The Reds sucked hard on Monday as they opened a four-game series with a 13-1 loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

Elizardo Ramirez, who usually gets the hard-luck loss, was well-deserving of the loss this time around. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks in one and two-thirds innings.

New guy Ryan Franklin looked better in long relief than his line indicates. He allowed three runs (earned) on five hits and two walks through four and one-third innings. Todd Coffey and Kent Mercker each pitched a scoreless inning on two hits in the seventh and eighth. David Weathers allowed three more runs (earned) on two hits and a walk in the ninth.

The Reds' one run came on a solo shot by Javier Valentín. Valentín went 2-for-4 and Royce Clayton went 2-for-4. Ryan Freel, Ken Griffey, Jr., Edwin Encarnación, and Scott Hatteberg had a hit apiece. Freel and Hatteberg also walked. And that's all there was, offense-wise.

Ugly.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 57-55. They're not four and a half games back on the Cards and share the wild card with the Dodgers. They try to pull their heads out of their asses tonight as Eric Milton takes on Jason Marquis.