Reds Young Guns-hitters

Well, as a Reds fan in the past decade, you always seem to be looking to next season. This season, some new Reds are getting a chance to shine.



Chris Dickerson (OF): Seems like Dickerson has never really lit up the minors like he's came up and tore up the big leagues. With another double and homer last night, his average sits at .328 with 4 homers, 7 doubles, a triple, and 10 RBI. He's slugging a crazy .672 and has 4 steals. Looks like with a good ending to this season, he could find himself a home in the Reds outfield.



Jay Bruce (OF): After coming up early and dominating National Leauge pitching, National League pitching dominating him. His strikeout numbers are alarming with 86 in 326 at bats but he does have 14 homers and 40 RBI slugging .423. His base running and defense are suspect big time but you have to remember this guy has hardly zero minor league experience. He's learning on the fly.



Joey Votto (1B): He's figured it out. He's raised his average to .288 for the season and has 15 homers and 60 RBI. His early strikeout numbers resembled Bruce's. He's still bad, I mean really bad on D too. Needs a lot of off season work with the glove.

Jolbert Cabrera (SS/OF/2B/3B): Jack of all trades on defense. He's looked really good at the plate for the RedLegs batting .295 and slugging .475 in 29 games. Doesn't exactly like to walk like most of the other young Reds with 4 BB and 17 Ks. I'm not sure where he'll fit in next season but he could figure to be a great bench player b/c of the ability to play everywhere on defense in the mold of Ryan Freel.

Jeff Keppinger (SS/3b/1b): Keppinger has been down this season b/c of injury troubles but I love this guy in the lineup. He is one of the few Reds who doens't strikeout much. He's only batting .267 this season after going .332 last season.

Ryan Hannigan (C): Another young fella I'd like to see next season. He's batted .259 in only 29 ab bats so far slugging .519. Loads of potential. I'd say he and Bako will platoon next season at Catcher.

Let's Try Small Ball

I think those of you still interested in what happens to the Cincinnati Reds the rest of the way show more desire than what I am seeing from these players. I am not a Reds basher or I wouldn't spend my time writing this on almost a daily basis. How much more of this can I take and still want to put my thoughts into words....well it's about over for the season.....should I say thank the good Lord......well when it's over I will still be a very loyal Reds fan. I think some of my biggest disappointments are with the people that the front office put on the field to manage and coach this team. Why can't we keep guys from swinging for the fences every AB. Are they trying to make up for the power we lost in Jr. and Dunn, well they gone try to find another way to win guys. This team needs to play small ball if ever a team needed to. We are losing some tight games that if we played for one run here and one run there we would improve plenty. Start taking a pitch instead of swinging at the first pitch and getting in a hole, it's not that complicated. Hit and run, steal a base. Get em on, get over, get em in. This road trip, check the scores, close but no cigars. We lost two of three in all three cities on the trip, that's a .333 winning percentage. I am just not sure Dusty understands that we need to try to win another way or maybe he just doesn't give a shit. What in the name of Sparky Anderson does he do during a game instead of chew on a tooth pick. If fans can see the mistakes and realize we are not "The Big Red Machine" maybe it's time we try small ball!!!!

Roy Oswalt....enough said

Did anyone really expect anything other than what happened tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston with Reds killer Roy Oswalt on the mound for the Astro's. NOT ME!
Oswalt went seven to improve to 12-9 with an ERA of 4.11 Now if you look at those numbers you would think this guy could be had every now and then. This guy is now an incredible 22-1 against the Reds, that's way more than crazy it's insane to be this bad against this guy. Actually the Reds had their chances tonight but Oswalt kept shutting them down every time you thought a little rally was going to happen.

Josh Fogg, sporting an ERA of over 9.50 in his last eleven starts to go with an 0-6 record over that same time span, actually threw a pretty good game. Oswalt gave up five hits over seven innings and Fogg gave up six hits over six innings. It was that extra hit Fogg gave up that was the difference though. Hunter Pence took him deep for a two run shot in the fourth inning and that was all Oswalt needed as he held the Reds to only one run. You are not going to win many games scoring one run.

