Dusty Baker

* Top 1: This is Jolbert Cabrera's first big league appearance since Oct. 3, 2004 for the Mariners. Rough start for Cueto. He gave up seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in 1.2 innings in his other outing against the Cardinals, and today's not much better. After walking two, the UnNatural goes way deep to make it 3-0. 412 feet is the offical word. A walk to Glaus and then a homer to Jason Freakin' LaRue? Wow. 5-0. "Bruuuuuuuuuuuce!" Birds 5, Legs 0

* Bottom 1: Braden Looper has no such troubles. Birds 5, Legs 0

* Top 2: A huge tip of the cap to John Fay, who asked me if it was my day to do radio. It was and I got there before the inning started -- thank God. I'd hate to Sheldon it. I haven't done it yet -- knock on wood. Anyway, no runs that inning -- a throwing error on Cueto and he's now lasted longer than he did in St. Louis, so there's that. Birds 5, Legs 0

* Bottom 2: I just got one whiff of clogne. Don't know where it came from, but boy was it strong. 4-5-6 for Looper. Birds 5, Legs 0

* Top 3: A leadoff walk to Ankiel but a really nice 6-4-3 to empty the bases. Great plays by both the 6 and the 4. And another walk. That's 5. So, I've been looking at perhaps purchasing a PS 3 or XBox 360 in the future, just for NCAA Football 09 action (and perhaps Rock Band with proper downloadable content) and I've been debating the merits of the two. When I saw the cover of the PS3 version of NCAA 09 has Matt Ryan on it and the cover of XBox version has Darren McFadden, well, it just makes the decision pretty easy. Always, always with the SEC. Nice job by Junior to track down the other Cowboy's popup. Birds 5, Legs 0

* Bottom 3: Cabrera nearly has a hit in his first at-bat. He hit it deep into the hole between 1st and 2nd, Miles knocked it down, then got it and just threw Cabrera out. Instead, it's 7-8-9. Birds 5, Legs 0

* Top 4: Two quick outs then two walks before Ryan Ludwick -- to borrow a Wayne Krivsky phrase -- "the RBI Machine" doubles down the 3rd base line. Nice throw from Dunn to cutoff man Paul Janish to the plate and an incredible job of blocking the plate by Paul Bako to get Aaron Miles at the plate. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Bottom 4: 10-11-and the Reds won't get no-hit. Griffey doubles off the wall in left. Dunn strikes out looking. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Top 5: So a littel more digging -- UGA's No. 1 on NCAA 09, but Knowshon Moreno is only a 97. Man, I may need to get the Wii version and a 360. Seriously, Jason LaRue is now hitting .185. He came in with 1 RBI and now has 3. And he walks. Cueto has 95 pitches -- 48 balls, 47 strikes. And then goes 2-0 to the pitcher and someone screams from the stands, "He's the pitcher!" Another ball. "Bruuuuuce!" I love the guy screaming, "throw a strike!" Don't you think he knows that? There's a difference between knowing what to do and doing it. 101 pitches, 51 balls, 50 strikes. Ouch. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Bottom 5: At least I'll get out of here at a decent time. Another 1-2-3 inning. Looks like a double switch with Herrera coming into pitch, Andy Phillips headed to second in Cabrera's spot. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Top 6: Man, was looking around on the EA site and on the team ratings, they have UGA's offense a 99 and defense a 99. Wow, speaking of 99, what a sick pitch by Herrera to get Ryan. 68 mph. He was way, way out in front. I do love watching this guy pitch. I saw that in spring and Chattanooga. He's tough. Even though Cueto wasn't throwing well tonight, he was going 95 and then throw Herrera out there. Herrera did dial it up to 86 to get Miles looking. Great inning by Herrera. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Bottom 6: Jay Bruce singles with two outs for the second Reds hit of the night. 67 pitches for Looper. Seriously. Janish gets the third hit of the night. Nice play by Duncan to get Griffey and end the inning. Birds 6, Legs 0

* Top 7: When you don't throw very hard, you can't make too many mistakes. Herrera got a pitch up and Ludwick crushed it. 7-0. Cueto's eight walks are the most by a Reds pitchersince Steve Avery had nine in seven innings on June 29, 1999 against Arizona. It's the most by a righthander since Bruce Berenyi had eight in 6 2/3 on April 17, 1982 at San Francisco. Birds 7, Legs 0

