Someone said it in the thread better than I (stand up and be counted), but last night was a pretty fitting microcosm for the season. Or at least a decent sampling of some of the problems that have been plaguing the Reds and chafing the fans: can't win when the game is close in the final innings, too many strikeouts and Bill Bray is Not a LOOGY. I'm mostly encouraged by the Reds performance against an elite AL East team, but it still adds up to one win and one loss. And that could well be the season in miniature too.
Let's be real: Edinson Volquez is currently the Reds worst starting pitcher, while James Shields is one of the five best pitchers in the AL. But I can still cling to the hope that when they replay this game in an MLB Films production, a Harry Kalas-esque follows that statement with: "But for one day, they stood as equals... The 2011 World Championship Reds gritted out a gritty win. One that would change the course of their season and the course of human history. For the better. I'm Carl Sagan. I mean, a disembodied mouthpiece for some homunculus blogger."
Lineup:
Lewis LF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Gomes DH
Hanigan C
Stubbs CF
Janish SS