Cincinnati-St. Louis: Redbirds Triumph Over Redlegs

I am back after a long, fun-filled weekend with my family.  We spent time at home, the Great American Ball Park, Kings Island, the pool, and watching fireworks.  Good times.  I will now attempt to catch up on my beloved Redlegs.

On Friday, Edinson Volquez threw for about five minutes on flat ground.  He reported no pain and hopes to get back on a mound sometime this week.  There is still no target date for his return to the starting rotation.

Friday evening marked the beginning of a big series against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Homer Bailey started for the Reds and finally showed the Cincinnati faithful the reason he was taken in the first round of the 2004 draft.

Bailey was outstanding, pitching into the eighth inning and allowing two runs on three hits.  He left the game with a lead, but the bullpen could not hold it.  Arthur Rhodes entered the game with two runners on and walked the only batter he faced.  David Weathers came in to face Albert Pujols, who hit a rocket over the left-center field wall for a grand slam.

An error by Paul Janish helped the Cardinals score three more in the ninth.  A night that began so promising ended in a heart-breaking 7-4 loss.

As we made our way to the park on Saturday, rain began to fall on the Queen City.  It never came down hard enough to delay the game, but I don't think it ever actually stopped.  Micah Owings stepped onto the mound and into the batter's box to try and help his team even the series at a game apiece.

Owings pitched into the seventh, allowing the Cardinals just two runs on six hits.  The usually effective bullpen returned to form on this day and protected the lead.

Home runs by Owings and Joey Votto propelled the Reds to a 5-2 victory.

Sunday saw the slumping Bronson Arroyo get shelled again.  He gave up 11 hits and 8 runs (5 earned) in just five innings.  That was more than enough for the Cardinals as Cris Carpenter continued to have little trouble retiring Cincinnati hitters.  The Cardinals rolled to a 10-1 victory.

After the game, Arroyo made no excuses and did his best to assure the media that he was fine physically.

There was at least one piece of good news on Sunday.  Francisco Cordero learned that he would be representing the Reds at the All-Star Game.  Cordero is 1-2 with a 1.80 earned run average.  He has converted 20 of 21 save opportunities.