Reds Wrap Things Up in a Nice Little Package

America's team finished the season one a two-game winning streak to wrap things up 6 under .500. Sure, it's another season with more losses than wins but the team looked pretty good heading down the finish line. Perhaps aided by their opponents having given up or perhaps just due to their strong play. Dusty knows how to win the games that nobody care about.

Cueto evened his record Saturday with an adequate final start and Bailey continued his string of high quality starts. Votto got his average over .320 and B. Phill, after taking a week or so off from driving in runs, knocked in three Sunday to bring him within 2 of his goal of 100. Arbitrary as the RBI stat is, it's good to have personal goals. On a more positive, Taveras was able to meet his goal of the 1000th time that a fan yelled 'why is he in the game.' Congratulations Willy.

The Reds Rocket will return within the next few days to wrap things up into an even tighter package. One you'll need a scissor or perhaps scissors, to open.

Reds Look Forward to Season Ending

The Reds Rocket apologizes but an unavoidable trip to Salinas, California conflicted with my otherwise necessary duties. Salinas, for those of you who have not been, is responsible for 80% of the lettuce grown in the US, is the birthplace of Steinbeck and has almost triple the national murder rate. So, for those of you who weren't shot dead and left in a lettuce field following your reading of the first two sentences, hello Salinas. Thanks for your hospitality. Next time maybe I can be a part of or witness one of your famous murders.

Reds played some nice ball the first two games against the Cardinals, who pretty clearly, don't care about the remainder of the season. Bailey looked good against and Arroyo followed it up with a gem for his 15th win of the season. Pine tar and all (go fuck yourself Duncan). Kipster didn't look quite as great yesterday, getting blown out of the yard by the opposing pitcher. At least Carpenter had never hit a homer before, so it will give him some reason to remember Kip Wells. Most of us don't have that opportunity. Who? And today, the offense disappeared against the Pirates. At least they have two more beatings to administer. Cueto on the hill tomorrow, Bailey in the finale. Many things to look forward to Reds fans, depending upon your feelings regarding meaningless games at the end of the season. Of course my feelings are both sadness and optimism.

Reds Reach Maximum Victories in a Row, 6, Lose Finale 3-2

I like how my posts have been starting for the last month or so, more good play by the Redlegs, or something to that extent. The Reds took the first two of the series before dropping yesterday's game. But even in the loss, Cueto looked pretty sharp, like Roxette, throwing 7 and a third and giving up three.

Games one and two featured identical scores, Reds 10 - Aholes 4. Votto hit four more doubles in those two, he's like a mechanized double-hitting machine, literally. Those things can hit doubles all day long. Ray Jay went deep both Friday and Saturday, collecting 4 hits in 7 at bats. Hopefully this is what his hitting is going to look like going forward. I like this approach better than looking foolish on breaking balls and swinging and missing at fastballs in hitter's counts. And the offense was just generally good. Juan Francisco continues to rake, though with Rolen at 3rd, he's going to have a hard time breaking through and seeing significant time next year. There has been some talk of him moving to the outfield, based upon generally poor defense at 3rd. Though, this is all premature, I suspect he may struggle a bit once the scouting reports start circulating. And as all the readers know, I am quite knowledgeable.

Reds get the day off today before playing the Cardinals, who have nothing to gain, at home Tuesday. That, hopefully, means some rest for some of the starters. Don't want Carpenter to have a sore shoulder going into the post season which would be a real pity, not seeing him dominate the Reds again. Maybe Pujols needs a couple of days off to relax and find a place in his garage for the MVP trophy. The Reds Rocket would be in favor of both activities. Regardless of the loss yesterday, nice series Reds. Glad to see you guys turning it on long after everyone lost hope.

Pirates No Match For Quality Reds Team, Reds 4-1

Arroyo was once again dynamite, shutting down the Bucs for 7 innings with the only blemish being a solo homer to Lastings Millidge. Jeff Brantley brought to my attention that since July 10, Arroyo has the second best ERA in the majors behind Adam Wainwright. Yesterday was his 12th consecutive quality start and not of the 6 inning 3 run variety, he has been consistently soloing for 7+. As I've said many time, that's some quality salad.

