Cincinnati Reds: Random Thoughts On the Reeling Redlegs

Scott Rolen was held out of the Reds' lineup on Monday after being hit in the head with a pitch the day before. Dusty Baker said Rolen did not have a concussion, only a headache.

Rolen was not available to pinch-hit in the ninth inning last night, when Willy Taveras came to the plate as the winning run. Drew Sutton was also on the bench, but Baker said, "I'm not sending the kid up there in that situation."

That is the most ignorant thing I have heard in a long time. 

Did Baker think Taveras was going to send one into the bleachers?

The only way young players can get used to pressure situations is to participate in them. Besides, it's not like the team is battling for first place. This is the time of the year when you can see if Sutton (and others) will be able to contribute in the future.

Taveras was back in the lineup after missing the past five games with a sore wrist.

"We've been struggling, so I hope to use my speed and help this team win," he said.

Someone should tell him you can't steal first.

The Reds+lose+seventh+straight">quote of the night came from Baker, "We're close, real close, to getting it together for a long period of time. I just feel it."

Does he think the fans are complete idiots? The team has lost 19 of their last 23 games.

The Reds are 45-60. They have won just 19 of their last 59 games. They must win 18 of their remaining 57 games to avoid losing 100.

That's a lot of math.

Yonder Alonso is No. 18 on MLB.com's list of Top 50 Prospects.

It appears that former Red Aaron Boone is going to try and play again. Boone, currently with the Houston Astros, will meet with the training staff and general manager to plan his rehab assignment.

Remember when everyone got a pants-tent after Manny Ramirez hit the pinch-hit grand slam against the Reds on July 22? The Dodgers are having a bobblehead giveaway to commemorate the event. The bobblehead will feature Ramirez tipping his hat to the crowd. 

They should have a bobblehead of him bent over with a needle stuck in his butt.