Aaron Harang tries to follow up that great outing he had last week in the rubber game tomorrow afternoon.

Bronson Arroyo Throws Reds First Complete Game This Year

It only took 132 games but now the Reds are in the book as the last team in Major League Baseball to have a pitcher throw a complete game as Bronson Arroyo goes the distance tonight. In a time of closers making as much or more money than some good starters a complete game isn't what it used to be. How many managers will automatically go to their closer 'anytime' a save situation is there. Hey, let me ask you this, did you realize this was the Reds first complete game this year, did you know the Reds were the last team in baseball to throw a complete game. Arroyo pushed his record to 12-10 on the year and a couple months ago I bet no one would think he would get back to .500....Great job Bronson.

Now my question to Dusty Baker......If Francisco Cordero had been available tonight, he was away from the team as his wife was giving birth to their son, would you have given Bronson the chance to finish what he started. Was there a reason you didn't go to David Weathers to close for the save....For my money with only 100 pitches thrown through the first eight innings by Bronson, there was gas left in the tank and he got it done.

On another note, Jay Bruce might be marred in the biggest slump of his career with his average slipping to .252 and yes he has struck out in 7 of his last 9 official AB's.
Maybe he gets it going against the Reds worse nightmare, Roy Oswalt tomorrow night on FSN at 8pm......See you then and GO REDS....let's finish on a high note!!

Homer Bailey Update

The Reds announced that Homer Bailey has a "mild sprain of MCL in his right knee." If you were thinking with Johnny Cueto going down for the count, Bailey would get another call up, well don't count on it at this point anyway. Homer will miss his next start, which was to be Thursday, and have his knee checked again on Friday. Just how much more good news can the Reds handle this year.

Reds roll into the Lone Star State

The Reds open up a series with another team that doesn't have anything to play for on Tuesday in Houston.

Tuesday: Arroyo vs. Wandy Rodriguez

Wed: Fogg vs. Reds Killer Roy Oswalt

Thursday: Harang vs. Backe

Cueto probably done for the season

Johnny Cueto is most likely done for the 2008 season with some shoulder problems. To me, if there are any problems, the Reds should shut him down for this disasterous season and begin building for a playoff run in 09 with this nice young pitching staff.

Fantasy Football Info

Yes I do know we are fantasy baseball, but how many of you will also play fantasy football. Baseball is my first love for sure, but I do enjoy using fantasy football to bridge the gap between baseball seasons.
Just wanted to put a plug in for a site that rocks with great info.
visit gametimedecisions.net as there is live advice the next few days with Brian Swaw of gametimedecisions, Matthew Berry of the four letter network and plenty other fantasy experts. John Clayton is on the air as I write this giving his expert advice.
We have a button on the right hand side of this blog that is a link right to Brian Swaw's gametimedecisions.net site, check it out. The way my Reds are playing I might even need a break from this mess that Dusty Baker knows nothing about repairing.

Another blown game by the bullpen

Last night and now again today. Weathers blows it in the 9th. 5 errors from the Reds stellar D! Two from Bruce that cost the Reds 2 of the 3 runs today. Edwin had his 20th error. It was on a throw...........big surprise!

desperate times.....................

If I was this weather guy, I'd kick my own butt. You'll have to go down and stop playlist to hear this.

Reds Parking advisory link

for Sunday 8/24................will anyone be there anyway?

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313818&vkey=pr_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Reds send a letter of apology to fans

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/fan_forum/letter_to_fans.jsp

Interesting read from Castellini and Jocketty. Didn't say anything in the letter about spending the $28 million they just dumped from Dunn and Griffey.................................just a thought..................

Griffey ties Sosa for 5th all time

White Sox slugger Ken Griffey Jr.......................that just doesn't sound right does it...............tied Slammin HGH/Steroids Sammy Sosa for 5th on the all time homer list. Great job Griff. Let's make it #4 tommorrow.

