Reds Come Back And Win Game 2

By:  Cooper Ledford

0-3 was the Reds' record this season against the Atlanta Braves, and in game 2 of the series, the Reds were trying to go to 11 games over the .500 mark, and win in front of a sell-out crowd, and in front on a national audience as the game was nationally televised on Fox.  The Reds were able to get that win, and even the series at a game apiece, and give Bronson Arroyo a team-high 11 wins.  Here is how it all happened.

Atlanta got things going in the 1st inning, after a lead off  double by Infante, Jayson Heyward hit one in front of the plate, Hanigan had a wild throw down to 1st, allowing Infante to score, and Heyward to go into 2nd with a 2 base error on Hanigan, it was 1-0 Braves.  Then, with the bases loaded, Bronson Arroyo walked Eric Hinske, and 2-0 was the score, however the Reds did get out of the inning with only 2 men scoring.

Bronson Arroyo did not look to have all that good of "stuff", he was struggling and not looking like the normal Bronson that we all know and love, but he would keep the Reds in the game, and not give up another run.  It was not entirely his fault that those 2 runs scored, he had a poor defense behind him in that 1st inning. 

Scott Rolen then helped out Bronson Arroyo in the 4th inning when he hit a solo home run, that went an estimated 380 feet, which is not very long, but who cares it was a one run game.  2-1 would be the score for quite some time, as Jair Jurrjens was cruising along, until the 7th.

The Reds scored 4 runs in the 7th inning, the first off the bat of the slumping Jay Bruce.  Bruce hit an RBI single to right field to bring in Rolen, and it was a tie game.  This is where it got exciting for the 41,661 people at GABP, well for the ones that were Reds fans. with two on and two out, Ryan Hanigan hit an RBI double to plate those two runners, then Melky Cabrera picked up the WET ball, and tried to throw to the cut off man, but his throw went WAYYYY to his left, and Ryan Hanigan did not stop rounding the bases, WAS THIS GONNA BE AN INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN? Maybe, he touched 'em all, and was in there as the Reds put up 3 runs on 1 hit.  But wait a second, that would go down as a double and a two base error, but who cares, 3 runs score, and it was 5-2.

That score, 5-2 is how the game finished, but there was some sweat and a threat in the top of the 9th, there was runners on the corners (1st and 3rd for those who don't know what that means), and batting was, uh oh, Jayson Heyward.  Remember last night's hit he had, and the one a few months ago that happened to be a walk off double? However, Francisco Cordero was able to get Heyward looking at strike three to get out of a jam and give the Reds victory number 58, and Cordero allowed Reds fans to exhale and made Braves fans say "daggonit".

Bronson Arroy gets the win, as he is now 11-6, as he went 7 innings, gave up only 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, walked 3, and fanned 3.

St. Louis is currently beating the Pirates 6-1 in the 8th inning, so assuming the Cards win (GO PIRATES), the Reds will still sit only a half game back of St. Louis.

Tomorrow is the rubber game, as it is Edinson Volquez (1-1, 8.25 ERA) vs. Tommy Hanson (8-7, 3.99 ERA).  Game times is set for 1:10 PM ET and will be back on local TV, on Fox Sports Ohio.

Reds Lose A Tough One, Cordero Sucks!

By:  Cooper Ledford

It was a battle of 1st place teams in Cincinnati, as it was the home team Reds hosting the Atlanta Braves.  The Reds were looking for revenge over the Braves from earlier this season, when they swept the Reds in a 2 game series via walk off single (Heyward) and a walk off grand slam by Brooks Conrad (sorry to bring back those terrible moments).  The Reds, however did not get any revenge at all as they lose a very tough game in 10 innings with the final of 6-4 thanks to a terrible 10th inning by a terrible "closer", Francisco Cordero.  Here is how all of the action took place.

The Braves got on the board in the 3rd inning when Chipper Jones hit an RBI single to plate Prado, and it was 1-0 Atlanta on top.

The Reds would get down to business in their half of the 3rd.  After a balk by Kris Medlen to move Phillips over to second base, Orlando Cabrera hit a 2 out RBI single to plate Phillips, and it was tied at 1.  The Reds took the lead when Joey Votto hit an RBI double to bring in Cabrera and it was 2-1.  3-1 was the score after an RBI single by Scott Rolen to plate Votto.  That 2 run would not last too long.

In the top of the 5th inning, Brain McCann hit a two run home run, and the game was tied.  Then, in the 6th inning, Martin Prado grounded into a force out at 2nd to bring in a runner, being Omar Infante, and the Braves took a 4-3 lead.  That would be the score for a while.

In the 8th inning Joey Votto was leading off, and on the 1st pitch, he hammered it, I'M TALKING ABOUT A HOME RUN TO TIE THE GAME AT 4! Then, next batter was Scott Rolen, he hit a double, followed by a Gomes pop up to right to advance Rolen, and the Reds had, perhaps, the winning run 90 feet away and at the plate was Jay Bruce.  Bruce was fanned, for the 2nd out then at bat was Drew Stubbs.  Stubbs then failed as he hit a tapper a few inches infront of the plate, and they blew an opportunity, and that would hurt them.

In the 9th inning, with 2 outs Brooks Conrad was at the plate, he hit one well, and Chris Heisey ROBBED HIM OF A HOME RUN! But who cares, because in the 10th inning, Cordero screwed up the game after 2 walks, and then Jayson Heyward hit a 2 RBI single to bring in those two walkers, and it was 6-4 and the Reds looking bad.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Reds had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, but Cairo popped out, and Stubbs then did what he is GREAT at doing, striking out.  That would end the game and the Reds have to swallow a tough pill, 6-4 the final.  The loser is Cordero, and the Reds can't get a win for a sell-out crowd of 40,373.

