Last Game
Despite passing out a copy of the Joey Votto Sports Illustrated cover, last night was Jay Bruce night for the Reds. He lead the game off with a home run and finished off the victory of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th with a walk-off single. Thanks to the Cardinals losing again, the Reds now have a 6-game lead.

Next Game
Aaron Harang returns from a long stint on the disabled list to start for the Reds today. He had 2 rehab starts that were not good at all, so Reds fans will be holding their breath. But wouldn’t it be awesome for Harang to pitch like the ace of a few years ago for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs? If nothing else, he should be well rested. The Brewers will send Yovani Gallardo to the mound. Game-time is 7:10pm EDT.

Chapmania Finally Arrives in Cincinnati
Walt Jocketty announced yesterday that the Reds will be bringing Aroldis Chapman to the majors today.

“We’re going to bring him up tomorrow so he could be eligible for the playoffs,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Chapman could have been eligible for the playoffs anyway, thanks to the 2 players the Reds have on the 60-day disabled list. But this makes it definite.

Chapman will be pitching out of the bullpen, like he has for the last few weeks down in Louisville. Relief-work has suited him well. As hard as it is to fathom, he’s throwing harder, with reports of him hitting 105 on the radar gun. And he’s pitching more effectively. In 26 relief appearances, he is 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA and he’s converted 8 of 9 save opportunities.

Who will be sent down to make room for Chapman and Harang has not been announced, but Chapman will certainly make the bullpen even more imposing. Not too many batters will look forward to facing a lefty who can touch 105.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have had a winning record for every month of this season so far, going 12-11 in April, 18-11 in May, 14-13 in June, 14-12 in July, and 18-8 so far in August, with just one game remaining. The last Reds team to do that was the 1976 squad.

Last Game
Johnny Cueto followed up his 1-hit complete game shutout performance in his last start with a 7 innings of 1-run baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers last night. Granted, not as good as the last outing, but I’ll take 7 innings of 1-run ball every start of the year. The offense came to life once Brewers start Yovani Gallardo left the game to give Cueto his 3rd win. The Reds won 6-3 to keep their slim 1/2 game hold onto first place.

Next Game
The Reds finish their short 2-game series against the Brewers today. With the win last night, they’re hoping for the sweep today. Home Bailey starts for the Reds, while the Brewers send out Manny Parra. Game-time is 12:35pm EDT.

Adding Another Cuban to the Humidor
The Reds signed another Cuban player yesterday to go along with Aroldis Chapman.

Felix Perez is one of those 5-tool outfielders that made Jim Bowden lose all sense of propriety. Originally signed by the New York Yankees last year for $3.5 million, the contract was voided when it was discovered his stated age–20–was a lie. MLB banned him for a year, and the Reds reaped all the benefits.

Perez, who aged 5 years since his last contract, signed for $550,000. He will be sent to Arizona for evaluation, and then will likely head to the Dayton or Lynchburg minor league clubs.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds lead the majors in the never-heard of before stat of runners going 1st to 3rd on a single. They’ve done it 32 times this season.

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.