Last game
Can I just write *shakes head* here and be done with it?

The Reds were swept yesterday by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Friday they got a shaky start from Mike Leake, which maybe isn’t so surprising after all. Saturday they lost Johnny Cueto to what is still a mystery injury.

Yesterday it was another of those hit-the-wall kinds of games. Mat Latos was rocking a shut-out when he entered the seventh inning. Then Michael McKenry knocked a solo shot over the wall to lead off the inning. Two outs and two baserunners and another run later, Latos is out and it’s up to Logan Ondrusek. Ondrusek, though, couldn’t get out of the inning and his inherited runner to score, plus added one of his own. Not to worry! Manny Parra took over to allow the second generation of inherited runners to score.

And that was the prettier of the two innings. Jonathan Broxton…*shakes head*

The Reds have lost 5 in a row and have been outscored 14-34. Final score yesterday: 7-10. But don’t worry: I’m sure things will get easier when…

Next game
…The Reds return home to host the Phillies tonight. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 1-1, 5.25 ERA) defends against some guy you’ve never heard of called Cliff Lee (LHP, 2-0, 1.08 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Extreme Yard Makeover
About now, it’s not looking like a big Reds banner in your front yard is enough to give it curb appeal. So, you might be interested in applying to be on a home make-over show on the DIY Network. I got an email from a producer of the show who says, “we’ve shot dozens of shows in Cincinnati and we’re planning to shoot more this summer if we can find enough homeowners. We’d love to feature a diehard Reds fan.”

If you are in the Cincinnati area and have serious yard issues, like broken concrete, a disintegrating porch, or horrible landscaping, your yard transformation can be televised. Go to www.jaytv.net and click on Desperate Landscapes to apply. You can read more about the show on DIY Network’s website.

What to say to sound smart at the water cooler
Before yesterday, the Pirates hadn’t swept the Reds in a 3-game series since April 2010.

Last game
The Reds had yesterday off. So far they’ve taken 2-of-3 from the Angels, 2-of-3 from the Nationals, and just 1-of-3 from the Cardinals. Even with the 13 runs they scored in the opener of that series with the Cards, they were still outscored over the three games, 14-19.

Next game
Breather over: the Reds are in Pittsburgh tonight to take on the Pirates. The Pirates are 3-6 so far, having lost 2-of-3 to the Cubs, being swept by the Dodgers, and winning 2-of-3 against the Diamondbacks.

Mike Leake (RHP, 0-0, 6.00 ERA) will represent the Reds against A.J. Burnett (RHP, 0-2, 3.27 ERA). Burnett has already struck out 19 this season (for comparison, Johnny Cueto leads the Reds with 15), so I hope the offense brings their contact-making abilities tonight.

42
42, the Jackie Robinson story, opens today. It’s only a few hours old, but the fans on Fandango are saying “Must See.”

What to say to sound smart at the water cooler
Today starts a streak of 20 days of Reds games in a row. I hope they enjoyed the time off while they had it.

Last game
The Reds were unable to take the series from the Cardinals, losing 10-0 in what was an embarrassing outing all around. The offense managed 5 hits and no runs, and the pitching was something you hope to never see again. Homer Bailey was solid through the first four innings, but fell apart and was knocked out of the game in the 5th when he allowed 4 runs. Both John Jay and Carlos Beltran hit homers off him in that inning. The bullpen arrived to throw gasoline on the fire and turn the game into the Reds’ first shutout of the season.

Next game
The Reds have a day off today as they travel to Pittsburgh where they start a three game series with the Pirates on Friday. Mike Leake will start against AJ Burnett tomorrow at 7:05 pm.

Marshall disabled and Ondrusek called up
Despite his lone appearance being a 1-2-3 inning, Sean Marshall will be making a trip to the disabled list. Logan Ondrusek fills his roster spot.

Marshall has had a tired shoulder since the end of spring training.

“I felt great (Tuesday),” Marshall said. “I pitched Sunday. I didn’t feel great Monday. I like to bounce back well. We thought it was the best thing (to go on the DL). The bullpen has been working hard. To have somebody fresh who is able to pitch in consecutive days. … I was close to being able to do that. I understand we have an off day tomorrow.

“But it was in the best interest of myself and the rest of the guys to take this little DL stint and strengthen my shoulder and get it back to 100 percent, so I can pitch the rest of the year without problems.”

With as many innings as the bullpen has pitched, not having Marshall available has been painful. Hopefully, Marshall’s time on the DL will fully restore his shoulder so he’s dominating hitters later in the season.

What to say to sound smart at the water cooler
With Cesar Izturis’ start at shortstop yesterday, second-baseman Brandon Phillips has now played with 23 different shortstops during his Cincinnati tenure. In addition to Izturis, Phillips has played with Didi Gregorius, Wilson Valdez, Todd Frazier, Zack Cozart, Edgar Renteria, Orlando Cabrera, Miguel Cairo, Paul Janish, Drew Sutton, Chris Valaika, Alex Gonzalez, Jerry Hairston Jr., Adam Rosales, Jolbert Cabrera, Juan Castro, Jeff Keppinger, Enrique Cruz, Pedro Lopez, Rich Aurilia, Royce Clayton, Felipe Lopez, and last, but not least, Ray Olmedo.