Last Game
The Reds lost in extra innings last night to end the four-game series against the Phillies in an even-split.

It’s surprising that it took the Phillies all the way until the 11th inning to walk off with this one, given how many opportunities they had, such as the most ridiculous error I can ever remember having seen.

It was the bottom of the ninth and Sam LeCure walked the lead-off batter. Kevin Frandsen bunted toward the first base side of the mound and Cairo fielded the ball. He went for the runner, but failed to actually tag him (thinking he’d go out of the line, probably, but he hadn’t) and then failing to throw to second when he dropped the ball.

At least it’s over with now, and we can get past it. The final score was Reds 3, Phillies 4.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds return home to host the Cardinals. Earlier in this season, it looked like this would be a real critical series. I’m sure it will have plenty of excitement, but its not the battle for first: even a Cardinals’ sweep would still leave them 4 games back.

Mat Latos (RHP, 10-3, 3.56 ERA) will take on Lance Lynn (RHP, 13-5, 3.73 ERA) of the Cardinals. First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Barry Larkin Weekend
It’s Barry Larkin weekend in Cincinnati to celebrate the newly HOF-inducted shortstop and retire his jersey number 11. Tonight’s game will have a couple cool Barry-themed events but it’s tomorrow’s activities that has me considering making the drive.

There’s a block party going all afternoon and evening on Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way. According to the press release, it looks like it will start before the game and extend into the night. Larkin is scheduled to speak and his daughter is putting on a concert. I just hope it doesn’t get too rowdy, what with all the unhappy Cardinals fans running around.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Devin Mesoraco’s suspension is over, but he’s not back with the team. The Reds optioned him to AAA Louisville to give him more at-bats. They used his spot to call up J.J. Hoover, who was a bright spot in last night’s game.

Last Game
The Reds won and ensured no less than a split of the 4-game series against the Phillies last night.

Bronson Arroyo faced the minimum number of batters through the first four innings, gave up a home run in the fifth to Domonic Brown and then went back to facing the minimum until the eighth inning. Prior to this, the Phillies had owned Arroyo, but he really demonstrated mastery last night. You just never know what you’re going to get with that guy.

Jay Bruce went 2-for-4, hitting a triple and a home run. The home run in the eighth turned out to be the Reds’ margin of victory. Final score: Reds 3, Phillies 2.

Next Game
The Reds have taken me by surprise and won 2 games I thought they would lose, so I don’t know what to think of tonight’s match-up between Johnny Cueto (RHP, 16-6, 2.44 ERA) and Cole Hamels (LHP, 14-6, 2.94 ERA). I do wonder how the Phillies have so many big name pitchers and only a 57-67 record to show for it, but I’m not complaining.

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Throwback Unis
The Reds and Phillies both donned throwback uniforms from the early ’90s for last night’s game. If you blurred your eyes a little, you might have thought you were watching Barry Larkin and Hal Morris.

I noticed the guys adjusting their jerseys more than usual; the fit must be pretty different than what they’re used to. Those weren’t slimming uniforms, but they had a certain pajama charm. You’ve got to love the striped elastic waistband.

Lots of people take a very serious interest in uniforms, and if you think you might be one of those, check out this site from BaseballHallOfFame.org where you can see uniforms for all the teams throughout the years.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Aroldis Chapman converted his 23rd save in a row last night, tying the Reds’ team record held by John Franco and Rob Dibble.

Last Game
The Reds won a real nail-biter against the Phillies last night. Every inning either team scored changed the lead. Homer Bailey had a real strong outing against an offense that had its way with the pitching the night before, and it was a Zack Cozart homer in the top of the ninth that put the team over the top.

This was a fun one to watch, and it sure is nice not to have to worry about being swept in a 4-game series anymore. Final score: Reds 5, Phillies 4.

Next Game
The Reds are in for another tough game tonight. The Phillies’ starting pitcher, Vance Worley (RHP, 6-8, 4.11 ERA), doesn’t quite have the name recognition of the last two, but the Reds’ starting pitcher, Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 9-7, 3.96 ERA), has a notoriously tough time against Philadelphia. According to the Gameday preview, he has a 10.28 ERA in his last six starts against them.

Billy Hamilton Steals the Record

Billy Hamilton, who plays for the Reds’ AA affiliate Pensacola Blue Wahoos, tied and broke the professional baseball record for stolen bases last night. I guess he’ll be breaking the record with every steal from here on out.

