Boxscore

The Reds lost again last night, but there was still a lot of news that came out of it.

Ryan Freel hurt a hamstring and has been placed on the DL. Corey Patterson makes his triumphant return tonight in his place. Also, Daniel Herrera, the other player the Reds received in the Josh Hamilton trade, made his MLB debut, and struck out some impressive Phillies batters. Really, has there ever been a trade that both teams ended up being so tickled pink about?

I read somewhere that Dusty Baker’s getting frustrated with the team’s losing. I tell you, the man never comes off as observant. Here the team is a third of the way into the season, and Baker’s just now frustrated with losing? One would think he would have gotten used to that in Chicago.

The Reds turn to their stopper tonight when Edinson Volquez goes against the Phillies’ Brett Myers at 7:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

Wandy Rodriguez made his second start after a stint on the DL and seemed to be closer to his usual self. So often a pitcher’s first start after being activated stinks, and Rodriguez was no exception. Last night, however, he threw 6 innings of shutout ball against the Pirates.

The Astros have a slumping offense, and a dominant pitching performance was just what they needed to help them win on just two runs.

The Pirates got another good start out of Phil Dumatrait, but the team also had no offense. Who would have guessed the game would be a pitching duel?

There’s a chance tonight’s game will be another low-scoring affair, at least for one side, when Roy Oswalt starts against Zach Duke at 7:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

What’s going on with the Cubs?

Another win last night on the road, and it was another come-from-behind affair. Now I skipped a few years of baseball after the strike, but even before that, I don’t remember the Cubs winning much. I’ve never seen them playing and winning so much. It’s weird, it’s uncanny, and it’s unnatural. It’s like the person with enough votes not winning an election.

I do fully expect it to stop, but the Cubs did win their 9th in a row last night, thanks to homers from Geovanny Soto, Mark DeRosa, and Alfonso Soriano. Jason Marquis sucked for the Cubs, which explains why they were behind early. I’m surprised he’s still in the rotation, but that’s the one glaring weakness of the club right now. They don’t have anyone better to replace him.

Ted Lilly tries to win the 10th in a row tonight when he fights twice-former Cub Greg Maddux at 10:05pm EDT.

We haven’t had time to podcast since our 100th. And with RHM being out of town on business this week, it wasn’t looking good, but I cranked up the old recording studio and took a shot at recording a solo effort.

It’s short (that’s what she said) because I discovered quickly that I suck by myself. Amanda makes it sound easy, that’s for sure.

At any rate, enjoy a few short minutes of me rambling about the state of the NLC. Hopefully, we’ll get the podcast back on track again next week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Boxscore

The Reds traveled to Phillie yesterday and lost, as most expected them to. (They’re winning just over 30% of their games away from home, so it’s an easy bet to make.) There was one difference in this game, though. It felt like the Reds didn’t lose as much as they normally do.

When Adam Dunn hit a hanging pitch towards the gap in the 6th, there was a chance that it would leave the park and tie the game. It turned out to bounce against the wall for a double, but two runs scored, leaving the Reds one run short. They didn’t tie things up in their remaining three chances, but it felt to me like it was far more possible than previously.

Perhaps I’m simply falling victim to the bogus law of averages, but I thought Cincinnati had a chance. I mean, Arroyo was his typical sucky self, but the game was still close. And the relievers included 0 good pitchers in Majewski, Bray, and Weathers, yet the game was still close.

Maybe they’ll defeat that law of averages tonight when the two play again.