Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Brewers (30-26)	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	9	1
Reds (29-28)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	-	4	6	0

Boxscore

Well, it’s nice to see that the Cincinnati Reds can still take a series from the Milwaukee Brewers.

This time, the win wasn’t nearly so dominating, requiring late-game heroics from Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. But they came through, each with their own 2-run homer. Votto’s was the one that gave them the lead.

And then Francisco Cordero came on for his 300th career save.

The game started off shakily, with starter Mike Leake giving up yet another home run to start the game. That makes it sound like it’s been Leake doing all of that for the Reds this year, but I know Volquez has done that at least twice. That first inning continues to be a problem.

But the offense came back and the Reds have some hope as they enter their first off-day in 20 days. And I grouse a bit when I have to work late every so often. At least I get weekends off.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Reds (25-21)	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	4	0
Indians (28-15)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	-	2	5	0

Boxscore

The Cincinnati Reds dropped their fourth game in a row today. I don’t know about you, but it feels like at least one more than that. I mean, it feels like the Reds have equaled their previous winning streak. But if they do lose in the final game with the Cleveland Indians tomorrow, at least we’ll know they’re assured of another five-game winning streak next.

Homer Bailey was the starter for the Reds and turned in a very good outing–one more than good enough for a win. He went 7 innings, allowed just 2 runs, and struck out 4. However, the Indians have been able to completely shut down the Reds’ offense.

Joey Votto’s power outage continues, as he was 0-3 with a walk on the day. Unfortunately, he only had one at-bat with a runner on base the entire day.

Jonny Gomes also continues to struggle. He was 0-4 with three strikeouts, and he looked lost. His stint as the designated hitter for this series–ostensibly letting him focus on only hitting for a change–is turning out to be a failure. He’s swinging at terrible pitches and has no feel for the ball. His average has fallen to .171 and the Reds need him to find his bat again soon.

The sole offense came from an RBI off the bat of Scott Rolen. It gave the Reds the first lead, but most of the time, you need more than one run to win. Today, the Reds would’ve needed 3. Getting that many with a total of 4 hits is very difficult.

As mentioned above, the Reds have now lost four in a row, mirroring the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2010 drop-off after sweeping the Reds. Tomorrow, they attempt to make the Ohio Cup series respectable.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pirates (20-23)	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	1	0	5	9	0
Reds (25-19)	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	3	9	1

Boxscore

Now, I’m Free! Free-falling!

The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their domination of the Cincinnati Reds today. Behind the pitching of James McDonald, the Pirates cruised to a 5-3 victory.

Reds’ starter Johnny Cueto encountered troubles in his 3rd start, lasting just 5 innings. In that time, he allowed 3 earned runs, 3 walks, and struck out 5. He was back to his pitch-inefficient ways as it took him 94 pitches to go those 5 innings.

The offense for the Reds was provided by Jay Bruce, who had two homers on the day. He was clearly missed in yesterday’s shutout, when he sat out for flu-like symptoms.

The loss drops the Reds to 1-4 against the Pirates on the year. And thanks to a St. Louis Cardinals win, the Reds are no longer in first place. That was quick.

Of course, I’d rather dominate the Cardinals and be owned by the Pirates than the other way around. I think the former will play out better over the course of the season.

Last Game
The Cincinnati Reds completed their sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday. The series was entertaining every night and especially enjoyable for Reds fans, thanks to the great performances by players the Cardinals have come to hate: Johnny Cueto and Brandon Phillips. Cueto dominated in the second game of the series, going longer than any Reds starter this year in his win. And Phillips was on fire, going 5-10 with a home run and 6 RBI. The sweep would not have happened without those two.

Next Game
The Reds face another division opponent when the Chicago Cubs come to town tonight. Homer Bailey will start for Cincinnati while Matt Garza has the honors for Chicago. Game-time is 7:10pm EDT, and the game is televised on Fox Sports Ohio.

Gomes’ Mohawk Missing in Action
This weekend saw the end of struggling Jonny Gomes’ trademark mohawk.

Gomes had little to say about the new look.

“I just got a haircut,” he said.

Just a coincidence? Or just time for a haircut?

“You could argue that,” Gomes said.

Gomes started off the season well, but has been wretched lately. He’s had just 5 hits this month and hasn’t had a home run since April 17. We’ll see if his reverse-Samson works.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds’ sweep of the Cardinals in Cincinnati was the first time such a thing had been done since September 11-13, 2007.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cardinals (22-19)	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	7	9	2
Reds (23-17)	0	0	1	2	0	1	4	1	-	9	11	1

Boxscore

How sweep it is!

The Cincinnati Reds completed their sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals today, winning 9-7. And they finally tagged a loss on Chris Carpenter, too boot.

The win completes the division flip-flop. Coming into the series, the Cardinals had a 1.5 game lead on the Reds. Leaving it, the Reds were the on with the 1.5 game lead.

Carpenter started for St. Louis, and while always a loser, he was so officially today. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed 8 runs–7 earned. That offense for the Reds was provided by homers from Ramon Hernandez and Chris Heisey; Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce also drove in a pair each.

The Cardinals took an early lead but lost it and didn’t put up much of a fight until the 9th inning when the Reds bullpen flirted with giving the game away–and raising the blood pressure of all Reds fans.

Instead, closer Francisco Cordero came in and finished things off, but not without a little whiny bitching from the St. Louis bench. On an 0-2 count on Albert Pujols, Cordero went inside and hit Pujols on the wrist.

“Just a little fun,” Cordero said. “I think it was because I hit Pujols 0-2, Gerald Laird was all loud in the dugout. He was yelling at me and pointing at me and saying a whole bunch of stuff. Out of all the guys that are great hitters, great players, Gerald Laird doesn’t even play. He’s the one yelling at me because I hit Pujols 0-2. 0-2! I wasn’t trying to him.

“I’ve got to face Holliday next, who can take the lead with one swing, one of the best hitters in the NL, and he’s yelling at me. All I know is he was loud, so I say something back to him.

“I’ve got nothing against the Cardinals. I’ve been in this game a long time and I won’t disrespect anybody. I look in the duout, Pujols was sitting down, he was quiet, because he knows I wasn’t trying to hit him. This stuff happens.”

Always fun when these two teams play. It’s nice to see the Reds take a series and a lead in the season schedule at 4-2.