Tomorrow the game will be on NATIONAL TELEVISION on Fox, as it is Bronson Arroyo (10-6, 4.21 ERA) pitching for the Redlegs, as Jair Jurrjens (3-3, 4.37 ERA) will be on the hill for the Braves.  Game time is set for 4:10 PM ET, and once again will be nationally televised on Fox. 

Travis Wood Gets 1st Win, Reds' Bats are Back

By:  Cooper Ledford

Rookie Left-handed pitcher, Travis Wood was in search of his first Major League win.  Some thought that he would never get it, after throwing a near-perfect game, and tons of other stellar starts, yet getting a loss or a no decision, due to the lack of runs the Reds gave him.  That was not the case today, as they gave him 5 runs of supports, giving him, as the title says, his 1st win in his young MLB career.  The Reds ended up winning this game 10-4, highlighted by a 5 run 6th inning, and a 5 run 8th inning.  Here is how all the action took place.

The Brewers got on the board first, in the 4th inning when Ryan Braun hit an RBI double to plate Escobar all the way from 1st, and it was 1-0.  Same inning, Jonathan Lucroy hit an RBI single to plate Braun, and it was 2-0 Milwaukee on top.  But, it would not last.

In the 6th inning, the Reds were hoping to get at least 3 runs so Wood could win, and they did more than they had to, as they got 5 runs in the inning.  The first run came off the bat of Joey Votto, on an RBI single to plate Brandon Phillips, and it was a 1 run game.  Then, Narveson left the game with runners on the corners with no outs, and in came Kameron Loe.  The first batter he faced was Jonny Gomes, and he hit an RBI double to plate Cabrera, and the game was tied.  That was career RBI number 300 for Jonny, congratulations to him.  The Reds were still not done though.  Still with nobody out, the bases were loaded for Miguel Cairo, and he brought in two, plating Votto and Gomes, the score was 4-2 and the boys from Cincinnati had the lead.  The lead would get even bigger, well by a run, when Ryan Hanigan hit a sac fly to bring in Cairo, and it was 5-2.

That would be it for the 5th, but the Reds got it going in the 8th, when the bases were loaded with no outs, Brandon Phillips hit a GRAND SLAM, 9-4 the score, but wait, there is more.  Two batters later, Joey Votto hit a solo home run, and it was 10-2, and that is how she finished.

The winner is Travis Wood, as he goes 5.0 innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 ER, walked 1, and fanned 6.

There is no game tomorrow.  The next series will be in Cincinnati vs. the Atlanta Braves.  Game time is at 7:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio.

Reds Win With 19 Hits!

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were trying to take game two of the series vs. the Brewers, and go into a tie with St. Louis for 1st place in the NL Central, and that they did as they were all over the Brewers, as they won 12-4, here is how.

In the 1st inning, Joey Votto hit an RBI single to plate Cabrera, and it was 1-0.  Make it 2-0 after the wild pitch by Yovani Gallardo with Votto on 3rd, that means Votto would score, 2-0 the score. 

Then, in the bottom of the 1st, Milwaukee would get on the board via RBI groundout to plate Weeks, and it was a 1 run ballgame. 

The Reds would get back that run in the 2nd with a double by Ramon Hernandez to plate Drew Stubbs, 3-1.  Make it 4-1 after B-Phil hit an RBI single to plate Hernandez.  But, the Reds would still get one more run in that inning, as Scott Rolen got in on the action, as he hit an RBI single to plate Phillips, and it was 5-1.  That was just one of the four hits that Scotty R. had in this game.

The Brew Crew looked like they would get back in this game, and they did...even though it was short lived.  In the homr half of the 2nd, THE PITCHER, Yovani Gallardo hit an 2-run home run, but he can hit, as it is his 4th long ball of the season.  The score was 5-3.

The Reds put the Crew in a jam in the 4th inning, as the bases were loaded with no outs, Bruce would get walked, as that would bring in a run being Joey Votto, and the score was 6-3.  However, the Reds would only get 1 run in that inning, again blowing an opportunity, but it would not matter.

In the top of the 4th inning, the one, the only, Rickie Weeks hit his 22nd homer of the season, and it was a 6-4 game. 

Unfortunately for the Brewers, they would be done with getting runs, but for Cincinnati, they were far from done.

In the 6th inning, Scott Rolen hit an RBI single to plate Votto, 8-4 the score, but wait, there is more! Same inning, Ramon Hernandez hit a 2 RBI double, Stubbs and Rolen would score, and it was 10-4, and all-of-the-sudden, the Reds have a 6 run lead.  Make it a 7 run lead after Orlando Cabrera hit an RBI single to plate Phillips, and the score was 11-4.  Same inning, Scott Rolen hit a sac fly to plate Cabrera, and it was 12-4, and that was how she finished. 

You might think that this was an easy win for Edinson Volquez, but that was not the case, as he threw a lot of pitches in just 4.2 innings.  Logan Ondrusek got the win, as he went 3 innings in relief, allowing just one base runner, the loser is the Brewers' ace, Yovani Gallardo. 

This game was very long, especially the first 3 innings, but I don't care how long it takes, as long as the Reds win, I am a happy camper.

St. Louis lost the the New York Mets, 8-2, so the Reds pick up a whole game in the standings, and are tied for 1st place in the Central.

Tomorrow the Reds will try and win the rubber game, as it is Travis Wood (0-1, 2.76 ERA) on the hill for the Reds, as he is seeking his 1st MLB win, and for the Brewers, it will be Chris Narveson (8-6, 5.93 ERA) pitching for the Brewers.  Game time is set for 2:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio and will be on the radio on 700 WLW, as always.