* Bottom 7: 82 pitches for Looper through seven. Three hits. Birds 7, Legs 0

* Top 8: Danny Herrera on the mound for another inning. Three striaght hits and his night is done. Another double switch, with Corey Patterson in the game in center in Herrera's spot (seventh) and Bill Bray pitching and in Ken Griffey Jr.'s spot, Bruce to right. Herrera's got some nasty stuff, but not sure I'd keep him out there for a team to see him twice in one game. And there it is --9:14 on June 11, 2008 -- the official first booing of Jay Bruce. He dropped a ball in right. Hit him right in the glove. And, trust me, they weren't saying "Bruuuuuuce". Birds 10, Legs 0

* Bottom 8: Seriously, 1-2-3 again. Braden Looper. Birds 10, Legs 0

* Top 9: Hey, at least this is going quickly. I may be home by 11! Which is good, considering I have to be at PBS by 9:30ish. Jason LaRue was briefly back to .200, but now down to .196. But Was 2-for-4 on the night. Birds 10, Legs 0

* Bottom 9: A 3-hit shutout for Looper. Just amazing. And this one belongs to the Red(bird)s

Redlegs:

1. Jay Bruce cf
2. Paul Janish ss
3. Ken Griffey Jr. rf
4. Adam Dunn lf
5. Edwin Encarnacion 3b
6. Joey Votto 1b
7. Jolbert Cabrera 2b
8. Paul Bako c
9. Johnny Cueto p

Redbirds:

1. Skip Schumaker lf
2. Aaron Miles 2b
3. Ryan Ludwick rf
4. Rick Ankiel cf
5. Troy Glaus 3b
6. Chris Duncan 1b
7. Jason LaRue c
8. Braden Looper p
9. Brendan Ryan ss

* A day off for Brandon Phillips. Dusty Baker said Phillips didn't think he needed the day off, but Baker did.

"It's a combination of things, but mostly a feeling," Baker said. "How many consecutive days, weather conditions, if your swing is out of sync, if you're committing early, not trusting your hand speed, that tells me you don't feel quick. There's a number of things basically. Guys will always say the opposite."

"You also look at the schedule and who you're plaing and when you can afford to give them the day off," Baker said.

* Jeff Keppinger is scheduled to play third base tonight in Sarasota, he DH'd last night. Although some speculated Keppinger could be back as soon as tomorrow, don't count on it.

"There's a lot Kepp has to do, and you don't want his legs to fatigue and that's when you pull stuff," Baker said.

Keppinger's bat certainly didn't seem to be a problem, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the first game of a doubleheader. Norris Hopper had one hit and a run.

"He's going to play third (tonight) and with Jerry out, we need him to play short," Baker said. "It's not only at-bats, it's the length of time you're standing there, how much running you're doing. You've got to build up endurance. He's been working hard, it's just a matter of when he starts feeling his legs are no longer heavy and his legs are beneath him. (DHing) that's just hitting and timing, that's not cutting, stopping, going into the hole, jumping, getting out of the way of double plays."

Hopper was going to play teh second game, but he was fatigued from playing in the second game.

The Florida State League All-Star Break is this weekend, with the All-Star Game on Sunday. Keppinger may be moved to Louisville or Chattanooga for his rehab assignment. Both of those teams are on the road this weekend.

* Here's the official word on Albert Pujols: "He received an MRI which showed a grade 1/2 strain. He will begin physical therapy within the next three days and is expected to be out a minimum of three weeks."

If I were to catch a milestone home run ball like Ken Griffey Jr.'s 600th, I'd hope I'd give it to the player, no questions asked, like the guy who caught Junior's 500th.

But "Joe" the Marlins season ticket holder who caught No. 600 isn't going that route. And, really, I can't blame him. I don't know his financial situation, but if that ball can be worth $50,000 to $100,000 -- that's a ton of money.

