There has been an adjustment for Billy Hamilton after making the move up halfway through the season. Hamilton noted, “They work you more up here (in Class AA). They got better pickoff moves, they hold you better, the pitchers know when to slide-step, they’re smarter. I knew before I got here it would be a hard adjustment, but I feel like I’m doing pretty good.”

Pretty good indeed.  Hamilton has slowed little by the change.  He has stolen 39 bases in 37 games played.  He is so confident.  He said, “When I get to first, I’m confident I can’t be thrown out.”

Don’t you want that kind of thinking from your base runners? Well, okay, you want with those who have speed.

Billy Hamilton is fast approaching the legendary status of Coleman.  Heck, he’s approaching the legendary status of John Henry and Johnny Appleseed all rolled up into one baseball player.  Being the in the minors only adds to the folklore as few people get to see the exploits.  However, when those who do see, Ken Griffey, Sr., Delino DeShields, and, well, me, can vouch for his abilities, there is credence to the foldlore. 

It is only a matter of a game or two before Billy Hamilton is the steals leader.  Cincinnati Reds’ fans are hoping it’s only a matter of September before he’s stealing the bases in GABP.

For the Cubs, it was there second loss by walk-off at the hands of the Reds during the 4-game series at GABP.

This time it was Ryan Hanigan who was the hero.  Tied 4-4 going into the bottom of the 9th (this was after Aroldis Chapman pitched yet another scoreless top of the 9th), Xavier Paul (seriously, how good IS he this season) pounded a liner down the rightfield line and stretched it into a triple.  Hanigan laced the next pitch to left-centerfield to plate the winning run – Cincinnati Reds won 4-3.

Mat Latos was, again, brilliant on the mound all day for the Reds.  He went 8 innings, gave up 6 hits, 4 runs (only 2 were earned because of 3 errors by the defense) and struck out 6.  He left the game tied at 4.  Chapman got the win and improved his record to 5-4 and now has an ERA of 1.35.  Latos continued to lower his ERA, now at 3.56.

It was a rare Cincinnati Reds win without a homerun.  They played pretty good small ball yesterday.  Hanigan, Jay Bruce and Zack Cozart each had 2 hits as the Reds pounded out 10 hits total.  Latos even got in on the hit parade with an RBI single in the 4th.  He now has a 3 game hitting streak going. 

Seriously, though…how good has Xavier Paul been for the Cincinnati Reds.  Since getting called up, and mostly in pinch hitting roles, all Paul has done is collect 13 hits, steal 3 bases, draw 6 base-on-balls, drive in 5 and score 5 himself.  He has a batting average of .342 and an OBP of .432.  Remarkable for a pinch hitter.

The Cincinnati Reds (74-48) will take to the road with a big week coming up.  They will start out taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia and then come home to take on intradivisional rival, St. Louis Cardinals.

Right now the Cincinnati Reds stand at 74-48 (a win short of the lead in the NL).  They are on their way to take on the Philadelphia Phillies.  They have the best record in baseball since the All-Star Break; however, it must be pointed out that they have done that work on teams that are below .500.  Yes, I know that the Phillies are also below (okay, well below) .500, but it must be noted that they are the Phillies are still a tough out in their own park.  Plus, this series comes right before an important divisional series with the St. Louis Cardinals (who do have a winning record and are the defending World Series Champions).  Sot the opportunity that the Reds will be looking ahead to the Cardinals’ series is a possibility.

There are two major problems that the Cincinnati Reds must address.  First of all is their defense.  At one time the Reds were the best, statistically, defensive teams in the league.  Unfortunately, they have been struggling as of late.  To help make the point, the Reds have committed 10 errors in the last 7 games.  That is an area they must correct.

Secondly, the Cincinnati Reds must still learn to play small ball.  They win if they hit a homerun, but if not, they struggle.  Admittedly they have been doing a little better in that department, but not good enough.  Their runners in scoring position hitting simply must improve.

We will certainly know a lot more about the Cincinnati Reds by the end of the week.  Hopefully, it is positive things with more wins and fewer mistakes.

Dusty Baker has been a very successful manager since coming over to the Reds.  Overall he has a record of 393-372.  That doesn’t sound so great, but when you consider that two years ago the Reds were divisional champions and this season they are poised to win the division again as they presently lead the Pittsburgh Pirates by 7 and a half games.  If Baker does lead the Reds to another divisional title he would be the first manager of the Reds to lead them to two championships since Sparky Anderson.  Anytime you are mentioned in the same sentence with Anderson, that is a good thing.

