Thanks to a 7-1 win over the Cubs this evening and an off-day for the Cardinals, the Reds are now in sole possession of first place. And this ain't no early season aberration, either, baby. We're over a third of the way through and enjoying the view from the top.

Breathe it in. That's nice.

Wait. Actually, it kinda stinks in here. Jeepers, didn't the Cards ever clean up? We let them watch the place for two months and they let it go to hell. Looks like a tornado went through here.

There's jocks and empty packages from Chris Mihlfeld lying all over the damn place. And I think--yes, they definitely had an Eckstein problem. For crying out loud. We'd better get some traps.

You know, we've been gone for so long, it's nice to just be back at home in first. Let's not go out for a while, huh? We can just snuggle up in front of the t.v., have a beer, and enjoy each other's company.

Right after we get rid of that Edmonds smell.

The Reds made their second straight sweep of a division rival last night when they defeated the Cardinals 7-4.

Aaron Harang was a freakin' bad-ass through five innings. Not so much in the two-thirds of the sixth, but that's OK. When it was all said and done, he allowed three runs (earned) on eight hits and one walk for the win.

Chris Hammond, that guy you can actually count on to provide you some relief in the middle innings, finished out the sixth without a hit. David Weathers took over the seventh and eighth, giving up a home run (earned) on three hits. Todd Coffey sprinted out to hold the Cards hitless in the ninth for the save.

Rich Aurilia was the star last night, going 4-for-5 with 5 RBI. One of those hits was his seventh home run of the year, a three-run number in the sixth inning. Don't you love how someone different is the offensive star every night? Scott Hatteberg did pretty well himself, going 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI.

Jason LaRue broke an ass-long hitless streak; something like 28 at-bats with a single in the seventh, but I'm not willing to say he's turned the corner yet. He went 1-for-4 on the night and is now the not-so-proud owner of a .174 batting average. You know, it's a shame, because LaRue seems like a hell of a guy, but the poor fella couldn't buy a hit right now. Someone ought to do something to help him out.

The win brings the Reds' record to 35-24 and their winning streak to seven. They head home tonight to pit Bronson Arroyo against Glendon Rusch. Yes, again. Arroyo is going for home run number three.