CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Reds started the week with a loss to the Astros on Monday that looked a lot like most of their recent losses. Kyle Lohse, pitched a great game going up against Roy Oswalt. Lohse allowed only two runs going into the 8th in a 2-2 tie. He gave way to the bull pen with one out and one on. Of course, that was when all hell broke loose. Todd Coffee gave up a three run homer and the Reds were sunk. Adam Dunn had one and Alex Gonzalez had two homers in the 5-4 loss.

The Bengals signed cornerback Blue Adams, (UC graduate and team MVP in 2002) a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is a terrific special teams player.
Everyday is groundhog day for the Reds. On Tuesday, Eric Milton pitched OK. He left the game with a 5-4 lead. The bull pen didn't do its job. The Reds lost 7-6. Ken Griffey Jr and Brandon Phillips had round-trippers.

On Wednesday, the Reds dropped into last place in their division with a 3-2 loss to Houston. Matt Belisle pitched well. All Astro runs were unearned. Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer. I hope they have hit rock bottom.

Thursday afternoon the Reds beat the Astros, finally. The score was 9-5 and it was not real pretty. Dunn, Ross and Griffey each had a home run. Griffey's put him into ninth place on the all-time major league home run list. Aaron Harang got the win but didn't pitch all that well.

The Bengals keep signing defensive free agents. This week they added linebacker Ed Hartwell who last played with the Falcons. He can be very good if he stays healthy. Then they signed defensive tackle Kendrick Allen who was a Packer last year but only played two games because of injury.

Friday night the Reds had jet lag in Los Angeles and the Dodgers beat them 2-0. Arroyo took the loss but pitched his usual solid game. On Saturday, the Dodgers beat the Reds 7-3. Brad Penny pitched for LA and Cincy really didn't have a chance. Sunday afternoon, the Reds sent Bobby Livingston against the Dodgers in his first big league start. He didn't do too badly and like all the rest of the Reds starters, he had the bull pen throw the game away. The relievers gave up five in the eighth and the Reds lost 10-5. Ken Griffey Jr hit his seventh homer of the year. The Dodgers beat the Reds for the ninth straight time over two years. The week ended with the Reds still last in their division and 10-1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. Will it ever end?