That pretty much says it all.

Couldn't have said it better myself. --RHM

The Reds took the final game with the Royals to win the series last night. The score was 5-6.

Bronson Arroyo took the mound for the Reds and allowed two runs (earned) on five hits and three walks though seven innings. The Reds offense was going strong against the Royals' pitching and gave him three runs' worth of lead in that amount of time.

Chris Hammond took over in the eighth and promptly gave up three-runs' worth of lead for the hold through one-third of an inning. He was designated for assignment today, but I'm sure there's no connection.

David Weathers got the ball for the remainder of the eighth and managed not to allow any runs. Sure, he gave up two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning and got the big ol' BS, but he didn't allow any runs.

Oh, and since our boys rallied during his tenure, Weathers also got the win. I know that a lot of people are angry about that. It doesn't seem fair that a starter should work so many clean innings only to have his W given to the very guy who blew the save. I'm probably the only one who finds it funny.

Todd Coffey, apparently not having gotten the memo about how bullpeners are supposed to behave, worked a hitless ninth for the save.

Ken Griffey, Jr., Felipe Lopez, and Adam Dunn came through with our daily recommended allowance of home runs to keep us healthy and strong and score all of the runs that would be scored by Reds on that day. Seriously, where would this team be without the home run?

The win brings the Reds' record to 43-36 and their winning streak to two. They continue the interleague play tonight opening a series against the Cleveland Indians. Elizardo Ramirez faces Paul Byrd at 7:10 p.m.

Chris Hammond was designated for assignment on June 30, 2006. The entire bullpen short of Todd Coffey had been pretty horrible for some time, and Hammond was just the first to go. Brian Shackelford was called up in his place.

Chris Hammond was designated for assignment on June 30, 2006. The entire bullpen short of Todd Coffey had been pretty horrible for some time, and Hammond was just the first to go. Brian Shackelford was called up in his place.

Chris Hammond was designated for assignment today by the Reds. Brian “Love” Shackelford has been called up to take his place.

Chris Hammond was a guiding presence in the bullpen early in the season, but lately he just hadn't been getting it done on the mound. At 40 years old, you had to figure that he was getting pretty close to hanging up the cleats anyway, but you never know. He “retired” in 1999 but returned in 2002, so maybe we'll be seeing him again round-about 2010 or so.

Till then, we'll be looking for great things out of Love Shack.