Manny Ramirez Takes Needle in Rear, But Puts Dagger in Reds' Heart

"His sinker didn't sink."

That was Dusty Baker's analysis of what happened when Nick Masset faced Manny Ramirez in the sixth inning last night.  Masset entered the game to relieve Bronson Arroyo, who had loaded the bases by allowing two walks and a single.  Ramirez, who was not in the starting lineup because of a bruised hand suffered the night before, was summoned by Joe Torre to pinch-hit for Chad Billingsley.

Ramirez launched Masset's first pitch into the left-field seats to give the Dodgers a 6-2 lead.  It was the 21st grand slam of the cheater's career, the first of the pinch-hit variety.

The slam by Ramirez was the final blow, but the Reds were already hurting from self-inflicted wounds. In the fifth, Jerry Hairston was thrown out trying to steal third with no outs. In the same inning, Arroyo failed to get down a sacrifice bunt.  In the sixth, they managed to score just one run after having runners on the corners and nobody out.

The winless streak at Dodger Stadium now stands at 12 games. The last time the Reds beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles was July 28, 2005.

Cincinnati will travel to Wrigley Field for a weekend series against the Cubs. The opening game on Friday afternoon will feature Aaron Harang (5-10, 4.17) against Randy Wells (5-4, 3.00). 

Despite being swept by the Dodgers, the Reds still find themselves 5 1/2 games out of first place.  It should be a very interesting weekend.