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.

Matt Belisle took the loss after pitching six innings and giving up seven hits and three runs.  Belisle’s record now stands at 1-4 on the season.  Belisle really needs to turn things around and the throw the ball better and start helping out the team get some wins.

Bill Bray gave up one run as he pitched 1/3 of an inning in relief of Belisle.  Jared Burton was then brought in to finish the seventh inning.  Josh Fogg pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Reds.

The lone run for Reds came in the ninth inning when Edwin Encarnacion singled in Adam Dunn.   A little to late however for the Reds to come back in the game.

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Edwin Encarnacion and Joey Votto hit solo home runs late in the game, but the Reds were so far down it realy didn’t matter.  Paul Bako also had a RBI in the game when he doubled to center field in the fifth inning.

Matt Belisle was the opening pitcher for the Red throwing for four innings giving up 12 hits, seven runs and a walk.  He picked up his first loss of the year putting him at 0-1.  Jeremy Affeldt, Josh Fogg, Todd Coffey, and Kent Mercker would pitch the last six innings for the Reds.  Fogg was the only relief pitcher to give up earned runs as he gave up two runs in his two innings pitched.

The Reds will be facing the Dodgers one more time tonight at home for game two of the series.

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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.

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

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