Boxscore

Sigh. Last night’s game started off so well.

Chris Heisey hit a 2-run home run in the first inning with Zach Cozart on base to give the Reds an early lead. But starter Homer Bailey wasn’t up to the task of holding the lead against one of the worst teams in the majors. Bailey allowed runs in the second, third, and fourth, giving up the early lead.

But the offense was up to the first loss of the lead. In the bottom of the fourth, with the Reds down 3-2, Scott Rolen came to the plate with a man on and launched his third home run of the season. The Reds had a 4-3 lead.

Bailey settled down for the fifth, pitching a scoreless inning, but he got into trouble in the sixth and couldn’t make it out. And with the bases loaded and one out, manager Dusty Baker brought in newly activated reliever Bill Bray. Bray failed, allowing 2 inherited runners to score.

This lead loss was one the offense couldn’t overcome, despite opportunities.

The loss brings Cincinnati’s losing streak to a season-high 4 games in a row. They turn to Johnny Cueto to stop it this afternoon at 4:10pm EDT.

As RHM said yesterday in her injury report, left-handed reliever Bill Bray was “due to come back any time now.” And that time was just before last night’s game.

Bray was activated from the disabled list and reinstated to the active roster. To make room for him, J. J. Hoover was optioned down to the AAA Louisville Bats.

Hoover had been doing very well for the Reds, so hopefully losing him won’t damage the team. Hoover had a 3.00 ERA over 17 games with Cincinnati.

“It was a very tough decision,” Baker said. “J.J. did a great job for us. He got ready a lot quicker than we anticipated. We thought he’d be ready in the middle of the season. He performed well. It wasn’t anything he did. It was a matter of numbers.

“We told him he’ll be back. Hopefully, he’ll be back to stay a long time. He certainly has the stuff and he was intestinal fortitude for the job. He works hard. You don’t know when he’s around half the time. That’s what you want out of rookies. That’s old school — seen and not heard. He’s the epitome of that.”

Ah, the obligatory “tough decision” comment. Has a manager ever said it was an easy decision to get rid of a player? Regardless, this should make Baker feel more comfortable. He’s been longing to have another lefty in the bullpen.