Dusty Baker flip-flopped Joey Votto and Corey Patterson in the order, but it didn’t help much, as the only Reds run scored on a solo homer by Edwin Encarnacion.  Meanwhile, Bronson Arroyo gave up six Dodger runs in six and one-third innings.  Brandon Phillips had two hits and turned a spectacular double play.  James Loney and Juan Pierre drove in two runs each, and starter Derek Lowe picked up the win for the Dodgers.

Norris Hopper, activated from the DL before the game, pinch-hit for Patterson and played a couple of innings in center.  Hopper had a single and a base on balls, but was stranded in scoring position both times.  To make room for Hopper on the roster, Homer Bailey was optioned back to Louisville.

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

Dusty Baker continues to say that he would love to add center fielder Kenny Lofton to the Cincinnati Reds roster.  In order to do that however, they would have to make a trade or release one of the players that is currently on their 40-man roster.  Lofton only wants to sign a guranteed major league contract.

Lofton would be a good for Baker and the Reds in my opinion.  Lofton has played under Baker before in Chicago so they are definately familar with each other.  I think it would be a good move, the question is how can management make it work?

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