Between softball, minor league games, and insect-oriented fake news, I realized that I last wrapped an actual Reds game on July 3, and that was the double-header that I saw in person. The last time I wrapped one I saw on t.v. was June 26. I hope I can remember how to do this.

And my, how times have changed. Things I was surpised to see tonight:

• Starting pitching didn't lose the game before it began. I guess that's not too surprising out of Claussen, but nevertheless impressive in a general sense. The bullpen also failed to give it away. Matt Belisle even took out the Diamondbacks 1-2-3 in the ninth, the last two being strikeouts.
• Ray Olmedo stood out tonight with his energetic play and offensive productivity. He built on the positive impression he started with me with his cheerful willingness to try playing in the outfield. Let's see here: a fast little guy who will play anywhere. I'm not swooning. I'm not. No really.
• Sean Casey, after I had spent last night formulating a fake story in which the Diamondbacks would position every one of their fielders between first and second to ensure that they'd get him out, hit the ball to a completely different place (center field) to bring in the tying run in the eighth.
• Adam Dunn, who hadn't given every Reds site in existence anything specific to say about him for at least 20 hours or so, came through with the clutch grand slam in the tied game to bring the score to its final: 2-6 Reds. In the post game interview on FSNO he promised many more wins in the second half of the season, and his demeanor was totally braggadocio-less while he did it.
• And most of all, Reds win! A road series! And a road trip! Against teams in the NLW, but still!

Tomorrow they go for the sweep. I'm ready for more pleasant surprises. Go Reds!