Jeepers, I'm about ready for bed and the Reds are just about to get started. I see that it's Thom and Chris on FSNO tonight. It's a homecoming of sorts for Thom, except that his return to Cincinnati was also a homecoming. I think this homecoming is more like the kind you had in college, when maybe your parents come out for a visit to see how you're doing and fail to mask their disgust at the state of your dorm room.

Yeah, I'm tired.

Don't know how long I'll be able to stay awake/use the computer before the CTS has to work on the taxes, but I'll ramble in the comments as long as I can.

The Reds put themselves back into a tie for first place with the Pirates yesterday with a 6-3 loss.

Eric Milton came off the DL just in time for this first start of the season, and he was truly mediocre, which is an improvement over some of his performances in spring training. He allowed four runs (earned) on ten hits in 5.2 innings and struck out six. In some ways, Aaron Harang's performance the day before was even worse, but the offense came through.

Victor Santos was his reliable self and pitched his one and one-third innings without giving up so much as a hit. Todd Coffey allowed a run (earned) on two hits in the eighth and Jon Coutlangus allowed a run (earned) on a hit in the ninth. It all added up to a big fat L for Milton.

But the bats weren't entirely quiet. Adam Dunn had a couple RBIs as he continues his hot April. Juan Castro knocked in the other Reds' run.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 4-2. They face the Diamondbacks in Arizona tonight at 9:40. Bronson Arroyo faces Doug Davis in the first non-freezing game since Opening Day.

Got this press release from Michael with the Hoxworth Blood Center. Give a pint!

Give Blood in April to Win Reds Tickets

Hoxworth Blood Center is offering Cincinnati Reds tickets as an incentive to give blood during the month of April.

The springtime can bring warmer weather, but also increased blood usage at local hospitals due to more accidents and traumas.

All donors who give blood at any Hoxworth blood drive or donor center between April 1-30, 2007 will automatically be entered in a raffle to win four tickets to an upcoming Cincinnati Reds home game.

One winner will be selected each week in April and will win four tickets to an upcoming Cincinnati Reds home game. The group of four tickets are in section 128, located ten rows behind the Reds dugout and have a retail value of $125.

For ticket raffle details, visit www.hoxworth.org/reds.

About Hoxworth:
Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center needs to collect from 350 volunteer blood donors and 40 volunteer platelet donors each day to keep up with the demands of tri-state hospitals and their patients. Hoxworth, founded in 1938, serves 28 hospitals in 17 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects over 94,000 units of blood from local volunteer donors.

Hoxworth operates donation centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, UC, Downtown, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Thomas, Mason, Tri-County and Western Hills. Operating days and hours vary with each center.