The last big baseball holiday of the year is here already and there’s lot of stuff going on for Reds fans.

Friday, August 31

• Reds visit the Astros at 8:05 p.m.
  Mike Leake (RHP, 6-8, 4.51 ERA) faces Fernando Abad (LHP, 0-1, 3.62 ERA)
• Joey Votto makes one more rehab appearance with the class A Dayton Dragons. The game is at home and starts at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 1

• Reds continue the series with the Astros at 7:05 p.m.
  Homer Bailey (RHP, 10-9, 4.24 ERA) takes on Lucas Harrell (RHP, 10-9, 3.92 ERA)
  (Wait, the Astros have a 10-game winning pitcher? That means he has 1/4 of the team’s total number of wins.)
• Rosters expand
• Watch out NLC: Joey Votto returns to the Reds’ line-up! …or does he?

Sunday, September 2

• Last home night game for the Louisville Bats at 7:05 p.m.
• Reds finish out the series with the Astros at 2:05 p.m.
  Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 11-7, 3.84 ERA) against Bud Norris (RHP, 5-11, 5.01 ERA)

Monday, September 3

• Last home game for the Louisville Bats at 1:05 p.m. Time to call some guys up!
• Phillies visit the Reds at 1:10 p.m.
• FS Ohio is doing something special. Here’s the press release:

The Cincinnati Reds play host to the Philadelphia Phillies this Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 3rd at 1pm. As part of the network’s Labor Day Salute, FOX Sports Ohio will showcase those who work behind-the-scenes at Great American Ball Park.

Feature reporter Brian Giesenschlag will highlight various hard working staff members at the ballpark, including the grounds crew, cleaning crew, ushers and more.

Tune in at 1pm on Monday for the Reds v. Phillies and FOX Sports Ohio’s Labor Day Salute. Reds Live pregame show will begin at 12:30pm.

Quick! Take in as much baseball and summer fun as you can before football gets its inexorable grip on society. Happy Labor Day, everyone!

Boxscore

The Reds completed the sweep of the Diamondbacks yesterday afternoon.

Mat Latos pitched a beauty for the Reds. In 7.0 innings of work he allowed 2 runs (earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 7.

J.J. Hoover pitched the eighth inning and struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Not so much as a baserunner: you’ve gotta love that. Jose Arredondo did allow a baserunner in the ninth inning, but that wasn’t nearly enough for the Diamondbacks.

The offense put on a show like we haven’t seen in a while. The home run hitters were large and in charge. Chris Heisey hit a 2-run shot in the seventh, followed by a solo shot from Dioner Navarro. In the eighth inning, Brandon Phillips hit a 2-run dinger, followed by Heisey again. Plus, Latos went 2-for-3. I love to see the pitcher helping himself out at the plate.

The win puts the Reds’ record at 80-52. They need just one more win to ensure a .500 season. They won’t get it today, though: the boys in red are taking the day off. They’ll be back tomorrow to play the Astros in Houston.

Boxscore

Lots of good things happened in the Reds’ win over the Diamondbacks last night.

Johnny Cueto was the first pitcher to reach 17 wins this season. He did it by working 7.0 innings, giving up 2 runs (earned) on 4 hits and a walk. After that, Jonathan Broxton put in a hitless inning, followed by Aroldis Chapman doing the same for his 33rd save of the year. That’s 25 successful save conversions in a row for Chapman.

The second inning saw Scott Rolen putting his wisdom and patience to good use, driving up the pitch count in a single at bat by 15 pitches before eventually drawing the walk. Combined with singles from Todd Frazier, Chris Heisey, and Ryan Hanigan, the Reds scored 3 runs that inning.

As if that weren’t enough, Brandon Phillips, Ryan Ludwick, and Frazier hooked up again in the eighth inning to put a couple more runs on the board. Phillips, Frazier, Heisey, and Hanigan each had 2-hit games.

The win ensures a win of the series and opens up the possibility of the sweep this afternoon. It brings the Reds’ record to 79-52, which is the best record there is in baseball today. The series capper will feature Mat Latos (RHP, 10-4, 3.84 ERA) taking on Patrick Corbin (LHP, 5-5, 3.91 ERA). First pitch at 3:40 p.m. EDT.