Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Diamondbacks (7-8)	1	0	1	0	2	1	0	0	0	5	10	1
Reds (9-8)	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	5	0

Boxscore

Ouch. Make the losing stop!

Listen, I know it’s early and everything, but I’m tired of the losing. Remember when the team started out by winning their first 5 games? Remember how they seemed like an unstoppable juggernaut, hell-bent on storming back to the postseason? Yeah, that was awesome. I want that team back. I want that confidence and determination back. For the last few games, it’s been nothing but a faint memory.

The Cincinnati Reds lost again tonight. The return of Brandon Phillips to the lineup helped, as he drove in a run, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome the lackluster pitching. Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto can’t return from the disabled list soon enough.

Sam LeCure started and at least did better than any of staff ace Edinson Volquez’s starts. So there’s that. And LeCure also blew the pants off Travis Wood’s last start. LeCure went 5 1/3 innings and allowed 5 earned runs. It’s so messed up to think that’s an improvement.

Still, the season is long, and the Reds will bounce back. Hopefully soon. This team isn’t fun to watch right now.

I was initially hesitant to link to this because I didn’t want to reward MLB’s draconian and asinine policies on sharing and embedding videos, but really, it’s worth it. I mean, my principles aren’t really worth not viewing this epic failure last night by the St. Louis Cardinals.

First, I’ll set the stage. The Cardinals’ offense continues to be non-existent, but it had scratched together a 1-run lead. Closer–and former Cincinnati Red–Ryan Franklin was on in the 9th. He’d managed two outs, but had also allowed two runners to get on.

That’s when former Houston Astro Miguel Tejada came to the plate and delivered this walk-off hit.

What I really love is that the loss was a team effort. It wasn’t just Franklin. Center fielder Colby Rasmus failed to catch the ball, and both Rasmus and left fielder John Jay failed to communicate.

I fully expect the Cardinals to rebound and become competitive this season. But that’s not going to take away any of my enjoyment from them starting off so horribly in 2011. They’re 2-6 and 4 games behind the first-place Reds.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Reds (5-2)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	8	0
Diamondbacks (3-3)	2	1	0	0	0	3	1	6	-	13	13	0

Boxscore

In case you missed it last night–it was a later game than usual–the Cincinnati Reds did not fare well in their return to Arizona. They were crushed by the Diamondbacks, losing 13-2.

Travis Wood started, and it was evident from the very beginning that he didn’t have his best stuff. He allowed 2 runs in the first and another in the second. He settled down for a bit, pitching scoreless 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings, but lost in the 6th. After 4 batters and some more runs, he was pulled. His final line was 5 innings, 6 runs–all earned, 4 strikeouts, and 2 walks.

The bullpen wasn’t able to stop the bleeding and give the offense hope of making up the deficit, either. Matt Maloney had a night he’ll want to forget as he allowed 7 runs in just 1 2/3.

As for the offense, they were quiet, contributing just two runs. Brandon Phillips had a sacrifice fly in the 3rd, and Joey Votto had a solo shot in the 9th. That was it. They didn’t even leave a bunch of guys on base this time, just 6.

So the Reds now have their first losing streak of the season at 2. Clearly, it’s time to panic. With just a half game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s clear this season is in serious jeopardy.

Unless they win again today when Bronson Arroyo starts against Daniel Hudson. First pitch is 8:10pm EDT.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Brewers (0-1)	3	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	6	9	0
Reds (1-0)	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	4	7	12	1

Boxscore

Yes. That is the Cincinnati Reds team I grew to know and love from 2010. Welcome back, boys of springsummer.

The Reds opened the season against the Milwaukee Brewers today. I’ll recount it to you as I recounted it to my 9-year-old son when I picked him up from after-school care.

Edinson Volquez started, and the first Brewers batter he faced hit a home run. The Reds were down 1-0. The second batter Volquez faced hit a home run. The Reds were down 2-0. By the time the first inning was over, the Reds were losing 3-0.

When it was their turn to bat, Drew Stubbs led off with a hit. A couple of batters later, Joey Votto drove him in with a sacrifice fly. The Reds were losing 3-1.

Volquez allowed another run in the 2nd, but then settled down, for the most part. The Reds were losing the whole game. Going into the bottom of the 9th, the score was 6-3.

Brandon Phillips led off with a single. Joey Votto followed with a walk. Scott Rolen came to bat and grounded to third base. The fielder went to tag Phillips, but missed, and Rolen was safe at first. Jay Bruce, MVP in training, came to the plate and struck out.

But the Reds still had two more outs left.

Jonny Gomes hit a deep drive that was caught on the warning track, but Phillips tagged up and scored. 6-4. Two outs.

Ramon Hernandez came to plate representing the winning run and hit a deep drive to right field. Somewhere, I could hear Joe Nuxhall screaming, “Get out of here, baseball!” And it did. The Reds won, 7-6.

Dang, that was a good game. I’d forgotten what I’d enjoyed so much about this team. And here it is, all back for the next half a year. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year.