Ken Griffey Jr. hit a pitch hit walk off home run on Monday night as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 4-3.  The dramatic win was very big for the Reds as they were behind the entire game until Griffey Jr. took one swing and ended the game with the two run shot off of Matt Capps.

Jerry Hairston Jr. also added a solo home run in the game and Jay Bruce added a rbi with a fielders choice in the sixth inning.

Aaron Harang started the game for the Reds and threw six innings while giving up seven hits and three runs.  Harang was on the line to take the loss but got saved with the Griffey home run and instead got a no decision in the game.  Francisco Cordero picked up the win for the team and is now 3-1 on the season.  Jeff Burton also tossed one inning of scoreless relief in the eighth inning.

We will have to see if the Reds can carry any momentum over into Tuesday nights game against the Pirates.

Reds Blog

Bronson Arroyo pitched well — in a day game, no less — and Adam Dunn had a memorable game both offensively and defensively, leading the Reds to a winning series and road trip before they head home to face National League opposition.

Dunn may have a few bruises to remember this one by.  In addition to hitting a three-run homer, he was hit by the pitch twice, bowled over catcher Kelly Shoppach on a play at the plate, and collided with the left-field wall while making one of his two fine running catches.  Edwin Encarnacion, returning to the lineup after missing a couple of games with a bad back, also homered for the Reds.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Johnny Cueto and the Reds bullpen (notably David Weathers, Jared Burton and Francisco Cordero) shut out the Cleveland Indians to win the vaunted “Ohio Cup”, for whatever that’s worth.  Adam Dunn hit a solo shot in the top of the first, but the big blow was a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double by Paul Bako in the fourth.  Brandon Phillips drove in the final run with a seventh-inning single.

Indians starter Paul Byrd absorbed his ninth loss of the season.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

After Grady Sizemore shut down a potential Reds uprising with a spectacular catch of an Adam Dunn bid for extra bases, C.C. Sabathia shut down the Reds without further incident.  Sizemore later homered and drove in three Tribal runs.  Daryl Thompson pitched well for the Reds, but got no help from the bullpen, the offense, or the defense.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Edinson Volquez suffered through his first subpar outing of the year, giving up seven Blue Jay runs (five earned) in four and one-third innings, while Jesse Litsch stymied the Reds batters, giving up only one run in eight innings pitched.  Scott Rolen homered and drove in three runs for the Jays, while Brandon Phillips drove in the only Reds run with a sacrifice fly.

Jerry Hairston Jr. was activated before the game and led off for the Reds.  To make room on the roster for Hairston, Paul Janish was optioned to Louisville.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Walks to Norris Hopper and Paul Janish, a sacrifice bunt by David Ross, and a sacrifice fly by Jay Bruce manufactured the winning run in the top of the tenth as the Reds bested the Blue Jays 6-5 in extra innings.  Jared Burton picked up his fourth win in relief, and Francisco Cordero notched his 15th save.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run homer in the top of the first off Jays starter Roy Halliday.  Reds starter Aaron Harang had one bad inning, giving up a pair of two-run shots to Adam Lind and Joe Inglett in the third.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Bronson Arroyo gave up ten earned runs in one inning plus and took his seventh loss of the season, while A.J. Burnett pitched eight strong innings for the Blue Jays and cruised to his seventh victory of the year.

Scott Rolen, Gregg Zaun and Alex Rios homered for Toronto, and eight different Jays had multiple-hit nights.  Jay Bruce drove in the lone Reds run with a sacrifice fly.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Ok Reds fans, time is running out for you to enter the State Farm Call Your Shot promotion. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up, and one you see the prize list, you will definately want to sign up!

What could be better then taking a free trip for four people to New York City for the All Star game? Staying in a great hotel, getting spending money, free tickets to the game and even a broadway show is exactly what you will get if you are selected as the grand prize winner of the Call Your Shot Promo. Take two minutes right now and enter the promo!

The grand prize winner will also get the chance to pick a spot to which two of the Home Run Derby players must compete to try to hit a ball. If the first player hits the ball to the called spot, the promotion ends. If either player succeeds, the fan receives a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid vehicle and a 2009 season-ticket package for any team.

Additionally, 10 fans will win first place prizes consisting of a $300 MLB.com gift card and 25 second place prize winners will receive $100 MLB.com gift cards.

Remember, time is running out and you have nothing to lose! Also, remember to vote for your favorite Reds players to be in the All Star game!

Johnny Cueto duelled Andy Pettite for five innings, but did not come back out after an hour-long rain delay, and the Yankees found the offerings of the Reds bullpen more to their liking, scoring three in the sixth off Gary Majewski and Jeremy Affeldt.  Jason Giambi was 3-for-3 with two RBI for the Yankees.  Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo homer for the Reds’ only run.  Mariano Rivera pitched the final inning and a third to earn his 21st save of the year.

A bearded Jeff Keppinger, activated before the game, started the game at shortstop, but briefly moved to third when Edwin Encarnacion developed back spasms.  Andy Phillips was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Keppinger.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

Daryl Thompson pitched five scoreless innings in his major-league debut, and Bill Bray picked up the win in relief as the Reds offense finally broke through against Yankee pitching in the seventh and eighth innings.  Edwin Encarnacion, Brandon Phillips, and Corey Patterson drove in two runs apiece, Patterson with the 100th home run of his career.

Thompson was activated before the game when Jolbert Cabrera went on the DL.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.