Last Game
The Reds won their first series of the year against the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend and found themselves sitting alone atop 1st place. And for once, it seems less mirage-y than years past. Yesterday, the Reds destroyed the Cardinals and scored 7 runs to their 2. Bronson Arroyo pitched the complete game, and also drove in a couple to break the game open in the bottom of the 5th.

Next Game
The Reds get a chance to prove their mental fortitude and defend 1st place when the Milwaukee Brewers come to town tonight. Johnny Cueto battles against Yovani Gallardo at 7:10pm EDT.

Hoping for an All Star Game
For the second year in a row, Cincinnati hosted a very well received Civil Rights weekend. One hope is that this will lead to an All Star Game for Great American Ball Park soon.

“I think so,” Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini said. “We’ve had them before. It’s not like the Reds are unable to put on an All-Star Game. It’s one of those things, to be present and to be participating with MLB at this level, I think helps make them aware that our current team, and management team, and city is ready to get behind it and support a bigger jewel event like that. Does it communicate that in real time to them? Sure. But is it a quid pro quo? Not necessarily.”

The All Star Game is set for the next few years, but it would be nice for Great American to get one before it gets moth-balled. I’m still not sure how all those stadiums built after the Reds got to jump ahead in line.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds are 11-4 in their current stretch of 17 games against NL Central division rivals. When the stretch began on April 27, they were in 5th place, 4 games behind St. Louis.

Last Game
Johnny Cueto pitched the best game by a Reds pitcher this millennium last night when he shutdown the Pirates for 9 shutout, 1-hit innings. It was a sight to behold, not that you would know it from Reds TV broadcaster Paul Keels’ flat, emotionless delivery. The guy would have trouble making the first human walking on Mars sound exciting.

Next Game
Assuming the rains stay away, the Reds will go for the sweep of the Pirates this afternoon. That would be nice retribution for when the Pirates swept the Reds earlier this season. Homer Bailey hopes not to be a starting pitcher combo breaker as he faces Zach Duke at 12:35pm EDT.

Heisey’s Night Overshadowed
Dusty Baker has few options at the lead off spot, and with both Drew Stubbs and Orlando Cabrera getting a game off–Paul Janish started! Can you believe it!–Baker turned to rookie Chris Heisey. Heisey had no hits in 7 at-bats going into last night’s game, but Baker’s move paid off. Heisey had his first hit and later, his first home run. If Cueto hadn’t been so magnificent, everyone would have been talking about Heisey. As it is, his performance gets overshadowed a but.

Reds beat reporter John Fay helps in that regard, though. Heisey had an amazing game, but neither his mother or father were present to see it.

Chris Heisey got choked up in the ninth inning Tuesday.

He had just hit his first big league homer. He had taken the field for the ninth when he thought of his father, Craig, who died in October of 2007 of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Here’s to many more games like last night for Heisey.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds are now 18-15. The last time they were 3 games over .500 was June 11, 2009, when they were 31-28.

Last Game
The Reds pinned another loss on the Cubs and Ryan Dempster, thanks to awesome efforts from Mike Leake and Joey Votto. The win gave the Reds the series over the Cubs. As for Dempster, he continues to be winless in Great American Ball Park. It’s like he’s the anti-Roy Oswalt.

Next Game
The Reds go on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, confident after a solid home stand that saw them go 4-2, winning both series against the Mets and the Cubs. Bronson Arroyo takes the mound against Ross Ohlendorf at 7:05pm EDT.

Chapman Update
Aroldis Chapman continues to pitch for the Louisville Bats. He won his third game yesterday, allowing 1 run, 4 hits, and 5 walks over 5 2/3 innings, while striking out 6. On the season, he’s allowed 10 runs in 31 2/3 innings, walking 18 and striking out 36. He continues to be effectively wild, but he’s never made it past 6 innings because of pitching inneficiently. Yesterday, his outing took 111 pitches.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto currently has an 8-game hitting streak, which ties him with Orlando Cabrera and Scott Rolen for the longest streak by a Red this year.

Last Game
The Reds managed to eke out another last at-bat victory to take the series from the Mets on Wednesday, in a game where Johnny Cueto threw 118 pitches. They won 5-4 thanks to an extra-innings, walk-off home run from Orlando Cabrera.

Next Game
After an off-day, the Chicago Cubs come to Cincinnati. Homer Bailey, fresh off his 121 pitch outing, will take on Carlos Silva at 7:10pm EDT.

When There’s No Good Answers
To Those New Questions…There’s Nowhere to Go But Down
The Reds have many problems. One that manager Dusty Baker is focusing on right now is the lack of anything good coming from the lead-off spot. Chris Dickerson is injured, leaving only Drew Stubbs, who has been struggling and carries a .267 on base percentage. Apparently, Baker is leaning towards moving Phillips to the top of the order.

This is an interesting management tactic to use when dealing with a player you’ve derided in the media for lack of hustle. I’m sure that’s what all well-run, successful organizations do: promote and give even more responsibilities to their trouble employees.

At least there’s no need to hustle in the lead-off slot.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
In 28 games, Paul Janish has started 2, the last time on April 24.

Last Game
The Mets stole the Reds playbook and copied the one successful play the Reds have had this year, by taking the lead in their final at bat and sending the Reds to a 5-4 loss.

Next Game
The Reds play for the series win against the Mets in an afternoon game today. It’s the battle of the Jons at 12:35pm EDT when Johnny Cueto takes on Jonathon Niese. There’s no television broadcast, so you’ll have to close your eyes and imagine when Joey Votto steps to the plate.

Bailey Stands by His Man
Homer Bailey talked to John Fay about his 121 pitch-game against the Cardinals.

“To me, throwing 120 pitches is nothing,” Bailey said. “I showed up the next day and it was like I didn’t even throw.

“I’m one – it’s not going to happen – but if they said, ‘you’ve got 140 pitches,’ I’d be fine. And guess what? No. 139 is going to be equal to No. 50.”

That kind of eagerness and confidence in his stuff is a good sign, but it also shows the importance of a good pitching coach and managerial staff when dealing with the multi-million dollar investments the clubs have made. Bailey only has to be concerned about Bailey. The coaches have to think about this game, the next start, the next year, and so on. 121 pitches is a lot. I’m not sure it was worth the risk this early in the year.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
When the Reds won the first game against the Mets, it was Laynce Nix’s first home run of the season, and his first walk-off home run of his career.