The Reds bullpen failed to hold on to a game that starter Eric Milton left in pretty good shape in the 8-6 loss to the White Sox on Saturday.

Milton continued his respectable performances by going six innings and allowing three runs (earned) on seven hits and two walks. Hardly lights-out, I know, but it would have been good enough if the bullpen could have combined to allow just one.

David Weathers did allow just one (earned) on two hits through the seventh. Chris Hammond did the same through the eighth. Todd Coffey allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks in the ninth.

The Reds managed to score many of their runs without the benefit of the long ball on Saturday. The only home run was a solo shot by Felipe Lopez to lead off the fourth. Two batters later, Rich Aurilia doubled and two batters after that, Scott Hatteberg singled him in and advanced to second on the throw home. Austin Kearns singled home Hatteberg to score the Reds' third run of the inning.

They tacked on two more in the sixth when Brandon Phillips singled and Hatteberg walked. Kearns singled them both in. Kearns stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded along with David Ross when Quinton McCracken watched strike three go by.

It looked promising in the ninth when, with one out, David Ross doubled and Javier Valentín singled. Ryan Freel drew a walk to load up the bases. Lopez grounded out but plated Ross and set up Ken Griffey Jr. for the walk-off home run. Since he's actually managed to do this before, he was swinging for the fences and swung his way right out of the game to strand two and leave the Reds three short.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 37-31. They would try to salvage something, anything from the series with the White Sox on Sunday when Aaron Harang went against Jon Garland.

The Reds' offense avoided the blame for the loss on Friday in the first game of the series with the White Sox by scoring four runs. The White Sox avoided the loss entirely by scoring twelve.

Brandon Claussen took the mound and was abysmal. He allowed nine runs (earned) on eight hits and two walks through two plus innings pitched. Three batters into the third with no outs and two runners on, he was pulled in favor of Joe Mays, who will probably take Claussen's next start in New York.

Mays promptly allowed both of his inherited runners to score before giving up two of his own runs (one earned) on seven hits through four innings of work.

Esteban Yan held the Sox hitless through the seventh. Rick White allowed one run on one hit and one walk through the eighth and ninth.

After the White Sox put a 4-spot on the board in the top of the first, the Reds responded with three runs of their own off a Rich Aurilia home run in the bottom of the inning, giving the brief illusion that perhaps this game wasn't a completely lost cause.

Austin Kearns added a solo shot in the seventh inning to provide the Reds' other run. Felipe Lopez was the only Red to have more than one hit: he wen 2-for-4 and scored on the Aurilia homer. At least there was a base runner for a change.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 37-30. They would continue the struggle against the White Sox on Saturday when Eric Milton would face Jose Contreras.

I was half asleep when George Grande said it, but I'm confident that it was not a dream. Rick White has been designated for assignment. The corresponding roster move has yet to be announced.

That's a start, but it doesn't prove much until they replace him with something good.

UPDATED 4:35 p.m. Marc says that the team is buying the contract of one Jason Standridge to replace Rick White. Standridge is 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA. He's made 29 appearances comprising in 34.1 innings pitched this season with the Louisville Bats. He's struck out 33 and walked 13.

On this episode of the podcast, the Crack Technical Staff and I complain about some odd management decisions, some odd personnel decisions, and some crappy recent play.

We also mention the 1975 World Series DVD set that is now available and that you can win from Red Hot Mama. Just post a haiku to get your name included in the drawing.

We wrap up the show with a rendition of Ryan Parker's Cincinnati is a Baseball Town. Get more information on Ryan Parker and how to buy his music at RyanParkerSongs.com.

Episode 16: Mostly Complaining and a Little Other Stuff. (10.9 MB, 15:59)

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CINCINNATI, OH -- Continuing a string of questionable managing decisions tonight, Jerry Narron pinch hit for Felipe Lopez in the bottom of the ninth inning with Juan Castro.

“I don't understand why everyone's so upset,” said Narron. “He's a late-inning replacement, right?” said Narron.

The Reds acquired Castro from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for minor leaguer Brandon Roberts.

“I wanted to use [Quinton] McCracken, but he'd already struck out,” explained Narron.

Bullpen to the DL
Taking a cue from struggling starter Brandon Claussen, the entire bullpen has begun complaining of shoulder soreness. They've all been diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation and will go on the 15-day DL.

“They've been hurt all along,” said Head Trainer Mark Mann, “they were just trying to stick it out for the good of the team.”

In their places will come up Brian Shackelford, Jason Standridge, Ryan Wagner, Jake Robbins, and Michael Gosling.

“Maybe they'll make us appreciate Rick White,” said Mann.

Dunn Steals the Show
Adam Dunn jumped up and down flailing his arms and spouting stupid jokes earlier today when something happened that would have put an uncomfortable amount of media attention on Ken Griffey, Jr. The event that would have caused the attention was immediately forgotten as the press crowded around to report on Dunn's antics.

It's a skill Dunn has honed to perfection. Recently he drew attention from Griffey's response to a comment by Eric Davis that Griffey should move to a corner field position. Dunn implied that he didn't know who Davis was and distracted the media, allowing Griffey to go on pretending the comment had never happened.

“I'll want him around next time I make a pitching change,” said Narron of Dunn.