My powers as a citizen-blogger are limited to stop the Giants' scoreless streak: LET'S STOP THE STREAK NOW. C'MON AND REALLY STOP IT. I can also point out that the Reds were pretty good against Cain in their earlier meeting: 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BBs drawn. Since then, Cain has been brilliant, but he hasn't been uniformly dominant. The Brewers were able to pin 11 hits on him May 22.

Last night was a vintage, pre-2010 West Coast performance, complete with goofy defense and some sad at bats. There isn't much shame in being shut down by Madison Bumgarner. There might even be a few Reds that are in slumps or mini-slumps. But I do think it's very nearly decision time for a few members of the team.

1. Miguel Cairo is doing a Willie Harris at the plate (-1 OPS+), while his range and defensive skills seem noticeably diminished. The prognosis for a 38-year-old journeyman who recently injured his oblique is not great. Cairo embodies everything I want to root for in baseball player. He's also does not at all seem the type to get discouraged. But I don't think he's going to cut it as the go-to utlity-man and BP back-up.

2. Scott Rolen, meanwhile, has farther to fall. At this point, I'm pretty sure he can't hit well enough to be a regular starter. I do think he has a place on the team. As the team's best defensive 3B - and with some pop left - I don't think it makes sense to fake DL or cut him. Especially on a team with such threadbare depth. Not that the Reds would.

In any case, there aren't really any replacements in Louisville. Bakersfield, however, is just down the state a bit...

LINEUPS

REDS (41-34)

Zack Cozart (R) SS
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Devin Mesoraco (R) C
Mike Leake (R) P

GIANTS (44-33)

Gregor Blanco (L) RF
Ryan Theriot (R) 2B
Melky Cabrera (S) LF
Buster Posey (R) C
Angel Pagan (S) CF
Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
Brandon Belt (L) 1B
Brandon Crawford (L) SS
Matt Cain (R) P

Bullpen notes:

• High chance of Chapmania or Marshall Stacking.