Last Game
When the Reds rolled into Chicago last night, they brought with them a 4-game losing streak. But the Cubs had a shiny 8-game losing streak. Someone was going home with a broken streak, and this time it was the Cubs.

Mike Leake matched the Cubs’ Chris Volstad inning for inning: each put in 6.0 innings of work and allowed 3 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks. But those were the only runs the Reds’ offense could muster, whereas the Cubs managed 2 more against the Reds relievers.

Not a stellar show from the pitching staff, but again I’m left asking: where the heck is the offense? Final score: Reds 3, Cubs 5.

Next Game
The Reds try again to break their now-5-game losing streak this afternoon. Homer Bailey (RHP, 9-7, 3.98 ERA) tries his arm against Justin Germano (RHP, 1-1, 3.38 ERA). Bailey’s been struggling lately, and about now I’m wondering whether the Reds can avoid being swept in the 4-game series.

Taking It to 11, and Then Retiring It
The Reds have announced plans to retire number 11, the jersey number of Barry Larkin, who was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. The “11 Days of Larkin” number-retiring celebration begins next week and will include:

• Highlights of Larkin’s career being featured on FOX Sports Ohio, Reds On Radio Network, and reds.com.
• Free admission to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum to everyone named Barry.
• Half-price admission to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum to anyone wearing a Larkin shirt.
• Special Larkin-related displays and merchandise at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.
• Free Barry Larkin Reds cap to the first 20,000 fans at the game on Saturday, August 18.
• Cymber Larkin singing the national anthem at the game on Friday, August 24, plus Barry Larkin addressing fans after the game but before the “Barry Blast” post-game fireworks show.
• Block party on the afternoon of August 25, then the retirement ceremony later that day.

Frankly, the list gets kind of long so I didn’t include everything. For the whole list, check out the press release on Reds.com.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Barry Larkin got his first career hit on August 15, 1986 against Dave Dravecky of the San Diego Padres.

Last Game
Mat Latos threw a real sparkly gem, but Reds-noob reliever Jonathan Broxton blew it in the eighth to lose to the Brewers, 2-3. The loss gave the Brewers the sweep of the series and gave the Reds their fourth loss in a row.

Fortunately for the Reds, the Pirates have returned to earth and also have a 5-5 record over their last 10, so the division lead remains at 2.5.

Next Game
Today the Reds hope for a boost from a chance of scenery. They head to Chicago to take on the Cubs for a four-game set. Mike Leake (RHP, 4-7, 4.51 ERA) hasn’t exactly been putting himself in the Cy Young conversation lately, but if there was ever a chance to bounce back, it’s against the Cubs. He’ll face off against Chris Volstad (RHP, 0-8, 7.22 ERA), who is winless in 21 starts.

The Cardinals Losing is Keeping me up at Night
I have an app on my phone that beeps whenever the score changes in the Reds, Pirates, or Cardinals game. Last night, it beeped and I saw the Cardinals were down 2-0 to the Giants. When it beeped again, they were down 7-0. I was already in bed when it was 11-0, and the 15-0 beep woke me up.

What an incredible shellacking. Ryan Vogelsong and crew held the Cardinals to just 4 hits and 4 walks, while touching Joe Kelly and his relievers for 15 hits and 7 walks. I guess if you’re going to lose, lose big.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Among all 25 guys on the Reds’ active roster, only 2 share the same first name. Can you name them (without looking it up)?

Last Game
The Reds extended their losing streak to 3 last night. This time it wasn’t the starting pitching: Cueto gave up the 3 runs over his 7.0 innings of work, but that usually wouldn’t be a problem for this offense. Last night though, only Zack Cozart, Ryan Hanigan, and Xavier Paul could muster so much as a single hit against the Milwaukee team.

Oftentimes I’ll watch a game where the Reds are behind, and I’ll still feel like the Reds might bust out at any minute. Not so last night. Last night I felt lucky that Brandon Phillips hit the sac fly to put the Reds on the board at all.

Next Game
This afternoon the Reds wrap-up the 3-game series and try to avoid the sweep. Mat Latos (RHP, 10-3, 3.94 ERA), who is coming off a super outing last Friday, takes on Randy Wolf (LHP, 3-8, 5.57 ERA). The Gameday page says Wolf hasn’t won a decision in his last 16 starts, so this is certainly the best chance the Reds have. If the offense doesn’t wake up, though, Wolf may be due.

