Last Game
The Reds actually won! They broke their 5-game losing streak with a win over the Dodgers, although they continued their streak of being the only team in the majors without a starting pitcher with a win.

Next Game
Aaron Harang tries to prove to himself and the world that he still has something left when he starts for the Reds against Hiroki Kuroda at 7:10m EDT. The game will be on FSN-OH and 700 WLW.

The Question on Everyone’s Minds
You may have heard that Edinson Volquez received a li’l ol’ 50 day suspension yesterday for violating MLB’s drug policy. Volquez released a statement explaining himself.

Prior to the conclusion of last season, my wife and I sought medical advice in Cincinnati with the hope of starting a family. As part of my consultation with the physician, I received certain prescribed medications to treat my condition. As a follow up to our original consultation, my wife and I visited another physician in our home city in the Dominican Republic this past off-season. This physician also gave me certain prescribed medications as part of my treatment. Unfortunately, I now know that the medication the physician in the Dominican gave me is one that is often used to treat my condition, but is also a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training.

Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue and start a family. I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds Organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty. I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be.

Upon reading this, I couldn’t help but think, “Did it work?” If this is the truth, can we expect a little Volquez within the next few months?

Regardless, MLB allows players to serve suspensions while on the disabled list, which doesn’t sound like much of a suspension to me. It’s like pulling a prank at the end of a school year and getting kicked out for 3 weeks, but getting to serve that during the summer. Kind of weakens the deterrent. Still, it does work in the Reds favor.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Since he was acquired from Oakland in 2003, Aaron Harang has led the Reds in most pitching statistics, including starts (196), wins (69), innings pitched (1247 1/3), and strikeouts (1,056).

Last Game
The Reds finished their road trip on Sunday by getting swept by the Pirates. Their losing streak is at 5, but thankfully, they had Monday off. It was nice to go one whole day without a loss and without resisting raging against all the bad decisions Dusty Baker makes. Unfortunately, it was just one day off.

Next Game
Homer Bailey goes for the Reds, hoping to make it past 5 innings. The Dodgers counter with Chad Billingsley. All this goes down at 7:10pm EDT.

Pitching’s Bad, Too
As bad as the Reds offense has been, the supposed strength of the team–the starting pitching–has been bad, too. John Fay wrote about that for the Enquirer. Fay lays down a couple key stats about the recently completed disastrous road trip.

• Reds starters allowed 33 runs in 38 1/3 innings (7.75 ERA) as the team went 2-5 on the seven-game road trip that was completed Sunday.
• Reds starters have averaged just more than five innings per start on the road.

To top it all off, the only good starts have come from Mike Leake. No wonder they’ve lost 5 in a row. We’ll get to see if the pitching can step up to the plate, with or without the offense, today.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
4 of the Reds last 6 number 1 draft picks on the active roster. Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Mike Leake are all with the big league club, while Devin Mesoraco and Yonder Alonso are working their way through the minors.