The Reds offense slowed but only compared to the previous two days where they were putting up double digits. Votto had another double, Phillips drove in two more to set his career RBI mark and the team was 3 for 3 with runners in scoring position. I can't remember that ever happening. Willy Taveras even contributed two hits. That guy can flat out rake. The broom team above was commissioned by the Reds and is being kept on standby as there remains one more series with the Pirates, who can officially be considered a joke. Reds! Reds! Reds!

Votto Picks Up Four Hits, Treats Fans to Slow Motion Stream of Saliva, Reds 12-2

Reds continued their dominance of the Pirates with a blistering offensive performance. Double digit runs in two consecutive games? Unheard of. But, Dusty seems to have found the solution. In looking at the lineup card, someone named Tavares is listed at the top of the order. Apparently he's hitting a shade under .238 and playing mediocre defense. I look forward to seeing what the kids has to offer.

Votto raked four hits yesterday, including two double, giving him 5, as the pros say, two-baggers in the first two games of the series. Phillips, Rolen, Bruce, Nix and Cork each knocked in two runs. Stubbs stole a couple of bases at the top of the order, Bailey was solid, the Reds Rocket got a BB gun for Christmas; everything was right in the world. Hey Jared Burton even looked pretty dominant. The Reds Rocket is readying a picture of a broom, perhaps having consensual relations with the wives of several of the Pirates. That would really be something to see. Arroyo keeps the Reds train rolling today against the underwhelming Pittsburgh offense. Reds! Reds! Reds!

Reds Show Continued Ability to Beat Pirates, Reds 10-4

Reds, on the heals of a big 5th inning, evened Cueto's record and beat Pittsburgh for the sixth time in a row. It's too bad that these Pirates games didn't occur earlier in the season when, you know, they meant something. A Reds victory is a thing of beauty, regardless how irrelevant it may appear to the uninformed populous.

Cueto gave up a bomb to the first batter he saw, McCutcheon but then cooled out and threw 101 pitches over 5 innings, the majority of which were pretty alright. The Pirates should have been out of the 5th inning, with no runs allowed, but Doumit fired a potential double play ball down the first base line and things continued. Votto ended the day with three doubles, Rolen with two. Rolen knocked in three of the 10. Yesterday, we also saw the activation of Ramon Hernandez, whose contribution to this season, compared with that of the three times DFA'd Ryan Freel, are probably about equal. The Reds will likely go into 2010 with Paul Bako back opening the season behind the plate.

Also, to less fanfare, as he doesn't and shouldn't play, was the return of Wilmy Tavares. Apparently he's healed from the leg injury and ready to "contribute", meaning provide the lead off out to begin each and every game he's in there. At least he's only making $4 million next year, that's more or less the going rate for a pinch runner. Juan Francisco continued to illustrate that he is much more comfortable coming off the bench. He hit his first career double, to go with the first career home run from last week, that I forgot to mention. That's just the type of coverage you'll get here from the Reds Rocket.

Reds undoubtedly continue their dominance of the Pirates today. I look forward to the merciless beating.

Cork's Moustache Outscores Fish By Itself, Reds 8-1

After two late inning losses to the Fish, courtesy of a Coco meltdown Friday night and a late bomb by Ross Gload Saturday, the Reds salvaged a sweep with the Floridians with a nice offensive showing yesterday. Cork, who seems to be getting an awful lot of time behind the plate, which the Reds Rocket is undecided about, hit his first bomb of the season, a three-run shot, and then it was all downhill from there. The Kipster, in usual fashion, dominated for 7+, to pick up his second win of the year. Votto added a bomb and the offense, in one of those rare games, seemed almost competent. Nice way to finish the season with the Marlins.

Friday night, however, was a bit of a disappointment. Bailey was absolutely dominant for 7 innings of shut out baseball. Masset worked a scoreless 8th but Coco, trying for his fifth save in five days, was unsuccessful. He wasn't helped out by the defense, Balentien lost a fly ball when his mole obscured his vision but that's not really a very valid excuse. The loss was on Cordero, who needs to continue his dominance if there is any hope that the Reds can unload his salary this offseason I mean, set the tone for a strong 2010.

Arroyo pitched real well on Saturday, going into the 8th with a 2-1 lead. However, a home run allowed to Ross Gload instantaneously transforms a quality start into a disappointment. And it did. Tough break son.

Reds get to beat on the Pirates some more starting Tuesday. I'm sure everyone, like me, will be tuning in to watch the excitement.