First pitch at 2:10 p.m. and this game is on FS Ohio.

Is Chapman a Cy Young Pitcher?
Gregg Doyel, columnist at CBS Sports, has a piece out today starting a campaign to give Aroldis Chapman the Cy Young award. By his reckoning, it’s not Chapman’s performance that is keeping him out of the sportswriters’ minds for the award; it’s just the fact that he’s not a starter. He addresses in turn the three major objections voters are likely to have:

• 1. It’s too early to be talking about the Cy Young!
  Well, if you’re starting a campaign to get people to do something they normally wouldn’t consider, you’d better start early.
• 2. Chapman and Kimbrel can’t be THAT good.
  Would sportswriters really say that? They’d know, wouldn’t they? I’d like to think that the people voting for these awards are at least paying attention to how relatively good each pitcher is.
• 3. They don’t work as many innings as starters.
  Well that depends on the starter now, doesn’t it? On days Bronson Arroyo is pitching lately, there might be plenty of innings available.

I wish Doyel the best of luck in his campaign, as long as he doesn’t split the vote between Cueto and Chapman and end up letting someone dumb win.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have scored 3 or fewer runs in their last 3 games. Immediately prior to that, they’d scored 3 or more runs in their last 12 games.

Last Game
Last night in Milwaukee the Reds did something they haven’t done for over a month: they lost a second consecutive game. That’s a losing streak, my friends, and it hasn’t happened since July 5. Bronson Arroyo was rolling until the wheels freakin’ fell off in the sixth inning and before you know it he’s given up 5 earned runs on 10 hits. Final score: Reds 3, Brewers 6

Next Game
The 3-game series continues tonight in Miller Park at 8:10 p.m. Johnny Cueto (RHP, 14-5, 2.52 ERA) tries to knock down Mike Fiers (RHP, 5-4, 1.88 ERA). The same match-up occurred on July 22. Cueto came out the winner in that one, 1-2.

Taking BP
Brandon Phillips was finally back in the line-up last night after missing 5 games with a tweaked calf muscle. He went 0-for-5, which maybe isn’t so surprising after an extended bench-sitting.

Strangely, Phillips had been penciled in to the line-up on Saturday but was a late scratch. However, he apparently wasn’t even in consideration for the line-up Sunday before making it in last night, and the reason why seems to be kind of hush-hush. Conspiracy? Or just Dusty Baker’s “wait till he’s ready and then wait another day” policy? Either way, I hope Phillips can find his swing better tonight.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Right-handed reliever Nick Masset, who’s been out all season with a shoulder problem, is nearing his return to the bigs. He’s made 2 rehab appearances with the Arizona Reds and 1 with the Dayton Dragons. He would have started for the Bats on Sunday, but was scratched after a rain delay.

Last Game
Yesterday the Reds snapped a 5-game winning streak by losing to the Pirates, 6-2. Reds’ starting pitcher Homer Bailey was quite hittable in his 4-run, 4.2-innings, while Pirates’ starting pitcher AJ Burnett was really on his game. You might also reasonably mention that Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are still out, and that with them in the line-up we might be looking at a very different story. Ultimately, though, I think the Pirates just wanted it more.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds head to Milwaukee to visit the Brewers. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 7-6, 3.87 ERA) had a pretty rough outing last time out. We’ll see if he can get back on track against Yovani Gallardo (RHP, 9-8, 3.92 ERA) and the Brew Crew. First pitch at 8:10 p.m.

Charities Benefit from Marty’s Chrome Dome
When the Reds won 10 in a row, Reds Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman had to make good on his comment that he’d shave his head if the team did such a thing. But rather than just doing the shaving and getting it over with, Marty parlayed the event into an opportunity to raise money for charity. For just $20,000 in donations to the Reds Community Fund, Marty agreed to have the shaving done on the field after the game on Friday.

If you weren’t in attendance (and it looks like many people were), you can check out the video. He looks pretty good bald, though the shock of white skin that’s never seen the sun is a little surprising.

The donations far exceeded the request: the tally was more like $50,000. Plus, then Charlie Sheen decided the match the number this weekend, for a total of $100,000 going to the Reds Community Fund.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto is going on the roadtrip to Milwaukee and then Chicago, implying he’ll be playing within the next week. The Reds have won only 16 of 19 since he’s been gone.