St. Louis & Cincinnati Benches Clear; Cardinals Win

By: Tyler Ward

Even before the game, we all knew that Tuesday's Cardinals-Reds matchup was going to be a fun-filled game. But, why do I say this? Brandon Phillips - The Reds' All-Star second baseman. 

In what is a tight NL Central race, the Reds were leading the Cardinals by one game for the division lead entering Tuesday's game. Cincinnati hasn't been to the postseason since 1995, you know the Barry Larkin and Reggie Sanders era? Not to mention, the Reds haven't participated in a World Series since 1990 when they swept the Oakland A's. Can you say playoff hungry?

The Cardinals have been the complete opposite of the Reds - since the Reds' last playoff appearance in 1995, the Cardinals have made the playoffs eight times and won the World Series in 2006. St. Louis has also finished above .500 eleven times. Frankly, the Cardinals have dominated the Reds since the mid-90's and Cincinnati is tired of dealing with it. With this being said, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is probably the leader of the group.

Before the game, Phillips told the media, "We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is b**** and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little b******, all of ‘em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear – I hate the Cardinals." I don't think Phillips likes the Cardinals that much. And he also bats leadoff, which means he will appear in the first inning.

Did it run over smoothly? Eh, you can say that...if you didn't see the highlights. 

As Phillips stepped up to the plate, he had heated words with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and as they came closer and closer, benches started to clear. Next thing you know, it's just one big mob of white and gray jerseys. Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is pinned against the fence. Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue gets kicked in the head. Tony La Russa says he has a concussion? There was a complete brawl on hand for the Reds fans.

Molina, who helped spark the incident, told the media afterwards, "The comment he made yesterday that he's got no friends over here -- then why you touch me? You are not my friend, so don't touch me. I mean, if we're no good for you, you are not my friend."

The brawl lasted a long seven fun-filled minutes. No players were ejected, but both managers (La Russa and Dusty Baker) were gone from the game. When play finally began again, Phillips grounded out and failed to back up his trash talk. 

The game featured a potent pitching matchup, with Cardinals' Jaime Garcia and Reds' Johnny Cueto facing off. Garcia, a rookie, held his ground for the first inning and didn't allow any runs. Pujols helped Garcia in the top of the inning, grounding out to second, but scoring Felipe Lopez in the process. The Cardinals would not give up the lead after that. Yadier Molina hit a solo home run in the top of the second, putting the Cardinals up 2-0. 

In the third, the Reds finally put a run on the board when Brandon Phillips grounded out to second and scored Drew Stubbs, bringing the score to 2-1. Later in the inning, MVP candidate Joey Votto singled and scored Ramon Hernandez and the game was successfully tied up. The game would not see another run until the sixth inning.

Pujols led off the inning with a single - the next batter, Matt Holliday, doubled to left with Pujols scoring and putting the Cardinals back on top. Colby Rasmus would then double, driving in Holliday. Rasmus advanced to third on the play after an error by outfielder Chris Heisey. St. Louis would put another run on the board after Molina hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Rasmus. After the top half of the inning, the Cardinals were up 5-2 with the win virtually in place.

Cincinnati's Drew Stubbs hit a single in the bottom of the sixth, scoring Votto and ex-Cardinal Scott Rolen on the play. The Reds were down just one run, but they would score no more for the rest of the inning.

The win was inevitable at the end of the seventh, after Holliday singled to left and scored Brendan Ryan and John Jay. Due to smart baserunning, Pujols was somehow able to squeeze in there and score on the play, putting the Cardinals up 8-4. 

Ryan Franklin got his 20th save of the year, after pitching only a third of an inning. Jaime Garcia pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs and two hits, but also had five walks. The rookie is now 10-5 and is the first Cardinals rookie to win 10 games in a season since Jason Simontacchi in 2002. Cueto (11-3) also pitched 5.1 innings, but gave up seven hits and four runs. 

The Reds and Cardinals are now tied for the division and it can swing either way. And as of right now, it looks like it's going to come down to the final few games.

Reds Acquire Jim Edmonds From Milwaukee

By: Tyler Ward

Even though the trade deadline is long past, deals are still being done and in a rather weird scenario, the Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Jim Edmonds from the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Chris Dickerson. 

This move gives the Red significant help in the outfield, as they are hoping to head back to the playoffs for the first time since 1995. They are currently leading the NL Central, one game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for the division crown. 

Manager Dusty Baker admitted that he will not use Edmonds in an everyday role, but will use him occasionally as a defensive help or in a pinch-hitter situation. Edmonds is embracing his new role and is incredibly happy to be part of a playoff contender. His former team, Milwaukee, is currently eleven games out of the division and are in third place. The Reds and Cardinals are in a two-team race for the division, and barring some massive choke, one if not both, will make the playoffs. 

Edmonds said on Monday, "I don't know what to say. It's been a quick 24 hours. To go from kind of the bottom of the standings to the top in a hurry and show up here playing the Cardinals -- it's going to be a little nuts."

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty was part of the Cardinals organization from 1995 to 2007. Before this season, Jocketty signed Edmonds' former teammate, Scott Rolen, to a contract, who has been exceptional this season for the Reds.

The Reds ar ecurrently riding their young team into playoff contention with MVP candidate Joey Votto, second baseman Brandon Phillips, and outfielder Jay Bruce leading the offense. Edinson Volquez,  Bronson Arroyo, and rookie Mike Leake  have led a stable pitching staff, which has been one of the best in the league.

