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.

Elizardo Ramirez walked off the mound tonight looking pretty much like he felt like he'd let down the world. If you're out there, Lizard, reading this: it really wasn't you. Sure, you get the L, but it took a team effort to let this one get away.

Hang in there. You'll get 'em tomorrow.

David Ross and the Reds walked off with the win on Wednesday in one of those games that sticks with you for a long time. And in a good way, for a change.

Aaron Harang was downright shaky, giving up a grand slam to Jim Edmonds in the first inning. He'd allow six runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks through six innings. If you're looking for a bright side, he also struck out seven.

Oh, and the Reds won. That was pretty good too.

Then, about everyone in the bullpen took their turn on the mound. Rheal Cormier pitched a scoreless two-thirds. David Weathers, Bill Bray, Todd Coffey, and Kent Mercker each pitched a third of an inning, with only Bray allowing a run (earned). Ryan Franklin worked a hitless ninth for the win.

Adam Dunn, Scott Hatteberg, and Edwin Encarnación each hit a home run to score the Reds' first three. Dunn and Brandon Phillips brought in three more in the sixth to keep it close.

But the bottom of the ninth is the story of the game. In exactly the sort of situation which you know the Reds' can win but they never seem to actually do, they found themselves down by one in the bottom of the ninth. Somewhere, in an eerily quiet distant wood, the wild George Grande was sounding his characteristic cry

“Last round-up time for the Reds.”

The fading and strikingly overpaid giant Jason Isringhausen on the mound. The uncharacteristically adept choice of pinch hitters, Javier Valentín in Royce Clayton's place at the plate. Though Javy would score all of the runs in two of the games againt the Cards this series, tonight was not his night and he struck out swinging.

Rich Aurilia, the veteran presence that we don't actually mind on the team, walked on four pitches. Chris Denorfia was sent out to pinch run for him, and I had a sudden flashback to that time Jason Romano was sent out to pinch run and was picked off before his name was even announced. Fortunately, despite being nearly as good looking, Deno is a better baserunner than Romano.

Up to the plate strides the nine-hitter, David Ross who came into the game in the seventh. Just one out and Ryan Freel was due up next. This could work out.

But he didn't even let it get that far. With a 1-1 count, Ross let fly a homer to center field. 412 feet. His arms fly up in the air just as mine do at home just as everyone's do. Hooray!

The win brought the Reds' record to 59-55 and ensured the split of the four-game series. They would finish it out on Thursday with Bronson Arroyo facing Anthony Reyes.

As much as I've enjoyed Arroyo's nine failed previous attempts at win number ten, I'm as excited as anyone about the cornrows. I missed him having them done on Cold Pizza and the game's not on t.v. today, so I'm actually kind of hoping for him to break the streak so that I'll get to see them the next time through the rotation. Plus, I want the Reds to thoroughly decimate the Cards.

Go Cornroyo! Go Reds!

UPDATED 1:43pm Just wanted to clarify that the game is on t.v., just not on in my office where I'm not allowed to have any streaming video.

General manager Wayne Krivsky picked up Todd Hollandsworth from the Indians yesterday for a player to be named later. Said Krivsky:

“Not only is he a veteran hitter that knows the National League, he's used to pinch-hitting and can play all three outfield spots,” Krivsky said. “He's a very versatile guy. He's been around and was what we were looking for.”

“Veteran”? “Versatile” “All three outfield spots”? Oh crap. You know what that means. Ryan Freel, you may as well sit down; you've been replaced.