You can't have it both ways.  If you want to complain that the REDS just beat a really bad team, and so what, you can't complain about the worst part of the REDS record.

The REDS have been awful against BAD teams, and much much better against good teams.

They finally did what they are supposed to do.  So, it's a good thing.  And along with the W's comes the added confidence the REDS are getting.

The problem with the added confidence is, it can't be too strong because this has been a losing franchise for a long time. 

If the REDS go to the Windy City, where they are 33-10 at Wrigley and lay an egg, and do the same in Milwaukee, the season could really be over next monday.  If that puts too much pressure on the REDS, so be it.  They are the ones who put themselves in a position of being 4 games below .500 after 90 games.

This is the biggest week of the year.  No, the REDS don't have to sweep.  No, no one expects them to.  But, they have to have a winning road trip.

You wonder what they are thinking in the CUBS locker.  Now that CC Sabathia is in Milwaukee, and they along  with the Cards are only 3.5 games out, you wonder if that puts some heat on the CUBS.  If you like the CUBS, the good thing is they have Sweet Lou.  He handles pressure like a champ.  Always has.  That started as a player.

15th inning and Jim Riggleman, who I've always been surprised hasn't gotten another chance to be a skipper before taking over in Seattle is really smart.  His bullpen is toast.  He has no one left.  So, 36 year old backup catcher Jamie Burke goes to the mound.  Goes one inning but gives up one run.  Costs Seattle the game.  Seattle's record still stinks, but they have been much better under Jim.

Don't you wonder what if Dusty did the same thing ?  Instead of pitching Harang all those extra innings when the bullpen was dry weeks ago, he sacrificed one game for the sake of the future.

There is one thing about Dusty that bugs me today.  Weeks ago, there was a game where his all-star pitcher had gone enough.  The REDS had a comfortable lead.  I believe Volquez had thrown over 90 pitches.  There was no reason to give him another inning.

The next day on radio I was mad because these two kids, Cueto and the All-Star are going to hit a wall in August.  When you can, you need to save an inning here and there for the future.

Yesterday, Dusty talked about watching how much this kid pitches.  Since Dusty has won over 1200 games as a manager, why didn't he see this when I did ?

Protecting the arms of these young pitchers is HUGE !

A-Rod is being dumped by Cindy.  Must be nice that you need '3' lawyers to handle it.

Please tell me you were smart enough to know that Kyle Lohse was not only going to be 10-2 but be snubbed by the All-Star team.  Amazing !  Obviously, I had NO IDEA.

Who knows, but it's fun to look at.  A mock NBA Draft for next year.  X, UK, and U of L all have players in the top 16.

2009 Mock Draft

Time to trade.  I like Stormy more than most.  He is a very honest interview.  Felt he threw the ball ok last night, but the results were awful.

Can't figure out why his ERA is over 6 at home and 2 on the road.  And, going into last night he had a 1.17 over the last 8 games.

Lance has some good numbers on Stormy that many don't want to hear.

But, he is no different than Junior.  Father Time is Father Time.  Can't imagine he would be back next year.  Teams who need help are looking at him.  Unless last night becomes a pattern, get the best 2nd level prospect you can get.

Ok, so you save Castellini a few bucks, but that is not why you make the move.

The season is to get Bruce and other young kids ready for next year.  So, you do the same with Josh Roenicke. He hits 95mph.  Started the season at double 'a'.  His problem was too many walks.  in 13.1 innings he has '2' walks.  His ERA is 2.70  He's struck out 14.

Stormy and Affeldt, who also won't be back next year because if he finishes the year in fine fashion, he can get a multi-year deal for more bucks than the REDS would probably want to pay, is also VERY tradeable. 

Because he's a lefty and has better stuff and is younger, you should be able to have more teams lined up and get a better prospect.

So, trade the'2' and bring up Josh R. and the little lefty Herrera.

Josh Fogg pitched a shutout for Louisville over 8 innings.  He is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in Triple A.  And no, I don't want to see him brought up.

You can't get mad at Burton for giving up a run.  He had an ERA of 0.68 over the last 22 games.  It's the body of work.  He's been lights out !

Give the REDS credit last night for coming back twice..

Horrible call on EE.  Yes he made the tag, and yes the ump blew it.  And, yes, Umpires often have skin that is too thin.  EE is MR. Quiet.  As soon as he got mad, you knew he knew he made the play.  Wonder what he said to get thrown out in 2 seconds.

Last night was another example of why you need instant replay. Set up an office in NY City.  Have all the games on TV watched.  With technology being what it is, it would not be very difficult to change that call in 5 minutes.

