Last Game
Last night Mat Latos went out against Edinson Volquez in an obvious opportunity to evaluate whether the Reds or the Padres got the better of the trade for the two pitchers.

As you can see, they were too similar to call (though I’d point out that Volquez wasn’t the only piece the Reds gave up in that particular trade). Unfortunately for the Reds, Volquez won out in the “who has the better bullpen” category when Sean Marshall blew the save and Logan Ondrusek gave up the winning run. Final score: Reds 1, Padres 2.

Next Game
The Reds continue the 4-game series against the Padres tonight. Bronson Arroyo (3-5, 4.06 ERA) will take on Kip Wells (1-1, 1.50 ERA). First pitch at 10:05 p.m.

Winning One for the Kipper
In his last start, Kip Wells notched his first win since 2009: he was with the Reds that year and not another major league team in the meantime. The 35-year old has been bouncing around the minors since then, and though he wasn’t actually doing all that well with the Padres AAA-affiliate, he got the call.

It’s certainly true that 1.50 ERA is influenced by the very small sample size, but his last start was pretty remarkable, all things considered. He put in 7.0 innings of work, allowing 0 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks.

At first blush, it looks like the Reds ought to have an easy time of it tomorrow, but that’s what the Rockies thought, too, when they faced Wells in his last outing.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Drew Stubb’s 0-for-28 non-hitting streak is the longest in his career.

Last Game
Aaron Harang, once ace of the Reds rotation, pretty much took the Reds to school last night with his new team. The good guys managed only 3 hits and 1 run all evening, but Mike Leake had allowed 3 runs in the bottom of the first alone. He settled down after that, but it wasn’t enough. Final score: Reds 1, Dodgers 4.

Next Game
Speaking of former Reds’ aces: the Reds make their way to San Diego tonight where they will face one Edinson Volquez (5-7, 3.68 ERA). Mat Latos (7-2, 4.42 ERA), who was traded for Volquez before the season, will toe the rubber for the Reds. Such drama!

Latos is coming off 2 excellent complete-game outings, and the Padres are rocking a 33-50 record. On the other hand, the starters are sure to be putting pressure on themselves, and neither has proven great under pressure (see game 1 of the 2010 play-off for Volquez and the whole month of April for Latos). There’s no telling how this one might turn out.

Second place is the first loser
After the Pirates strung together their third win in a row over the Houston Astros and the Reds lost the rubber game to the Dodgers, the Reds found themselves in sole possession of second place in the central division.

The Reds have held on to first place since May 22. With the All-Star break just around the corner, maybe the Pirates will cool off while the Reds (*cough*Drew Stubbs*cough*) will get their heads together. Only, the Pirates aren’t on a terrifically hot streak: they’re only 7-3 in their last 10, and aided by a 4-game series against the Astros. The offense has got to figure things out because waiting for the Pirates to fall back to earth may not be enough.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have finally broken the record of longest amount of time into the season before using a sixth starting pitcher. With 81 games and still going strong, the Reds broke the record held by the 1992 team who waited until the 80th game to start Keith Brown (before Brown, it had been just Jose Rijo, Tom Browning, Tim Belcher, Greg Swindell and Chris Hammond).

The next longest streak isn’t one the modern-era Reds will break: it’s held by the 1898 team, who didn’t start a sixth guy until the 148th game.

Last Game
Despite getting Joey Votto back from his knee inflammation and Zack Cozart back the day after taking a fastball to the noggin, the Reds lost last night. Reds 1, Dodgers 3.

Johnny Cueto has been the loser in his last two starts, preventing him from getting that 10th win of the season. I’m sure it’s Tony LaRussa’s fault, somehow.

Next Game
At 9:10 p.m., just as people are assembling for fireworks tonight (assuming the drought conditions haven’t cancelled them in your town), the Reds will be starting the rubber match against the Dodgers. Mike Leake (3-5, 4.12 ERA) takes on an old friend, Aaron Harang (5-5, 3.68 ERA). Harang is coming off a rough outing where he didn’t last through the sixth inning, so hopefully he’s not out of the game before I get back home.

Tipping Your Hat
Every year on the fourth of July, the topic invariable turns to the most important thing about this day: the hats that Major League Baseball has the teams wearing. The last few years they’ve been all white caps with American flag logos, but this year, they’re going with the camo logos instead.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
As of last night’s loss, the Reds are now tied for first in the NLC with the Pirates.