Last Game
The Reds drew first blood in the Battle for Ohio last night, beating the Indians 1-7. Johnny Cueto threw a complete game in 122 pitches. Hopefully that doesn’t wear him out for next time.

Next Game
The war wages on tonight at 7:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park. Mike Leake is sick, so Mat Latos (4-2, 4.85 ERA) will take the mound for the Reds and defend against Derek Lowe (7-4 3.72 ERA). Seven wins already is kind of intimidating, but Lowe is coming off a rough outing against the Tigers on Thursday.

The Dreaded Flu-Like Symptoms
It happens every year: someone on the team picks up some Martian Death Virus somewhere, and it spreads like wildfire through the clubhouse. The insistence on being all vague and calling it “flu-like symptoms” gives it a particularly menacing feel.

Several of the Reds, including Mike Leake, Zack Cozart, and Joey Votto, all have the Martian Death Virus this time around. The medical staff has them jammed full of IVs, because apparently their mouths stopped working for the intake of fluids. Must be one of the “symptoms.”

The flu-like symptoms didn’t stop Joey Votto from hitting a home run and bringing in 3 RBI last night.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
At least 1 home run has been hit in each of the last 56 games at Great American Ball Park. The last homer-less game was in July 2011.