CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Reds flew across country on Monday to open a 3-game series with the Phillies on Tuesday. Rookie phenom Homer Bailey went to work for Cincinnati and ran into a bump in the road to stardom. He got shelled for six runs in less than two innings. Adam Dunn and Josh Hamilton homered in the 11-4 loss.
On Wednesday, Aaron Harang went to the post for the hometown. He got behind on a 3-run home in the 3rd but gutted it out until the seventh when the Reds put together one of their better innings of the year. to go ahead 6-3. In the bottom of the seventh, the Phils came back with 3 runs to tie it. This time, the relief corp held up and Dunn hit another long ball as they won 9-6.
On Thursday, Matt Belisle was on the mound on a blustery and sometimes rainy night. He and the bull pen just couldn't get the job done. The Reds had the lead five times in this game but still managed to lose 8-7 in 10 innings. Dunn(23), Edwin Encarnacion(5), and Alex Gonzalez(13) all homered.
On Friday night, the Reds hosted the Cardinals at GAPB and sent Bronson Arroyo to the mound. Arroyo pitched one of his best games of the year but the bull pen couldn't hold a 2-1 lead in the eighth and the Reds lost 4-2. Josh Hamilton hit his 13th homer of the season.
On Saturday night, Kyle Lohse tried again at a rare good start and he hit the jackpot. Lohse gave up one run and five hits in seven innings and the bull pen was perfect as the Reds won 5-1. David Ross hit his 12th homer of the season.
On Sunday afternoon, the Reds tried for the elusive series win but lost out in a slugfest 11-7. Rookie Homer Bailey had another very disappointing start. Brandon Phillips hit his 15th home run, Griffey hit his 22nd and Ross collected his 13th.
The Reds ended the week at 31-51 and 16-1/2 games out of first in their division. Something radical has got to happen. I expect Jerry Narron will have to go.

On Sunday night it was announced that Ken Griffey Jr had been elected to start in the All-Star game in San Francisco next week.