Last Game
The Reds lost a heartbreaker last night to the Cleveland Indians, 2-3. It was tied at 1 since the fourth inning but the Reds managed to squeak a run in in the top of the tenth, just under the tag and everything. But then, a story that’s becoming all too familiar: Aroldis Chapman blew the save. He gave up a walk-off 2-run home run to deliver the game into the Indians’ win column.

Next Game
The series finishes up tonight at 7:05 p.m. in Cleveland. Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.84 ERA) takes on Justin Masterson (3-6, 4.38 ERA). Both pitchers are coming off pretty good outings, but Arroyo has been giving up too many home runs.

The final game of the series will determine whether the Reds win or tie the Battle for Ohio. Tonight’s game will be played by two first-place teams, as the Indians’ just overtook the ALE from the Chicago White Sox.

Inside the park HR for Phillips?
In Monday’s game against Cleveland, Brandon Phillips hit a ball into left-field that took a bad bounce off the wall for Johnny Damon and Phillips came all the way home. The play was scored an double with an error, so Phillips did not get credit for the inside-the-parker.

The play certainly wasn’t the caliber of defense we’ve become accustomed to as Reds fans, but was it really an error? Balls take bad hops and it’s not an error to be of average defensive skill and unlucky.

So Phillips is appealing the scoring decision to MLB. He’s not making a big deal about it; just giving it a try and won’t complain if MLB doesn’t see it his way. It would be pretty cool though, especially after Jay Bruce just had an inside-the-park home run against the Mets on June 15.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto leads the National League in:

• average (.368)
• doubles (29)
• walks (55)
• intentional walks (12)
• on-base percentage (.491)
• slugging percentage (.667)
• extra-base hits (42)