One Marlin, Cody Ross, criticized "Joe" for not just giving the ball over. Well, to Cody Ross $50,000 to $100,000 may not be a lot of money, but to an -- excuse the pun here -- average Joe, that's a ton of money. Perhaps he has kids to put through college. That could go a long way toward doing that. Perhaps he has debtors and that one ball will provide him the means to give those people their money back.

Really, all I'm saying is I hope I'd give the ball back, but I can't say I wouldn't be tempted. I'm not going to judge "Joe" because I don't know the whole story.

Although, I will say, Griffey would have been more likely to help the guy out if he just gave the ball over instead of holding it ransom.

Now, if it were Barry Bonds' or Sammy Sosa's 600th home run ball? You better believe that badboy would be on eBay.

* I laugh at all those who said the Reds should "blow it up and rebuild" and that they'd support a youth movement. But when the young players come up and struggle, they want to throw them out of town right away. Amazing, really. Homer Bailey is still very, very young for a pitcher. His struggles are nothing compared to those that Edinson Volquez went through as recently as last season. It's too bad the NFL model has changed everything and people who aren't really baseball fans don't understand that it doesn't work the same way.

* Yesterday before the game, my colleague and friend Scott Priestle of the Columbus Dispatch went up to Adam Dunn and asked him if he had a second to talk. Dunn, without missing a beat responded, "Jay's really good and I knew it all along. And it was really cool to see Junior's 600th home run. Which do you want to talk about." Without missing a beat, Scott said, "the second one."

It was a funny exchange, because, well, the storylines are pretty obvious right now and Dunn went on to give great answers about Griffey's feat and putting it in perspective.

I know everyone looks at Dunn and with his size and sometimes awkwardness and think he's stupid, but it couldn't be further from the truth. The guy is pretty bright.

* Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers have Matt Kemp on the trading block to win now, but won't do it for a rent-a-player like Adam Dunn. If the Reds could give up Dunn and someone else, well, that would be a really nice move. I could see Kemp and Bruce in center and right for a long, long time. The Dodgers would likely need Dunn, another starting type player and a prospect. That's a lot to give up, but for Kemp, it'd be worth it. That's where for all the bellyaching about Yonder Alonso playing the same position as Joey Votto, having depth could really come into play in the future. It may not be for Kemp, but Walt Jocketty has certainly shown he has the ability to turn prospects into players ready to produce.

* This spring training someone asked Dusty Baker about being part of the first high five, which some claim he is. Then he went on a tangent about the first bump being better because it's more sanitary. And my first thought was, "Wow, there's a man that managed Moises Alou."

* Haven't we heard this before? Is Josh Hamilton getting favorable coverage because he's white? I think it's because he's leading the free world in everything. But, I won't dismiss that race has some very small part to do with it. However, the part many of these people miss in these discussions are these two points: 1. Hamilton has owned up to his mistakes and refused to blame anyone but himself. 2. His crimes didn't hurt anyone but himself. But if Scoop Jackson says so...

* Wow, how about what Doug Mientkiewicz said about Randy Johnson? "I know how mentally weak he is. I try to take the high road, but not anymore."

* I really enjoy Royals beat writer Sam Mellinger's blog. Today he writes about changes in the relationships between athletes and reporters, and actually looks at it from a broader perspective than an old guy grumbling that it's not like it used to be. And Mellinger's right -- there are guys I could probably get long, interesting sit-down interviews with and guys I couldn't. Like I tell people all the time, it's like any other business -- there are people you get along with, people you don't and people you deal with just because it's for your job. It's just that when I bitch about someone at work, it's not just another generic name, it's somebody with their own bubble gum card.

* Over at MLBTradeRumors.com there's an interesting look at a Tigers firesale and the harsh reality that it may not bring much in return. The odds of JIm Leyland still being around at the end of the season are pretty slim, if you ask me. Look for him to announce his "retirement" before October.

* NBA haters always talk about a fix -- like Patrick Ewing going ot the Knicks in the lottery, the Cavs just happening to win the lottery when LeBron James is coming out and keeping the team in Cleveland... And then there's the playoffs. Just when it seems like the NBA is getting the matchup it wanted in the Lakers and Celtics and giving us entertaining basketball to boot, we're all reminded why people believe in these conspiracy theories. From what I'd seen this year, the Celtics and Lakers were clearly the two best teams. However, did they get a little help getting that way? The Lakers got Pau Gasol for nearly nothing. Two late first-round picks and Kwame Brown? How about the Kevin Garnett trade to Boston? Beyond that, how about the no-call on Derek Fisher's foul of Brent Barry in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals? Isn't that not under suspicion?

