Arroyo Brilliant in Game 1 vs Chicago

The Cincinnati Reds were victorious this afternoon with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. Bronson Arroyo pitched seven shut out innings giving up just five hits and had seven strikeouts. Tom Gorzelanny would take the mound for the Cubs and picked up his sixth loss of the season. Gorzelanny went seven innings giving up four hits and three earned runs. Francisco Cordero nailed down his 30th save of the season and escaped a jam walking two batters in the bottom of the 9th.

Ryan Hanigan hit a two-run blast to left center field in the top of the 2nd inning that also scored Jay Bruce. Cincinnati would break the tie with a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 7th inning, Brandon Phillips singled on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Colvin scoring Paul Janish. Cincinnati took a 3-0 lead after that play. That would be the old ball game. You can catch tomorrow's game at 1:05 PM ET. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio and you can catch the game on the radio at 700-WLW. Edinson Volquez (2-1, 6.35 ERA) will be making his fourth start since coming off the disabled list and will square off against Randy Wells (5-9, 4.40 ERA).

Other news and notes; the Reds made a roster move today removing Drew Sutton from the 40-man MLB roster too perhaps make a move to acquire another bat to help bolster the Reds line up. Rumors have it that the Reds may have interest in Vernon Wells or former Cincinnati Red Jose Guillen who was designated for assignment yesterday by the Kansas City Royals. Guillen was a Cincinnati Red until July 2003 when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Aaron Harang, Joe Valentine, and Jeff Bruksch.  The Cleveland Indians would claim Drew Sutton off of waivers. Teams were circling like vultures once the Reds took Sutton off of the 40-man roster so he really never stood a real chance to stick within the Cincinnati organization.

Cincinnati Beats Pittsburgh 9-4

The Cincinnati Reds took the series vs the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 9-4 victory this afternoon. Johnny Cueto pitched another spectacular game going six innings giving up just one earned run and three hits. Jeff Karstens got the loss. He went five innings giving up three runs on nine hits.

The Pirates scored first in the game in the 1st inning off of a Andrew McCutchen solo home run. 1-0 Pittsburgh. Paul Janish would tie the game in the second inning with a single to left fielder Lastings Milledge that scored Juan Francisco. Cincinnati would take the lead in the 4th inning when Ramon Hernandez hit a sacrifice double play to center fielder Andrew McCutchen and second baseman Neil Walker that scored Jonny Gomes. 2-1 Reds. In the 5th inning, Juan Francisco grounded out to first baseman Garrett Jones that scored Chris Heisey and the Reds are now up 3-1.

The Reds bats would explode in the 7th inning starting off with Joey Votto hitting his 20th double of the year with Chris Heisey scoring. Reds up by 3. Jonny Gomes would also hit his 20th double of the season scoring Joey Votto to give the Reds a 5-1 lead. Laynce Nix would then come up to the plat and hit a triple to the right fielder Delwyn Young and scored  Jonny Gomes. The Reds take a 5 run lead. The Reds offense would finally be done after Paul Janish hit a 3-run blast to left field scoring Laynce Nix and Ramon Hernandez and the Reds increase their lead to eight.

The Pirates would not be done though. Jeff Clement hit a two run home run to right field also scoring Ronny Cedeno on the play. 9-3 Pirates. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Pedro Alvarez hit a solo home run to right center field. 9-4 Reds and that would be the final score.

The Reds will be off tomorrow and will resume play in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs for a three game series starting on Friday. Congratulations to Alex Rodriguez today on hitting his 600th career home run off of the Blue Jays starting pitcher Shaun Marcum. A-Rod would be the 7th player to reach the 600 club in home runs. Not so long ago, former Reds legend Ken Griffey Jr. was hitting his 600th home run vs the Florida Marlins in June of 2008.

