Boxscore

Last night’s game for me was like Las Vegas: exhaustingly active but ultimately disappointing. The Reds dropped the first of the series with the Indians 9-10.

Mat Latos took the mound and was just terrible. In 4.0 innings pitched he allowed 7 runs (earned) on 8 hits, including 3 home runs. Before the game Chris Welsh and George Grande were talking about how Latos could eventually challenge Johnny Cueto for the #1 title, and maybe they’re right, but we sure didn’t see it last night.

Sam LeCure came in for the next couple innings. His line pales in comparison to Latos’s, but it still isn’t any good, allowing 2 runs (earned) on 3 hits. Even J.J. Hoover gave up 1 run (earned) on a hit in his 1.0 inning contribution. Only Logan Ondrusek, who pitched the eighth, didn’t increase the Indians’ score.

But the Indians’ pitching was almost equally terrible. The Reds had chased Derek Lowe after 5.0 innings, and he didn’t even do anything fued-fueled crazy things against Dusty Baker. Boooooooring.

Jay Bruce was the most potent of the offense. He went 3-for-4 with a walk and 2 RBI. Brandon Phillips also had a good night, going 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. You know a lot of runs scored when Joey Votto is mentioned third: 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI, and even that is just the same as what Ryan Ludwick did.

But despite all that, it was really Scott Rolen who was the offensive story of the game. After being on the DL for over a month with an inflamed shoulder, he was back in the line-up, playing third and batting seventh.

There was always the possibility that Baker would cram Rolen into the clean-up spot, since that’s where he was before going on the DL, but he never really belonged there and I was relieved to see him in the 7-hole. It apparently agreed with him. He had one of his best performances of the year, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The loss brings the Reds’ record to 38-28. They continue the series in Cleveland tonight at 7:05 p.m. Mike Leake (2-5, 5.05 ERA) takes on Josh Tomlin (3-4, 5.56 ERA).

Veteran third baseman Scott Rolen has been penciled in to the line-up tonight for the first time since his stint on the 15-day disabled list that started 37 days ago on May 12. As of now, no corresponding roster moves have been announced, but I’d guess they’ll option Negron.

Rolen’s strained left shoulder is apparently feeling much better: he smacked a 3-run home run last night on rehab assignment with the AAA Louisville Bats. They were playing the Rochester Red Wings, who are truly, truly terrible, but it’s still something to be hopeful about, since Rolen was hitting a big fat .174 when he got hurt.

Rolen’s timing may be great or it may be really crappy. On the one hand, the Reds have been totally killing it lately. They’re on a 6-game winning streak that ties their longest streak of the year. But does that mean that they’re likely to keep it rollin’ with Rolen, or that they’re due for a loss at the hands of the already fired-up Derek Lowe and the Indians?

I’ll point out this: the Reds are 9-13 in games where Rolen started at third base. Meanwhile, the Reds are 21-11 in games where Todd Frazier started at third. At least Todd Frazier isn’t entirely the odd man out tonight, though. Since they’re playing in an AL park, there’s space for him on the line-up card under DH.

Boxscore

When the Reds sent out a Sunday afternoon line-up that featured Wilson Valdez, Miguel Cairo, and Willy Harris, you could tell this was not the same team that’s been doing all the winning lately. That didn’t stop them, though, and the Reds took home the victory, 3-1.

Johnny Cueto took the mound for the Reds, which is always a good sign. He had a little weirdness though. Not only did he walk in the Mets’ only run in the second inning, he also suffered some light-headedness in the top of the third inning after hitting a double to lead off. The trainer got him some meds and he was OK after that. Maybe it was a little lingering flu-like symptoms.

When it was all said and done, he pitched 7.0 innings and allowed 1 run (earned) on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out a record-high 8 batters. Jose Arredondo put in the next .2 innings of work, allowing 0 runs on 1 hit. Sean Marshall got the 1.1 inning save by putting in a hitless performance.

For the offense, Zack Cozart is quietly making himself a Rookie-of-the-Year contender. Yesterday he went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Joey Votto was, of course, even better, going 3-for-4 with a walk. Watching Votto is kind of like watching the space shuttle take off: you know what’s going to happen, but you still can’t tear your eyes away, it seems so unbelievable.

But neither of those guys actually brought in the runs. Yesterday, that job was done by Valdez and Brandon Phillips. Apparently playing center field agrees with Valdez; either that or he’s a super-late bloomer–a sort of offensive sleeper cell. Whatever the case, I’m sure not complaining, since you know Dusty Baker’s personal OCD is that the center-fielder must bat second after the shortstop, no matter how he hits.

The win brings the Reds’ game record to 38-27 and their series record to 13-7-2. Tonight they head into Cleveland to continue the Battle for Ohio with the Indians. Mat Latos (5-2, 4.64 ERA) takes on Derek Lowe (7-4, 3.78 ERA). Whether there are fireworks after the game I don’t know, but there’s bound to be some during. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.