Brandon Phillips, who turns 31 today, was a late scratch from the Reds’ line-up tonight against the San Francisco Giants. He’s still not 100% after Aramis Ramirez kneed him in the head while getting caught stealing in the third inning of last night’s game.

Phillips was on the line-up early in the day and went to AT&T Park to take batting practice and fielding practice. He described himself as “OK,” but an infielder needs to be pretty darn sharp or risk getting a line-drive to the skull, so Baker put in Miguel Cairo instead.

According to John Fay’s blog, Phillips did admit that the possibility that he has a mild concussion has been discussed. But in true BP style, he’s not letting it get him down:

To tell the truth, that word came up yesterday. I’m trying to stay positive. I’ve never felt like this before…It’s my birthday and I’m happy.

Boxscore

There was a pretty large crowd on hand for a day game, and it was even on tv, but I think most everyone could have done with seeing less of this stinker. The Reds were behind early and it just never got better till it was over with a score of 8-4.

Homer Bailey started for the Reds and just couldn’t last very long. In 4.0 innings pitched he allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and a walk. Alfredo Simon (2.0 IP), Bill Bray (1.0 IP), and Logan Ondrusek (1.0 IP) were scoreless, but Jose Arredondo really struggled in the ninth. With 2 outs in the inning, he loaded the bases and walked in 2 runs before Sam LeCure came in to get the last out.

Even without the scoring in the ninth, though, the Reds offense had not been able to put together enough against Zack Greinke to contend with the Brewers. Ryan Ludwick had 2 hits and they were home runs no less, but there was no one on. The other 2 RBI belonged to Brandon Phillips, who later left the game after getting a knee to the head from a sliding runner, and Miguel Cairo, who filled in for him at second.

The loss brings the Reds’ record to 41-33. It was the last home game before the All-Star break as the team heads out to the west coast for some seriously jetlagged baseball. Tonight they take on the Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, and they’re putting their best foot forward. Johnny Cueto (9-3, 2.21 ERA) takes on Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10 ERA) at 10:15 p.m. ET

By now most every knows about Aroldis Chapman’s victorious somersaults after his save last night (if you haven’t seen it yet, there’s video here). It’s been one of the more interesting things to happen this season, and there’s been a consummate amount of discussion about it.

A vocal minority have got their feathers all ruffled, concerned that he could have hurt himself (toddlers manage to do somersaults without hurting themselves), he’s showing up the other team (showing up the Brewers?), or he’s breaking the unwritten rules of baseball (there’s a reason they’re not written down).

But the majority of the commentary I’m seeing is saying things like:

• How is this different than fireworks, fist pumps, or jumping on the plate after a walk-off homer?
• In any other sport, this would be the mildest of celebrations. Maybe baseball should take a deep breath here.
• Why does a double forward roll after a save get Chapman a severe talking to, but a backflip gets Ozzie Smith a Pepsi commercial? (That one was just me, but I thought it was a good enough line to use again.)

Even the Brewers don’t seem to much care, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see a retribution HBP this afternoon. And that’s OK, too: all the guys in the line-up are grown-ass men. They can take a fastball to the haunch and live to tell the tale.

While I’m firmly in the stuff-like-this-makes-baseball-human-and-fun camp, I’ll admit that I was a little embarrassed on Chapman’s behalf when I saw that tumbling run. Not only did it bring to mind a pre-schooler yelling “look at what I can do!” but somersaults just aren’t sexy moves. It’s all butt in the air, ending up in the dirt. Someone needs to teach this guy a good round-off.

On the other hand, if the move was inspired by Carlos Gomez’s somersaults last year, that makes Chapman’s choice of acrobatics at least make a little more sense:

What does seriously concern me is the “talking to” that Chapman received after the game. Different sources have said that at least Bryan Price, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto gave him an earful, and I don’t know what they said, but it left Chapman crushed and unable to even speak to reporters about it. It completely robbed him of the joy of his excellent performance.

This surprises me. Dusty Baker has many, many, many faults, but he is universally known as a player’s manager. To let Chapman be shamed like this is unnecessary, and it’s terrible management. This didn’t have to be traumatic to be a learning opportunity. If I were Chapman, I might never smile again if my team treated me like that. At least, not till I was traded, and I’d rather not see that happen to Chapman.

If it were me, I’d just tell Chapman, “hey, maybe try something a little more dignified next time” and see about getting this song on the play list for some time during today’s game.

Boxscore

It was a crazy game yesterday and the Reds ended up with the win over the Brewers, 3-4.

It was almost a no-hit performance for starter Bronson Arroyo, but then the eighth inning happened. Until then, the only baserunner he’d allowed was Ryan Braun whom he’d hit with a pitch with 2 outs in the first inning. Next Aramis Ramirez flied out and stranded him, though, so it was all good.

Arroyo started out the eighth by striking out Travis Ishikawa, but then gave up a walk to George Kottaras and a double to Taylor Green. Corey Hart doubled to bring in two runs and an out later, Norichika Aoki singled in Hart and that’s all there was for Arroyo. What began as a stellar start still looked pretty good by the time it was all done: 7.2 innings pitched, 3 runs (earned) on 3 hits and a walk. No home runs allowed.

Sean Marshall finished out the eighth and Aroldis Chapman shut ’em down in the ninth. So excited was Chapman not to have blown a save for a change that he promptly did a couple somersaults while walking toward the plate, which has some people’s panties in a bunch. Myself, I don’t mind the exuberance, but I think he could have done a cooler tumbling run. I’d only give it a 5.5.

The Reds’ scoring came primarily in the sixth inning when Joey Votto doubled, Brandon Phillips singled, and Jay Bruce homered, bringing them all in. After the Brewers tied it up in the top of the eighth, Drew Stubbs untied it with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning, which turned out to be the winning run.

The win brings the Reds’ record to 41-32. The Cardinals won last night and the Pirates lost, so while the Reds maintain their 2.0 game lead in the central, the second place title now belongs solely to the Cardinals. With the Reds about to head out on the notoriously brutal west coast road trip, the Cardinals may well be challenging for first by the time the two teams meet in the first series after the All-Star Break.

The Reds and Brewers finish off the series today at 12:35 p.m. in GABP. The Reds are hoping for a sweep, but it won’t be an easy one. Zack Greinke (8-2, 2.81 ERA) takes on Homer Bailey (5-5, 4.20 ERA).