Late Inning Comeback Not Enough as Reds fall to Pittsburgh 7-6

A comeback in the late innings proved to be not enough as the Reds fall short one run to the Pirates tonight on a 7-6 loss. Paul Maholm was the winning pitcher in tonight's game. He went 6 innings giving up just 4 runs on 9 hits. Mike Leake got the loss and being pushed back a few days. He threw 5 innings and gave up 7 runs on 7 hits. Joel Hanrahan got his first save of the season. He takes over the closer's role in the Pirates bullpen after the Pirates traded their former closer Octavio Dotel to the Dodgers on Saturday.

The Pirates got going in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Chris Snyder singled to left fielder Jonny Gomes scoring Pedro Alvarez and Lastings Milledge. 2-0 Pirates. Mike Leake would hit Andrew McCutchen in the back of the head and he would have to leave the game. Delwyn Young came on to take his place. X-rays were negative and McCutchen has no concussion like symptoms. Jose Tabata singled to left field scoring Chris Snyder. 3-0 Pittsburgh. The eventful 2nd inning would come to a close after Neil Walker doubled to right fielder Jay Bruce that scored Paul Maholm, Delwyn Young, and Jose Tabata. Pittsburgh would now be up 6-0.

The Reds would finally get on the board in the 4th inning off of a Chris Heisey singled to right fielder Delwyn Young that scored Miguel Cairo. 6-1 Pirates. Pittsburgh would score again in the bottom of the 5th inning when Neil Walker singled to center fielder Chris Heisey and Jose Tabata scored on the play 7-1 Pirates. In the top of the 6th, Chris Heisey continues to prove why he should be getting playing time when he singled to right field and Scott Rolen scored on the play. Reds down by 5 still to the Pirates. Ramon Hernandez singled to left fielder Lastings Milledge scoring Jay Bruce. The Reds would now be withing slam reach down by just four runs.

In the top of the 7th inning, Miguel Cairo grounded out to the first baseman Garrett Jones but Brandon Phillips would score. 7-4 Pirates. In the 8th inning now, Brandon Phillips hit his 29th double on the year to the center fielder Jose Tabata. Chris Heisey and Laynce Nix both scored on the play. It proved to not be enough as the Reds would fall just one run short of the win. 7-6 was the final score of tonight's game.

You can't catch tomorrow's game at 12:35 PM ET. Radio broadcast only. Johnny Cueto (10-2, 3.22 ERA) will be going up against the former Yankees prospect Jeff Karstens (2-6, 4.42 ERA) in the rubber match game of this series.

Orlando Cabrera Placed On 15-Day DL

The Cincinnati Reds placed SS Orlando Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique from his last at bat during last night's game vs the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dusty Baker and the Reds are unaware of how long Orlando Cabrera will be out with this injury. Cincinnati recalled infielder Juan Francisco from AAA Louisville. Cabrera was hitting .260 with 37 RBIs and 51 runs scored. Francisco hit .286 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 67 games for the Bats. Juan Francisco originally made the team out of spring training this season but was sent back down to make room for Mike Leake on the 25-man active roster.  As a September call up last season, Juan Francisco hit .429 with one home run and seven RBIs in 14 games. Paul Janish will be in the starting line up tonight at shortstop filling in for the injured Orlando Cabrera.

Darnell Dodson Will Not Play For UK This Season

University of Kentucky Junior Darnell Dodson will not be returning for he upcoming 2010-11 season. John Calipari had this to say about his team for the upcoming Canadian exhibition trip and Darnell Dodson.

Practice is underway as we prepare for our Canada trip & I’m pleased with the energy everyone brought. I do want to let you all know that junior Darnell Dodson will not be playing for UK this season. If Darnell, who is academically eligible, decides to return,he could practice with the team if he meets our standards.

UK will need solid play from its veterans DeAndre Liggins, Darius Miller, Jon Hood, and Josh Harrellson for what will be a very young team that won't be very deep. Calipari said they have already improved "light years" over last season noting that Liggins shooting has gotten better, Hood is more comfortable on the court and quicker on his feet, and Darius Miller has impressed everyone with his athleticism. A lot of pressure will be put on Florida transfer Eloy Vargas and incoming freshman Terrence Jones, and Enes Kanter. Especially the freshmen Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb,and Stacey Poole in the back court where UK will need to fill the void left behind by Dodson. Eloy Vargas will not make the trip to Canada because he is still finishing up some classes since he is catching up so he can gain his eligibility for this coming season.

