The Reds slipped past the Pirates by a score of 2-1 in Bradenton today on the strength of a two-run home run from everyone's favorite Dominican Dynamo, Edwin Encarnación.

Tommy Phelps made the short-notice start in place of the shoulder-inflamed Aaron Harang. Phelps worked three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Ben “My Name is Really Fun to Say” Kozlowski also put in a couple scoreless innings. Some other people must have pitched the other 4 innings, but I don't know who they are as the box score persists in not being available from MLB.com.

The big story today of course, is that Sean Casey didn't take a pitch to the head. Wait, no. That drowned out the rest of the game yesterday. Today's big story is little Encarnación hitting his freaking fifth home run in spring training. Jeepers, kid, save some for the regular season.

This game brings the Reds' record to 5-5. Tomorrow the Reds host the Yankees.