Boxscore

In the first game after the All Star Break, the Cincinnati Reds played exactly as they had been prior to the break: badly. It’s not surprising, considering they’re a mediocre team lacking offense and managed by a buffoon. It’s still easy in baseball to be eternally optimistic and hope that things will bounce your team’s way.

Not this time. Homer Bailey, fresh off two of his best major league starts, regressed. He walked 4, struck out 3, and allowed 7 runs over 5 1/3 innings. His line should have been better, as the relief corps allowed all of the runners inherited to score. Still, it was a disappointing start after his recent success. Perhaps he rested too much. Either that, or the Milwaukee Brewers are just a really good team. It’s hard to know. Reds fans haven’t seen one this millennium.

On the offensive side, the Reds did well. 6 runs is a lot for them. The awesome Joey Votto drove in 2 with an unholy home run measuring 471 feet. He almost won someone a Toyota Tundra truck. The rest of the offense was provided by Edwin Encarnación. Yes, he’s still with the team. Apparently rest did improve his game.

The Reds were mounting a comeback until erstwhile Red–and Trekkie–Todd Coffey came in for Milwaukee. Remember when he was so good for the Reds that one year? Then remember when he was exactly the opposite? Chris Welsh might know why and who was responsible.

During the television broadcast, Welsh mentioned that the Reds refused to allow Coffey to throw his splitter. When he went to the Brewers, they allowed him to throw it again. The results? No runs in a short 9 1/3 innings last year, and an ERA of 2.76 so far this year. And his home run rate is way down, too.

I wasn’t the only one who caught this. Chad at Redleg Nation mentioned it, as well, and added that Homer Bailey had been prevented from throwing the same pitch. His recent success has to do with him throwing it again.

Developing pitchers is hard, but the Reds clearly need to do a better job. For once, they’ve got the talent.

For just a few thousand dollars, you can join the likes of president George W. Bush and Nick Lachey and throw out the first pitch at a Reds game:

Paycor, the official payroll service provider for the Cincinnati Reds, is auctioning off a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the Business Day Special on Thursday, July 30.

There are other perks as well:

The highest bidder and three guests will take a behind-the-scenes tour of Great American Ballpark and watch the Reds take on the Padres from exclusive Diamond Club seats.

And, as you might have guessed, it’s all for a good cause:

Money raised from the auction will be donated to Oyler School in Cincinnati’s Lower Price Hill.

When last I checked the bidding, the price was up to $1,750. A little rich for my blood, but if you happen to cough up that kind of money and are looking for a fourth, I can probably help you out.

Like many Americans, I received this email from Major League Baseball today:

And, like many Americans, my eyes went immediately to Albert Pujols’ crotch. After all, Major League Baseball appears to have something thick and dark emerging from it.

Clearly this is a shoe, but the choice to include it in the photo at that particular spot seems heady with meaning. Is MLB trying to tell us that Pujols is going to be a stud tonight? Or perhaps they’re saying that Adrian Gonzolas is going to deliver a figurative cleat to the groin. I bet he doesn’t wear a cup for the derby.

And it’s not over. Maybe they’ll take the series run total yet: they only need 22 more runs than the Phillies tomorrow.

Wow.

Wow.

I mean, this is really something special.

Are the Phillies really good enough to have taken a 10-0 lead in the bottom of the first, chasing Johnny Cueto, the best pitcher the Reds have had this season? Or is this one of those freaky bad days, brought on my a curse cast by Pujols in his rage over going 0-for-3 against Homer Bailey? (Yes, I think that Pujols may have some sort of voodoo or other dark magick, that, like steroids, MLB is late to ban.)

On to the second. Will the Reds bounce back? Gomes just put up a little magic of his own. 🙂