Reds Shut Out by the Cubbies

The Bats were on fire tonight..................somebody must have set them on fire before the game. The Reds had a big 3 hits and struck out 13 times tonight at Wrigley. Cueto pitched pretty well going 7 striking out 6 and only giving up 1 run. The only run he gave up should have been an out at home if Edwin had any sense on a safety sqeeze. The Cubby was half way down the line when he fielded it and Cueto was screaming at him not to throw to first. This guy is a joke playing third. It wouldn't break my hear to see him go bye bye in a trade in the off season. Maybe somebody needs a guy who can bat .240 and play an awful third base right now. Put him on waivers!!!!Keppinger had 2 of the Reds 3 hits and only 1 of their 13 Ks. Lincoln continues his awful second half giving up 4 runs. Is there any question who is the worst team in baseball after the all star break??????

Edinsion Volquez Dominates Cardinals For 15th Win

Edinsion Volquez, one of the few bright spots for the Cincinnati Reds this season, won his 15th game this afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals. Volquez threw seven shutout innings only allowing three hits while striking out four. Edinsion lowered his ERA to an awesome 2.73 on the season. We were talking about Volquez hitting the wall a few starts ago, maybe he has crashed thru that wall and is now ready for the stretch drive. Is there any question who the ace of this staff is right now. I wish Aaron Harang all the luck in the world but this is now Edinsion's role to lose.

It was a total team effort on the offensive side as the Reds smashed 13 hits in route to the 7-3 win. Brandon Phillips hit his 20th home run of the season and had three hits for the game. The new guy, Chris Dickerson, had another big game going 3-5 to keep his young average above .400 for his first nine games in the bigs. Jay Bruce added two hits and the guy that doesn't know how to smile, Edwin Encarnacion, actually had three hits and one small hint of a smile after his third one.

Well it's on the road now as the Reds play their next three games in the worlds largest beer garden also know as Wrigley Field. I would love to see the Reds play spoiler on this road trip....I love to beat the Cubs so much!!!!!

Eric "The Red" Davis was interviewed today, again in uniform in the dugout at GAB. Eric said he was there to keep the guys in a positive frame of mind and just be there for whatever help is needed......what does this mean???

This pretty much sums it up.......Reds Starters

Aaron Harang: 3-13 5.88

Edinson Volquez: 14-5 2.86.............the only Red's bright spot.

Bronson Arroyo: 10-10 5.51 ERA

Johnny Cueto: 8-11 4.90 ERA

Josh Fogg: 2-5 7.71

Homer Bailey: 0-6 7.93 ERA

Daryl Thompson: 0-2 6.91 ERA

It's taken 2 good outings by Cueto to get his ERA below 5.00. Before that, Volquez was the only Reds starter this year with an ERA below 5.00. Tons of talent, zero results. That pretty much sums up this season. Potentially a new pitching coach for 2009?????????????????????????????????

Reds finally sign Alonso

The Reds beat last night's deadline and signed #7 overall pick 1B Yonder Alonso to a Major League contract worth 4.5 million dollars. Signing a major league vs a minor league contract means Alonso must be on the Reds 40 man major league roster. Hopefully, he can make a quick move through the minors and be up in a couple of years.

Eric "The Red" Davis

Not sure what to read into it, but Eric Davis is "in uniform" and in the Cincinnati Reds dugout at the start of tonight's game. If I get anymore info on this I will post it here ASAP. FSN was commenting that maybe it's a sign of the future. Eric was giving Jay Bruce a lot of attention as the FSN cameras showed him.
Anyone know more, let me know!

Reds still haven't inked 1st rounder Alonso

#7 overall pick Yonder Alonso from "The U" still hasn't signed with the Reds as of today. He's asking for a $7 million signing bonus and a spot on the 40 man roster. It looks like the Reds are offering 1/2 that and a minor league contract. Looks like a wasted 1st round pick. The Reds will get another draft pick next year (#8 overall) if he doesn't sign but here's a spot where nobody did their homework. Great work by the front office again. If you're not going to sign these guys, trade away the pick at least. You knew what he'd be asking for. I just don't understand. On a positive note, the Reds have signed 31 of their draft picks so far. There's a whole line of pitchers taken behing the 1B Alonso.

