Last Game
The Reds, or more accurately, Dusty Baker mismanaged the final game against the Cardinals, letting Sam LeCure stay in for the 6th when he was gassed and lucky to escape the 5th. The number of losses due to Baker have been down this year thanks to the talent level of the roster. Still, it hurts more when it’s against the Cardinals and the loss puts you back in a first-place tie.

Next Game
After a much-needed day off–the first in 20 days–the Reds travel to our nation’s capital to battle the Washington Nationals. Aaron Harang will take on Livan Hernandez at 7:05pm EDT.

National Attention for the Reds
There were 2 national articles this week focusing on the Reds and their surprising early success. What are they trying to do? Jinx them?

The first is a USA Today article about rookie Mike Leake and his unprecedented skipping of the minors. The second is a New York Times piece on how the head-scratching trade by the Reds for Scott Rolen last year has been key to this year’s winning. Plus, it includes this heretofore unknown-by-me, at least, tidbit, “[Cincinnati] was a good fit for Rolen, who has a home two and a half hours away in Carmel, Ind., where he can retreat on off days.” Carmel? That’s where I live.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds 18 wins in May this year were their most in a May since 2004, when they also won 18.

Last Game
Joey Votto started his first game in a week and was he ever awesome. He went 4 for 5 with a home run and 3 runs scored as he helped the Reds defeat the Cardinals 9-8 in the second game of the series. The win put the Reds back by themselves in first place, 1 game up on the Cardinals.

Next Game
Rookie Sam LeCure will make his second start for the Reds, while the Cardinals will turn to Chris Carpenter to get back into first place. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:15pm EDT.

Shuffling the Bullpen Chairs
Before the game yesterday, the Reds attempted to improve the bullpen with pre-existing parts. Mike Lincoln was placed on the DL for made up reasons, and Carlos Fisher was sent down to the minors. Both had pitched terribly lately. Enerio Del Rosario and Logan Ondrusek were called back up to the big leagues.

It worked yesterday, with Rosario pitching a scoreless inning after Johnny Cueto collapsed in the 6th. The rest of the bullpen was effective, too.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
With Scott Rolen’s 2 home runs last night, he is at 13 and has now hit more home runs this year than any year since 2006, when he hit 22 for the Cardinals. Also, he is 4 away from 300.

Last Game
The Reds beat the Pirates 4-0 to guarantee at least a tie in the 4-game series. Bronson Arroyo pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings, and the offense gave him 4 runs to work with. The bullpen didn’t blow the lead this time, but it did take 2 pitchers to get one out in the 8th and an arguably unnecessary appearance by Francisco Cordero in the 9th. With the win–and a later Cardinals loss–the Reds move back into sole possession of first place.

Next Game
The Reds wrap up their 4 games with the Pirates and have a chance to win the series. Johnny Cueto will start, hopefully blister-free, against Charlie Morton at 7:05pm EDT.

Transactions from Yesterday
Paul Janish was placed on the bereavement list yesterday for the passing of his grandmother. Our thoughts are with him. Drew Sutton was called up to take his place on the roster.

In other sad news, pitcher Justin Lehr will have to undergo Tommy John surgery and is done for the year. He put in a few solid innings for the Reds last year, and it’s a shame he won’t be able to work his way back to the club in 2010. Hopefully, he’ll come back stronger for 2011.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Four Reds players have made their Major League debut so far this year: Logan Ondrusek, Mike Leake, Chris Heisey, and Enerio Del Rosario.

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.