If you were in the Banks area in Cincinnati today around lunchtime, you couldn’t miss the unveiling of the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express–a big, Reds-themed bus that’s available for groups of 40-50 to use to get to the ballpark for no additional charge if they book it through group ticket sales as part of their group purchase.

The bus will pick you up as much as 60 miles away from the park. I, unfortunately, live 125 miles away, so if I and 49 of my closest friends are going to give it a ride, we’ll have to meet up somewhere outside of Greensburg, IN. But it sounds like there’s plenty of fun stuff to enjoy on the bus, so taking advantage of the maximum ride might be even better.

Here’s the press release:

CINCINNATI, OH – FOX Sports Ohio enjoys bringing the Cincinnati Reds into the homes of thousands of Reds fans through television. Now, the network is excited to be able to bring fans to the Reds on the Fan Express to Reds Country.

With the FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Reds Country, groups of Reds fans can now ride in style to watch their favorite team play at Great American Ball Park. Fans can’t miss the giant bus with its oversized images of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce on the outside. On the inside, riders will enjoy Wifi, baseball entertainment, snacks and beverages, and other FOX Sports Ohio and Reds goodies.

“The FOX Sports Ohio Fan Express to Red Country is an example of our unwavering commitment to the Reds organization and Reds fans everywhere,” said Alex Slemc, Director of Marketing and Communications at FOX Sports Ohio. “We wanted to develop a unique way to help the team bring groups of fans to Great American Ball Park and experience the magic of Reds baseball. It’s been a season of outstanding play on the field and record ratings on the network, and the Fan Express is a great way to celebrate.”

“FOX Sports Ohio understands the passion of Reds fans. Their broadcasts of Reds games are simply the best in the business. The Fan Express is an innovative way for FOX Sports Ohio to extend the live experience from the living room to the ballpark,” stated Phil Castellini, Chief Operating Officer of the Reds.

FOX Sports Ohio’s Fan Express to Reds Country is available on select dates throughout the remainder of the Reds regular season to groups of 40-50 fans for the use of transport to and from Cincinnati Reds games. It can travel up to a 60 mile radius of Great American Ball Park. Groups can book it by calling the Reds groups sales department at 513-765-7600.

When the Reds are not playing at home, the Fan Express to Reds Country will be seen at various events throughout Cincinnati. For a schedule of Fan Express appearances, please visit www.foxsportsohio.com.

The Fan Express can be tracked on Twitter by following @FOXSportsOH and using the hashtag #FanExpress. Fans can also check out photos and updates on the network’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FOXSportsOhio.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Padres	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	10	1
Reds	1	0	5	0	0	0	1	0	-	7	9	1

Boxscore

The Reds bounced back from the series-opening loss against the Padres to win last night, 6-7.

Homer Bailey got the start, and he was great through 3 innings of work. Then some dark magic befell him in the fourth and he was out of the game before he could even get the third out. Ultimately he was credited with 6 runs (earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks.

Sam LeCure came in for long relief and put in the next 2.1 innings of work. He allowed 0 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk. Sean Marshall worked the next 2.0 followed by Aroldis Chapman for the ninth, and neither allowed so much as a baserunner. That’s the strong bullpen we know and love.

On the offense, things were gliding along merrily. Chris Heisey led off the first inning with a double and Ryan Ludwick knocked him in four batters later to give the Reds the very early lead. Then they just tacked on more in the bottom of the third: Ludwick hit a 3-run homer and Todd Frazier hit a 2-run shot two batters later.

It felt like a pretty safe lead until the tiki curse caught up with Bailey in the very next inning and it was tied at 6. Fortunately, Brandon Phillips contributed a solo shot in the seventh, just before the left-calf strain he’s been battling pulled him out of the game. He’s expected to be out no less than a few days. Good thing he got his turn to be hero over with.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 62-41, best in Major League Baseball. Tonight they continue the 4-game set with the Padres at 7:10 p.m. in Great American Ball Park. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 6-6, 3.76 ERA) takes on Kip Wells (RHP, 2-3, 3.82 ERA).

As was discussed here leading up to the non-waiver trading deadline, the Cincinnati Reds traded for Kansas City Royals’ closer Jonathan Broxton. The team has now made it official.

The Reds have acquired Kansas City closer Jonathan Broxton for minor leaguers J.C. Sulbaran and Donnie Joseph.

Broxton, a 28-year-old right-hander, is 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA. He struck out 25 and walked 14 in 35 2/3 innings.

The team made several corresponding moves. Bill Bray was placed on the disabled list with a back injury. With a 5.19 ERA in just 8 2/3 innings this season, he could be one of those guys placed on the DL for a case of inflated ERA. Regardless, Broxton is clearly better than Bray.

Todd Redmond was called up to take Bray’s spot. This was likely to have happened without the trading deadline, considering how over-worked the bullpen has been the last couple games. Broxton will not arrive until tomorrow, so I would expect Redmond to be in the majors for one day. Again. I think this will be his third time to have that happen.

The final move was to designate Andrew Brackman for assignment. This move wasn’t necessary to make room for Broxton since one of the guys he was traded for–I believe Joseph–was on the 40 man roster. Trading him opens room for Broxton. However, with catcher Devin Mesoraco facing a suspension and Ryan Hanigan being the only catcher on the 40-man, I imagine this is a pre-emptive step to make room when backup catcher extraordinaire Corky Miller needs to be called up.

A flurry of transactions at the deadline, but just the one trade. It’s surprising to see the Reds strengthen an area that’s already so strong, but there’s always room for improvement. As mentioned, Broxton is better than Bray, and he’s arguably better than Logan Ondrusek and Jose Arredondo.

The price for a 2-month rental seems high, but now the Reds have 3 guys with closer experience: Broxton, Aroldis Chapman, and Sean Marshall. It may be unlikely, but in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if this move might strengthen the starting rotation. Does this allow Chapman to move back into the starting rotation?

UPDATE 4:06 p.m.
Isn’t Mark Serrano a font of information? Now he’s congratulating Donnie Joseph. Joseph is a left-handed pitcher who, until moments ago, was in the AAA Louisville organization.
*******************
UPDATE 3:53 p.m.
Mark Serrano, minor leaguer in the Reds organization, tweeted congratulations to Juan Carlos Sulbaranon getting traded to the Royals.

Sulbaran was a 30th round draft pick in 2008. He has been playing in AA Pensacola. If it’s a straight-up deal, that’s not bad.
*******************
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.
Just a little more info on the guy:
Age: 28
HT: 6’4″
WT: 300 lbs

Has 23 saves and 35 Ks as the closer for the Royals. If he’s not a piece for the next trade (in the next 13 minutes!!) will he take over the role from Chapman?
*******************
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds have acquired Jonathan Broxton from the Kansas City Royals. Broxton is a right-handed relief pitcher with a 1-2 record and a 2.27 ERA over 35.2 innings pitched with the Royals this season.

It’s sort of a mystifying move, since the bullpen is already a little crowded, so there’s speculation that he’s part of a trade for someone else or that someone else from the bullpen may be soon to be announced in a deal. It’s not yet reported what the Reds are giving up for Broxton.