MLB Rumors suspects that since talks have not occurred between the two sides that the Reds are in no hurry and Baker is a little perturbed by the lack of movement.  However, Baker has done very little talking about the extension.  When asked about the contract situation in the winter meetings prior to the season, Reds owner Bob Castellini said, “I would like to see Dusty Baker as a member of our organization for many years to come. That’s it.”

When Baker heard about this statement, he responded, “It was nice to hear. But, in meantime, I’ve got work to do. The same work I had to do five months ago.”

As for this season, Baker has clearly done his best work as a manager.  The Reds reached 70 wins faster than anytime since 1976 and are in the process of running away from the competition as the season plays out.  When you consider that they have been without their best player, former MVP, Joey Votto since July 15th, it is remarkable.  He deserves the extension – sooner rather than later.

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Luckily for Todd Frazier, there have been numerous opportunities for him to play everyday because of just those reasons.  What with Scott Rolen and Joey Votto spending quite a bit of time on the DL, Frazier has been able to appear in 91 games.  During the time, he has moved himself to the forefront when considering who is the best rookie in the NL.  I believe that he is the choice for that award as of now.

Here are the rankings for Todd Frazier among NL rookies:
-BA – He is 5th at .283 and improving.
-OBP – He is 3rd at .342.
-SLG – 1st at .536.
-OBS – Given the previous two stats, not surprisingly, Frazier is 2nd with .877.
-RBI – He is 1st with 49.
-HR – Second with 15.
-3B – First with 5.
-2B – 5th with 19.

Frazier has put up these numbers while playing four different positions in the field.  He has logged 54 games at third, 23 at first, 5 in leftfield and 1 as the DH.  It shouldn’t be overlooked that during all those changes, Frazier has only committed 5 errors.  Those numbers are remarkable for anyone, but for a rookie – c’mon…

It is not like much wasn’t expected of Frazier (he was taken in the first round); it’s that with his odd batting stance and, at times, very awkward swings, people just didn’t expect this much this soon.

Now I know that Norichika Aoki is having a great year (and there are a couple of others) and is ranked higher in several categories than is Frazier, but Aoki has played everyday, in the same position and is 30 years old.  He is not a normal rookie.

So, as of right now, Todd Frazier is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in the NL.

Leake (5-7) was, in a word, brilliant.  There is no other way to describe it.  He pitched a complete game 4 hitter.  The lone run he surrendered came on a double play in the 4th inning.  Other than that inning, the Mets could really do nothing against him.

At the dish, the Cincinnati Reds lit up Dickey.  The pounded out 10 hits, 3 of which were homeruns.  These were not barely clearing the fence homeruns.  They were blasts.  Todd Frazier (15), Jay Bruce (24) and Scott Rolen (6) unloaded on Dickey and sent shots that would have been out in any ballpark in baseball, not just a GABP homerun.  All told, the Cincinnati Reds had 13 hits against Mets pitching.

Devin Mesoraco was the only Red to not pick up a hit.  Bruce, Rolen, Zack Cozart each finished with 2 hits.  Frazier continued his hot streak with 3 hits for the night.  He has hit safely in the last 6 games (5 of those games were multiple hit games).

The two teams will square off again on Thursday as the Cincinnati Reds go for the sweep.  They will send out Homer Bailey.  He is looking to pick up his 11th win of the season. 

On a side note that is worth mentioning.  The Cincinnati Reds reached 70 wins Tuesday evening’s win against the Mets.  That was the fastest the Reds had reached 70 wins since the 1976.  Let’s hope that this season turns out just as good as that one.  I do like the looks of this version of the Big Red Machine.

Mat Latos pitched yet another brilliant game for the Cincinnati Reds.  He went 7 innings, gave up 5 hits, struck out 4 and gave up, most importantly, 0 runs.  Unfortunately for him, he didn’t figure in the win, he did lower his ERA to 3.63.  Sean Marshall and Jose Arredondo combined to pitch 2 scoreless innings with Arredondo (5-2) picking up the win.

The Cincinnati Reds finally crossed the plate in dramatic fashion to win the game.  After wasting several scoring opportunities (they left 12 men on base, twice had bases loaded) throughout the bulk of the game, Jay Bruce sent a towering 3-run homerun over the leftfield wall in the bottom of the 9th to win the game.  He was, of course, mobbed as he crossed home plate.  For Bruce, who went 2 for 4, it was his 23 homerun this season.

Zack Cozart, Ryan Hanigan and Ryan Ludwick contributed 2 hits a piece to help the Reds get 11 hits total.  However, it was their inability to play small ball and move runners over and in that really frustrated their fans.  They are still having trouble with that.  Luckily, the Mets were about as bad with runners in scoring position as they left an even dozen on base too.

