Game 36: Reds 7, Astros 3

Brett Myers sucked. Again.

Basketball is a game of runs. Baseball is a season of runs. Frankly, well, the Astros just aren't on a very good run right now. Brett Myers gave up 6 earned in the first two innings that he pitched, and despite (sorta) strong pitching by the Astros for the rest of the contest, the Cincinnati Reds came in and gave another royal shelling in the second game of the series at Minute Maid Park.

This is essentially the only observation that is important in this post. I believe Brett Myers is hurt. I don't have any idea what that injury is, but if it's anything like the biceps tendinitis that was Brandon Lyon was diagnosed with, no fan or even medical professional watching the game could simply call it by looking at the way the guy's pitching. My theory is this. Myers had three great starts at the beginning of the year, giving up only 4 ER total. After that, his lines have gone from mediocre to bad, giving up ER totals of 3, 5, 4, 6, and 6. That gives him an 0-3 record with a 7.88 ERA in his last four starts. Now I don't think he just woke up one day and forgot how to pitch, just like I didn't think Lyon suddenly had no ability to string three outs together (Don't worry though, I'm still on the Mark Melancon bandwagon). Sure, even staff aces go out and give up a bunch of runs every once in awhile. However, four straight "non-quality" starts is unusual for a top of the rotation guy, especially one like Myers, who had a ton of them in 2010. So therefore, I'm calling for Brett to be honest about his condition right now. If there's a nagging injury, like Lyon's, tell a trainer. Tell management. This isn't basketball or football where you can will yourself to succeed when you're hurt. Pitching in the major leagues requires incredible precision, and you're just not going to be able to do that when you're hurt.

That being said, after Myers nightmare of a start in the first two innings, he seemed to settle down and put up four consecutive zeroes to end his night. Sergio Escalona, Enerio Del Rosario, Wilton Lopez, and Mark Melancon successively spelled Myers in relief, with Escalona getting tagged for the last Reds run of the game when Joey Votto scored after being walked. Lopez worked nicely out of a jam that was of his own making, and Melancon only surrendered one hit in the 9th. I was glad to see Melancon get some work after having to sit for three consecutive games following his first major league save, but I must say I'm rather worried that hitters are able to get such hard contact off of his pitches.

Since the Astros pitching was less-than-stellar, maybe the bats would work well instead, right? Not exactly. For the seventh consecutive game, Astros hitters were held to less than 2 ER by the starting pitcher, as Homer Bailey pitched another gem, going 7 innings with 0 ER, 5 H, and 5 K's. The last six games before that, the opposing starters were 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA against the 'Stros. Looks like the hot-hitting days of the beginning of the season might be coming to a close. The team continued to hit the bullpen well however, getting 3 runs in the 8th after Aroldis Chapman walked three and hit a batter.

Lastly, I just can't wait until the day Bill Hall is sat on the bench for good. Maybe it will be when Jason Bourgeois comes back, maybe it will have to wait until Jeff Keppinger returns, but the guy just can't hit. Pitchers throw outside to him every night, and he strikes out at an astounding rate. Tonight? 0-for-4 with two punchouts. He looks like he's going to go up there with Preston Wilson and Pedro Feliz in the Worst Astros Signings of All-Time. Not that we haven't had a lot of those.

Wandy Rodriguez takes the bump against Edinson Volquez to wrap up the series tomorrow at 1:05. After that, they won't see the Reds until August 1st. REJOICE!