Breaking News: T.O. Is A Bengal

By:  Cooper Ledford

This just in, veteran wide receiver, Terrell Owens is 1 day away from being a Bengal.  Owens has agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals, and will sign what is expected to be, a 1 year, 4 million dollar contract. 

"Our team is excited and pleased across the board, Terrell is a proven, productive player who can come in and help us. It's a big move for us, one that we really think is going to help us." said Head Coach, Marvin Lewis.

This is what Chad Ochocinco said when he found out that Owens was a Bengal (via Twitter).  "My homeboy is a Bengal all our games have been moved to pay-per-view," Chad later on said that he was so happy that he could not talk, but Chad not talking in unheard of.  So, he continued. “You don’t realize how big this is for our team, the city, football,” The Ocho said. “Our offense is going to be unfair. How can you stop us? There are going to be some games (running back) Cedric Benson is going to be able to play without his cleats. I don’t think there has ever been a tandem like this.”

Perhaps, this is a good thing.  I felt negative about T.O. coming to Cincinnati, due to his attitude, and age/talent.  Even though Terrell Owens may be a future Hall-Of-Famer, he is not nearly as good as he used to be. 

Who knows, maybe I am wrong and he will put up numbers like he did when he was in San Francisco, and hopefully, not numbers like he did in Buffalo.

Reds Bats Still Gone

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were trying to go into a tie with St. Louis for 1st place, as they were playing the Brewers.  In game one of the series the Reds lost 3-2, and they looked TERRIBLE!  Bronson Arroyo looked good, but the bats, as the title says, were gone.  Only 2 runs of support, and the Reds, I'd hate to say it, are looking like the Reds of the past, the Reds that sucked.  At least in recent games.  They MUST get the bats going if they want to win the division or win the wildcard.  That means, being patient.  Brandon Phillips, Jonny Gomes, Orlando Cabrera, and Joey Votto are first pitch swingers, and they are not dangerous at all when they swing at the first pitch, they are easy outs.  Also, the Reds need to get rid of Jay Bruce, and get a better hitter, and need to get rid of Drew Stubbs, he is only good at running and strike outs.  He is a waste of money.

In the 2nd inning, Ryan Hanigan put the Reds on the board first with a 2 RBI single, that would plate Gomes and Rolen, and the Reds had a 2-0 lead.  But, not for long.

In the bottom of the 3rd, after a single by the pitcher, Randy Wolf (which Rolen could have got and threw to 1st to end the inning), Rickie Weeks hit a 2-run home run, and it was a monster home run, and the game was tied.

Then, in the 8th inning, Jim Edmonds came into the game to pinch hit.  After hitting one a mile high, and just going foul, on the very next pitch, he went yard to give the Brew Crew a 3-2 lead.

The Reds had somewhat of a threat in the top of the 9th, with 1 out and Laynce Nix on 2nd.  Ryan Hanigan was the batter, he hit a ground ball to 3rd, and Laynce Nix made a mental mistake (I dunno what drug he is on, but he better stop taking it), as he tried to advanced, and he was tagged out easily for the 2nd out.  Then, Chris Heisey came on to pinch hit with a runner on 1st and 2 outs, and he was a strikeout victim.  However, the Reds did better in the 9th than I thought they would, with Bruce, Stubbs, and Hanigan it should be a very easy inning, but Laynce Nix pinched hit, so it could not be a 1-2-3 inning. 

Bronson Arroyo did very good, however is the loser, off of 88 pitches, he went 8.0 innings, gave up 3 runs off of 3 hits (2 being home runs), walked 1, and fanned 5.  Arroyo has now lost 2 games in-a-row, and so have the Reds.

With this loss, the Reds are 54-45 and are now a game back in the NL Central, as the Cardinals did not play today.

Tomorrow the Reds will try and get revenge on the Brewers, as it will be Edinson Volquez (1-1, 7.56 ERA) on the hill for the Reds, and for the Brewers it will be Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 2.54 ERA).  Game time is set for 8:10 PM ET, and will be televised on FS Ohio. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT GARZA ON THROWING THE 1ST NO HIITER IN TAMPA BAY RAYS HISTORY!

T.O. About To Be A Bengal?

By:  Cooper Ledford

Terrell Owens is very interested in playing for the Bengals.  Ochocinco, Carson Palmer, and Mike Browns all say they would love to have Owens play in Cincinnati.  Now the Rams say they WILL NOT sign Owens, you know what that means?  There is a great chance that he will be playing for the Bengals. 

"It's up to him," Brown said before the Bengals training camp media luncheon. "We are talking to him. We have some interest."


Brown said he had a good experience with Owens during his visit in March.

"I found him polite, nothing that has been said about him," Brown said. "We like him as a player"

On my opinion, I think the Bengals signing the 36-year-old Terrell Owens would be a terrible idea.  We already have Ochocinco, who thinks he is the best football player in the world (which he is FAR from).  Chad and T.O. together would be a disaster.  If Chad got a touchdown, he would get flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, then if T.O. got a touchdown, he would try to out-do him with his celebration.  This is something that we DO NOT NEED, and I don't understand why we would be interested in signing him. 

Also, if he plays for the Bengals, he will probably change his name to Ochouno, that would be terrible.

Owens had a down year in 2009.  Here are his stats: 55 rec., 829 yrds., 5 TD's. 

Chris Henry was on pace to have a better season than Owens.  In Henry's few games he played before his injury and death, he had 12 rec., 236 yrds., and 2 TD's. 

Chad Ochocinco had a decent year in 2009, compare his stats to T.O's.  Ochocinco: 72 rec., 1,047 yrds., 9 TD's. 