Edmonds did not play in the MLB last season and at one point, he didn't think he would return to the majors. However, teams expressed interest in him and he had that itch that he could definitely make a comeback. He wanted to return to the Cardinals, but instead, signed with the Brewers for $850,000. He can make another $1.75 million in bonuses. The recently injury-plagued outfielder is hoping he can add a formidable bat and exceptional outfielding to a contending Reds team with a few more months to play in the season.

In 73 games for the Brewers this season, Edmonds is batting .286 with eight home runs and twenty RBI. He is known most for his stint with the Cardinals, where he played from 2000-07. His best season came in 2004, when Edmonds blasted 42 home runs with 111 RBI and a hefty .301 batting average. He also hit 42 home runs his first season in St. Louis in 2000. In his stay with the Cardinals, he was also elected to three All-Star games.

Dusty Baker said of Edmonds, "He's somebody that can probably contribute a couple days a week and somebody that can tutor the young outfielders. He can still play."

To make room for Edmonds on the roster, the Reds had to option pitcher Travis Wood to the minors.

Reds Rookie Almost Perfect

By: Tyler Ward

The MLB was so close to having a 5th no-hitter this season, but it just wasn't meant to be. In a 1-0 extra inning loss against the Phillies, rookie Travis Wood took a perfect game into the 9th inning, but it was broken up by Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz to leadoff the inning.

Matching up against ace Roy Halladay, Wood threw an amazing game, only surrendering one hit and striking out eight in nine innings. He matched Halladay pitch for pitch, as he also threw nine scoreless innings. The rookie was trying to be the first pitcher to throw a no-no since Boston's Clay Buchholz in 2007. Wood dominated an injured Phillies lineup, but they lost the game in 11 innings after Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins hit an RBI single in the top half of the inning.

The Reds could have won the game in the 8th with runners on first and third and one out in the inning. Halladay buckled down and struck out catcher Ryan Hanigan. His pitching counterpart, Wood, came up next and struck out, ending the Reds' threat of a win.

They could have also won the game in the 10th when Brad Lidge relieved Halladay of his pitching duties. Jay Bruce led off the inning with a double to left center. He then advanced to third on Miguel Cairo's sacrifice. The next batter, Drew Stubbs, was walked and Lidge returned to strike out Hanigan. Laynce Nix pinch hit for Wood and was intentionally walked to bring up leadoff batter, Brandon Phillips. Phillips, 0-7 in his career against Lidge, flew out to center and the Reds' threat was foiled again.

This was the third consecutive extra inning in a 4 game weekend for the Phillies. Two days ago, Brian Schneider homered in the 12th to give the Phillies a 4-3 walk-off win. Yesterday, Reds rookie Mike Leake left the game in the 9th after the Reds had built up a 7-1 lead. Leake got a no decision in the game, as Philadelphia's Ryan Howard hit a two-run home run off Arthur Rhodes to give them another walk-off win.

After starting three games for the Reds, Wood is still 0-0, but has a 2.18 ERA. He spent six seasons in the minors after being called up by Cincinnati a short while ago. Wood has also only given up nine hits in almost 21 innings of work. Roy Halladay also got a no-decision and still remains 10-7 on the season.

The loss tonight puts Cincinnati at 49-40 for the season, two games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the division. The Phillies are now 46-40, 5.5 games behind Atlanta for the NL East division crown.

Votto, Swisher Earn Final All-Star Spots

By: Tyler Ward

ESPN has reported that Joey Votto and Nick Swisher have been voted in by the fans to be the final representatives of their respected leagues.

Cincinnati's Votto was perhaps the biggest All-Star snub this year and was not elected to the All-Star game...at first. He beat out Ryan Zimmerman, Carlos Gonzalez, and Billy Wagner for the final spot. Heath Bell was in fifth for the first three days of balloting, but was taken off because he was informed that he would replace Brewers pitcher, Yovani Gallardo, on the National League roster. Votto received the most votes out of the final ten players with 13.7 million votes.

Reds fan showed massive support for Votto after he did not get in on the first vote. They launched a group called "Vote For Votto", in hopes to get him into the game he rightfully deserves to be in. The MLB first basemen are virtually stacked in the league and All-Star game, so many can see why Votto didn't get in at first. But, you can't argue with stats. Votto is leading the NL in home runs (21) and on-base percentage (.417). He also places fifth in RBI (59) and batting average (.313). As of right now, he is a leading NL MVP candidate.

Votto was still pleased to get into the game, but would have liked to be in on the first ballot. "I was disappointed," Votto stated to the media. "I would've liked to have gotten in on the first vote, but I still consider this an honor to give myself a chance to go to the All-Star Game with a pretty good group of guys."

The Yankees' Nick Swisher was also voted into the All-Star game, narrowly beating Boston's Kevin Youkilis for the final slot. This was the closest race in the history of the final balloting, with Swisher receiving 9.8 million votes. He beat out Youkilis, Paul Konerko, Michael Young, and Delmon Young to be elected to the 81st MLB All-Star game.

Swisher enters tonight's game versus the Mariners with a .298 batting average, 14 home runs, and 48 RBI's. In hopes of getting him to the All-Star game, Swisher received endorsements from New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, actress Jessica Alba, and "The Apprentice" co-star, Ivanka Trump. 

On Thursday, Swisher wrote to his 1,220,890 followers on Twitter that, "We're in the final stretch. Can't thank yall enough for your support. Let's finish strong!" He influenced people that they could send the hashtag, #SENDSWISH, in a text message to try to get him elected to the game. Apparently, it worked out well for him.

The 34-man roster for both leagues is now in place with the final votes today. The 81st All-Star game will be televised on FOX and held on July 13 in Anaheim, home of the AL West team, Anaheim Angels.