So I'm checking on the Reds headlines in the non-Cincinnati media, and this article in the Newark Star-Ledger pops up. It takes a while to find the one bullet dedicated to the Reds on page 3, but I eventually get there:

Even with their outfield logjam apparently settled, the Reds are still shopping Austin Kearns to see if he can bring back a decent starting pitcher in a trade.

Is it just me, or is this a big duh? There shouldn't be a single person on the roster who's immune for the right price. Sure, the right price for Ryan Freel is a forfeit of every game with the Cardinals, but the price is still there.

Could be worse, of course. The Daily Herald felt the need to use this headline yesterday:
P-Lee-asing day

And if that weren't bad enough, the Chicago Sun-Times followed up with this gem:
What's the D-Lee-o with Cubs' delay?

Even if Chicago wins the upcoming series, we can at least take comfort in the knowledge that Cincinnati still tops the league in getting headline puns Dunn.

Was I the only one who noticed that the Pirates' catcher, Ryan Doumit, bears a striking resemblance to Evil Wicca Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Is evil afoot? Does that explain his 2-run home run on Thursday? Certainly the fact that it was Rick White pitching didn't have anything to do with it.

The Reds failed to pull off the four-game sweep of the Pirates today with a score of 5-3 in Great American Ball Park.

Dave Williams got the start against his former team and exceeded my expectations. He allowed only three runs (two earned) on five hits through six innings. Matt Belisle was the weak link in the bullpen tonight, allowing two earned runs on two hits through the seventh. Kent Mercker and Todd Coffey each pitched an inning of hitless relief.

The Pirates scored their first two runs in the fifth on a Jack Wilson home run to left field after Victor Santos reached base on a throwing error by young Edwin Encarnación. They scored their third run in the sixth when Jose Castillo sent a sacrifice fly to center to score Jeromy Burnitz. Score: 3-0.

The Reds offense realized they were supposed to be involved too in the bottom of the sixth. Brandon Phillips pinch-hit for Williams and doubled to center. Tony Womack then doubled to right field to score our most recent middle infielder. Felipe Lopez then hit a ground ball to the short stop, and for some reason they sent Womack home. He was out, though Lopez advanced to second on the throw.

After a pitching change, Lopez stole third and Ken Griffey Jr doubled to center field to bring him 'round. Adam Dunn struck out and Encarnación grounded out to strand Griffey on second. Score: 3-2.

Alas, the Pirates were back at it in the top of the seventh, having their way with Belisle. Freddy Sanchez singled and Chris Duffy doubled to bring in a run. Jack Wilson put down the sacrifice bunt to move Duffy to third, and Jason Bay put up the sacrifice fly to move him to home. Craig Wilson struck out. Score: 5-2.

Ryan Freel made his appearance in the bottom of the eighth when he walked for Womack. Griffey doubled him him two batters later to score the final run for the Reds. Score: 5-3.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 4-2. They have Monday off before beginning a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs. Tuesday Bronson Arroyo takes on Glendon Rusch.

Clearly, we're only a week into the season, but I find myself wondering what exactly manager Jerry Narron wants out of Ryan Freel.

• Game 1. Freel doesn't play. Reds lose to Cubs, 16-7.
• Game 2. Freel starts at second. He scores three runs, one more than the Reds' margin of victory. He steals three bases. The Reds beat the Cubs in grand form, 8-6.
• Game 3. Perhaps hoping to just continue riding the electricity he provided the day before, Narron sits Freel. The Reds win over the Pirates 5-6.
• Game 4. Freel starts at second and goes 2-4 with a walk and a run scored. No stolen bases. Reds beat Pirates, 6-7.
• Game 5. As apparent reward for his lack of steals, Freel starts at second and goes 3-4 with a walk and three runs scored. He steals two bases, and the Reds beat the Pirates 9-11.
• Today, the Reds dropped one to the Pirates, 5-3. Freel was utilized only to pinch hit for Tony Womack in the eighth inning. He walked and later scored.

You'll notice that, despite the fact that the Reds have not lost a game this season that Freel has started, and that every game in which Freel has stolen a base has been won by the Reds by more than one run, Freel has sat the day after every day he's stolen a base.

Don't get me wrong: I'm glad that Tony Womack is holding his own at second, and I certainly don't want to see Freel getting himself hurt. But what's the message Narron is sending here? I don't think anyone has done more this week to prove how vital he is to the team, but Freel still found himself on the bench the day before he would have gotten a off day anyway.

Maybe Narron's trying to teach him that stealing is wrong. He's said he is a religious man, after all.

JinAZ has profiled Adam Dunn in his Better Know a Red feature, so I've updated Dunn's profile in the human league. In addition to just tidying up the existing content, you'll also notice a new section on Smart Alec Quotes.