Boxscore

Yes, there were other games in the Central last night, but really, none of them can approach the significance or the lasting impact of the Pirates-Reds game last night. Plus, thanks to preparing a birthday party for my kid, I have time for only one game wrap today.

In case you hadn’t heard, uber-prospect Jay Bruce premiered for the Reds last night, and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, no one’s gotten him out yet. Bruce’s line: 3 for 3, with two walks, two runs scored, two RBI, and a steal.

Not everyone was impressed, though.

Johnny Cueto threw too many pitches, but got the win thanks to an Adam Dunn home run. The bullpen made it a little closer, but Francisco Corder closed things out again.

Ian Snell started well for the Pirates, but Cincinnati figured him out the second time facing him. They did have enough offense to win, had they gotten anything resembling good pitching.

The same two teams again today, although Baker will be tempted to sit Bruce against the Pirates, thus ensuring the Reds loss. Tom Gorzelanny starts against Bronson Arroyo at 7:10pm EDT.

Boxscore

The Cubs, who have a record right around .500 against teams not named after illegal downloaders, lost a series to the team they’d dominated so well. In Chicago’s defense, it took 11 innings for Pittsburgh to win. The loss dropped the Cubs into a first-place tie with the Cardinals.

The extra-inning heroics once against went to Jason Bay, who ended the game in walk-off style for the second consecutive time. His team has a day off, giving him plenty of time to perfect his next trick: the old hidden ball gag.

The Pirates have Memorial Day off, before moving on to Cincinnati and sending out Ian Snell against Johnny Cueto at 7:10pm EDT.

Boxscore

After teaching the Brewers how to win for the past two games, Pittsburgh apparently thought it was time to win one for themselves. Or at least Jason Bay and Xavier Nady did, who both hit home runs off of Milwaukee starter Dave Bush.

Tom Gorzelanny pitched well for the Pirates, but he lasted only 5 innings which will not help what has to be a tired bullpen.

The Brewers had their own pair of homers, and Prince Fielder had a couple hits and a walk. Even though they lost the game, the fact that they scored 4 runs and had plenty of hits has to be encouraging. Now they need to focus on not leaving 14 runners stranded.

The Pirates stay home to host the Cubs at 7:05pm EDT when Carlos Zambrano comes to town to battle with Zach Duke. The Brewers move on to DC, with Jeff Suppan going against Odalis Perez at 7:35pm EDT.

Boxscore

Now that the Pirates reminded the Brewers how to win a game, it looks like Milwaukee liked it and wants some more, please.

Rickie Weeks had what he hopes was a slump-busting home run and Ben Sheets pitched a complete game, allowing only one run. That one run was a Xavier Nady solo shot in the 4th.

The Pirates try once more to deal with this formerly sleeping giant they awakened when Tom Gorzelanny faces Dave Bush at 7:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

I know, having followed the Reds for most of my life, that it seemed like whenever the Reds were about to face a team who’d been struggling, I dreaded it. It meant only one thing: the struggling team was about to spank Cincinnati’s ass.

And it looks like Pittsburgh is serving that whipping boy role for Milwaukee right now. Manny Parra pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings, for crying out loud.

Jason Bay did hit his 10th homer for the Pirates, hopefully increasing his trade value so that the Pirates ownership can start rebuilding. If they let Pittsburgh’s recent failure at losing fool them into thinking this team can win, then the Pirates are doomed for another decade or two.

But, on a brighter side, the Brewers bats finally came alive. Mike Cameron started hitting, as did the heart of the lineup, with the exception of Prince Fielder. Perhaps he’ll awaken today when Ben Sheets battles Ian Snell at 7:05pm EDT.