CONQUER THE CARDINALS!

After winning 5-of-7 games against the Pirates and Astros during their latest home-stand, the first place Reds are off to St. Louis to play the Cardinals. The Reds are currently one game ahead of the Cardinals in the NL Central standings and own the best record (30-21) in the National League. This weeks three-game series against the Cardinals will be the last time the division rivals face-off until August 9-11 in Cincinnati.

"We’re having fun," Reds owner Bob Castellini says. "We’re having a lot of fun."

The Reds' recent success has been a result of coordination. The Reds' offense has been rampant (leading the majors in home runs with 67) while the starting pitchers haven't received a loss in over two weeks. With the Reds' most dominant player Joey Votto sidelined with a stiff neck, veteran Miguel Cairo has been replacing the damage. When Homer Bailey was placed on the 15-day disabled list, Sam LeCure stepped in and secured the mound. This vibrant group of players is enjoying success and defining unity. They are a true team.

"With this team, everybody contributes every night," Aaron Harang said.

Bronson Arroyo (5-2, 4.30) will face Jaime Garcia (4-2, 1.14) and the Cardinals at 4:15pm on Monday.

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IT'S GOOD TO BE KING.

Screw the wildcard and forget the NL Central; The Cincinnati Reds (29-20) are currently the best team in the National League after Friday's 15-6 Astro-pounding. Ohhhh yeah.



Sam LeCure made his major league debut against Wandy Rodriguez and the Houston Astros on Friday. LeCure pitched respectable (6IP, 6H, 2ER, 4BB, 5K) as his teammates helped him secure his first major league win. The Reds offense scored fifteen runs against the unconscious Astros. Brandon Phillips went 3-6 while driving in three and Drew Sutton went 2-2, driving in four, with his first career grand slam. Jonny Gomes went 4-4 driving in four runs and was a double short of the cycle, but could care less:

"With the way things are going, the last thing I’m worried about is the cycle. I’ll take a win over the cycle anytime."

The Reds ace in the hole, Edinson Volquez, threw sixty pitches at Great American Ballpark on Friday. Volquez underwent "Tommy John" surgery on August 3, 2009. Beginning next week, Volquez will pitch in extended spring training at the club's complex in Goodyear, Arizona. Volquez will then continue on a minor league rehab assignment until his 50-day suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs expires on June 14.

"He looked great," Walt Jocketty said. "He threw all his pitches. He really looked good."

Aaron Harang (3-5, 5.98) will face Brian Moehler (0-1, 4.42) and the Astros at 7:10 pm on Saturday.

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LECURE TO DEBUT, PIRATES STINK

Johnny Cueto pitched a gem on Thursday, helping the Reds win three of four games against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week. In his fifth straight win, Cueto pitched six innings of three-hit baseball, while striking out a season high nine batters. As he did the last time he faced Charlie Morton and the Bucs, Cueto shut them out. After Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, the Reds never looked back, defeating the Pirates 8-2.



On Friday, against the Houston Astros, Sam LeCure will make his major league debut. LeCure will be filling in for Homer Bailey who is currently on the 15-day disabled list. This year at AAA Louisville, LeCure has gone 5-2 while posting a 2.55 ERA. LeCure has more wins, and a lower earned run average, than any other Bats' starting pitcher this season.

During LeCure's last start for Louisville on May 22, he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Allowing only one hit and striking out five, LeCure pitched a complete-game shutout that night with 99 pitches. The last Louisville Bat to throw a complete-game one-hitter was Lee Tunnell who did it on June 21, 1988. After two marvelous shut-out starts during May 17-23, LeCure was named the International League's Pitcher of the Week. Bring it on.

Aroldis Chapman (5-2, 3.55) pitched on Thursday after missing his last start due to a blister on his finger. Chapman pitched five scoreless innings and allowed only three hits while striking out seven.

Sam LeCure (0-0, 0.00) will face Wandy Rodriguez (2-6, 4.33) and the Astros at 7:10pm on Friday. The Reds are currently in first place, one game ahead the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cardinals will play three games against the Chicago Cubs this weekend.

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"I JUST GOT ONE LITTLE BASE HIT."

Peter Edward Rose Broke Ty Cobb's all-time hit record on September 11, 1985. The very next day he appeared on Donahue in Cincinnati. Pete discusses Ty Cobb's temper, his record-breaking hit from the previous day, and the chances of his son beating his hit record (PRJ is 4,254 shy). Pete's appearance on Donahue in Cincinnati is an elite illustration of his overall demeanor while he was still playing his beloved game. The excitement and pride that Pete induced in his home town is irrefutable. As Pete delights the crowd of Cincinnatians, I am reminded of the baseball player that we all grew to love; not the player who now leaves us bewildered.



Bronson Arroyo (4-2, 4.85) will face Ross Ohlendorf (0-2, 5.30) and the Pirates at 7:10pm on Wednesday. The Reds and Cardinals both lost on Tuesday and remain tied for first place in the NL Central.

After throwing for Bats' trainers on Tuesday, LHP Aroldis Chapman (4-2, 3.98) showed no lingering effects of the blister that caused him to miss his last start. Chapman will return to the mound for the Bats on Thursday against the Gwinnett Braves.

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75 YEARS LATER, REDS BEAT BUCS 7-5

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburg Pirates 7-5 on Monday as they celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the first MLB night game. On May 24, 1935, Crosley field in Cincinnati hosted the festivities and introduced playing baseball under lights. The Reds beat the Phillies 2-1.



Aaron Harang started for the Reds on Monday and pitched 6 1/3 innings (8H, 4ER, 3K) receiving the victory. The Reds offense was somewhat quiet, scoring only one run, until their five-run fourth inning. Aaron Harang singled home the go-ahead run during the fourth with a single, then scored from first on an Orlando Cabrera double. Enerio Del Rosario made his major league debut (0IP, 1K) after Harang exited and struck out the first and only batter he faced. Andrew McCutchen was Del Rosario's strikeout victim, but reached base on a Ryan Hanigan passed ball. Drew Stubbs went 3-4 and was a triple short of hitting for the cycle. After Monday's win the Reds (26-19) are tied with the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central.


(Artwork from BillyTackett.com)

On Tuesday, Mike "Godzilla" Leake (4-0, 2.91) will face Paul Maholm (3-4, 4.50) and the Pirates at 7:10pm. The St. Louis Cardinals (26-19) will begin a three game series against the San Diego Padres (26-18). Go Padres!

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