Reds Win Rubber game

Well when is the last time we can say the Reds won a series on the road, I don't care if it was against the Pirates. After a great pitching performance by Johnny Cueto the Reds actually won a road series. Cueto only went five and I think it was one of the few good decisions Dusty Baker has made this season, to get him out of there while he still had a great pitching line. Johnny only gave up one run while fanning seven in his five innings. It was definitely a step forward for Cueto.

On another note Chris Dickerson's first week in the major leagues has been pretty good. Of his four big league hits all have gone for extra bases. Chris has three doubles and a triple, not a bad start.

Cordero came in the ninth to pick up his 23rd save and the 200th of his career. The Reds did execute a prefect suicide squeeze in the top of the ninth to give them a two run lead and a little breathing room for Cordero.

Fogg.....Good For Four ?

Well it was another typical Joss Fogg night and another typical loss for the Reds. After breaking a six game losing streak last night, the Reds just couldn't put back to back wins together. Fogg will start out fairly good and make it about four innings and then his world implodes. One problem with that, a starter needs to go at least five innings to be deemed a starter. As the Reds disassemble themselves and try to get ready for 2009 you have to throw Fogg out of the mix as well. Fogg is a number five pitcher that makes you think he could be better if he could throw the fourth and fifth like he does the first and second innings.

On a lighter note it was rumored on Paul Daugherty's post game radio show that the reason Corey Patterson is still a Red is because he is engaged to Dusty Baker's daughter. Remember this is only a rumor, funny as it is. At this point we need funny because we can either laugh or cry and remember there is no crying in baseball, even if you are a Reds fan!!!!!

Reds get Micah Ownings????

My son just told me that ESPN is reporting that the Reds got Micah Ownings from the D-Backs. Ownings is a guy with huge pitching upside and he can swing a mean stick too. It's not confirmed but if it's true, that makes the Dunn trade look a little better.

Chris Dickerson debut

Chris Dickerson made his major league debut for the Reds tonight and looked really good. He had a walk and a run in the 1st. He doubled for his first major league hit. He also stole a base during the game. He's got great speed and he's fighting for a job. I love his speed in the outfield along with Bruce and Hairston Jr. That should help the ERA immediately.

Dunn

Just another short rant on the powers that be in Cincinnati. It was just reported on "First Take" that Adam Dunn is the first player sense 1900 to be traded during the season while he was leading Major League Baseball in home runs......another first for the brilliant front office of the Cincinnati Reds!!!!!!!!

Not that Dunn ever hit for a great average but I also just read that Dunn's lowest average to date, ball park wise, is Chase Field in Arizona....for whatever that's worth.

GOOD LUCK AGAIN MR.DUNN......WILL MISS YOU IN CINCINNATI!!!!!!!!!

My Take On The Dumping Of Dunn

First I don't think I would even call it a trade. I think it's the Reds admitting they have given up this season and rightfully so I hate to say. But what are they saying about 2009, we are a small market team and we can't afford Adam Dunn, you bet your ass that's what they are saying. I think every team needs at least one lifer for their team. The last player the Reds had as a lifer was Barry Larkin and Larkin was as important as any player sense Pete Rose to play for this team. I am not saying Adam Dunn should have been the next lifer for the Reds. But I am saying after the way they gave away Griffey and Dunn, for no other reason than to save millions of dollars, they need to go out and make a statement and lock up Jay Bruce in a long term contract. Don't even say you can't afford him now. If the fans don't have anyone that they know will be there for the long term then fans will lose interest, believe this Reds. After your team falls out of the pennant race all you have left is hope, hope you get to see some good baseball once in a while and be able to cheer for someone that you 'KNOW' will be there next year and the year after. I think Jay Bruce is that kind of player, you can see his enthusiasm for the game. Now it's time for the Reds to do what's right for the fans. I do understand he can't leave for a couple of years, but did that stop Milwaukee from locking up Ryan Braun already. Let's show him now that he is the next Reds lifer.....Lock him up Reds!!!

