How Embarrassing

Perhaps it is not wise to say the pitcher is a 12-year-old boy when it looks quite possible that he's going to put your team to shame. Losing to the Rockies isn't so bad. After all, they're in first place, too. However, not just losing to a 12-year-old, but being shut out by a 12-year-old? That's just plain sad. But I can't take it back now. It's there forever. Alas.

Brandon Claussen and Jeff Francis both looked ready to shut out their opposition last night until the 5th inning when Claussen decided he'd like to see some numbers on the board. Unfortunately, he gave the numbers to the wrong people. Choo Freeman (seriously? Choo?) stole second and moved to third when Rich Aurilia forgot where second base was. Danny Ardoin promptly singled him in. A bit later, with Francis and Jamey Carroll on 2nd and 3rd, Matt Holliday (Least Favorite Rocky) doubled to bring the Rockies up to 3 runs. The game then returned to the regularly scheduled Ground Out Gala. Ryan Freel had the only highlight reel worthy moment, running like a madman and making a spectacular diving/sliding flyball catch. Claussen had a pretty decent game. No home runs (I know, shocking). He still gets the loss, though. Matt Belisle and Chris Hammond combined for 1 1/3 innings of one hit, no run baseball. Sadly, Rich Aurilia left the game in the 6th after half limping to 1st with what was later determined to be a strained groin (ouch!). Last I heard he was listed as day-to-day. The game ended with the Rockies up by a score of 3-0.

Like last year, I'm blaming the surprisingly dull showing on the toll cross-country traveling must take on a person. Tonight, after having had a day to get reaquainted with the new time zone and the fresh but thin mountain air, the Reds shall PUMMEL the Rockies.