Last Game
The Reds continued to walk the fine line between winning and losing and lost yesterday to the Marlins 9-5. The loss dropped them back to .500 at 14-14. Bronson Arroyo pitched poorly and was the loser, but he did go at least 7 innings and saved the bullpen a bit. The Reds dropped the series to Florida.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds take on the Houston Astros, the worst team in the Central, so let’s hope that’s the kick in the pants the team needs. It will be Mike Leake versus J. A. Happ at 7:10pm EDT. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.

Getting Closer to Full Strength
The Reds will soon be reducing the number of their players on the disabled list.

Although it won’t be Scott Rolen, who’s eligible to be activated Friday, who continues to have issues with his shoulder.

“We don’t have a timetable, to be honest,” Reds trainer Paul Lessard said. “He’s doing real well with what we’re doing, with strengthening exercises, but I want to make sure he’s a little stronger than he is right now before we start swinging. I don’t want to aggravate what we’ve got built up.”

The offense has really struggled without him this year.

The pitching has struggled, too, but that department will get some assistance when Homer Bailey is expected to be activated in early May.

The Reds’ tentative plan is for Homer Bailey to make his first start May 10 at Houston, Bailey and manager Dusty Baker both said today.

Bailey had an excellent rehab start on Saturday, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing 1 run for the Louisville Bats. He’s scheduled for one more rehab start before returning to the Reds.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Jay Bruce has continued Aaron Harang’s “Aaron’s Aces” program and yesterday hosted 24 guests at the game from the Ohio Army National Guard and the Ohio Air National Guard.