Dunn trade continued

OK. Here's my take of the Dunn trade. In all reality, the Reds weren't going to pay Dunn the 15 to 16 million he would demand next season as a free agent. Dunn's not a good outfielder and the Reds already have two lefty batters that have to hit in the 3-5 slots in the order. I totally understand the trade. I'm just shocked that you can't get more for him. I realize that he's a two month rent for the D-Backs but this guy has more homers in the last 4 years than ANYBODY else in the majors. (1 more than A Rod). He leads the majors this season with 32. I realize he strikes out a lot and bats only in the .230s but he also gives you a lot of walks. Can you not at least get a good prospect for him? Are you seriously going to pay 1/2 of this year's remaining $4 million??You get a guy that's struggled in A ball and had Tommy John surgery last year?????? You get two "players to be named later"..........that is usually two minor lifers. Way to go Walt. You got rid of some money. You better go out and spend the 24 million from Dunn and Griffey this winter and get this thing back on track.

Anyway, good luck to Dunn. He'll probably only play against righties. Maybe will see him in the playoffs along with Griffey. At least two Reds have a chance to go to the playoffs.

Dunn just traded to D-Backs..........for nothing!!!

More on this later. Adam Dunn cleared waivers and was traded to the D-Backs for a Single A pitcher who's 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA and two players to be named later. Un-freakin-belivalbe.

Has The Desire To Win Left This Team

All I can say if any team is in need of an off day this Reds team is that team. I REALLY thought this was going to be a real chance for the Reds to reach the post season. I still say the foundation is in place for a pretty good team.

Jay Bruce has had two twelve game hitting streaks this season. I have personally seen him drive the ball the other way numerous times. His swing is natural and with little effort, and yes he could use a little plate discipline, but he is absolutely the real deal. Here's hoping the Reds get this guy under a long term contract very soon.

Joey Votto, Jeff Keppinger, both very good young players. Votto has power and Keppinger plays a great SS and hits for average.....although he has slumped with the team as of late.

Brandon Phillips might be his own biggest enemy. Last years 30-30 season might have made him want to swing for the fences a little too much this season. I think he thinks he can put the team on his back and carry them instead of just playing his game and not trying to do it all. He also makes some dazzling plays at 2B.

Who knows where big Adam Dunn will be next season, I do hope it's in Cincinnati. But is it a coincidence that his lack of HR's and very sorry average this month has come at the same time as the worse span of games the Reds have played. If the Reds and Dunn don't hit home runs they don't usually win. I have heard this statement many times this year and use to just blow it off but it's the truth.

Anyway let's hope they just get away from the game today and not even think about baseball and go out and have some fun, clear their heads and come back tomorrow with a bigger desire to win, because quite frankly I haven't seen that desire lately!!!

Hannigan and Harang-Surprise, The Reds lose again!

Ryan Hannigan homered in his 1st game with the Reds today which was one of the only bright spots again. Hannigan went 2-4. I may be wrong but I think 5 of the 6 main starters for the season have an ERA over 5.00.

Harang was absolutely awful in his return from the DL. 4 innings and 8 ER. Nice. Can you believe a #1 pitcher is 3-12. Harang needs to go ahead and shut it down and get ready for 2009.

The bullpen was solid for the most part again except Majewski. It's hard to tell how good the bullpen is b/c the Reds are always down so big by the time the pen is called into action, there is no pressure.

Ryan Hannigan finally called up

**The Reds finally called up catching prospect Ryan Hannigan from AAA Louisville. Hannigan doesn't have a lot of power but I've seen him gun out quite a few base runners this year and he does hit for average. Hannigan has hit .324 in Louisville this season and has a nice BB/K ratio which will be nice on this Reds team that strikes out so often.

