Phillies right-hander Adam Eaton frustrated Reds hitters for six and two-thirds innings, Chase Utley drove in yet another run, Pat Burrell hit his 14th homer of the year, and Brad Lidge earned his 15th save as the Phillies beat the Reds for the second night in a row, 3-2.

Aaron Harang pitched credibly for the Reds but was once again the victim of poor run support.  Edwin Encarnacion appeared to have finally hit his way out of his extended slump, hitting a solo homer and a triple, and scoring both Reds runs.  Ryan Freel singled, stole a base, made a run-saving catch, threw a bat into the crowd, and suffered a hamstring injury.  Diminutive screw-balling lefty Danny Herrera made an impressive debut for the Reds, striking out Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell with the bases loaded.  Herrera was called up before the game, when Kent Mercker was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.

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

Ex-Red Phil Dumatrait struck out a career-high nine of his former teammates, giving up only one unearned run in seven innings (also a career high) as the Pirates beat the Reds 7-2, snapping a nine-game home winning streak by the Reds.

Aaron Harang, coming off his masterful emergency-relief appearance in Sunday’s game, struggled with both his velocity and his location, giving up six runs on ten hits in only four innings, the big blow being a two-run shot by Jason Bay, his 13th of the year.  Harang’s successor, Jeremy Affeldt, was greeted rudely by Xavier Nady, who hit his ninth on the first pitch of the fifth inning.

Jerry Hairston Jr. celebrated his 32nd birthday with a bunt single, a double and a run scored, but was doubled off second in the ninth inning on a line drive to the right fielder, a base-running mistake that was magnified when Brandon Phillips followed with a solo home run, his tenth of the year, off Matt Capps.

Andy Phillips made his first start for the Reds, playing third base in place of the slumping Edwin Encarnacion.  Phillips made a nice defensive play in the fifth, ranging into foul ground and firing across the diamond to nip Jason Michaels at first.

Before the game, Matt Belisle was optioned to Louisville and Kent Mercker came off the DL. Mercker pitched an inning tonight.

Josh Fogg is scheduled to make Saturday’s start in place of Belisle.

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

The Cincinnati Reds knocked out Pittsburgh Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny in the first inning as they scored six first inning runs and then went on to beat the Pirates by the score of 9-1.

David Ross went 2-4 with a two run home run and four rbi in the game.  Joey Votto had two rbi in the game as well as he continues to swing a good bat.  Jerry Hairston Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Edwin Encarnacion all had one rbi in the game to help out.

Bronson Arroyo improved to 4-4 on the season as he pitched six innings to pick up the win.  Arroyo was very good as he only gave up three hits and one run in his six innings of action.  Mike Lincoln, David Weathers, and Bill Bray all pitched a scoreless inning of relief behind Arroyo.  Great job by all four pitchers!

We should also mention that Corey Patterson was sent down to Triple A before the game.

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Centerfielder Jay Bruce has been called up by the Cincinnati Reds.  Bruce will get most of the playing time in centerfield GM Walt Jocketty said.  I would imagine taht Corey Patterson will be released or demoted to Triple A.

It is now time for Bruce to show what he can do.  Can he hit the ball well enough at the big league level?  It looks like the Reds will give him that chance and they are hoping he won’t have any problems.

Jerry Hairston Jr. has been called up by the Cincinnati Reds as Juan Castro has been designated for assignment.  The Reds hope that Hairston Jr. can hit the ball like he was at Triple-A where he was batting .421 with three home runs, seven doubles, and three triples.

Castro was 0-10 this season with the Reds.

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The Cincinnati Reds have finalized their 25 man roster for opening day.  Johnny Cueto, Paul Bako,  Mike Lincoln, Kent Mercker, and Corey Patterson all had their contracts purchased by the big league club and made the roster.

David Ross, Alex Gonzalez, and Matt Belisle were all placed on the 15 day disabled list.

Mike Stanton and Jon Coutlangus were designated for assignment.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed two former Chicago Cubs players that played under manager Dusty Baker.  Centerfielder Corey Patterson and utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. have both signed minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training with the Reds.

Patterson had played the last few seasons with the Balitmore Orioles after he was traded there from the Chicago Cubs.  Patterson who was once thought to be a five tool player has never really got it going at the plate in his career.  He is a good defender however, and can provide the Reds with some depth.

Hairston played with the San Diego Padres last and was mostly used as a utility player.  He can play in the outfield as well as the infield.  He is a decent player, but isn’t going to put many numbers up in the stats column.

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The Cincinnati Reds have added some depth to their pitching rotation as they have signed Josh Fogg to a one year contract.  Fogg might not start the season in the rotation, but he is a veteran who knows how to play the game and can sure help out some of the younger pitchers.

Last year Fogg pitched for the Colorado Rockies and went 10-9 with a 4.90 ERA.  Remember he did pitch at Coors Field as well.  I think this is a good pickup for the Reds, and Fogg will prove to be valuable to the team in 2008.

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Brandon Phillips has signed a four year contract with the the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.  The deal also includes an option for the fifth year.  Reports are saying that the contract will pay Phillips $27 million dollars.  Sounds like a lot of money for Phillips if you ask me.

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Just a quick update for everyone today as Matt Belisle and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed on a one year contact that will pay Belisle $1.25 million dollars.  Belisle is hoping for a spot in the starting rotation, but I think he would be better suited in the bullpen for long relieft or middle innings work.

What do you think Reds fans?  Is Belisle a starting pitcher or a long reliever?

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