OUR MISSION
Buy LaRue a Hit is an organization of Reds fans dedicated to ending the suffering of Reds' catcher Jason LaRue by helping him to return to form as an offensive non-liability.

THE NEED
Any color announcer can tell you that Jason LaRue couldn't buy a hit these days. At the time of this writing, the Reds' proud number one catcher was 1-for-his-last-30 at-bats. It's time for someone to step up and buy this guy a hit.

You might wonder why LaRue can't buy his own hits. The contract he signed this off-season gives him $3.6 million this year after all. Unfortunately, Dan O'Brien had worked a special clause into the contract to try to ensure his own job security.

14(b). Monies from said contract cannot be utilised for the purpose of acquiring helicopters, wolverines, hits, and/or lawn furniture without the express written consent of one Mr. O'Brien, hereafter known as THE EMPEROR.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
With your generous donation of just $750, you can help Jason go 2 for 4 in a game. Just $1400 will give him a double and 2 RBI. That's less than a dollar a day for four years.

So please, won't you look into your heart today and open your wallet for the team and the catcher that you love? Every little bit helps. Even just $20 will let Jason foul off a good pitch.

You have the power to make a real difference in the outcome of the Reds' season, but you have to take action. It's up to you.

UPDATE: Plans are in the works for Buy LaRue a Hit Day at Great American Ball Park! Watch for details!

Ryan Parker has set a cute little slide show to his song “Cincinnati is a Baseball Town.” Check it out for as you get ready for the game tonight.

Dammit. Now we get both McCracken and Olmedo pinch-hitting in every game. That's just lovely.

The Reds scored seven runs for the third game in a row last night when they defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 7-1. Oh yeah, and something about an eight-game winning streak too. And I think I heard someone say the phrase “first place.” I don't know: I wasn't really listening.

Bronson Arroyo got the win, allowing one run (earned) on five hits and zero walks through seven. Arroyo gave up the season's first home run to Tony Womack, which only counts for one on the scoreboard, but surely must count for a lot more in terms of shame.

Kent Mercker took over in the eighth and held the Cubs hitless. Esteban Yan took over in the ninth and did the same.

Let's call Ryan Freel the star of the game last night. He went 3-for-5 with two RBI. One of those was his fourth home run of the year (fifth one really, but I'll let that go one of these days), a solo shot in the third inning.

That being said, Brandon Phillips didn't do too bad either, going 2-for-4 with two RBI coming off a home run in the fourth. David Ross went 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBI. He also had a home run off the beleaguered Glendon Rusch in the fourth inning.

Rich Aurilia had the other RBI, but he didn't really have that good a night, so we'll leave it at that.

Between Freel, Phillips, Aurilia, and Womack, six of the eight runs scored in today's game were driven in by men who have played second base for the Reds this season.

Ken Griffey, Jr. did not play because he's still suffering some soreness in that quadriceps muscle. He did, however, deliver the line-up card before the game for the eighth time in a row. Even when the guy can't take the field, he still makes a contribution. What a team player.

The win brings the Reds' record to 36-24 and gives them their longest winning streak since 1999. Tonight we're going to party as Elizardo Ramirez faces off against Greg Maddux at 7:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park.