The Reds were unable to take advantage of a good start by Eric Milton yesterday when they fell to the Phillies 4-1.

I think that pretty much everyone expected the Reds to win this game. The fact is that we don't have faith in Milton. He was crummy in 2005, he was barely adequate in 2006, and he stunk up the joint in spring training. He's had weak legs, poor rubber position, and just plain old suckiness.

But this season, Milton has not been bad. Not dominating, but not bad. Last night was another example of those; he gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits through six innings. Even if all three of those runs had been earned, it would have been a quality start. He's rocking a 4.32 ERA and a 0-3 record.

But even if the error had not happened to allow that extra run, the offense wouldn't have been enough. Milton would have had to have been perfect, and so would have the bullpen. And that's simply asking too much. The rest of the pitcher to see time on the mound included Victor Santos, who gave up a solo shot on two hits in two innings, and Kirk Saarloos, who pitched a scoreless ninth.

Meanwhile, the Reds were sucking at the plate. Not that they never got anything going, but they couldn't string together enough things to ever cross the plate. They struck out 15 times. Only Edwin Encarnación had more than one hit: 2-for-4 on the night. Only Jeff Conine had an RBI on a solo shot in the second. On the positive side, the Conine home run did win a woman at GABP pizza for a year from the Snappy Tomato, so you've got to like that. David Ross grounded in a 5-4-3 triple play. Not just a triple play, but a routine-looking triple play. It was as if someone had asked Ross to define the triple play for a textbook, and that's what he came up with.

The loss brings the Reds record to 9-9 and drops them to third in the NLC. They try to win the series from the Phillies today at 1:15 p.m. Matt Belisle goes up against Freddy Garcia.

While walking out of the stadium last night, the Crack Technical Staff and I were discussing what's wrong with the Reds. Sure, the offense can't finish the job, and neither can the bullpen, but poor in-game management choices are the overeager fingernail that can't stop picking the infected pimples on the face of the team.

But clearly manager Jerry Narron is doing many things right, and though I wasn't super-psyched that they extended his contract so early, I'm not calling for his head either. What I'd like to see is for Narron to recognize his own weaknesses and call on his staff to fill in the blanks.

After all, an excellent leader doesn't always have the answers. An excellent leader surrounds him- or herself with excellent people to help come up with the answers. That's how a manager “plays the game right.”

That being said, these are three areas where I think that Narron should start looking to his team of experts for advice.

The David Ross Experiment is a Failure
The idea of continuing to send a struggling hitter up to the plate when there are stronger options available is iffy in my opinion, but considering the year that Ross had in 2006, I can understand why you'd give him the chance to work it out.

But this has gone on long enough. Ross has had the opportunity to find his swing on his own, and he hasn't done it. Continuing to do the same thing and expecting something different to happen is madness. It's time to give him a stint on the DL, in Louisville, or just a couple days off. Narron might consider talking to his hitting coach or general manager about the options.

All We Are Saying Is Give the Pitcher a Chance
The starter is doing well, but he could implode at any minute. Mike Stanton took that lefty to school, but the next batter's a righty. David Weathers got through the eighth; can he handle the ninth?

It seems like the “roles” in the bullpen have gotten too much emphasis. The effort to get work for everyone has resulted in everyone pitching to one or two batter in every game. There are clearly a lot of decisions being made, but no one can divine the reasoning behind them. Narron might consider talking to the pitching coach about in-game pitching decisions.

Stop Saving Javy; Leave Castro on the Bench
Choosing the right pinch-hitter isn't an exact science, and there's a lot to consider: the match-ups, the innings left, and who the heck is going to catch. But when you leave Javier Valentín--one of the league's best pinch hitters--on the bench to send up Juan Castro, you've messed up. When you do it in multiple games, it's time to get help. Narron might consider discussing how to use the bench with with the bench coach. Or, in the case of Castro, any random Reds fan in the stands.

Tonights lineups, per the Associated Press:

For the Phillies:

Shane Victorino, rf
Aaron Rowand, cf
Jimmy Rollins, ss
Chase Utley, 2b
Pat Burrell, lf
Wes Helms, 1b
Abraham Nunez, 3b
Rod Barajas, c
Cole Hamels, p

For the Reds:

Ryan Freel, cf
Adam Dunn, lf
Brandon Phillips, 2b
Jeff Conine, 1b
Alex Gonzalez, ss
Josh Hamilton, rf
Edwin Encarnación, 3b
Dave Ross, c
Eric Milton, p

All you have to do is step outside this morning to understand why there were so many walk-ups yesterday: suddenly the weather has taken a turn for the beautiful and the prospect of a few hours in the stands is actually quite pleasant.

That being the case, the CTS and I are throwing caution to the wind and taking off for the Queen City later today. Be on the lookout for photos tomorrow.

If you're in the greater Cincinnati-land area tomorrow before the game, you can check out the Screaming Mimes concert:

CAN SCREAMING MIMES SAVE THE PLANET??

Find out THIS SATURDAY, April 21st at P&G Pavillion in Sawyer Point, down by the river in Cincinnati! EARTH DAY 2007 is back and they've finally recovered enough from our first appearance to invite us again! This year we will be rockin' the stage with another incredible collection of bands, with the day topping off with The Smithereens! We take the stage at 4:00 so pack up your good vibes, a little sunscreen and a fuzzy blanket and hear us crash boom bang through some songs from our upcoming CD! And it's all free!

Here's the main stage band schedule:
2:00 Ellery
4:00 Screaming Mimes (yay!)
5:30 Peppertown
6:45 The Smithereens

Besides the main music stage there's lots of really cool vendors and great food and you can learn a lot about mulch. I know I'm bringing my camera for the Recycled Fashion Show. Shout song titles at The Smithereens (I'm screaming for “Too Much Passion”). Then you can walk a block and take in a Reds game if you like! Who says nothing happens downtown?

Tell Dave I said hi.