The Braves handed the half of the squad that made the trip to Lake Buena Vista this afternoon a moderately less humiliating defeat than the other half suffered at the hands of the Pirates. For crying out loud people: the Reds hardly have one fieldable team: you can't really expect them to put together two.

Dave Williams got the start and allowed eight runs, all earned, on 10 hits through 3 1/3 innings of work.

Jake Robbins held the Braves scoreless despite two hits during his 2/3 of an inning. Todd Coffey and Ryan Wagner each also contributed scoreless innings. Brian Shackelford gave up the other two runs on two hits in two innings.

Dewayne Wise hit yet another home run and contributed two of the Reds RBI today. Encarnació also contributed two. Chris Denorfia and Andy Abad each contributed one.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 10-8. Tomorrow the Reds host the Phillies in Sarasota at 1:05 p.m.

Half of the Reds fell to half of the Pirates 15-5 this afternoon in Bradenton. Apparently it was the good half of the Pirates.

The unfortunate Michael Gosling allowed nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits over the course of a third of an inning. I guess he didn't have his best stuff today. At least, I hope that isn't his best stuff.

Young'un Homer Bailey increased the temptation to bring him up too early by taking over in the pinch and allowing just an unearned run in 2 2/3 innings of work.

Jason Standridge allowed four runs on four hits in an inning. Rick White allowed a comparatively paltry single run on three hits in one. Chris Hammond, David Weathers, and Chris Michalak each contributed a scoreless inning.

On the offense, no one did much worth mentioning except Rich Aurilia who scored two runs including a solo home run. The hot streak that I was hoping for Kearns to start will have to wait until tomorrow. He went 0-for-2 with a walk today. It'll be better tomorrow anyway.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 10-7. The other half of the team played the Braves this afternoon in Lake Buena Vista.

Well, we finally made it. My experience with the drive to Sarasota these last two years is that just when you think you've been driving forever and can't possibly make it any longer, you have about two hours to go.

But finally the drive is done and I sit here in front of the Daiquiri Deck with my laptop computer out. I feel like a bit of a dumb ass as I am passed by 1) 20-somethings in various degrees of undress and 2) retirees living the night life at 7:40 p.m. One guy walking by did smile at me, though. I won't tell you to which group he belonged.

If you've been reading Red Hot Mama since the very, very beginning, you might know that last year's accommodations were less than desirable, but the condo this year is just lovely. I imagine I'll have very specific nice things to say about it when I'm no longer staying there.

Anyway, for any of you who were worrying, you'll be glad to know that we made the trip safely. And the Daiquiri Deck is now seating #36. That's the family with the kid who argued with my son about whether “20” is “twenty” or “twenty-zero,” so I'm glad they're moving on so we can avoid the tension. We're #40, so I'd best wrap it up.

Tomorrow: our first game. Go Reds!