Cincinnati-New York: The Reds Need a Break

The Mets took two of three from the Reds over the weekend to send Cincinnati (42-45) three games below the .500 mark for the first time this season. A series that started so well on Friday night got progressively worse until disaster level was officially reached yesterday afternoon.

The series opener saw Bronson Arroyo dominate the Mets for a complete game shutout. Joey Votto and Laynce Nix each homered en route to a 3-0 victory.

On Saturday night, bad luck and a poor start by Johnny Cueto quickly sealed Cincinnati's fate. In the first inning, Dusty Baker saw his starting pitcher struggle again and his right-fielder headed for the disabled list. Jay Bruce suffered a broken wrist while diving for a fly ball.

Cueto gave up three runs in the first and one more in the second. He settled down after that, but the damage was done. With Johan Santana on the mound, the Mets cruised to a 4-0 win.

Sunday would be the rubber game of the series as the Reds looked to have somewhat of a positive feeling heading into the All-Star break, but it was not meant to be. Aaron Harang started and lasted just three innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.

Adam Rosales was called up from Louisville to take Bruce's roster spot, but the Reds would not be at full strength for long. Chris Dickerson left the game with back spasms and Joey Votto was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

By the fifth inning, the Mets had a 7-0 lead. The Reds began to battle back, but the hole they had dug themselves was too deep. The Mets squashed any hopes of a comeback by hitting two homers off of David Weathers in the seventh.

After the game, Votto offered a very eloquent description of his encounter with the home plate umpire.

"I'd like to thank Bill Welke for christening me with my first ejection," Votto said. "I didn't do anything or offend him in any way. I didn't go below the belt. I had a basic disagreement with him as far as what was a ball and a strike. He's a good guy. I don't have a problem with Bill at all. I just stood there a little too long and he ran me. He's a good guy."