**Harang was activated from the DL and will start Sunday. It should help facing Houston without Carlos Lee in the middle of the order. Homer Bailey will take his 7.93 ERA back to Louisville and try to find some location and a putaway pitch.

**The Reds are 1-8 since the Griffey trade. Great work guys.

Bronson Deserved Better

After a shaky start Bronson Arroyo settled down to throw a pretty good game. Bronson loaded the bases in the first and it looked like another terrible start for the Reds, but he actually got out of the inning only giving up one run. If you look at Arroyo's line (6.0 innings, gave two runs and fanned seven) you would think the Reds had a great chance to get a win. "NOT SO" if we get good pitching we get no hitting if we get offense we get sloppy pitching. Are we just snake bit this season.....

What if Jay Bruce wasn't hitting right now....again Bruuuuuce was the only player with more than one hit. Jay collected two hits and "the rest of the team" collected a total of three hits, yes it was another five hit night for this powerful offense.

I will say this, in the past 36 years I can't remember the Reds playing with this kind of heart or lack thereof.

Do you like those old records that would stick, listen to Dusty's post game comments. He has no clue as to what to say much less what to do to motivate this team.....I could write his press comments before he ever says a word. I am as big a Red's fan as there is, but how much more of this are we going to have to watch, but I will watch!!!!!!

Aaron Harang is schedule to come off the DL and get the Reds a win on Sunday afternoon.

Reds to pay for fans to come to the game..........

just kidding. If this keeps up, they'll have to start giving tickets away. They are just plain awful right now. You could keep Bruce, Phillips, and Votto and do away with the rest of the team and it would be more exciting to watch.

Different Night....Same Story

I refuse to comment on such a fiasco. Officially they suck!!!!!!!!!

It is making me ill to watch this team. I will have ulcers by the end of the season at this rate.

Notes From The Game

Red Killer, Roy Oswalt who owns a 20-1 record against the Reds coming into tonight's game gets help right off the bat, help we can't afford to give the man. Edwin Encarnation in his first AB with the bases loaded and two out in the first, swings and misses on the first pitch, looks at strike two on the second pitch, looks at strike three on the third pitch......That will get some runs home....at least swing the damn bat!!!

Well Homer Bailey last night and the other #5 pitcher, Josh Fogg tonight. It's only the 3rd inning and already it's 5-0 Houston, after a three run home run by Hunter Pence. It's almost too sorry to watch.

Behind 6-0, Jay Bruce leads off the sixth inning with a line shot double on an 0-2 pitch off Oswalt. Thinking we might just push a run across this inning, Jay Bruce gets thrown out at third on a ground ball to his right that he shouldn't have been running on. My grandson's little league team could have throw Bruce out on that play. Don't they teach this in A ball, down 6-0 no outs and you make the first out of an inning at 3B on a ground ball you shouldn't have been running on. I'm not the manager and it drives me crazy.

The Reds are trying to make it interesting in the ninth. Corey Patterson, actually batting as the tying run, and his interstate BA flies out to end this one with a final score of 7-4. The Reds did collect 13 hits to match the hit output of the Astro's but still lose again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make that a 21-1 record for Roy Oswalt against the Reds!!!!!!!!

My favorite 'Put Out' Of The year

The fat ass Prince just tried to score on Jay Bruce after Bruce caught a fly ball in right field. Fielder threw his 350 pounds of vegetarian ass into David Ross but Ross held onto the ball and got the out....This was a VERY nice play for Bruce and Ross. Because Barry Bonds is no where on the baseball radar screen, my favorite player to hate is now Prince Fielder.

