Thursday, August 15, 2002

Reds bite the big one in the first of three BIG BIG series Reds get pitching help again,  but too little , too late?  They're in the process of getting swept at home by the D-backs,  the first in a set of crucial series that the Reds have frankly bit the big one all year.  They're something like 40-20 against teams with losing records,  and almost reverse against teams over 500.  That won't get it done.  This stretch has been considered by many the wake-up call and make-it or break-it sequence for them, and it has started horrible,  with the Reds managing only 4 runs in 2 games against non-Johnson/Schilling starters,   games the Diamondbacks have not fared well AT ALL this year....that is,  until now.  Johnson has 11 k's and 2 hits surrendered through 7,  and it's 6-2 D-backs.  It was a good run , guys,  but it looks like 'yer goin' bye-bye.  I'll keep watchin' though,  since it's baseball,  and anything can happen.  I just won't be holdin' my breath. Final Arizona 7 Cincinnati 2 Standings Now: National League Central (from CBS Sportsline standings) W L Avg. GB Home Road East Cent. West L10 Strk St. Louis 66 52 .559 - 36-22 30-30 9-15 34-24 15-9 7-3 W 6 Houston 63 57 .525 4 34-25 29-32 16-14 37-30 5-7 6-4 L 1 Cincinnati 61 58 .517 5½ 30-29 31-28 12-12 33-23 14-12 5-5 L 2 Pittsburgh 52 69 .430 15½ 26-36 26-33 8-4 31-36 10-20 2-8 L 6 Chicago Cubs 51 68 .429 15½ 27-34 24-34 10-14 24-35 11-13 4-6 W 1 Milwaukee 42 78 .350 25 25-34 17-44 6-21 23-34 11-13 3-7 L 3 8:58:27 PM

ESPN.com: MLB - Reds acquire left-hander Estes from Mets Reds pick up Estes for stretch run Associated Press via ESPN CINCINNATI -- With their playoff chances slipping away, the Cincinnati Reds acquired starter Shawn Estes from the New York Mets on Thursday for two minor leaguers and two players to be named. Estes The Mets also agreed to pay the remainder of Estes' contract -- $1,524,592 -- because Reds ownership won't increase the payroll. Estes, 29, agreed to a $6.2 million, one-year deal in February. 8:55:55 PM