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.

Edinson Volquez got his eighth win of the season, giving up only two hits while striking out eight through seven innings.  Joey Votto broke up a Brett Myers no-hit bid in the seventh, and drove in both Reds runs with a pair of run-scoring doubles.  Brandon Phillips stole two bases, one of them standing up after being picked off first, and scored both Reds runs.  Phillips and Votto also made a pair of nice defensive plays.  Francisco Cordero pitched the final inning and a third to record his twelfth save of the year.

Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game with a sore knee.  Corey Patterson, who was called up before the game when Ryan Freel was placed on the 15-day DL, was in the lineup instead.

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

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.

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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