Get Out The Brooms

Brooms were in order Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark. No the clean up squad didn't go on strike, the Reds finally sweep a four game series. You might say, it was the Nationals, but I say it's still a four game sweep and we will take it.

This series win pushed the Reds up from the cellar into fourth place in the NL Central. The next step is to get to .500 baseball and keep pushing in the right direction. The road trip coming up (three in Chicago and then three in Milwaukee) might let us know how far the Reds have come or can go. Make no bones about it, this shapes up as a brutal road trip and even a 3-3 trip would be considered a minor success.

Congratulations are in order for today's winning pitcher, Edinson Volquez as he was selected to the National League All-Star squad. This is some heady stuff for this youngster who is sporting an 11-3 record and a very stingy 2.36 ERA. He has been at or near the top of the league in several pitching categories all season.

What else can I sat about Jerry Hairston, another multi hit game to go with his .343 batting average, add his 15 steals and this is what a lead off hitter looks like. Adam Dunn also blasted his 22nd home run of the year. Yeah he will get his 40 HR's to go with 100 Rbi's and 100 Walks......he's not a gold glove winner but he get some clutch hits.

I may be a homer, but I just have this love/hate relationship with this team and right now it's much more love than hate.