First there’s a Cuban guy bringing a civil suit against Aroldis Chapman for allegedly conspiring with the Cuban government.

Then there’s the arrest for speeding like a maniac on an already suspended license.

And don’t even get me started on Dusty’s refusal to make him a starter.

Now there’s another item to list in the tribulations of Chapman: his Pittsburgh hotel room was robbed–with his girlfriend in it–last night.

Here’s what I can piece together: the girlfriend is alone in the hotel room at 10 p.m. when a man knocks on the door, claiming to be there to fix the toilet. She opens the door and the guy demands her valuables. When she doesn’t just hand them over, he ties her up and makes off with jewelry, computer equipment, tiny soaps, and whatever else he can take off with.

There’s an ongoing investigation, but for the moment it seems like no one was hurt. So there’s that at least.

You do have to wonder whether maybe the team should bring on a counselor for Chapman, though. I would think all these freaky bad things happening to him have got to be getting overwhelming, though I guess his performance hasn’t showed it at all.

The latest podcast installment comes from the game the Cincinnati Reds played against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Memorial Day this week. It was our first trip out to visit the Pirates’ beautiful park, and we discuss that during an abbreviated 8th inning show.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

It’s not usually Pittsburgh where you talk about choking. That’s more of a Chicago thing.

Apparently one guy didn’t get that message yesterday when he inhaled a “monster piece” of steak at a downtown restaurant and found himself on the receiving end of the Heimlich Maneuver administered by none other than Todd Frazier. From John Fay’s story:

“We’re just eating there, talking,” Frazier said. “I looked in the corner of my eye. I said, ‘Ludwick, I think that guy’s choking.’ Next thing I know there’s two ladies one on each side, trying to pop it out…I ran over there and said, ‘let me try it.’ I tried it twice. It popped out. It was monster piece.”

It just goes to show: never send two civilian women to do a major league third baseman’s job. My favorite quote, though, was the one at the end:

“It was weird. We just went back to eating. He went back to eating too. I don’t know if I could have.”

Which begs the question: did he eat the piece that got lodged in his throat? Because he should have gotten it autographed.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we traveled down to Pittsburgh to visit PNC Park for the first time. The park is as beautiful as advertised. Having now made it to all 6–for now–of the National League Central stadiums, I’d have to rank PNC as the second-nicest. The Reds’ park is number one, thanks to the constant care and attention to detail from the Castellini ownership group.

Here’s a shot of the park from our seats in right field.

The other NLC parks.

• Astros – Minute Maid Park (Roof open) (Roof closed)
• Brewers – Miller Park
• Cubs – Wrigley Field
• Reds – Great American Ball Park

Boxscore

After a lengthy rain delay, the Reds and Pirates finally took the field around 9 p.m. for the second in their three-game series. It made for a late night, but a happy result for Reds fans as the Reds took it 8-1.

Homer Baily started and ended for the Reds, turning in his second career complete game. In 9 innings of work he allowed 1 run (earned) on 4 hits and a walk. The outing improves his record to 4-3.

There was plenty of offensive action to go around for the Reds, with all these guys getting one or more hits:

• Drew Stubbs
• Joey Votto
• Brandong Phillips
• Jay Bruce
• Ryan Ludwick
• Todd Frazier
• Homer Baily

Bruce went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. Frazier when 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Even Bailey went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI.

The win brings the Reds record to 28-21 and extends their first-place lead. The series is decided tonight at 7:05 p.m. when Johnny Cueto (5-2, 2.53 ERA) takes on A.J. Burnett (3-2, 4.19 ERA).