This week on the podcast, I talk with my Crack Technical Staff, a.k.a., Jon, about the important news for the week ending May 6, 2006. Listen to how cute he sounds. Dorky sure, but I've always been helpless against dorky, probably due to my own high dorkiness quotient.

Topics we cover include:

• The all-star ballot and Daedalus's write-in-Brandon-Phillips campaign.
• Who will be back first: Wilson, Griffey, Milton, or Aurilia. (hint: not Griffey)
• The Reds' hot start, including against the great pitchers in the league.
• The use of Coffey in the late innings, but not the latest inning.
• The performance of Williams and Elizardo.
• Womack's fate and the addition of Denorfia and Olmedo.
• Fan fatigue.
• The general lack of respect for the Reds (and how that's going to change).

Episode 11: Welcome Crack Technical Staff. (10.5 MB, 15:14)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Reds suddenly forgot that they were major-league players in yesterday's game to find themselves on the loser-end of a 1-7 score with the Rockies. They had been on the winner side of that same score the day before.

Elizardo Ramirez gave up seven runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks through his four innings of work. All seven runs scored in the second inning, which, coincidentally is also when the team's three errors occurred. Imagine that.

Chris Hammond gave up no runs on a hit through two, bringing his ERA dangerously close to single digits at 10.12. Brian “Love” Shackelford held them hitless through the eighth and David Weathers allowed none on one in the ninth.

I was asleep for this game, but I saw the second inning on tape later on, and there were many more than three errors. I estimate that the Rockies should have been out seven times during that inning.

And the blame is very evenly distributed. Felipe Lopez, Scott Hatteberg, and Ryan Freel got the official errors, but Quinton McCracken was playing way too deep in center field when the pitcher was up to bat and Ramirez balked. Later, when the Reds should have been catching up, Javier Valentín made some stupid baserunning moves.

But mostly I blame Rich Aurilia for getting hurt and not playing in the game. Someone needs to be the grown-up in that infield.

Basically an all-around shoddy showing yesterday, and I'm glad I didn't stay up to watch it. I'm hoping for a big bounce-back performance from my boys tonight.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 20-10. Bronson Arroyo faces up against Claudio Vargas for the second game tonight at 9:40 p.m.

The Reds split the two-game series with a 7-1 win over the Colorado Rockies last night.

Aaron Harang started for the Reds and pitched eight and a third innings. He allowed one run (earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out an astounding 12 to become the second Reds pitcher with five wins in 2006. Rick White took over for the final two outs of the ninth and held the Rockies hitless.

The Reds got rolling in the top of the second. Edwin Encarnación singled and Scott Hatteberg walked. Austin Kearns singled to bring in Encarnación and Jason LaRue homered two batters later to bring in the rest of the runners. Despite a hit from Harang, the Reds couldn't bring him 'round. Score: 4-0.

The Rockies scored their run in the bottom of the second. Brad Hawpe singled and Eli Marrero doubled to set up Danny Ardoin to bring Hawpe home on an infield ground out two batters later. Score: 4-1.

Adam Dunn added an insurance run in the sixth by leading off the inning with a home run. Harang got another hit in the seventh inning, but again the Reds stranded him. Score: 5-1.

The Reds did their final scoring in the eighth inning. With one out, Scott Hatteberg doubled and Kearns singled to bring him home. Chris Denorfia then doubled-in Kearns. Finals Score: 7-1.

The win brings the Reds' record to 20-9. Today they visit Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks in the first of a three-game series at 9:40 p.m. Elizardo Ramirez continues to fill in for the injured Eric Milton to face off against Brandon Webb for the Diamondbacks.

I was out drinking with co-workers, and left as early as I possibly safely could.

Let's respect Aurilia's DL report and move our smack talk to here. I see that my boys have already started kicking some gravel ass.

Marc says that Rich Aurilia has been placed on the 15 day disabled list as a result of the groin strain suffered in last night's game. The Reds have recalled Ray Olmedo to take his place. He will be wearing number 62.

I'm not sure that Olmedo's back is large enough to fit the number 62 on it; it may wrap around to the front of his shirt. What I am sure of is that I couldn't be more pleased. I *love* little Ray Ray.