Who knows, maybe T.O. will be as good as he was in 2001 with the 49er's, where he had 16 TD's, and over 1,400 yards. 

SWO Sports will be sure to post an article IF Terrell Owens signs with the Bengals, which is very likely.

Travis Taylor is A Muskie!

Travis Taylor is headed to XU. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound sophomore from New Jersey will practice with the Musketeers next season and have two years of eligibility afterward. Last season he averaged a team-best 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.


He was also suspended for seven games for violating team rules. (See: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/northeast/monmouth.htm)

He ultimately decided to transfer from a Hawks team that went 12-19 (8-10 Northeast Conference).

“I wanted to continue to challenge myself at a higher level and reach my maximum potential,” he said.

(The school’s release: http://www.gomuhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=14300&ATCLID=204951807&SPID=6806&SPSID=62255)

Taylor originally chose Boston College this summer but said those plans didn’t work out. Xavier came into the picture soon afterward, and he gave his commitment to the school after visiting the school this weekend and talking things over with his family.

He said he chose XU over Cincinnati, Miami U. and Arizona State.

“I picked Xavier for various reasons,” Taylor said. “I like the school a lot. It’s the kind of campus I’d been looking for, not too small and not too big. The coaches communicate very well and they had a good presentation to me. Players listen to them. And Xavier is a team that always wins.”

Taylor is a versatile player who can “post up and bring post players out and play on the wing,” a la Derrick Brown.

Taylor, 20, currently lives with his parents, Maxine and Ronnie, and his brother Terrance, 25. His other brother, Anthony, is 33.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN 1ST PLACE!

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were facing the Houston Astros, Saturday, and they had the ultimate Reds killer, Roy Oswalt on the opposing hill.  Oswalt has only suffered 2 career losses to the Reds, but now, make it 3.  The Reds were all over Oswalt, scoring 6 runs and winning 6-0 as Johnny Cueto pitched brilliantly, helping the Redlegs go to 1st place.  Here is how all of the scoring took place.

The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning when Joey Votto hit a 2-run jack, his 25th of the season.  Then, Ramon Hernandez, in the 2nd inning, hit his 4th home run of the season, a solo shot to left field, and the score was 3-0.

Even though the 1st and 2nd innings were great for the Reds, the 3rd inning was the best, as they scored 3 runs.  The first two runs came across to score when Laynce Nix hit a 2 RBI double, as Votto and Cabrera scored, 5-0 the score.  Then, Ramon Hernandez hit an RBI single to plate Nix, Ramon would be thrown out trying to stretch it to a double, but none the less it was 6-0.  That was it for the 3rd inning, but they were still not done.

In the 9th inning Chris Heisey hit a solo home run, his 6th dinger of the year and it was 7-0, and that is how she finished.

Johnny Cueto is the winner, as he is now 10-2, and went 8 innings, gave up 0 ER, only 4 hits, 1 walk, and fanned 6 off of 122 pitches.  The loser is, beleive it or not, Roy Oswalt.  Oswalt went 5 innings, 9 hits, 6 ER, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.

With this win, the Reds are 55-44, and sit a half game ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central.

Tomorrows game is at 2:05 PM ET  and will be televised on FS Ohio.  Mike Leake (7-1, 3.45 ERA) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (7-11, 5.11 ERA).

Reds Now Sit a Half Game Back in the NL Central

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were in Houston, Texas taking on the Astros to begin a 3 game series.  Travis Wood was on the hill for the Reds, and on the hill for the 'Stros was Bud Norris.  Wood and Norris both gave up 4 earned runs, and both got no decisions.

The Astros got on the board first, in the 1st inning when Hunter Pence hit an RBI single to plate Berkman, and it was 1-0 Houston.

The Reds tied it up in the 4th inning when Jay Bruce hit a sac fly to plate Orlando Cabrera, and it was tied up.  Same inning, Ryan Hanigan hit a single, that would allow Cairo and Stubbs to score, 3-1 the score. 

The Texas boys would get a run back in the bottom of the 4th inning when Chris Johnson (not the running back for the Titans) hit a pop up to shallow right field, Jay Bruce was not calling it (which he should have been), so Phillips had to make the catch, Hunter Pence would score and it was once again a one run ball game, 3-2. 

In the top of the 5th inning, Joey Votto hit a solo home run, his 24th homer of the season, and it was 4-2 with the Redlegs on top.  But, not for long.

In the home half of the 6th inning, with a man on, Hunter Pence hit a home run, and it was a tie ball game daggonit.  But, the Reds would be back with the bats.

In the 8th inning, with 2 on and no outs, Jay Bruce hit an RBI double, that would plate Joey Votto, and it was 5-4.  Same inning, Drew Stubbs hit a sac fly (which would have been a home run at just about every other ball park) to center field, and that would plate Jonny Gomes and it was 6-4.

Then, in the bottom of the 9th inning, Francisco Cordero game into the game, trying to pick up another save, and he got the save, but not without some sweat and a threat, there was 2 on with 1 out, but Cordero was able to get the final two outs, and with that the Reds win.

With this win, the Reds are only a half game back in the National League Central, and are 10 games over the .500 mark, and have a record of 54-44.

Logan Ondrusek got the win, the loser is Byrdak the loser, and Cordero got the save, his 27th of the season.

Tomorrows game is at 7:05 PM  ET and will be televised on FS Ohio.  The probable pitchers are: Johnny Cueto (who was not at the park today, soar throat) and the Reds killer who will be traded soon (probably), Roy Oswalt. 

