Reds Fall in Home Run Heavy Game vs Braves

Braves second baseman Dan Uggla

The Braves and the Reds combined for seven homers at Great American Ballpark on Friday. This game was the opener of a three game series vs the two, which will culminate with the final game of the series being played on Sunday Night Baseball. Bronson Arroyo and Braves ace Jair Jurrjens took the mound but today's stars came from behind.

Zack Cozart started off the scoring with a solo blast to left in the first, his third of his young career. Atlanta then scored three straight thanks to Jason Hayward and Brian McCann homers and a Alex Gonzalez RBI, the only non home run score of the night. Drew Stubbs and Fred Lewis then went deep in the 6th, Stubbs a solo shot and Lewis a two run homer, to help the Reds take back the lead. Martin Prado then tied up the scoring and hot hitting Dan Uggla came on as a pinch hitter in the ninth to blast a two run shot 415 feet and out of the ball park for the Braves 6-4 win.

The Braves try to keep pace with the Phillies in the NL East and maintain the Wild Card lead while the Reds fall back another game to the Pirates, Brewers and Cardinals in the NL Central race. They will face each other tomorrow at 4:10 on Fox for the second game of the series with pitchers Derek Lowe and Homer Bailey on the mound.

Reds Trade Needs

Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez could be an option

The aging Scott Rolen is not able to play every day and at the most plays 4-5 times a week. The Reds would like a consistent third baseman that can play defense and offense and that will play while Rolen rests.

They also may need a starter to spark the pitching. The Reds rotation has been struggling all year, with the exception of Johnny Cueto, and another solid pitcher in the rotation should defiantly create some much needed help in their race to become back to back NL Central Champs.

The Reds may also need a quality starter in left field who can also bat lead off. Gomes has struggled the first half of the season and Dusty doesn't seem like he wants Fred Lewis and Chris Heisey to be playing out there.

Reds shutout by Pirates, again

 The Reds lost Monday night 2-0 and failed to score again tonight in a 1-0 loss in Pittsburgh as they continue to fall deeper and deeper into a funk. James McDonald pitched 6 innings and got his 6th win of the year for the Pirates.

The Reds managed to out hit the Pirates 6-4, yet were unable to bring in runners that were in scoring position. Mike Leake pitched  innings, giving up only two hits and one run but it wasn't enough for the win as his record