Last Game
The Reds won the series opener against the Pirates last night, 3-4, in 14 innings. This was a more exciting one to watch, with the team tying it up in the seventh, but it was also frustrating that they couldn’t get one more guy across the plate until the 14th.

The Reds’ inability to string together hits for runs is annoying, but it’s been a problem that’s haunted the team all year, from time to time. Aroldis Chapman’s inability to strike guys out, on the other hand, is a new problem and entirely more scary.

Chapman issued 3 walks in his 0.2 innings of work last night. He had to be removed in the middle of an inning for the first time all season. Even worse, this was his second poor outing in a row. His velocity was down and his control was all over the place. Apparently the medical staff is saying he’s got a fatigued shoulder. With just 20 more games left in the season, we’ll all be hoping there’s time for that shoulder to get rested up.

Next Game
Today is Mike Leake’s turn to try to inspire some run support from the Reds offense. He ought to be well-rested after his last outing, which lasted only 2.1 innings last Wednesday. Leake (RHP, 7-9, 4.73 ERA) faces off against the Pirates’ Kevin Correia (RHP, 10-8, 4.28 ERA)

Yesterday was Joey Votto’s 29th birthday
Just 29 years old and Joey Votto is already a mega-millionaire at the top of his field. He’s popular, in great shape, and easy on the eyes, to boot.

Jeez, what have I been doing with my life?

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
In the game against the Astros on Sunday, LHP Tony Cingrani made his major league debut by pitching 3.0 innings in relief of Johnny Cueto and his short start. With that appearance, Cingrani became only the second pitcher in Reds’ history to strike out 5 in his major league debut.

Hopefully Cingrani’s auspicious start will serve him better than the first guy to do it, Angel Torres. Torres pitched only 8.1 innings his entire major league career.

Last Game
It always seems to go this way: the worst team beats the best team when the two get together. Does the bad team get an extra jolt of adrenaline that pushes them over the top? Or does the good team fail to find the competitiveness? Or is everything bound to happen eventually as the number of games approaches infinity?

The answer is unclear. What is clear is that the Reds lost an ugly one to the Astros yesterday afternoon, 5-1. It gave the Astros the W in the series.

Johnny Cueto lasted only 4.0 innings, which makes for his second short start in a row. Zack Cozart has been out of the line-up with a strained oblique, Todd Frazier needs a couple days off, and Jay Bruce is the only one who managed to get on base more than once.

It may ultimately be a good thing for the Reds to lose a little in the standings. It’s easy to lose your edge right when it matters most when you’re coasting on a 8.5 game lead.

Next Game
Even though I know these losses recently aren’t likely to change anything, post-season-wise, they still make for some really crappy baseball to watch. Personally, I hope the Reds can get some intensity back in the series against the Pirates that starts tonight. Mat Latos (RHP, 12-4, 3.69 ERA) will take on Wandy Rodriguez (LHP, 3-4, 3.50 ERA) at 7:10 p.m.

Jay Bruce, Superhero
The Reds media notes yesterday pointed out that Jay Bruce is the first player ever who hit at least 20 home runs in his rookie year and then hit progressively more home runs the next 4 years:

• 21 in 2008
• 22 in 2009
• 25 in 2010
• 32 in 2011
• 33 in 2012, so far.

Bruce is the first one to do that starting with his rookie year, but 5 other guys have had progressively increasing home run total over 5 years at other points in their careers. They are:

• Hack Wilson (1926-30)
• Willie Stargell (1967-71)
• Jim Thome (1998-2002)
• Derrek Lee (2001-05)
• David Ortiz (2002-06)

I don’t know Hack Wilson, but the other names are pretty good ones to be in the company of. Bruce is streaky as can be, but when he’s on, he’s a force.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto has gotten on base in each of the 4 games since he’s been back. He’s gone 4-for-10 over those 4 games with 5 walks and a hit-by-pitch.