A classic 2005 Reds victory...

For those of you who are unaware what ingredients usually went into a Reds win in 2005, I will recount. From the pitching arena: A decent 5-6 inning performance by the starter, followed by a couple of ERs given up by the bullpen, sometimes keeping the win in line for the starter, sometimes not. And then if the Reds were still ahead in the ninth, it was time for another heart-thumping, cardiac arrest-inducing save attempt by Graves (until the middle of May), and then Weathers or various other members of the bullpen. From the offensive side: Lots of runs. Lots of timely hits. A ton of longballs. On the nights that resulted in a win, usually it was just one or two more runs than the opponents would score, but it was enough.

Tonight, in 2006, the Reds looked a lot like the Reds of 2005. That's not necessarily a horrible thing, but it's not the best compliment I could offer.

Aaron Harang pitched some decent ball. He gave up two HR over 6 innings, and K'ed 5, allowing only 1 BB and 4 ER overall. Last year I would call that "good," this year, my standards are higher. Still, he left in line for the win, and should have it now, if not (in my opinion, partially) for some overeager bullpen usage by Jerry Narron. (Yes, I think Coffey should have been left in the game instead of being replaced by Mercker who failed to retire a batter. I understand that Narron might have been attempting to keep Coffey available for tomorrow or Friday. I don't care, I worry about one game at a time.)

Unfortunately for Harang, the bullpen was unable to preserve the win for him. Fortunately for the bullpen, the offense was able to take the lead and supply the means to win to Weathers.

Now, for the good, very un-2005-like stats from tonight:

• Austin Kearns: 4 for 4. - Amazing. He's healthy, hitting to all fields, and driving in runners. (Not to mention the fact that he's almost single-handedly helping me kill my fantasy opponents!)
• Reds base-runners: 6 for 6 in SB attempts. Yeah, we had Freel swiping bases last season, but we didn't have Felipe doing much of the same. One speedy guy is great, but multiply that by two...
• All pitchers tonight: 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Not too shabby. Last season the walk/strikeout ratio would have been lower. Or closer to even... however you look at that. Nutshell: It's been better this season.

All in all, I'll take the win.
I suspect the Reds will as well.

Go Redlegs!