Whatever the call should be, GET IT RIGHT.  Baseball needs to make a move.

Were you like me?  When you saw Corey Patterson at the plate in the 11th you said ballgame ?

Not only are the REDS back in last place, but they have lost '2' more games than the Pirates.

Nice line by Hal McCoy.  Greg Maddox says the best pitching coach he ever had was Dick Pole.  How many of you want him out and Mazzone, who is not in uniform to become the pitching coach ?

Good for X playing Duke.

I'm rooting for Josh Duncan.  I think he can score.  Can't see why he can't come off someones bench for the next 10 years in the NBA. Hope he does well in the NBA Summer Camp with Miami, which is like trying out for all teams.

The numbers don't lie.  A lefty, Zack Duke, goes for the Pirates. 

Someone has to sit because EE, Kepp and Hairston are healthy.  It's been my thing all week that Hairston needs to lead off and Kepp is no. 2.

Kepp is batting .431 THAT'S RIGHT .431 against lefties.  His on base percentage is .517. Guess who is the odd man out?  Wouldn't it make more sent to sit Dunn tonight and Keppinger against a righty where he is batting .274 ?

With runners in scoring position, Keppinger is one of the best going.  Batting over .400.

The first inning last night drove me crazy.  Hairston and Keppinger both get base hits.  2 on, nobody out.  The REDS get nothing.  Batting Dunn No. 3 isn't the answer.

The Pirates get a sac fly to score first.  Thanks to Junior's big time home run, the REDS WIN and they improve to 12-36 when they don't score first. 

It will quickly be forgotten, but Ross' hit in the 9th was big.

The bullpen again was big. 

13-8 fits for two things.  It's not only the record of the bullpen, but it's also the REDS record when Hairston leads off.

Maybe Harang is back.  That would bring some hope.

Terrific Junior stat.  He is 12th all time in X-tra base hits.  Junior is at 1127.  Rafael Palmerio is no. 6 at 1192.  Hank Aaron is number one with 1477.

Who sits ? And, you can't sit your lead off man Hairston or your number two man Kepp.

All I want to do is win.  It's simple !!  To do that, you have to put the best players out there. 

I have nothing against Chad, EE or Junior.  NOTHING !!  If you don't respect Junior the person and what he does for folks, I would question you.

It's really simple.  FATHER TIME is FATHER TIME.  Remember the mess in Baltimore when Ripken was moved to third ?  How about the mess in St. Louis with Ozzie Smith.  Walt J. knows about that one.

I watched the end of my hero's career, and it was ugly.  I loved Mickey Mantle growing up.  But, he should have retired at least a few years before he did.  Ditto for Willie Mays.

The athlete is often the last person to admit that his or her skills have diminished.

Watching Junior is tough.  Is he still an everyday player ?  Could his bat come alive if he was a DH in the American League?

Junior hits '2' balls that in the good old days would have been home runs against Cleveland.  He's on pace for 18 home runs and 69 RBI's.

EE, who was terrific yesterday is on pace for 26 HR's and 66 RBI's.

It's really simple.  You can't have a third baseman or a right fielder driving in those kind of runs, if you expect production out of them.

How do you not like Hairston leading off.  The last place REDS are 12--8 when he leads off.  Isn't Kepp your best hitter?  They are both smart, tough players who make things happen.

So, you pick ?  Who sits ?  EE or Junior ?

It might be a tough decision, but it's one that has to be made.  Just like the decision to move Junior from the no. 3 spot should have been done a long time ago.

I turn the TV on Saturday and the first thing that happens is Jay Bruce not running hard into second.  I HATE THAT ! 

Run Hard and then find out what is going on.  Anyone can make a mistake.  You hope that doesn't become a habit of Bruce.

In the same game,  Phillips did the same thing out of the box.  And, he wants to lead the team ?

Cueto is growing up.  ERA  1.47 over the last three games.

Why is it that when Bako starts the REDS are 28--25?  Remember this is a last place team.

Why is it when Ross starts the REDS are 9--16?

Bray's ERA over the last 18 games is 1.17.

Burton's ERA over the last 21 is 0.70.

Bullpen this year is 12--8 with a 3.75. The ERA was over 5 last year.

Junior is not in the lineup.  I'm sure C Trent will have a reason why shortly !!

Manuel of the Mets is a interesting guy.  Very Good Q and A.  Q: Dusty Baker once said: "It's hard for an authoritative figure in America to win the trust of today's young players." What enables you to win that trust?