As far as the game went.....just rewind the tape.....Homer Bailey still hasn't won a big league game this year and it's been April sense he has won any game. With Aaron Harang getting ready real fast I wouldn't be surprised if this was Homer's last start for a while. Bailey is now 0-6 with and an embarrassing 7.93 ERA.....not sure how much more the Reds will deal with this right now.....But what do you do with Bailey!!!!!!!!!!!! The season is over as far as the Reds are concerned so do you keep throwing him out there for experience or send him back to Louisville, heck he wasn't sitting the world on fire there either. I think I send him to A ball until he gets a win, then move him up to AA ball until he gets two wins, then back to Louisville for the remainder of the season barring another Reds starter going on the shelf. It's gotta get better next season Homer.....hang in there

Jay Bruce is still wearing the rawhide out as he hit his 11th home run and 11th double of the season and also had all three RBI's today....still the Reds averaged less than a hit per inning today.....where in the name of Pete Rose has this offense went....last night Bruce was the only double digit hitter and today Bruce was joined by Jolbert Cabrera as the only two players to collect more than a single hit.......wins will be very hard to come by like this.

The Brew crew takes two of three to open this home stand for the Reds.....NOT GOOD GUYS

Reds Community Fund Auction During Today's Game

This afternoon the Reds are offering items up for bid to benefit the Reds Community Fund to help improve the lives of kids in and around Reds country. They did work in Louisville and Jefferson County this year rebuilding some old ball fields. I actually talked to some of the members of this fine group during the Reds Caravan at the Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum this year.

Go to www.reds.com/auction to check out what's up for bid.

This game will be replayed tonight on FSN to get more people aware of the Reds Community Fund Auction.....The game wasn't pretty but there is some nice items up for bid!!

Be Carefull.......Reds Ticket Scam

It was reported on Reds Live after the game tonight that someone is selling Diamond Club Tickets over the Internet that are fake tickets. The Reds wanted everyone to know that Diamond Club Tickets are only sold from the Reds web site or by Stub Hub. He said several people have spent big money on these tickets only to be turned away at the gate because of the fake tickets. I am assuming these are probably being sold on EBAY, but not 100% this is where it's happening, so be care full. I will say this, I have used EBAY many many times for tickets and have never gotten bad tickets. Just reporting what the Reds reported after the game. Check out what the Reds are saying about this ticket scam here!!!!!

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080805&content_id=3260571&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Winning Streak Is Over

Well the (one game) winning streak is officially over as the Reds fall tonight to the bruisers, I mean Brewers by the final score of 8-1. No I didn't see a fight tonight, but I did hear a half ass "I'm sorry" from the Prince. I can't seem to give a darn about the stats of this game as it's becoming harder and harder to watch these guys just go thru the motion. If you do look at the box, as I did after I watched this game, this is what jumped out to me. The Reds had a total of five hits, no one had over one hit. I scan over to the Brewers side and I see no less than five guys with at least two hits, you won't win many games with offense like this. Yes the pitching was not good but if the hitting was a little better maybe that pumps up the pitcher somewhat. Maybe these Reds need to watch that Pete Rose video and hope they learn what true hustle is. By the way, thanks Gmo, that was awesome and it bought me much more pleasure than any Reds game has lately.

The Reds did something nice tonight, not on the field though. A family drove to Cincinnati from North Carolina tonight to see a couple of games. They wanted to meet Jim Day of Reds Live. Jim interviewed them on the air during the game. He asked them if they were coming to the game tomorrow afternoon and they were not coming back till the Thursday night game. Well to make a long story short the Reds gave the entire family Diamond Seats for tomorrow's game.....WOW....must be nice, well if the winning streak wasn't over already it would be better!!!!!!!

Rose Video

Thought I'd throw this one on here for RoseFan. It's got to make you feel better than watching the Reds here lately. You need to go down to the bottom of the site and hit the stop button on Playlist to listen.

Marty rips the Cubs fans..............NICE!

You'll have to go down and hit stop on Playlist to hear Marty.

