The Reds started their first inter-league series of 2006 with a win over the Detroit Tigers by a score of 9-4.

Brandon Claussen allowed four runs on four hits and a walk through the first seven innings of the game for the win. Todd Coffey allowed zero runs on one hit in the eighth. Chris Hammond held the Tigers hitless through the ninth. Hammond's ERA: 7.71.

The Reds drew first blood in the top of the second when Rich Aurilia led off the inning with a home run. It was his first at-bat after coming off the disabled list. Scott Hatteberg walked and Austin Kearns doubled to set up Javier Valentín for a sacrifice fly. Jason LaRue struck out and Brandon Phillips grounded out to end the inning. Score: 2-0.

The good guys busted it open in the top of the fourth. Hatteberg singled and Kearns and Valentín walked to load the bases. LaRue was hit by a pitch to bring in Hatteberg. A triple by Phillips and a fielding error by the Tigers' Carlos Guillen cleared the bases.

But the Reds weren't done yet. After a a pitching change and a ground-out by Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn knocked a home run to right field to score Phillips and himself. The Tigers would get three of those runs back in the bottom of the inning, but the Reds retained the lead. Score: 8-3.

The Reds got their final run in the top of the fifth. Kearns walked to lead off the inning and LaRue doubled two batters later. Phillips contributed a sacrifice fly to bring in Kearns. The Tigers were able to score one more in the bottom of the sixth, but the score remained the same for the rest of the game. Final score: 9-4.

The win brought the Reds' record to 25-17. Eric Milton would make his first post-DL appearance against Mike Maroth.

The Reds snapped a losing streak that went on for five games with this 9-8 come-from-behind win on Thursday afternoon.

Fans could feel this win coming on. There was a positive vibe coming out of Cincinnati on Thursday. Too bad starting pitcher Dave Williams didn't feel it. He allowed six runs (earned) on seven hits and two walks through just three innings of work. In fact, he allowed that many runs in just the first inning.

Elizardo Ramirez took over in the fourth, giving up one run on one hit through one inning. Matt Belisle gave up zero runs on zero hits through two innings to get the win.

David Weathers came in with a two-run in the lead in the seventh and gave up one run on two hits through two innings, demonstrating the trite old saying: you never put in Weathers to defend a one-run lead. Todd Coffey pitched the ninth and held the Buccos scoreless on one hit for the save.

Down by six after the bottom of the first, the Reds made it on the board in the top of the second inning. With one out, Scott Hatteberg singled to set up Jason LaRue for the two-run home run two batters later. Score 2-6.

Often, this offense can seem to keep their groove for only one inning, but this day the offense struck again in the top of the fourth. With one out, LaRue and Ryan Freel singled and Ray Olmedo walked. Felipe Lopez singled to bring in LaRue, and make the score 3-6. Adam Dunn grounded into a rare double play to end the threat. The Pirates got the run back in the bottom of the inning. Score: 3-7.

In the top of the fifth, with one out Austin Kearns hit a home run to left field. Two batters later, Edwin Encarnación was hit by a pitch. LaRue and Freel singled to bring in Encarnación. Score: 5-7.

The Reds finally took the lead in the top of the seventh. Hatteberg doubled and scored when Encarnación doubled as well. Freel singled two batters later to bring in Encarnación. Pinch hitter Javier Valentín and Felipe Lopez walked. After a strike out by Dunn, Ken Griffey, Jr singled in Freel and Valentín. Score: 9-7.

Weathers gave back one of the runs in the eighth inning, but the Reds held on to keep the game a win. Final score: 9-8.

The win brought the Reds' record to 24-17 and prevented a sweep at the hands of the Pirates. They went on to Detroit for an inter-league series with the Tigers. Brandon Claussen took on Jeremy Bonderman.

I'm sitting down in front of the Reds pre-game for the first time in days, and I'm really enjoying it. I had no idea I could miss Dan Hoard and Jim Day so much.

They were talking about what the Reds need to do to get things rolling again, and among the things on the list was “a return to form” for Bronson Arroyo. After a couple bad starts, they're apparently ready for him to go back to his super-hot start. I don't want to be the one to tell them that this is his return to form.

But that's OK. As a slightly-above-average pitcher, he's still better than most of what we've seen in this rotation for the last few years.

George Grande is interviewing Wayne Krivsky on the Reds pre-game. Things Kriv-dawg has said include:

• The team has lost several close ones where one hit or one play would have made a big difference, and the defense is “nowhere near where it needs to be.” Thank you, Mr. Obvious.
• He called Dave Williams a “major league pitcher,” seemingly answering the unasked question about why they wouldn't just send him down. He didn't rule out the possiblity of assigning him to Louisville if they can't work out a trade, though.

  Chris at Redleg Nation points to an ESPN article about the potential of trading him to the Mets. I hope they can work something out for the guy.

• George asked about Dunn's slump and the prospects of the offense. Kriv-dawg has faith in Dunn to come around. It's true that the Reds offense seems to live and die by Dunn. Freel could score a half dozen runs by himself, but without the power of Dunn we get…well, we get exactly what we've been getting lately.
• When asked about trades, he said that if he and his guys can put together a compelling argument, that Castellini will put money behind a deal that will help the team. So start putting your wish list together: personally, I think Dontrelle could really help this team.
• When asked about finding pitching help at home, Krivsky specifically mentioned that he couldn't imagine prospects jumping from AA straight to the majors. Instead, he'll count on some veterans in AAA to help “in a pinch.”
• He called Joe Mays a “low-risk, high-reward” signing and acknowledged that his numbers in KC were “ugly.” Hopefully “in a pinch” they'll be less ugly than the alternatives.

Hey, remember on May 4 when I told you that Rich Aurilia was on the DL and Ray Olmedo would take his place? And remember last Friday when Aurilia played? That was because he came off the disabled list. On Thursday, the Reds sent Ray Olmedo back to Louisville to make room on the roster.

Hardly breaking news, I know. I'm afraid there's going to be a lot of this kind of stuff today while I catch up.

Good morning!

I'm very proud of the fact that I'm up and out of bed early enough to say that and have it be correct in a technical sense. It was touch-and-go there for a while, but I committed myself, and got in the shower. Go me!

Wow, what a weekend. It was one of those affairs where you cram so much into two days that it feels like you were going for five. I'll write all about it tonight, but now I have to get myself to work to squeeze in a half day. I just wanted to check in, because I know how you guys worry.

Brewers tonight! I can hardly wait.

Go Reds!