Arroyo Terrible, Reds Lose

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were trying to get a win over the Washington Nationals, and rookie phenom pitcher, Stephen Strasburg.  It was a nationally televised game, on ESPN, and Bronson Arroyo was trying to show the world, and the sell-out crowd at Great American Ball Park that he was just as good, as Strasburg.  On this night, however, he was nowhere close to being as good.  The Reds had a good amount of runs, with 5, but the pitching looked terrible, as the Nats win 8-5.

The Reds got on the board first, in the 3rd inning, as Cabrera drove in Phillips, after Brandon hit a triple, and it was 1-0.  But, that is the only time the Reds would have the lead in the game.

In the 4th inning, the Nationals would tie it up after a sac fly by Bernadina to plate Dunn, and it was 1-1.  Then, in the 6th inning, Cristian Guzman hit a two-run jack, and it was 3-1.  Same inning, Ian Desmond hit a 2 RBI single off the glove of Miguel Cairo, that would bring in 2, and the score was 5-1.  The Nats were not done though, they would get their final run of the inning, when Nyjer Morgan hit a 2 RBI single, and the score was 7-1.

The Reds got two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, when  Miguel Cairo hit a 2 RBI single, that plated Votto and Bruce, and it was 7-3. 

In the 7th inning, the Reds had a serious threat with the bases loaded and nobody out.  Then, Cabrera struck out, then Votto grounded out to 2nd, that would bring in Hanigan, but it would be the 2nd out as well.  Then, Gomes struck out, and that ended the inning, and that looks like the Reds of the past, with just getting 1 run.  Anyways, the score was 7-4.  Then in the 8th, the score got even closer, when Chris Heisey hit an RBI single to plate Stubbs, it was a 2 run ballgame, 7-5.

But, in the 9th inning, Arthur Rhodes gave up a solo home run by Willie Harris, it was 8-3, and that is how she finished.

The Reds got no help from the Phillies, as the Cards are beating them currently, 4-1 in the 8th inning.  With this loss, the Reds are 10 games over .500, and will be 1 game back in the NL Central Standings, assuming that St. Louis holds on and wins (Go Phillies).

Bronson Arroy gets the loss, goes 5 2/3 innings, gave up 6 hits, 7 ER, 3 BB, and 1 strikeout.  So, Arroyo is now 10-5.  Strasburg gets the win, as he is now 5-2.

Tomorrow the Reds will try and win the series, as it will be Edinson Volquez on the hill for the Reds (1-0, 1.50 ERA) while Livan Hernandez (6-6, 3.27 ERA) will be pitching for Washington.  Game time is set for 12:35 PM ET, and will be TELEVISED ON MLB Network  and you can listen to it on 700 WLW, as always.

Johnny Pitches, Jonny Hits, Reds Win

By: Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds rebounded from a tough 1-0 loss to Colorado, yesterday, as they beat the Washington Nationals 7-2.  Johnny Cueto looked great on the hill, with the exception of one inning, and Jonny Gomes looked great with the bat.  Here is how it all happened.

In the 2nd inning, the Reds scored 4 runs off of J.D. Martin.  The first and second runs came across when Drew Stubbs hit a double with the bases loaded, that would plate Gomes and Bruce, and it was 2-0.  Then, with the bases still loaded, Johnny Cueto hit a 2 RBI single, Stubbs and Cairo would be plated, it was

4-0 with Cincy on top.

It seems that Johnny Cueto struggles when he has a nice cushion, and he showed that today in the 3rd inning.  Cueto would allow the Nats to get on the board with a sac fly by Nyjer Morgan, that would plate Harris, it was 4-1.  Then, Desmond scored when Cristian Guzman hit an RBI single, and the 4 run lead was now cut  in half to a 2 game lead.

The Redlegs would come back and get some more runs in the 6th inning.  Jonny Gomes would hit a solo home run, his 13th homer of the season, and his 99th of his career.  5-1 was the score.  Make it 6-1 after a solo homer by Miguel Cairo, his 3rd of the season.  Then, in the 8th inning, after an infield hit for Gomes (thanks to hustle), and a groundout by Bruce to advance Gomes, Miguel Cairo came to the plate.  Cairo would knock in Jonny with an RBI single, it was 7-2, and that is how she finished.

With this win, the Reds are now 10 games over .500, as they are 52-42.  They still remain a half game back in the NL Central, but they are leading in the wild card, and I would be happy with that, but I would rather win the division. 

Tomorrow the Reds will have Mike Leake on the hill (6-1, 3.53 ERA) while the Nationals will have Luis Atilano (6-6, 4.85 ERA).  Game time is set for 7:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio and you can as always listen to the game on 700 WLW.

Wood Hot, But Bats Go Cold

By:  Cooper Ledford

The rookie, Travis Wood, who was coming off a near perfect game, was on the hill for the Reds, and on the hill for Colorado was the Hamilton native, Aaron Cook.  Cook had not won a game away from Coors field this season, until today.  Cook may not have really pitched well, the Reds just looked terrible, as they were very impatient.  It seemed the Reds were swinging at the fences, and not just trying to reach base like they should.  The Reds had plenty of hits, 8 of them, and plenty of opportunities to blow the game open, but could not convert the base runners into runs. 

Travis Wood only made one bad pitch, and that was to Chris Ianetta in the 6th inning, as it was a solo home run for the Rockies' catcher, and that would be the only run of the game.  What will Travis Wood have to do to pick up a win?

Wood did good, but on this day, not good enough.  He went 6 innings, gave up only 3 hits, 1 ER, 4 BB, and had 6 strikeouts.

The good news is that the Reds did take 2/3 games from the Colorado Rockies, and St. Louis is losing 4-2 in the 8th to the Dodgers.  The Reds should remain a half game ahead of the Cardinals in 1st place in the NL Central.

