Reds Series Recap: Hollywood Lights Blind Cincinnati Batters

I'm in no mood for this..

Dodgers Win Series 3-1: [Insert Nate Winter Pun Here]

The Cincinnati Reds entered their four game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend with a chance to gain substantial ground on the Cardinals and Pirates in the NL Central Pennant race. In Game 1, Mat Latos shut down LA's high-priced lineup in a 5-2 victory with offensive contributions throughout the lineup. Then, it was gone, just like Charles Barkley and Co.'s talent in Space Jam. 

Okay, that made me feel a little bit better. 

Where We Are:

In the blink of an eye,  Los Rojos lost the next three games to the Dodgers and combined for a glorious total of two runs in 29 innings. In the meantime, the Cardinals lost two games to the Atlanta Braves while the Pirates lost two of three to the Miami Marlins...
THE FREAKING MARLINS!

If anything has epitomized this Reds season to me, it has been the failure to take advantage of close leads, divisional losses, and possibly the most unique pitching specimen since Randy Johnson.

The only thing is, all three losses this weekend really really hurt to watch. On Friday, the Reds had a chance to even the game in the 8th inning but fell painfully short. The worst loss came on Sunday, when the always-flawless decision making of Manager Dusty Baker led him to call on seldom used reliever Curtis Partch (look at the photo..) in a 0-0 tied ballgame in the 11th inning instead of $30 Million "closing" wunderkind Aroldis Chapman, even though the Cuban fireballer had not pitched since Thursday. What happened?? Oh, you know, Cuban phenom Yasiel Puig hit a walk off solo home run..

As of Sunday, the Reds (59-47) stand 5.5 games behind the Cardinals but still hold a 4.5 game lead in the limping race for the final Wild Card spot. Look, it's not time to panic. The Reds certainly still have a shot at catching St. Louis, and it's not like Cincinnati has a fantastic reputation for succeeding on the West Coast anyways. (Uh Oh... )

Reds Series MVP: 

Nothing here of note for the hitters, but I will give a tip of the cap to Latos, Homer Bailey, and most of all, rookie Tony Cingrani who struck out eleven batters and yielded only one hit in seven innings of work on Sunday. 

Choo... 

Our favorite Korean Centerfielder certainly made a case for ESPN's Not Top 10 after falling for two unconvincing tricks by the Dodger infield...

Can we cue more of that Space Jam footage??

What's Next: 

The Reds finish their California vacation with a trip to San Diego to play the Padres (48-58) on July 29, 30, 31. Mike Leake (10-4) will take the mound on Monday, Viva Los Rojos. 

I'm going to bed. Lost opportunities...

-- Albert