Two Events For The Price Of One At Reds Game Tonight

No it wasn't an old school double hitter tonight but the fans did get two events tonight for the price of one. There was a ball game that the Reds ended up winning 6-3 but there was also a fight between Brewers starting pitcher and the fat ass punk Prince Fielder. After starting pitcher Manny Parra was lifted for a pitch hitter he and Fielder had a few words in the Brewers dugout. Fielder pushed and hit Parra twice before team mates got between them and tried to stop the embarrassment that was being viewed by both teams FSN broadcast. After the game it was all down played as these things always are, but one wonders if the past week's performance on the field lead to this dugout scuffle. Brewers manager Ned Yost said this was no ones business and liken it to your neighbors fighting and saying it's rude for you to go knocking on your neighbors door when there is a fight going on. He also said it was no big deal, but hinted that it did warrant discipline....so there you go. The spoiled fat ass brat Prince trying to throw his weight around against someone 100 pounds lighter than his vegetarian ass should be benched for the remaining two games with the Reds...yeah right!!!!

We Did Score More Runs Than The Brewers

Something very strange happened tonight at Great American Ballpark, the Reds actually put up more runs than the other team......So at last Marty gets to bellow "this one belongs to the Reds" again. He's been here a while so I really don't think he forgot the words that seem to have been such a long time in coming. This was the first win for the Reds sense Jr got traded last week, wow!

Bronson Arroyo did more than throw a good game he also had a two run double to get the scoring started tonight. Bronson is really starting to look like the old Bronson of last year, and it's not a second too soon. He picked up his tenth win of the season tonight going six innings allowing only one run on four hits while fanning six.

Jay Bruce continues to swing a hot bat going 2 for 2 and hitting a power full opposite field home run into the left field seats.

Francisco Cordero made the ninth inning interesting once again. Cordero started the ninth with a three run lead and actually had the tying run come to the plate before he finally shut the door to pick up his 22nd save. I can't remember his last 1-2-3 ninth inning, but at least we did score more runs than the Brewers!!!!!

How Low Can We Go!!!

Does it get any worse for my Cincinnati Reds. The Reds now find themselves with a record of 51-61 limping back to great American ballpark ten games under .500 and losers of eight of their last ten games.

The Reds headed to our nations capitol on Friday to face a team that was thirty two (32) games under .500 and owners of baseballs worse record. This should have been a great opportunity for the Reds. They leave town licking their wounds after three straight losses to the suddenly mighty Nationals. It is getting worse not better and I do believe you can stick the big fork in them.

Before Sundays game the Reds held a players only meeting to discuss the mess they have played themselves into. That worked about as much as Corey Patterson's bat has been working.......SO MUCH FOR THAT!!!!!!!

I only have one small piece of fantasy advice. Watch for who is on the mounds facing the Reds and get that guy fast as the Reds can make most pitchers look like Cy Young contenders. What is it going to take to turn this around, that's what we want to know this week. Tells us what you think the Reds need to do to right the ship. Leave your comments here, we will be glad to see what your take is on this team.

Where do the Reds go from here?

The rest of 2008: Where do the Reds go from here? They could still get to .500 this season but even the Wild Card seems out of reach with the Brewers and Cardinals fighting it out for that spot. They are 9 games out of the Wild Card with 5 teams ahead of them. Hopefully, they can find a way to .500 but probably not.

Next Season: There are a ton of free agents from this year's team. Most importantly, they have to deal with Dunn who'll demand $15 million/year type money. I think the most important free agent they have to deal with is Jerry Hairston Jr. They are way over .500 with him in the lineup this season. Hopefully Freel can recover from his surgery and be the bench player they so desperately need. They have a solid bullpen. They really need to resign Lincoln. He's been solid. David Weather's...........not so much. The rotation is solid. Harang will hopefully return to form after battling injuries all of this season. Arroyo has to get off to a better start. Homer Bailey has to learn how to use that cannon he owns. Somebody find him a putaway pitch. Cueto and Volquez should be solid again. Hopefully, Daryl Thompson can find his way into the rotation if Homer can't live up to the hype. Here's what I'd like to see:

Starters: Harang, Arroyo, Volquez, Cueto, Thompson/Bailey

Lineup:
Hairston Jr. LF/CF
Keppinger SS
Bruce CF/RF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Dunn or LF/CF/RF big right handed batting free agent that can play D in the outfield
Edwin Encarnarcion 3B-Not making errors.
Catcher's spot (WHO KNOWS)