The Reds will start a 4 game series with the Washington Nationals.  All 4 games are 7:10 PM ET games, and will all be televised on FS Ohio.  Tomorrow it will be Johnny Cueto (8-2, 3.42 ERA) on the hill for the Redlegs, and pitching for the Nats will be JD Martin (1-4, 3.35 ERA).

Volquez Great, So Is Winning

By:  Cooper Ledford

Edinson Volquez was making his long-awaited return to the Bigs today, and was doing such in front of a SELL OUT CROWD, and was going against the Colorado Rockies.  Volquez did not disappoint a sole in this one, as he was just cruising along, as were the Reds as they pick up win #51, and are 10 games over .500, as they win 8-1.  Unfortunately, St. Louis beat the Dodgers 2-0, so the Reds don't get any extra ground, but they are still THE FIRST PLACE CINCINNATI REDS, still sounds good, as they are still a half game ahead of the Cardinals in the NL Central.  Here are all the scoring plays.

In the first inning, after a double legged out by Dexter Fowler, and a sac bunt, Carlos Gonzalez hit an RBI single to plate the Rox center fielder, and it was 1-0 with the Rockies on top (not just of the mountain) in the 1st inning. 

Yuck, so Edinson Volquez already gave up a run, not gonna do good today huh?...not so.  But, back to the scoring plays.

In the 2nd inning, with Cairo on, Drew Stubbs hit a 2-run jack to left field, the Reds had a 2-1 lead.  That is all it would take, but for the heck of it, the Reds would get more runs.  In the 3rd inning, Jonny Gomes hit a sac fly to plate Orlando Cabrera, it was 3-1.  Drew Stubbs was back at it on the 4th inning, as he hit a solo home run, this time to right field, his 2nd of the game, and it was 4-1 Cincinnati on top.  Same inning, after a walk to Hanigan, Volquez laid down a bunt, the ball was picked up by the catcher, Olivo, the throw went down to 2nd, the throw went to the outfield, Hanigan would go to 3rd, so runners were on the corners for Brandon Phillips.  Phillips would take advantage of the error, I'm talkin' 'bout a 3-run johnson!  7-1 was the score.  Then, 5th inning, Jonny G. gets involved in the home run parade, a solo home run, 8-1 was the score, and that is how she finished.

Even with the 2010 Reds Hall Of Fame Ceremony before the game, that was not the big story of the night in Cincinnati, as it belonged to Edinson Volquez's 2010 debut.  Volquez, as I said, did not disappoint a sole, as he goes 6 innings, gave up 1 ER, ONLY 3 hits, 2 walks, and fanned a career high, 9 batters.  Good job Edinson Volquez! 

So with this win, the Reds have already secured the series win, but will try and sweep the Rox with a win tomorrow.  Game time is at 1:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio and will be on, as always, 700 WLW.  Travis Wood will take the hill, and will face off against Aaron Cook.

Reds To Legit To...Lose, Rockies Can't Touch A Win.

By: Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were playing their first home game of the month, Friday, as they were starting a 3 game series with the Colorado Rockies.  The Reds won this game with the final score of 3-2, as they end their 4 game losing streak.

The Reds got on the board in the 3rd inning when Orlando Cabrera grounded out to 1st, that would bring in Phillips from 3rd, the Reds grabbed a 1-0 lead.  Then, same inning, Jonny Gomes hit an RBI single to plate Votto, it was 2-0.  Then, in the 5th inning, Orlando Cabrera hit an RBI double to left, that would plate Phillips and it was 3-0 with the Reds on top.

The Rockies would get on the board in the 7th inning when Jason Giambi hit an RBI double, that would allow Carlos Gonzalez to score, it was 3-1.  Then, on the first pitch of the 8th, Miguel Olivo said it was "Hammer Time" and hit a solo home run, it was now a 1 run ball game.

Arroyo left the game in the 8th, after giving up a solo home run, a walk, and a single, so in came Arthur Rhodes.  He walked the first batter to load the bases, then he struck out the next two batters, and got out of a bases loaded jam.

Then, in the 9th inning, after getting the first two outs, Francisco Cordero walked Olivo, and Ian Stewart was at the plate, and he struck him out, and sent everyone home.  Well, after the post game concert by MC Hammer of course. 

Arroyo went 7.0 innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, and had 4 strikeouts.  "He is clearly becoming THE Ace of this staff" said Thom Brennaman on FS Ohio's Reds Live Postgame Show, and I have to agree with him there. 

Tomorrow, the Reds will have their former Ace on the hill, Edinson Volquez, remember him?  Be sure to watch or attend that game, don't wanna miss him.  Game time is at 7:10 PM ET and will be on FS Ohio, along with 700 WLW.

Edinson Volquez To Pitch Saturday

By: Cooper Ledford

Today the Cincinnati Reds announced that starter and Former All-Star, Edinson Volquez willl return to the Big Club on Saturday as he will take on the Colorado Rockies. If Volquez looks like he did in the last 2 years, he should pitch well in the upcoming game. Here is a video I made on YouTube about Volquez's return.

Reds Have Great 1st Half

By: Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds had a great 1st half of the 2010 season, could have had better, but if you were to tell me that we would be leading the NL Central, and be 8 games over .500 at the All-Star Break, I would be happy. The Reds will hope to continue to play good baseball and make a playoff run. Watch this video I made as the Reds will try to win it all.




Best Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo
Best Pos. Player: Joey Votto
Surprise Player: Jonny Gomes/Scott Rolen
Worst player: Drew Stubbs/Aaron Harang
Slumping player: Orlando Cabrera.

