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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BAD TRIP FOR REDS; WELCOME HOME

Starting on Monday, the Reds will play their next seven games at home against two division rivals who reside in the bottom of the NL Central. After facing two aboriginal American teams on their last five-game road trip, the Reds managed only two wins. The Reds were swept in a two-game series by the Atlanta Braves during Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Both games were won by the Braves in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Reds beat the Cleveland Indians on Friday and Saturday, but failed to get it done Sunday afternoon.

The Reds and Cardinals have both gone 6-4 during their last ten games and have been passing first place in the NL Central back and forth. The upcoming home-stand against the Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25) and the Houston Astros (15-29) could be monumental considering how well the Reds have been playing and the mediocrity of their opponents. After the Reds' next seven games at GABP, they will travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals for three games.

Here is a rundown of the Reds' latest peyote filled road trip:

WEDNESDAY: Aaron Harang looked okay pitching six innings (8H, 4ER) against the Braves. The Reds kept it close until rookie Jason Heyward doubled off Nick Masset to win the game in the ninth inning. Reds lose 5-4.

THURSDAY: The Reds took an early 8-0 lead against the Braves and Mike "Godzilla" Leake looked like he would easily receive his fifth win of the season. Reds' relievers allowed six runs in just 2 1/3 innings after Leake left the game. The big blow was a pinch-hit grand slam by Brook Conrad. Francisco Cordero allowed the walk-off homer to Conrad. Laynce Nix nearly saved the four runs as he scaled the outfield wall, but the baseball bounced off his glove and left the park. Reds lose 10-9. Aroldis Chapman pitched for the Bats on Wednesday. Chapman pitched well (5 2/3 innings, 3H, 0ER, 7K), but left the game in the sixth inning because of a blister on his middle finger.

FRIDAY: Bronson Arroyo pitched 6 2/3 innings (7H, 4ER, 2K) against the Indians and despite not having his stuff, received run support and a win. Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes led the Reds' offense as they both went deep and drove in two runs a piece. Reds win 7-4.

SATURDAY: Johnny Cueto pitched six strong innings (4H, 2ER, 5K) against the Indians. Cueto left the game after only 93 pitches with a blister on his index finger. Despite Francisco Cordero's scary two-run ninth, the Reds defeated the Indians 6-4. Laynce Nix hit a home run and drove in two for the second consecutive night. Louisville Bats' Sam LeCure pitched a complete game one-hitter against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

SUNDAY: After pitching 2 1/3 innings (4H, 3ER), Homer Bailey left the game against the Indians with tightness in his right shoulder. Relievers Micah Owings, Danny Herrera, and Carlos Fisher finished the game for the Reds allowing only one run combined. Scott Rolen provided all of the Reds' offense going 2-3 with two home runs and three RBI. Reds lose 4-3.



Cueto and Chapman's blisters are considered minor. Cueto will likely make his next start while Chapman shouldn't miss more than one. Homer Bailey on the other hand, may go on the DL after he is examined in Cincinnati on Monday by Dr. Tim Kremchek.

Aaron Harang (2-5, 6.02) will face Brian Burres (2-1, 4.91) and the Pirates on Monday at 7:10pm. The game will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first major league night-game.

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