Reds pound seven home runs against the Cubs today, beating them 12-7. In other good news, Aaron Harang's injury is just a forearm strain not the dreaded ulnar collateral ligament tear which is repaired by Tommy John surgery. (Here's the story.)

    Meanwhile, if you saw FSN's post game interview with David Ross, he mentioned that the team wanted to send a message to management.  He wants the team not to tear it apart come the July 31 trading deadline. Well, they're going have to win and string a long streak together.  But I hope they do it.

     One of the homers was a blast by yesterday's goat, now today's big donkey again.  The ball left Wrigley.  Here's the link to the replay.

So how did the Cubs go from 96 losses to division champs in 2007? MONEY. That year they signed Soriano, Lilly, Marquis and DeRosa.  They also brought in Lou Piniella to manage and lead the team. This year they signed Fukudome.

     So what do the Reds do? Well, for this year, stand pat. There's a lot of baseball to be played. In 2009, I suggest the team fill needs through smart free agent signings. There's no need to build for the future at this time. The future is here with all our talented kids. Look, building from within doesn't always work.  Remember our 2000 picks David Espinosa, and Dane Sardinha? I thought so. And how are those Pirates doing?   Both approaches are risks. Playing the free agency market, you know who you're going to get . Yes, there is always another Barry Zito. The team must use a balanced approach for 2009.

Adam Dunn does three things well. He hits homers, walks and strikes out. Last nights's misplay of a fly ball by Fukudome opened the floodgates on a solid performance by Johnny Cueto.  As Marty said, if you want to win championships you gotta make catches on the ball that Dunn let go for a double.  It's not the first time he misplayed a ball in left field.  He's done it many times before.  Oh, by the way you saberrmetricians or saberheads are full of it.  Your love of Adam Dunn has blinded you to his inablility to play competent outfield, legendary number of strikeouts and the inablility to hit with runners in scoring position.   These weaknesses totally outweigh his "production."   Adam Dunn is like the beautiful blonde that you want to be with but not have a long relationship with.

When this year started we thought that Harang and Arroyo would anchor this rotation. However, they have been inconsistent at best.  Harang's ERA for the last ten games, including today's disaster at Chicago, has been 6.88. (Here's his numbers.)  Arroyo pitched well against Washington but his ERA for the last ten games has been 5.57. (His numbers.)  We need these guys to be consistent, otherwise 2008 is over.

     Finally, a note to Jay Bruce.  They're setting you up by pitching inside.  They then get you out with a low breaking ball.  Time to adjust.

The loveable losers (Cubs) drafted Josh Hamilton (Rule 5) and traded him to us. There's been a lot of gnashing of teeth over trading him for Edinson Volquez. Look, you need pitching to make the playoffs. If Volquez continues his evolution, he will be a Cy Young candidate for years to come. So cheer up you Hamilton lovers, it could be worse.  You could be a Cubs fan.  (Here's the Baseball Reference post  that details Hamilton's transaction rout.)