CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Reds had the first three days off this week while the all-star game was being played. Ken Griffey Jr represented the team and did it well with a hit, two RBIs and an assist.

The UC Bearcat basketball team announced another signing for this coming year. Darnell Wilks, 6'8" small forward from Tennessee will join the team a year ahead of time. He was a 2008 recruit but was able to get enough high school credits to graduate early and is heading for campus now. He is probably not strong enough for division I college ball at this stage of his development but sounds like a good one for the future.

On Thursday, the Reds were at Shea Stadium for a four game set with the Mets. Josh Hamilton was put on the 15 day disabled list before the game with a sprained wrist. Bronson Arroyo got the start and immediately set the stage for the second half of the season by giving up back to back lead off home runs. The Reds only got four hits all night, so it made it tough. Arroyo settled down and held the Mets to one run the rest of the way. But all that added up to a tough, heartbreaking 3-2 loss. A base running error by Brandon Phillips in the ninth blew their last opportunity to score.

On Friday night, it was the Reds turn for first-inning magic. The first three reached and loaded the bases for Brandon Phillips who knocked them all in with one swat into the left field seats. It was 4-0 before a batter was retired. A good way to start a game. Aaron Harang pitched well and the Red won 8-4. Phillips was 3-5 and had two more RBIs besides his grand slam.


On Saturday night, Matt Belisle was sent to the mound with the hope of gaining the upper hand in their four game series with the Metropolitans. He got tangled up in a real pitchers duel with Tom Glavin and came out on the short end 2-1. The Reds only got two hits. The one run was provided by a Phillips home run, his 19th of the year.

On Sunday afternoon, Kyle Lohse tried to gain a split in the series with the Mets but wasn't at his best. He gave up 5 runs in 4-2/3 innings and the Reds lost 5-2. Adam Dunn hit a towering home run, his 25th of the year. The Reds finished the week at 37 wins and 55 losses. They are now 14-1/2 games behind the Brewers.