Put Your Brooms Away...Thank You Rolen!

The Cincinnati Reds came home last night to Great American Ballpark to go for the sweep of their  NLDS foes, the San Francisco Giants. The Reds got a run in the 1st inning, but were unable to do anything offensively the rest of the game, as Reds fans put their brooms were forced to put their brooms back into their closets. The Giants scored 1 run in the 3rd and did not score again until the 10th inning off of a Scott Rolen error. However, it was a joint effort between him and Jonathon Broxton so Rolen cannot take all of the blame. Broxton allowed two batters to get on base to start the 10th inning and then a Ryan Hanigan botched catch, sent the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Eventually, allowing a late top of the inning single allowing the 3rd base runner to score. The Reds could never rebound in the bottom of the 10th, bringing the series record to 2-1.

The Reds match up with the Giants again tonight for game four of the NLDS. Mike Leake is taking the mound at 5:37pm EST for the RedLegs and will face the Giants' Barry Zito. Leake was originally left off of the postseason roster for the Reds, but with the injury to Cueto in game one and Mat Latos out with an illness, he had to be activated this afternoon. His return could actually hurt the Reds, as his record isn't the best and he is seemingly better on the road and not at home. His play, as of late, has been very lackluster and is a last option for the Reds tonight. The Giants, since August 7th have won all of their games that Zito has started and he is coming into this game 15-8, compared to Leake's 8-9 record.

That being said, the offense is going to have to pick it up tonight. The Reds are going to have to do better than one run and they cannot strand runners on bases, which has become their mantra this year. It will have to be an all over effort with the dangerous Giants trying to scratch their way back into contention.

*On a side note - It was just reported that the injured Johnny Cueto is being removed from the Reds postseason roster and will not be available until the World Series, should Cincinnati get to that point.