Reds Impress Cubs With Their Ability to Play Baseball at a High Level, Reds 5-3

After getting a beating on Friday night thanks in large part to some sub-quality starting pitching from Homeboy, Reds took games two and three of the series which should surprise no one, as the Reds are quite good at baseball. Though any time you lose to Carlos Silva, as the Reds did Friday, that's going to affect you. Dusty still has some coaching to do.

Saturday, after keeping things close for 6, the Reds 'sploded in the 7th and 8th. Hanigan hit a grand slam, which bumped his average up to .409 and gives him more rbis then he had all last season and everyone had a fine time getting hits and dominating the Cubs. Harang was presented with his second win of the season with a nice 6 and 2/3rds. His removal occurred before the offensive outburst, or they may have let him finish the 7th. His goal was actually 6 and 1/3, so he eclipsed that. Yesterday, there was less offense but still enough to allow for a victory over the Cubs. Leake kept everything real quiet for 6, then briefly allowed the Cubs the lead in the 7th on a bomb from some guy named Colvin (Cubs, give me a break). Leake's strategy paid off as there is nothing worse than fighting back from a deficit only to immediately fall behind again. But, the garbage-eating bears took the bait and crawled into the bear trapping dumpster and Votto launched a three-run bomb in the Reds' half of the 7th. Masset pitched well again and Coco shut the door. Everyone took turns punching Cubs announcers Len Kasper and Bob Brenly in the stomach. Those guys are the worst.

Reds make the journey to Pittsburgh but without a day off. The Reds prefer having some time to catch their breath before immediately launching into a new series but unfortunately, that preference won't be recognized this time. Reds begin things tonight with Arroyo tossing some farm-fresh salad to a previously very lucky Pittsburgh team. This time it's personal. Reds take the three games they, out of the goodness of their heart, volunteered to the Pirates earlier in the season. Reds! Reds! Reds!