IN AND OUT OF HOT WATER

Current drummer for Against Me!, and former member of Hot Water Music, George Rebelo (pictured above) attended the Reds game against the Dodgers on Tuesday. He caught a homerun during batting practice and managed to rock out at The Southgate House following the game. Against Me! is currently on tour promoting their upcoming record White Crosses. Did the Gainesville natives bring good luck with them while visiting the Queen City? If they did, they took it with them when they left.
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"How much is too much? I'm tired of predicting to lose."

On Tuesday, right before Rebelo and his band took the stage in Newport, the Reds defeated the Dodgers 11-9 at Great American Ballpark. It was their sixth win of the young season, all of them arriving during their final at bat.

Reds' starter Homer Bailey once again looked dismal going 5.1 innings and allowing 5 earned runs on eight hits. After falling instantly behind after a base clearing triple from Casey Blake in the first inning, Bailey managed to throw four more innings and allowed two more runs. When he left the game in the fifth, the Reds' offense had taken control, and the score was 9-5.

Danny Herrera finished the fifth inning while Logan Ondrusek and Arthur Rhodes followed in the sixth. The three relievers notched scoreless outings. Future closer Nick Masset came on to pitch in the seventh with one out and allowed four Dodger runs while only retiring one. With the score tied, Mike Lincoln was brought into the game. He recorded one out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eight the Reds broke the deadlock. After walks to Jay Bruce and Ramon Hernandez, the light hitting Paul Janish smacked a single to score Bruce. While the Dodgers' infield attempted to play pickle with Janish, Hernandez scored making it 11-9. Francisco Cordero entered the game in the ninth inning, retired the side in order, actualizing the Reds' victory.

Nick Masset currently has a 14.14 ERA as the Reds' set-up man. The idea of replacing him is becoming more relevant by the second. Dusty Baker believes Masset will turn the corner:

"We’ll get Nick straight. He’s got the stuff. You’ve seen it. He’s going through a little bad period. We need him badly. He’ll find it."

On Wednesday, Aaron Harang started his fourth game of the season. It was yet another depressing outing for the veteran right hander. Harang was beat up for seven runs (six earned) on ten hits in 5.2 innings. After a impressive win the night before, and a seemingly rejuvenated offense, the Reds seemed to be turning the page after their recent 2-5 road trip. Reds' hitters did everything they could to keep the Dodgers close, but after Harang left the game with the score at 7-4, Reds' relievers Micah Owings, Logan Ondrusek, and Mike Lincoln allowed seven more runs. The Reds were quickly reminded that their pitching sucks. The Reds lost to the Dodgers by a final score of 14-6. Aaron Harang will not be buying a lottery ticket anytime soon:

"It’s bad luck,” Harang said. “This game’s about luck. I’m going through a bad spell right now."

After Harang's horrific inception to the season, it appears likely that his next start will be skipped. His next start complies with the Reds' next off day on April 26th, but Dusty Baker isn't sure:

"I don’t know. I just got beat to death. I haven’t had time to think about it."

Reds' beat writer John Fay reported after Wednesday's game that Walt Jocketty and Dusty Baker met in the manager's office as he was leaving the ballpark. Fay insinuated that "moves could be coming".

The Reds announced that Hall Of Famer Joe Morgan will join them as a special advisor on Wednesday. Morgan will work with the community, assist Walt Jocketty on occasion, and spend some time in the booth. Morgan's new gig will not affect his current employment at ESPN.

Mike Leake will start for the Reds on Thursday against the Dodgers. Leake has been the Reds best starter thus far (0-0, 2.63 ERA) and will need to give the Reds' pitching staff a break, as well as a boost, during Thursday's game. First pitch from "Godzilla" is at 7:10pm.

Aroldis Chapman will make his third start for the Louisville Bats on Thursday. Chapman (0-1, .93 ERA) will face the Indianapolis Indians at 7pm.
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BLOW ON ROLEN, MAYBE HE'LL WORK.

Prior to Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Pirates, Scott Rolen tested out his sore back in the batting cages and had negative results. He proceeded to miss his third game in a row. Rolen is currently the Reds' homerun leader, but has only drove in 4 runs and is batting only .219 in 32 at-bats. With four straight days off for Rolen (the Reds don't play Monday) and five straight losses from the Reds, Rolen's bat will be required if his team decides to boomerang. Rolen had this to say on Sunday:

"I'm feeling better. I'm trying to figure out if I can play Major League Baseball. I can walk around like a normal human being. But that's a little different than what I'm being called upon to do."

The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a three game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The last time the Reds were swept by the Pirates was during the 2003 season when they completed the task twice (Once in a 2-game series and once in a 3-game series).

Bronson Arroyo started for the Reds on Sunday and went six innings allowing five runs on five hits. After retiring the first nine batters he faced, Arroyo crumbled during the fourth inning, granting the Pirates all five of their runs. Paul Janish provided the Reds with a RBI double while Jay Bruce answered his critics (and us) with two solo home runs instead of two middle fingers. Reds beat writer John Fay said that Johnny Gomes could have caught the ball that allowed three of Arroyo's runs:

"...Jonny Gomes nearly ran down but it fell for a three-run double. Gomes probably would have made the catch if he took a better route."

Bronson Arroyo commented on his Sunday start:

"I’m reminded every year this stuff ain’t easy. I didn’t have much velocity on my heater, but I was throwing it where I wanted to, setting up guys where I wanted to. Some of big plays were hitting (Bobby) Crosby, then that ball sneaking over Orlando (Cabrera’s) glove. Either one of those don’t happen, I feel like I have a chance to get out of that inning with two runs at the most. You give somebody five that early in the game and it’s tough to come back from."

...and his sense of urgency:

"We always say it’s a long season, but obviously the mentality of the front office is not going to be a 162-game schedule if we get behind the eight ball too much. So we’ve got to turn things around quick."

The Reds with have a much needed off day to collect their thoughts on Monday. Tuesday they will begin a NL west abundant six game home stand. The first three will be against the Dodgers (6-6) and will be followed by three against San Diego (6-6). Here are the pitching match-ups from The Reds Report.
April 20: vs. Dodgers – Billingsley (1-0, 5.73 ERA) vs. Bailey (0-1, 6.97 ERA)
April 21: vs. Dodgers – Kuroda (1-0, 1.20 ERA) vs. Harang (0-2, 7.88 ERA)
April 22: vs. Dodgers – Padilla (1-1, 8.04 ERA) vs. Leake (0-0, 2.63 ERA)
April 23: vs. Padres – Correia (2-1, 3,12 ERA) vs. Cueto (0-0, 5.06 ERA)
April 24: vs. Padres – LeBlanc (0-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Arroyo (0-1, 4.95 ERA)
April 25: vs. Padres – Richard (0-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Bailey (0-1, 6.97 ERA)
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