5-4 loss to Cincinnati, 82-63 4½ GB
Falling apart sooner than 11 innings
You always have a chance when you get to extra, but for the Crew, it just doesn't seem that way any more. Ray Durham's pinch hit 3 run HR tied things up in the 7th, but even with that jump start didn't eactly ignite the offense which has scored only 24 runs in 9 games. Chances for go ahead runs were ruined when Alcedes Escobar, pinch running for Mike Lamb, got caught past second base on a Weeks long fly ball for an inning ending DP. A two out single by Fielder in the 10th that led to a man in scoring postion after Tony Gwynn stole second also led to nothing as Cameron flies out to center. Tonight a Brandon Phillips RBI off Seth McClung was all Cordero needed to lock up the win for the Reds.

Tonight's beneficiary of the Brewer's pathetic hitting was rookie righthander Ramon Ramirez, making only his 2nd start. Over 6 innings, he gave up only 1 hit and worked out of a possible big Brewer first when he allowed his only run of the game even though the Brewer's had a bases loaded, 1 out situation thanks to a misplayed pop up. Braun, Cam and Hall all failed to come through in that inning.

The pitching is great on this team, but I just can't stand cheering for a team that relies so heavily on the long ball. I love hitting, station to station, good D baseball, and I cheer for a team that does none of that.

5-4 loss to Cincinnati
This Homestand Could Be It
In a season of 162 games, any loss makes a difference, but if the Crew misses the playoffs, it will be hard not to look at this horrific homestand as a place where the Crew blew it. Dave Bush got some help from taters from Kendall and Hardy, which helped chase Edinson Volquez in the 6th, but his 8 innings of 2 run ball were wasted when Torres could shut the Reds down with a 2 run cushion. Jay Bruce and Wilkin Castillo singled, then a walk, and Torres was in a bases loaded, no out jam. He did get a K, but a grounder off his foot scored 1, and then Jeff Keppinger ripped a 2 run double to finish off the rally.

Relievers will blow games. And the Reds, who had just done the same things to the Cubs, have been a nemesis all season. But this game hurts more because the Phillies beat Florida. Doesn't matter I guess. Torres still thinks the Crew will catch the Cubs, and if the Crew can turn this around and the Cubs continue to falter (2-8 in their last 10), who knows?

10-1 Loss to San Diego and 1-0 win over San Diego

2 Games, Same Offensive Symptoms, Different Results

Chris Young took a perfect game into the 8th. It was Gabe Kapler's HR that ended the bid and provided the Crew with their only run of the day. However, it wasn't just the bat's ineffectiveness against the 4-5 Young, it was 2 errors (Hardy and Hall) in the 3rd that put the Brewer's into a 5 run hole without Parra giving up anything earned. I realize that the '56 NL Champ Brooklyn Dodgers, a team with possible 4 Hall of Famers in their lineup (Campy, Robinson, Snider and Reese) were no hit by Don Larsen, but still, at a time when the Crew is staring at a 4 game series at the home of their closest Wild Card rival (Philadelphia), a split with the worst team in the league at home is not exactly a momentum builder. With the Reds coming back against Kerry Wood yesterday, the Crew at least remains 4 games back, but with 19 left in the season, they are so close and yet, making it very hard.

Sunday's offensive woes were a continuation of Saturday's problems, although with Sheets on the the mound, the outcome was a W. Unlike Sunday, the infield came up with some great D from Counsell and Weeks (Hall should NOT be in there against righties like he was Sunday) to protect Sheets 3 SHO and 5th complete game of the season. After all the naysayers came out in droves to throw dirt on him when he left after 5 in his last start, I wa very satisfied that he threw it back in their face. I think a fan would be fooling themselves if they thought Sheets isn't aware of the "fragile" tag he's been hung with. Listening to him in his post game interview, his trademark dry and curt remarks also carried a bit of smug haughtiness that I understand all to well. When someone questions me and I prove them wrong, I have a hard time being magnanomous about it too. He just wants to pitch and be left alone, which is how I've been feeling at work too. Let me direct and leave me alone.