are not ready to take on the savior role for the Reds' harrowing pen.

Louisville starters Travis Wood (3-4, 4.15) and Matt Maloney (4-3, 3.55) could be converted to relievers to help their major league affiliate, but the decision would deplete the Bats' rotation considerably, creating a contrary impression. We have already seen potential youngsters (Fisher, Ondrusek, Rosario) tangle with major league hitters and the dubious chance of a Wood or Maloney endeavor suspends the idea of farm system assistance.

Jared Burton is rehabbing in Louisville (1-1, 6.30 in 9 games). Burton did not make the team out of Spring Training and has been working his way back from fatigue issues this season. He has spent most of the last three seasons in the majors (10-3, 3.47) and will be back with the club once he regains his endurance. Burton's 4.40 ERA in 53 games during 2009 suggests he will assist, but not save, the Reds' bullpen.

It appears that the solution will need to come from another team. There are currently five teams in the majors that are ten games or more out of first place. With trade-bait like Yonder Alonso, Juan Francisco, and Chris Valaika; the Reds could easily acquire what they need. If the Reds' appetite craves the 2010 post-season, a serious addition to the bullpen is mandatory.

Walt Jocketty, here are some suggestions:

David Aardsma: RHP with 12 saves for Seattle this season. Seattle is currently 13 games out of first place and desperate for a bat after Junior announced his retirement. Just kidding about Junior, but the M's do lack outfield depth.

Chris Perez: RHP with 5 saves and a 2.95 ERA in 23 games for Cleveland this season. The Indians have slid 12.5 games behind the Twins in the AL Central.

Will Ohman: LHP with a 3.38 ERA in 29 games so far for the Orioles. Ohman knows the NL Central (spent '00-'07 in Chicago), and was second in the NL in games (83) and fourth in holds (23) during 2008. The guy is a workhorse who knows how to get hitters out. Ohman has great breaking pitches and could capitalize with the Reds' solid defense behind him. The Orioles are already 20 games out of first place and will be unloading soon.

Aaron Heilman: RHP with a 2.84 ERA in 26 games with Arizona. The D-Backs are 11.5 games away from first place and have a trade history with the Reds. Heilman and Arthur Rhodes would be a nasty R/L setup-man combination.

Kyle Farnsworth: Another ex-Cub who has posted a 2.70 ERA in 20 games for Kansas City this season. Farnsworth's heat and control would be a great ingredient for the Reds during late innings. Kansas City is currently 10.5 games out of first. Farnsworth would probably fair well in a return to the National League since his departure during the 2005 season. He can fight too.

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"GODZILLA" FINALLY GETS "FIF"

Mike "Godzilla" Leake finally received his fifth win of the season on Saturday against the Washington Nationals pitching seven innings (7H, 0BB, 5K) of one-run ball. The rookie has put together quality starts for the Reds ten times over his eleven starts and has posted a 2.22 ERA on the season. The undefeated right-hander is undoubtedly the best pitcher in the Reds rotation.

"The thing about him is he pitches to the situation," Baker said. "If he needs a double play, he throws his best double-play pitch. If he needs a strikeout, he’ll go for the strikeout. That’s tough to teach. Most guys don’t learn that until far into their careers."



Avoiding their third straight loss, the Reds defeated the Nationals 5-1 on Saturday. Joey Votto and Orlando Cabrera each had two hits and a RBI while Mr. Leake helped himself out, as he usually does, going 2-3 and scoring a run. Leake became the first Reds' pitcher to have a four-game hitting streak since Bobby Livingston's in 2007. Godzilla can do it all.

Reds' second baseman Brandon Phillips added some hysteria during the eighth inning. After driving in Orlando Cabrera with a single, Phillips went to third on a wild pitch with Joey Votto at the plate. Phillips was clearly out at third, but the Nationals' Ian Desmond unintentionally clogged the base-path and was called for interference. After Votto walked, Scott Rolen hit a ball to short. Phillips aggressively charged home, bulldozing over National's catcher Luis Nieves as he blocked the plate. Nieves dropped the ball and Phillips scored causing him to beat his chest in celebration. During the bottom of the eighth, Phillips was drilled by a Miguel Batista pitch. Batista was promptly ejected by umpire Joe West.

"I just go out there and play the game of baseball the way I know how," Phillips said. "I just play with a lot of excitement. I didn’t see nothing wrong with what I did. If people think I did something wrong, I apologize to whoever thinks so, but it’s baseball."