For Latos, who also got in on the hit parade with 1 hit, he was dominant.  In the last five starts for Latos, he is 3-0 and has not allowed more than 2 runs in any of those starts.  Tuesday’s win was his second shutout during that run.

The Cincinnati Reds improved their record to 70-46 and 6 games ahead of second place Pittsburgh Pirates.  The two teams will have at it again on Wednesday evening with the Reds sending Mike Leake out to try to match 15-game winner, RA Dickey.  Should be a fun game to watch.

Due to some injuy problems and missed starts, Cueto did not log the proper amount of innings to be considered for the award last year.  This year there is no such problem.  Cueto is having terrific season.  I believe that he is the best pitcher in the NL.  Here are the stats for your consideration:
-Wins – Cueto is 15-6 (tied for most in the NL and 9th in win-loss% of .714)
-ERA – He is second right now with 2.45.  That is pitching his home games at GABP, the most hitter friendly park in the league.  His average at home is even lower at 2.26.
-Wins above replacement – Interesting category here.  Cueto is 1st at 5.3.
-HR per 9 innings – Cueto is 2nd at .445
-Adjusted for home stadium and wins added or saved, etc. - Cueto is 1st in all categories.  I cannot overstate how impressive his work is when considering GABP.
-He has picked off 5 runners this season.  You just don’t run on him.

Finally, it must be noted that Cueto has allowed 3 or fewer runs in 20 of his 24 starts this season.  He’s just flat out getting it done for the Reds.

Sure there are several very good and deserving pitchers out there.  RA Dickey is the trendy pick and I can see why:  He’s a knuckleballer.  Sort of came out of nowhere.  I get that.  Pitches in New York.  However, for two years now, Cueto, with his Tiantish (my word) delivery, has been the best pitcher (at least statistically) in the NL.  To not have him at the top of the list as the Cy Young Award candidate would be a disgrace to the purpose of the award.

It is a logical rumor for Redmond to be the 6th starter.  He is on the expanded 40 man roster and has been called up from Louisville two times already.  However, Redmond has yet to see time on the mound during a game.  That should end on Saturday.

The Reds made a move with the Atlanta Braves to pick up Redmond back on July 14th.  Redmond had been with the Braves’ AAA team in Gwinnett.  He had been called up by the Braves a couple times last season, but didn’t see any time with them.

This season the 6′ 3″, 215 lbs. righthanded Redmond is sporting  an 8-9 record with an ERA of 3.54 in 23 games between the two teams.  Impressively, he is averaging almost 1 strikeout per inning pitched (134/125).  He has allowed 34 walks this season (a little high there); however, since coming over to the Reds he has only walked 6 batters and struck out 29 in 29 innings pitched.  So recent history shows that Remond is getting a handle on his control.

The Reds will definitely have to make a move to bring another pitcher up to start one of the double-header games.  Clearly Dusty Baker is not going to move any of his starting five up a day to pitch.  So it appears that Redmond will finally get his shot, if for just one day.

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Cueto allowed only 3 hits and struck out 3 en-route to the victory. It was the third win in a row for the Reds, who broke a season high five-game losing streak while in Chicago. The win kept the Reds (69-46) four-and-a-half games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the division.

The Reds were lead by Jay Bruce, who had a two-run homer in the 5th inning, and by Ryan Ludwick, who had a solo shot in the 6th.  It was Bruce’s 22nd and Ludwick’s 21st dinger for the season.

Todd Frazier continued his hot streak by going 2-4 and scoring once.  Frazier went 9-15 and had 6 RBI during the four-game series with the Cubs.

The story of the game, really though, was Cueto.  The ace for the Cincinnati Reds improved his ERA to 2.45 (3rd in the league).  Cueto is certainly a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award this year.  He leads the league in many crucial categories and is in the top five in almost all others.  When you consider where Cueto pitches (GABP) and you look at adjusted stats in the crucial categories, he is clearly the best pitcher in baseball (#1 in Adj. Wins, Adj. Runs, Base Out Runs and Wins Saved, etc.).  He has allowed three runs or fewer in 20 of his 24 starts so far this season.

Aroldis Chapman, the Cincinnati Reds closer, came on to pitch a perfect 9th and record his 28th save.  It was his 20th save in a row.

For the Cincinnati Reds, they have the best record in baseball since the All-Star break.  They are now, even with the 5 game losing streak, 22-8 since the break.

The Reds return home and will start a long homestand on Tuesday against the New York Mets.