The Reds succeeded in doing nothing but tiring out everything resembling a pitcher last night/early this morning in this 14-inning 5-6 loss to the Phillies.

Kyle “I pronounce the letters in my name in the opposite order of what they appear” Lohse wasn't bad at all, especially when you compare him to the other guys who have passed as fifth starters on this team. He allowed one run (earned) on one hit and one walk in six and one-third innings. He was in a bit of a jam when he left in the seventh, but David Weathers got him out of that without a hit and all was well.

When Bill Bray came in, the score was 3-1, certainly not a lead you'd be confident with, but one that looked pretty OK going into the eighth. Alas, he picked last night to get seriously smacked around and allowed three runs (earned) on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. Todd Coffey took over for Bray and got the final out in the eighth.

When Javier Valentín hit his third home run in five games in the top of the ninth, this one a two-run shot in the ninth, it looked good for Coffey to get the win and bring him one step closer to getting 10 Ws before Bronson Arroyo. But then Eddie Guardado blew the second save of the night, allowing one run one one hit to tie it in the bottom of the ninth.

Two relatively dependable new relievers blowing saves on the same night? What are the chances?

Kent Mercker pitched a hitless 10th. Ryan Franklin allowed zero runs on one hit in the 11th and 12th. Apparently Cormier was unavailable with some hip problem (them put him on the DL, dammit!) so they sent out Aaron Harang for the 13th. He allowed two hits but got out of it without a run.

Elizardo Ramirez got only one out in the 14th before he gave up the winning run.

There are so many people to thank for this loss, it's hard to mention them all. David Ross had a error when trying to throw out a guy at second. Ken Griffey, Jr. should have made a catch. Todd Hollandsworth struck out with the bases loaded. Jerry Narron pulled Edwin Encarnación, who had two home runs in his three ABs, in the seventh.

There were also several decent plays: Ryan Freel had a good defensive play at third. Eric Milton came through with a pinch hit. Hollandsworth got a startling catch in right field. But those things don't really go with the bitter, sarcastic mood I've got going on about this game, so I'm not going to mention them.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 59-57. Just two games over .500. They remain half a game up on the wild card and just three and a half back on first in the NLC, but they ought to be good and dispirited with an exhausted pitching staff for the next few games. Case-in-point, Ramirez is still scheduled to start today to take on Scott Mathieson.

On an unrelated note, I wonder when the last time was that a Reds' starting pitcher got losses two days in a row.

Hey, Bronson. How's it hanging?

So, yeah, we all know that you haven't been doing so great since just before the All-Star break. You were the first Reds' pitcher to reach nine wins, and you've been trying for number 10 for 10 starts now. Things are definitely not going your way, but I, personally, admire that you're trying to fix it.

You tried to get out of actually pitching in the All-Star game and blew off steam with your friends. Reducing the stress in your life is a good idea (even though it kinda made you look like a slacker ass-hat).

You tried holding out hope that David Ross coming off the DL would make a difference. OK, I guess that one wasn't so proactive, but I can see where you were coming from.

You tried moving up your start just to “shake things up.” Valiant effort. Didn't work, but nice try.

You tried the cornrows. That's just silly superstition, but at least you're not just sitting there feeling sorry for yourself.

But, honey, none of that is worked and we both know the reason why. Enough is enough. Call me.

XOXO,
RHM

The Reds offense again failed to come through for Bronson Arroyo on Thursday and, worse yet, also didn't come through for the relievers in this 6-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Arroyo was hardly the character of legend that everyone was so enamored with a couple months ago. He gave up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk through seven innings. This was his 10th attempt at win number 10, and now his record is 9-8. Not that I'm gloating.

Todd Coffey gave up zero runs on one hit in the eighth. Rheal Cormier gave up a home run (earned) in the ninth.

Just like the first game of the four-game series with the Cardinals, the lone Reds run came off a solo shot from Javier Valentín. The Latin Love Machine has been crowded out this season, what with David Ross being adequate and riding the coattails of the previously Homeric but now homer-ific Arroyo, but have no doubt: Love is still in the air.

You'll be surprised to learned that Scott Hatteberg continued to hit consistently going 3-for-5 on the night. He's hitting .330.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 59-56. They opened a three-game series against the Phillies on Friday, sending Kyle Lohse out to face Jon Lieber.