Travis Wood's Perfecto Falls Short, As Do Reds

By:  Cooper Ledford

First of all, sorry I have not made recaps for a while.  I was busy, then got to frustrated, way too frustrated, especially last night (sorry to remind you).  Anyways, in game 3 of the series, Travis Wood was on the hill for the Cincinnati Reds, and Roy Halladay was pitching for the Phils.

Travis Wood had a perfect game going until the 9th inning, as he gave up a double, then retired the next 3 batters and into extras we went. 

The Phillies won via walkoff single by Jimmy Rollins in the 11th inning, and the Phillies beat the Reds in extra innings for the 3rd strait games.

ARE THE REDS SLUMPING!  PLEASE NO!

Votto, Reds Take Game One

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were on the road in Flushing, New York taking on the Mets.  The Reds had a tough task in front of them as the All-Star deserving player, Mike Pelfrey was on the hill for the Mets.  On the hill for Cincinnati was Travis Wood, making his 2nd MLB start, and looking for win #1.  Wood did not pick up the win, but the Reds did, 8-6 the final.  Here is all of the scoring plays.

To start things off, Joey Votto hit his 20th homer of the season, it was a solo home run, and after the top of the 1st inning, the Reds had a 1-0 lead.  But, it would not last.

In the bottom of the 1st, Jason Bay hit an RBI single to plate David Wright, and it was tied a 1.  But not for long.

In the 5th inning, with the bases loaded with nobody out, strike three was called with Rolen at the plate.  Rolen thought it hit him, so did all of the other umpires.  The call was changed to HBP, that brought in a run and Cincy had a 2-1 lead.  They still had more up their sleeves though.  Later on, Drew Stubbs hit a 2 RBI single to bring in Joey Votto and Orlando Cabrera, and it was 4-1.  Then, the Corkster, Corky Miller hit a 2 RBI single, that brought in Rolen and Stubbs, 6-1 was the score.  To finish off the 5th inning rally, Travis Wood hit an RBI TRIPLE, that brought in Miller, and Wood got his MLB RBI.

The Mets would answer back in their half of the 5th inning.  To start things off Angel Pagan hit a solo home run, it was 7-2.  Then, with a runner on 3rd, Ike Davis reached on an error by Wood, Wright would score from 3rd, and it was 7-3.  Wood would then be pulled from the game, which meant he could not win.  In came Jordan Smith.  The first batter he faced, Rod Barajas, hit an RBI single to plate Davis, and it was only a 3 run lead for the Reds.  The Mets would get their final 2 runs in the inning, and game, when Alex Cora hit a 2 RBI double, and the Reds 6 run lead, was now only a 1 run lead.

The Reds would pick up another run in the 6th inning when Joey Votto hit his 2nd home run of the game, and his 21st of the season.  That would put Votto in front of Pujols for the NL lead in home runs.  The Reds would hold off the Mets and end up winning 8-6.

Mike Pelfrey did not look like the normal Mike, as he gave up a season high 7 earned runs.

The winner was Jordan Smith, and Francisco Cordero got his 23rd save of the season, as he is now tied for the NL lead in saves.  The Reds are now 48-36, do the math and they are 12 games over .500.  St. Louis was off today, so with the win the Reds gain a half game, and are 2 games ahead of the Cards in 1st place.

Tomorrow Johan Santana will take on Aaron Harang.  Game times is at 7:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio.

Rolen, Phillips, & Rhodes Headed To Anaheim For 2010 All-Star Game

Three Cincinnati Reds were selected to this year's Major League Baseball All-Star game. Brandon Phillips, Arthur Rhodes, and Scott Rolen will all be representing the Reds in Anaheim for this year's All-Star game. Rhodes at age 40 will be going to his first all-star game as well as Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. This will be Scott Rolen's 6th time being selected to the All-Star game. He made the All-Star team every year from 2002-2006 while with the St. Louis Cardinals. The only season with St. Louis he did not go to the All-Star game was in 2007, his final year with the Cardinals. There is a chance Joey Votto still makes the all-star team this year. Click Here to send Joey Votto to the 2010 All-Star game with the National League Final vote for the last roster spot on the National League All-Star team. The last time the Reds had this many players represent the organization at the All-Star game was in 2004 when Sean Casey, Barry Larkin, Danny Graves, and Ken Griffey Jr. were all selected.

Janish and Stubbs Help Take 3 From Cubs

By:  Cooper Ledford

In the 4th and final game of the series between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, the Reds laughed off a win 14-3.  Mike Leake had a good game on the hill, but he was far from the star, or should I stay stars, of the game, that would be Paul Janish and Drew Stubbs.  Joey Votto got ejected in the 1st inning, so Paul Janish came on to replace him, and was later moved to 3rd base, and he went 4-4 and had 3 RBI including a home run.  As for Drew Stubbs, after not playing yesterday, he must of got better, because he hit not 1, not 2, but 3 home runs, and also did not strikeout at all.  Here is how all of the runs were scored.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Tyler Colvin hit a 2-run blast, and Chicago had a 2-0 lead. 

Then, in the 3rd inning, Drew Stubbs would put the Reds on the board with a solo home run, his 9th of the season.  Then, the Reds would take the lead in the 4th inning when Ramon Hernandez hit an 2 RBI triple, that would plate Cabrera and Janish and it was 3-2.  Then, in the top of the 6th inning, Paul Janish hit a 2-run homer, and it was 5-2.

Chicago would then get a run in the 6th when Tyler Colvin hit his 2nd home run of the game, it was a solo home run, and it was 5-3.

