Random Reds Ruminations, Astros 10 Reds 4, May 3

I truly am running out of things to say about these recent performances by the Reds. Yesterday's game started well enough, Mike Leake actually got out of the first inning without giving up any runs, the first time the Reds had done that in 9 home games. Even better, the Reds got a run of their own in the bottom of the 1st to take the lead.  Unfortunately, Leake surrendered a lead-off home ruin in the top of the second, and it was all downhill from there.

- The big debate right now is what is the problem with the Reds. My opinion is that the problem is clearly the starting pitching. They entered the game with the second worst starting pitcher ERA in baseball, only the Cubs were worse. The starting pitching is constantly putting the offense in a hole. This does not allow the offense to relax and settle in to the game. Even last night, the Reds get a lead in the bottom of the first, and that lead doesn't even last for ONE batter as Leake gives up the home run to lead off the second. Hopefully the return of Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto to the rotation will provide better results.

- Mike Leake's line: 3.2 IP, 7H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. THAT IS NOT GOOD.

- Joey Votto was not very MVP-like last night. In the 4th inning, with the Reds trailing by 6, Votto is caught stealing by 10 feet on what appeared to be a straight steal. Then in the 5th and the 7th he came to the plate with two runners on, swung at the first pitch on each occasion, and popped out both times. When the team is struggling, the MVP needs to play better than that.

- The brightest spot on an otherwise miserable evening was the defensive play made by Brandon Phillips to end the 3rd inning. Jason Bourgeois hit a slow grounder between the mound and first base. Phillips charged from his position, snagged the ball bare-handed, and flipped it between his legs to Joey Votto to get the speedy Bourgeois. The play was the #2 play on SportsCenter, only because the final out of the Francisco Liriano no-hitter was #1. Do yourself a favor and find the Phillips play on-line, you will not regret it.

The loss drops the Reds (14-15) below .500 for the first time this season, and they now trail the Cardinals (17-13) by 2.5 games in the Central. They look to even the series with the Astros (12-17) today at 11:35 CST. Travis Wood (1-3, 6.82 ERA), who may be pitching to keep his rotation spot, goes for Cincinnati against Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 6.75 ERA), who is making his first career start for Houston.