The record had stood for 29 years. Vince Coleman stole 145 in 1983. Hamilton is currently at 147 and going strong.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds are on pace for 98 wins this season. They haven’t won that many games in a season since 1976, when they won 102. In 2010, they won 91.

Last Game
Last night’s game was a good ol’ fashioned blow out, the likes of which the Reds have not been the victims of the whole season. The offense managed 5 runs against Roy Halladay, which is nothing to sneeze at, but Mike Leake could do nothing to restrain the Phillies, who touched him for 7 runs in 4.1 innings.

To be fair to Leake, the Phillies line-up also got to the bullpen for another 5 runs before it was all over. In fact, there was only one inning where the Phillies didn’t score, and it was one of Leake’s. So there’s that. For those who have lost track, the final score was Reds 5, Phillies 12.

Next Game
Things don’t get too much better tonight as the series continues. The pitcher for the Phillies, Cliff Lee (LHP, 2-7, 3.83 ERA), gave up 3 home runs in his last start. Unfortunately the pitcher for the Reds, Homer Bailey (RHP, 10-8, 4.16 ERA), has been having a pretty rough time of it lately. According to the Gameday Probables page, Bailey is 1-2 with an 8.24 ERA since July 31. In that span, he’s allowed 35 hits.

Hopefully the Phillies’ batters will be tired after yesterday.

What’s Eating Homer Bailey?
Bailey had an exceptionally great July, which puts his not-so-steller August in sharp relief. Maybe if he’d been mediocre the whole way through, no one would be asking not about whether he’s hurt or fatigued. But he wasn’t, and now people are asking.

There’s an article about possible Bailey fatigue on Cincinnati.com today. Dusty Baker has been saying that he doesn’t think anything is wrong with Bailey physically because his velocity is still high. In this article, pitching coach Bryan Price agrees:

As with all the guys, we keep our fingers crossed that they stay all year. But we don’t see any signs that there’s a health issue with Homer.

Rather, he says they’re working on a “glitch” that is affecting Bailey’s release point. I guess he knows what he’s talking about, but I’d rather have an excuse to hold on to understand why Bailey is suddenly so unreliable.

To that end, I’m trying to decide whether a person could actually be fatigued without feeling bad or losing velocity. I suppose it could sneak up on you and you wouldn’t feel the difference, but what about the pitch speed? Maybe his speed *is* down. Maybe, if Bailey were 100%, he’d be throwing 98. OK, probably not.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Phillies are 57-65, but the Reds have lost their last 7 games to them. They’ve just had the Reds’ number. It’s kind of a relief that the Phillies are 10 games back on the wildcard.

Last Game
The Reds won walk-off style yesterday afternoon. The Cubs tied up the score at 4s in the top of the eighth, but there’s no need for extras when Xavier Paul leads off the bottom of the ninth with a triple and Ryan Hanigan singles him in.

I wonder if this made Dusty Baker feel even more justified in having Hanigan bat eighth.

The win gave the Reds 3-of-4 over the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Cardinals and Pirates were battling it out for second place. The Pirates came out the victors and now trail the Reds by 6.5.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds visit the Phillies. Mike Leake (RHP, 5-7, 4.29 ERA) is coming off that awesome complete game against the Mets, but he’s got his work cut out for him. Taking the mound for the Phillies will be Roy Halladay (RHP, 6-7, 3.80 ERA), who was injured earlier in the year and is recently doing better than his numbers indicate. First pitch at 7:05 p.m.

Still No Date for Votto’s Return
It seems like we used to have some really big star on the team, but I’ve been looking at the box scores for the last month and I can’t find anyone. Weird.

Joey Votto is participating in baseball activity again, at last, according to Reds.com. It’s been 5 weeks since the arthroscopic meniscus surgery was supposed to keep him out for 3-4 weeks. Myself, I thought he’d make it back sooner, until he suddenly ripped yet more of the cartilage and needed a follow-up procedure.

Votto is not going on the trip to Philadelphia, and no one’s prepared to say he’ll be playing in the series against the Cardinals this weekend, though that’s the early side of when he might be ready to play.

The rest of the team has been really great in his absence, and some guys who might not have gotten much attention otherwise have proven themselves. But it’s Votto whose ABs you stop anything to watch. It’s sort of sad that we’re still without them.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds had 6 errors by 6 different players in this series against the Cubs. Todd Redmond, Todd Frazier, Wilson Valdez, Jay Bruce, Zack Cozart, and Drew Stubbs each flubbed something.