The Reds took down the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Friday at Progress Energy Part in St. Petersburg.

Aaron Harang got the start and allowed one run on four hits through six innings. The single run came on an inside-the-park home run by Carl Crawford in the fourth inning. Mike Burns and Todd Coffey each contributed a scoreless inning. Matt Belisle gave up a run on two hits and two walks in his inning. Maybe it was just that I was so cold and wanted desperately to go home, but it really seemed like a rough ninth for Belisle.

Dewayne Wise sprained his ankle in the second inning when he tripped over second base while stealing. He lay on the ground for what seemed like a long time, pounding the dirt. It wasn't clear whether he was doing it out of pain or frustration at knowing he was just a week away from making the big league roster.

It's going to be a short game wrap for this game, but you can hear about the game in great detail in this week's special edition podcast.

The Reds defeated the Pirates on Thursday by a score of 6-1 in McKechnie Park in Bradenton. The game was delayed and later called on account of rain.

Dave Williams got the start against the team he so recently called home. Williams gave up one run on two hits in his three innings of work to get the win. He was limited to just three innings when the rain rolled in and delayed the game for 38 minutes.

Ryan Wagner, Rick White, and Jung Keun Bong each contributed a scoreless inning. Justin Germano allowed a run in his two innings.

Two of the Reds runs can be attributed to Tony Womack, who hit a two-run home run in the fourth. Womack has been freaking on fire lately. Rumors of being available for trade must agree with him. The other four Reds runs were thanks to Brian Buchanan. Rumors of being a long shot must agree with him.

The win brought the Reds' record to 14-10. The Reds would travel to St. Petersburg to take on the Devil Rays (or is it just Rays now?) on Friday.

The latest round of Spring Training cuts happened yesterday. On their way to Louisville are Chris Denorfia, Justin Germano, and Michael Gosling. Jung Keun Bong was also kicked to the Minor League curb, er, I mean camp.

Aaron Harang is apparently ready to start the season. He had another superb outing Friday against the Devil Rays: Six innings, three strikeouts, four hits, one run (on an inside-the-park homer by Carl Crawford who's probably about the fastest player in the major leagues - Freel just missed throwing him out at the plate). No walks, which makes 14 consecutive innings he's pitched without walking a guy.

Burns and Coffey each pitched a scoreless inning. Belisle gave up two hits, two walks, and a run in the ninth before getting out of the jam with a popup for the final out. Kearns, Freel, and Ross had doubles for the Reds, and Freel stole two bases. Valentin had a pair of RBI singles.

As I'm posting this, the Reds are trailing the Twins 9-8 after eight innings of play. So far Griffey and LaRue have homered for the Reds, and Dunn has homered twice, but…

“Where's the pitching?”

Meanwhile, the Reds signed Alex Sanchez to a minor league contract. Yes, THAT Alex Sanchez. The first major leaguer ever to be suspended for steroid use is now property of the Reds. It may be a gamble, but it could pay off if Sanchez returns to form (see Giambi, Jason). At least the folks in Louisville should have a better team to watch this year, what with so many guys there with major league experience.

And that's the way it is this Saturday, March 25, 2006. I'm John, KC2HMZ. From all of us at RHM - GO REDS!

- HMZ -