Before the game started, I heard that the Reds lead the Cardinals for the season. The Reds have won six of the eight games they've played. This means two things:

1) The only two major league baseball games I've seen this season were the Reds' only two losses to the Cardinals this year.

2) They're apparently looking to even the score.

The Lizard gave up five runs in the first, and I've never heard Chris Welsh sound so pissed off. And now they're out of the bottom of the inning without so much as a runner getting to second.

Shaping up to be a great game. Since I'm smacking alone tonight, I'll try to be doubly catty.

The Reds have picked up Ryan Franklin from Philadelphia. He'll be ready for tonight's game; corresponding move to be announced soon.

Mr. Franklin brings with him a 1-5 record with a 4.58 ERA. He was DFA'd by the Phillies on July 30. he also brings a $2.6 million salary with him, which is why it's nice that the Phils also sent cash.

Not entirely sure what we're going to do with another pitcher with a 4-plus ERA, but I'm always hopeful. Maybe he'll work out as well as Clifford Franklin.

UPDATE 2:36 p.m.:The corresponding move is to place Gary Majewski on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his shoulder. Or perhaps to place Jason Stadridge on the 15-day DL with back spasms. Whichever one you choose, the other one seems to correspond to Kent Mercker coming off the DL.

Furthermore, Matt Belisle is going to Louisville on rehab assignment, and the Bats are in Indy this week. w00t for me!

Hi, everyone. What'd I miss?

I see that Gary Majewski still hasn't found his stride. According to Marc, after last night's debacle Majewski “bolted from the clubhouse as soon as the media walked in.” Poor guy. It's not his fault they keep sending him out there.

I see that Bronson Arroyo still can't seem to find win #10. At least the team didn't lose this time.

I see that Jerry Narron, as great a guy as he is, still is having trouble with line-up construction and bullpen management. You know, the Reds are over .500, leading the wildcard, and challenging St. Louis for first in the NLC, so Narron is clearly doing something right. Unfortunately, he's just as clearly doing some things wrong.

Perhaps they could set up a tag-team managing staff. Narron could be in charge of “doing the little things” and someone else could be in charge of who plays third or pitches the eighth inning.

Sort of like the Cardinals could use a different manager to take over in the post-season.

Speaking of the Cardinals: the series starts tonight! The last time our boys faced the Cards, they swept them to take first place. And it just so happens that we have just the right number of games in this series so that a sweep would take first again. It's fate, baby. And it's something I'm not going to miss.

P.S. - Thanks, Joel, for taking over in my absence. You are truly the premier substitute Reds blog writer.