Cincinnati would answer back in the 7th inning, where they just piled on the runs, 8 of them, and all of them were scored with 2 outs!  The All-Star, Brandon Phillips started off the runs with a solo home run, 6-3 was the score.  Then, Paul Janish would hit an RBI single to plate Cabrera and it was 7-3.  9-3 was the score after Jonny Gomes went yard, a 2-run home run.  Then, the Corkster, Corky Miller hit his 1st homer of the season, it was a solo home run, and it was 10-3.  Then, Drew Stubbs would hit his 2nd homer of the game, a 3-run blast this time and Cincinnati had a 13-3 lead.  Then, in the 9th inning, Drew Stubbs would hit another home run, his 3rd of the day, and his 11th of the season, and it was 14-3 and the Reds take 3 out of 4 from the Baby Bears.

Mike Leake gets the win for the first time since June 5th, as he goes 6 innings, gave up 8 hits 3 ER, 1 BB, and had 5 strikeouts.

Congratulations to Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips, and Arthur Rhodes on making the NL All-Star team.  Also, don't forget to go to reds.com and vote Votto into the All-Star game.  Also, to everyone reading this, Happy 4th of July. 

Tomorrow the Reds will head to New York City and take on the red-hot Mets.  It will be Aaron Harang vs. one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, a man who deserved to go to the All-Star game, Mike Pelfrey.  Game times is set for 7:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio.

Reds Pound Cubbies

By:  Cooper Ledford

Game two of the series looked as if it would be a low scoring game, and a pitcher's duel as it was Bronson Arroyo vs. Ryan Dempster, and for a while it was, until the 7th inning where the Reds plated 9 men, as the Reds ended up winning 12-0.  The Reds are now 11 games over .500 as they are 46-35 and sit currently 2 games ahead of St. Louis, and will watch to see if the Cards can beat the Brewers (Go Brewers!).  Here is how the Reds got all 12 of their runs.

In the 3rd inning, Brandon Phillips hit a solo home run, 369 feet to be exact, and Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead.

After tons of 1-2-3 innings for both teams, the score was 1-0 Reds going into the top of the 7th inning.

Leading off in the 7th was Jonny Gomes, he got walked, followed by a Bruce walk, Hernandez reached on an error, Stubbs was a strikeout victim, and then with the bases loaded and no 1 out was Bronson Arroyo, he looked at 4 picthes, he got walked and it was 2-0, and that was only the start.  Later on, Phillips walked to bring in a run, then a passed ball brought in a run, then Scott Rolen hit a 2 RBI single, as Arroyo and Phillips scored, and Cincinnati had a 6-0 lead, but they were not over.  Next batter, Jonny Gomes hit a 2 RBI double to bring in Votto and Rolen, then Hernandez would hit a 2 RBI double to bring in Gomes and Bruce, and Cincinnati had a 10-0 lead.  9 runs in the 7th inning!

Then, the Reds were STILL not done.  In the 8th inning, Joey Votto hit a 2-run home run, a 422 footer, and the Reds had a 12-0 lead over the Baby Bears, and that is how she finished.

Chicago's pitching was terrible, while the Reds pitchers did great.  Arroyo, Ondrusek, and Owings only gave up a total of 2 hits.  Arroyo gets the win, he is now 8-4, he went 6.0 innings, gave up 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 3 strikeouts, and he only threw 89 pitches.  Logan Ondrusek threw two 1-2-3 innings, in the 7th and 8th, and Owings only gave up a walk in the 9th.

Tomorrow, the Reds have another great pitcher on the hill, being Johnny Cueto (8-2, 3.74 ERA) vs. Randy Wells (3-6, 4.96 ERA).  Game times is at 1:10 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio, as the Reds will try to secure winning the series.

Solid As Wood Debut, Reds Win In Extras.

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were kicking off an 11 game road trip before the All-Star Break, their first stop was in the North side of Chicago as they were taking on the Cubs.  The lefty, Travis Wood was making his MLB debut, and he is great and will be a great pitcher this season -knock on Wood-.  Travis Wood looked stellar, but so did Carlos Silva.  However, the Reds got the better of the Cubs bullpen in the 10th inning as the Reds take game 1 of the 4 game series.  Here is all of the scoring plays.

The Reds got on the board in the 1st inning, after Joey Votto got a single, Scott Rolen hit an RBI triple, Byrd could not make the catch as it went into the ivy, Votto would score and Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead.  Then in the top of the 8th inning, Jonny Gomes hit an RBI single to left field, that would bring in Orlando Cabrera from third, and it was 2-0, but not for long.

In the bottom of the 8th, Travis Wood was working on a 2 hit shutout, but after walking the first two batters, Nick Masset came in to replace him.  At the plate was Tyler Colvin, and he would hit a double, that would bring in the two walked batters, and the Baby Bears tied the game up at 2. 

The Reds had a threat when the bases were loaded with 1 out, batting was Orlando Cabrera, and on a 3-2 pitch, he swung at a pitch that was way outside, that would have been ball 4, and a run, but instead it was a strike out.  Then, they were loaded with 2 outs for Joey Votto, on the 3-2 pitch, he struk out swinging at ball 4 in the dirt, the Reds could have got 2+ runs, but no.  It would not matter though.

In the top of the 10th, Drew Stubbs grounded into a force out at second, Jay Bruce was the man out, the Cubs were unable to turn the double play, and that would score Miguel Cairo, the Reds took a 3-2 lead and that is how she finished.

Travis Wood did great, he goes 7.0 innings, gave up 2 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, and had 4 strikeouts.  However, he gets a ND and the winner is Jordan Smith.

Game two of the series is a pitching match up between Bronson Arryo and Ryan Dempster.  Game time is set for 2:20 PM ET...again.  The game will be televised on FS Ohio.