Boxscore

In the first game of the post-Dunn, post-Griffey era, the Reds won in the same fashion that they have whenever they’ve managed to scrape out a win: with home runs.

Sure, you might expect a team without two of the premier sluggers in the game to have a little less pop–and they do–but the Reds have long been a team built on the homer. That doesn’t change with the removal of two batters.

Brandon Phillips and Javier Valentí­n were the two Reds to hit homers, driving in 3 of the team’s 5 runs. Edinson Volquez allowed 1 run in 6 2/3 innings for the win.

For the Pirates, newcomer’s first start at PNC didn’t go as well as his two previous Pirates starts. His scoreless inning streak didn’t even make it out of the first. Despite that, he pitched well, giving up just 3 earned runs in 7 innings.

In case you missed it, which I almost did thanks to not really caring about the Reds right now, Dunn was traded yesterday. Reds beat reporter John Fay talked to owner Bob Castellini and “manager” Dusty Baker about the trade.

The entire time I was reading the article, I couldn’t help but laugh. The answers seemed so delusional. For example, the first question is about if the Reds are in a long-term rebuilding phase now. A good question to ask with the trades of Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn and the DFA of David Ross. Bobo’s response? Apparently, that’s not the case.

Asked if the team could win next season, Castellini said: “Absolutely.”

Actually, I’m with Bobo on this one. The Reds will win next year. Not more than they lose–don’t be ridiculous–but they will win. No team has ever lost all of its games, so Bobo’s on safe ground with this statement. So bank on it. The 2009 Cincinnati Reds: Not Losing All Our Games.

Fay continues:

Coupled with the Griffey trade, today’s actions indicate the Reds are moving in a new direction.

Bobo’s response?

“I guess you could say that,” Castellini said. “We’re trying to get better for the future, while maintaining a team for this year.”

“Obviously, but I can’t say that outright because no one would come to the games,” Castellini meant to say. “We’re rebuilding while maintaining 25 people on the active roster for the remainder of 2008.”

Fay talked to Baker next, and ended the article with a quote from him I found particularly humorous, given Baker’s less than stellar history at managing the past few years.

There will be nights when the Reds don’t have a player over the age of 28. Tuesday night’s lineup in Pittsburgh will likely have an average age of 25.4.

That changes Baker’s job.

“I’ll probably have to teach more–how to be a big leaguer, how to perform like a big leaguer and how to carry yourself like a big leaguer,” Baker said. “That’s part of the job. It was part of somebody’s job when I was young like them. I didn’t come into this league as a big leaguer.”

Baker’s apparently finally starting to realize his job means he has to do something other than fill out lineup cards. Yes, Dusty, you should have to teach more. Of course, since you haven’t been teaching anything since you came to the NL Central, I kind of doubt that will change.

The long, dark tea-time of Reds fans seems likely to continue.

Apparently Adam Dunn cleared waivers.

The Reds traded Dunn to the Arizona Diamonbacks today for minor league right-hand pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be named later. Based entirely on the fact that “Dallas Buck” sounds like an apt description for Dunn, I’m liking this deal so far.

You might wonder how, without their OPS machine, the Reds are going to score any runs at all, and you’d have a valid point (and an opinion that many others are likely to share). However, Dunn’s offensive production has failed to translate into wins thus far in his career; maybe taking it away will put the pressure on the rest of the team to step it up. Plus, Dunn will get a chance to play on a non-sucking team for a change.

It *is* weird, though, to have the final piece of the Kearns, Griffey, and Dunn outfield dismantled.

Boxscore

Whoever had chosen the number 3 has won the “How many games before Chris Carpenter’s injured again sweepstakes.” Congratulations.

The Cubs pretty much ended the Cardinals season on ESPN for all the world not watching the Olympics to see. Chicago won the 3-game series and dropped St. Louis to a distant 3rd place. Yes, the Cardinals, who have defied the odds all season, are now 7 games back. They’re now closer to fourth place than first, and I’m afraid that they’re magical run is nearly done.

Not even the amazing Felipe Lopez can save them now.

Chicago was pretty much awesome. Sure they got blown out in the second game of the series, but that happens. The Cubs, as difficult as it is to believe, are a very good team managed by a crazy, but very good manager.

You know, the Reds had the opportunity to get Lou Piniella. I believe they stayed pat with Jerry Narron instead. Good call, Castellini.

Boxscore

Okay, the title for this wrap isn’t exactly shocking, but it’s getting to the point that it’s difficult to describe how utterly dreadful the Reds are. Case in point: even reporters for the Reds are comparing the team disfavorably to the Pirates. That’s gotta hurt.

Of course, all sensible people know that the Reds are doomed, regardless of what moves are made until Dusty Baker is fired. But apparently all sensible people stopped paying serious attention to the Reds weeks ago and are now watching the Olympics in high definition.

As for the game, Aaron Harang returned too early and it showed. He gave up 8 runs in 4 innings to Houston, despite the Astros being without slugger Carlos Lee, who’s out for the rest of the year with a broken finger. “Magic Man” Gary Majewski also made an appearance and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 1/3 of an inning.

Beyond that, there was nothing of note. Same old, same old for a crappy team. The Astros swept the Reds and now likely have delusions of .500 dancing in their little heads, much like the Reds did at the All Star break.