CINCINNATI REDS DUGOUT: Bullpen Shines!

Edinson Volquez started his first game last night, against the St. Louis Cardinals after coming back from the 15-day disabled list. He had been suffering from back spasms and it showed.

Volquez faced six batters in a one-run inning. Skip Shumaker led off the first with a ground out to third baseman Adam Rosales. Cody Rasmus doubled to right-center, followed by more of the same from Albert Pujols, scoring Rasmus. Chris Duncan drew a walk and was stranded when Rick Ankiel and Jason LaRue both went down swinging.

Volquez entered the game with the opposing teams batting a mere .191 against him.  Apparently still suffering from the back problems, he was replaced in the bottom of the second by Mike Lincoln, who picked up the victory.

The only damage done to Lincoln was a solo shot by Rasmus in the bottom of the third inning. 

The Reds sandwiched a walk between three hits as they scored three in the fourth inning to go ahead for good.

Left-hander Danny Herera entered the game in the fifth inning and handled himself well.  He gave up a single to Rasmus but had Pujols ground into a double play to end the inning.

Joe Thurston doubled leading off the seventh and sent Herera to the showers in favor of Nick Massett.

Massett and Arthur Rhodes each pitched an inning of scoreless ball, setting it up perfectly for Coco Cordero to record his 14th save in 14 attempts, moving him into second place in the National League behind Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres.

The bullpen has been one of the Reds' weakest points in several years and it was very refreshing to see them go eight strong innings and yield just a pair of runs.

The Milwaukee Brewers were defeated by the Florida Marlins last night 7-4, leaving the Reds only 2.5 games back.