Cincinnati Shuts Out the Pirates 4-0

The Cincinnati Reds shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight 4-0. Travis Wood picked up his 2nd consecutive win going 7 innings and recorded 4 strikeouts. Wood only gave up two hits on the night. The Reds called up veteran reliever Russ Springer from AAA Louisville and optioned Carlos Fisher back to the Bats today. Springer made his Reds debut pitching one inning and gave up just one hit. He had one strike out on the night. Springer who had retired decided to come back when the Reds came calling around the All-Star Break, he had always wanted to pitch for the Reds since he was a fan of the Big Red Machine growing up.

In the top of the 1st inning, Miguel Cairo singled to left fielder Jose Tabata and Brandon Phillips scored. 1-0 CIN. In the top of the 3rd inning,Ryan Hanigan grounded out to first baseman Garrett Jones and Jonny Gomes scord on the play. 2-0 CIN. Miguel Cairo hit a sac fly to right fielder Lastings Milledge in the top of the 4th that scored Brandon Phillips. The Reds take a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 8th inning, perhaps the most exciting play in all of baseball occured. Chris Heisey would hit an INSIDE THE PARK HOMERUN and gave the Reds a 4-0 lead. Ryan Hanigan came close to doing that on Saturday vs the Braves but this one they couldn't take back. Congratulations to Chris Heisey. The former #1 Reds minor leaguer of the year deserves more playing time.

Catch tomorrow's game at 7:05 PM on FS Ohio and WLW 700. Mike Leake (7-2, 3.57 ERA) will be facing off against Paul Maholm (6-9, 4.52 ERA).

Reds Win Series Thanks to Pitching, and Error

By:  Cooper Ledford


The Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Atlanta Braves in the final game of the 3 game series, and once again were in front of a sell-out crowd.  This was the rubber game, and it would be the Reds winning the game, and the series 2-1.  2-1 the score today, and 2-1 the series record.  Here is how it all happened.

The Braves got an early lead, in the 2nd inning as former Red, Alex Gonzalez hit a solo home run, the score was 1-0.

In the home half of the 5th, with Ramon Hernandez standing on 1st, Brandon Phillips hit his 4th triple of the year, that would plate Hernandez, and it was a tie game.  That was the best part of the game for the Reds, until the next play.  Orlando Cabrera hit a ground ball to short, just about as routine as you can get, and Alex Gonzalez could not pick up the ball, that would bring in Phillips, and it was 2-1, and that was how the good ole, good one finished.  But, not with out some sweat and a threat, in the 9th inning with 2 outs and the bases empty, Jayson Heyward stepped to the plate, he hit a double to bring Omar Infante to the plate.  But, Francisco Cordero was able to make him hit it back to him, Coco tossed it to Votto to end the game, and the Reds take 2-out-of-3 from the 1st place Atlanta Braves. 

But, there is some bad news, the St. Louis Cardinals swept the Pirates, and the Reds still sit just a half game back of 1st place in the NL Central. 

The winner of this game is Edinson Volquez, as he is now 2-1, as he goes 5 innings, gave up only 3 hits and 1 run, walked 5 (which was what he needs to get better at, cutting down walks), and he fanned 6.  The loser is Tommy Hanson as he is now 8-8.  Francisco Cordero gets his 29th save of the season.

The homestand is over, as it was just a quick 3 game series, and the Reds will now head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates.  Tomorrow it will be Travis Wood (1-1, 2.87 ERA) on the hill for the Redlegs, and on the hill for the Buccos, it will be Ross Ohlendorf (1-8, 4.35 ERA).  The game will be at 7:05 PM ET, and televised on Fox Sports Ohio and you can listen to the game on 700 WLW, as always.  Jeremy Mays will make the recaps for the Pittsburgh and Chicago series.

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).