Bronson Arroyo (5-3, 4.92) will face Craig Stammen (1-2, 5.88) and the Washington Nationals at 1:35pm on Sunday.

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ADIOS AMIGO

Ken Griffey Junior's final hit of his hall of fame career was a walk-off pinch-hit single to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 at Safeco field in Seattle on May 20, 2010. His final home run was hit on October 4, 2009 helping the Mariners defeat the Teas Rangers 2-1. Junior hit 19 home runs in 2009. He failed to go yard this season. After batting only .184 in 98 at-bats this year as the Mariner's left handed specialist and dealing with rumors surrounding his decline, Junior decided to walk away from the game of baseball on June 2, 2010 at the age of forty.

Although it didn't bolster Junior's career homerun total of 630 (5th all-time), Cincinnati fans will always remember the walk-off grand slam he hit to defeat the Reds 6-5 on March 26, 2010 during spring training while playing for the Mariners. It was the first game in which Junior had ever faced his former team. After hitting 210 home runs for the Reds in nine injury plagued seasons, Junior crushed a 3-2 Kip Wells pitch for his final (unofficial) homerun to defeat them.

There was nothing unofficial about Junior's 21-plus year major league career. During baseball's steroid era, Junior will always be know as the one who did it right. Because of that, he suffered multiple injuries over the years that sidelined his numbers and himself. Juicing could have potentially prevented, or at least minimized, his stints on the disabled list, but Junior never submitted to the temptation. He played the game that he loved aristocratically, and when he failed to have fun, he stopped.

"I've come to a decision today to retire from Major League Baseball as an active player," Griffey said. "This has been on my mind recently, but it's not an easy decision to come by. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to play Major League Baseball for so long and thankful for all the friendships I have made, while also being proud of my accomplishments. While I feel I am still able to make a contribution on the field, and nobody in the front office asked me to retire, I told the Mariners when I met with them prior to the 2009 season and was invited back, that I will never allow myself to become a distraction. I feel that without enough occasional starts to be sharper coming off the bench, my continued presence as a player would be an unfair distraction to my teammates, and their success as a team is what the ultimate goal should be."

Ken Griffey Junior will always be remembered as a dedicated family man, a congenial sports icon, and an extraordinary baseball player. Long live The Kid.



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"THE BEST GAME OF THE YEAR."

After Monday's 12-4 blowout against the Cardinals, first place for the Cincinnati Reds appeared to be fading away. Bronson Arroyo allowed seven runs in just over four innings of work and the bullpen looked terrible, as Mike Lincoln and Carlos Fisher allowed five more after Arroyo's exit. The offense was stale as the wheels seemed to be falling off for the Reds. After Monday's game, St. Louis moved back into a tie for first with the Reds.

Prior to Tuesday's game the Reds decided to make some changes. Mike Lincoln was placed on the disabled list and Carlos Fisher was sent back to AAA Louisville. Logan Ondrusek and Enerio Del Rosario were called up to remedy the Reds' ailing pen and Joey Votto started at first after missing six games with a stiff neck. Some speculated that Votto spent the week voting for himself.

On Tuesday, the Reds' offense exploded to defeat the Cardinals, reclaiming an isolated spot atop the NL Central. Despite Johnny Cueto having a rough night (5IP, 10H, 8ER, 0K) and the score fluctuating constantly, the Reds held on and put together enough runs to defeat the Cardinals 9-8. Dusty was delighted:

"Both sides were battling. That was probably the best game of the year. That was as close to a playoff atmosphere as a young team can get in. That’s just a sample of what exciting baseball is all about. That was big for us to win that game tonight."

Joey "Capone" Votto confirmed his "gangster" going 4-5 with a home run and Scott Rolen went yard twice, as he went 3-5 on the night with four RBI. The Reds' bullpen rebounded triumphantly, pitching four scoreless innings after Cueto's departure. Enerio Del Rosario received his first career win and Arthur Rhodes assembled his 21st consecutive scoreless appearance (19 2/3 innings).

"Tomorrow, we've got a chance to win a series," said Scott Rolen. "That's important. It's a series. It's not the battle of first place in June. We've got a chance to win a series. That's why we're here in the position we're in playing good baseball and tied for first place. It's because we played well and won series. It doesn't matter who you're playing, you win series and play good baseball, you'll find yourself in good position."

Sam LeCure (1-0, 3.00) will face Chris Carpenter (6-1, 2.93) and the Cardinals at 8:15pm on Wednesday.

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