David Stern dismisses Donaghy's allegations, but what else would you expect?

If anyone can wiggle out of this, it's David Stern, the greatest executive in the history of American sports.

* Woo hoo! When I get my shiny new iPhone next month, Cincinnati is in AT&T's 3G network. I was worried it'd be a smaller zone, but, well, let's see how it does when I'm in Milan, Ga.

* Sub Pop is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Wow, I'm old.

* A live-action Smurfs movie? Really?

* And on that tip, why didn't I know about the live-action G.I. Joe movie before today?

Has Hollywood really run out of ideas? Are we going to get Masters of the Universe II -- Dolph's Back soon?

* Thank god for DVR, as it'll be recording the Top Chef finale tonight while I'm at the game. Stephanie, many people's favorite, does a Q&A with the Chicago Tribune. I'm still sticking with Richard. ATL represent. (I'm sure that's the first time in world history that's been uttered about Top Chef.)

Once through the Cardinals' lineup on Tuesday, Reds starter Homer Bailey looked in control.

He'd given up three hits, but had been unscathed -- getting out of the first inning in just 10 pitches and getting Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel to pop up to end the first and then getting a double play ball in the second.

But with two outs in the third inning and St. Louis second baseman Brendan Ryan on second, Bailey's good fortune ended. Ryan Lidwick doubled in a run and then Pujols and Ankiel hit back-to-back home runs to give St. Louis a 4-0 lead en route to a 7-2 victory in front of 34,234 at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

"Tonight after the first go-around, they could tell he didn't have the feel for his breaking ball," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "After that they more or less spit on his breaking ball and started to sit on the fastball."

Bailey walked another batter and gave up another hit in the third before getting shortstop Cesar Izturis to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

The fourth inning followed a nearly identical pattern to the start of the third. After getting Cardinals starter Mitchell Boggs, Ryan again got on base, this time with the walk. Leadoff batter Skip Schumaker flew out to center for the second out of the inning. Once again, Bailey couldn't get out of the inning, as Ludwick doubled in Ryan again.

After an intentional walk to Pujols, Baker came to get Bailey, ending his night after 76 pitches.

"All their runs came with two outs, either I slacked off mentally or tried not to do enough or tired to do too much with two outs, instead of finishing off of the inning and getting back in the dugout, I let them do their damage with two outs," Bailey said. "One of the keys to being a pitcher is getting out when you have two outs."

Bailey pitched well in his first start of the season, last Thursday in Philadelphia, allowing four hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings, although he was saddled with the loss.

On Tuesday, he wasn't as sharp. Bailey walked four in his start against the Phillies and walked three more (one intentionally) on Tuesday.

"He's still a very young pitcher," Baker said. "Most pitchers his age do have problems with walks and location. Like I said, he got bit by the two-out hits tonight. He gave up two-out home runs, two-out RBIs."

Bailey said he felt good physically, he was just having trouble with his breaking ball and his command.

"If one breaking ball's working, you have to find a way to find it or use your changeup," Bailey said. "I threw a couple of good changeups today. I probably should have had a light bulb go off and use that pitch more and start locating the fastball better."

Mike Lincoln relieved Bailey and got Ankiel looking to end the fourth and then worked two more perfect innings before giving way to David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt, who each surrendered a run, both off the bat of Ludwick, who after striking out in the first had RBIs in each of his final four at-bats, including his 15th home run of the season in the seventh inning.

Boggs, in his first big league start, was more successful than Bailey, allowing four hits and two runs in five innings, with both runs coming on Joey Votto’s 11th homer of the season.

The Cardinals, however, may have lost something much bigger than just a game. In the seventh inning, Pujols had to be helped off the field by teammates after suffering a strained left calf on a groundout. He will be reevaluated on Wednesday.

* Word from the Cardinals clubhouse is to expect Pujols to go on the disabled list. He had a preexisting calf injury and this could mean a lengthy stay on the DL.