REDS THIRD BASEMAN SCOTT ROLEN MISSES HIS THIRD STRAIGHT GAME WITH A SORE BACK

4.18.10
BY:MEH
BLOW ON ROLEN, MAYBE HE'LL WORK.
REDS THIRD BASEMAN SCOTT ROLEN MISSES HIS THIRD STRAIGHT GAME WITH A SORE BACK.

Prior to Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Pirates, Scott Rolen tested out his sore back in the batting cages and had negative results. He proceeded to miss his third game in a row. Rolen is currently the Reds' homerun leader, but has only drove in 4 runs and is batting only .219 in 32 at-bats. With four straight days off for Rolen (the Reds don't play Monday) and five straight losses from the Reds, Rolen's bat will be required if his team decides to boomerang. Rolen had this to say on Sunday:

"I'm feeling better. I'm trying to figure out if I can play Major League Baseball. I can walk around like a normal human being. But that's a little different than what I'm being called upon to do."

The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a three game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The last time the Reds were swept by the Pirates was during the 2003 season when they completed the task twice (Once in a 2-game series and once in a 3-game series).

Bronson Arroyo started for the Reds on Sunday and went six innings allowing five runs on five hits. After retiring the first nine batters he faced, Arroyo crumbled during the fourth inning, granting the Pirates all five of their runs. Paul Janish provided the Reds with a RBI double while Jay Bruce answered his critics (and us) with two solo home runs instead of two middle fingers. Reds beat writer John Fay said that Johnny Gomes could have caught the ball that allowed three of Arroyo's runs:

"...Jonny Gomes nearly ran down but it fell for a three-run double. Gomes probably would have made the catch if he took a better route."

Bronson Arroyo commented on his Sunday start:

"I’m reminded every year this stuff ain’t easy. I didn’t have much velocity on my heater, but I was throwing it where I wanted to, setting up guys where I wanted to. Some of big plays were hitting (Bobby) Crosby, then that ball sneaking over Orlando (Cabrera’s) glove. Either one of those don’t happen, I feel like I have a chance to get out of that inning with two runs at the most. You give somebody five that early in the game and it’s tough to come back from."

...and his sense of urgency:

"We always say it’s a long season, but obviously the mentality of the front office is not going to be a 162-game schedule if we get behind the eight ball too much. So we’ve got to turn things around quick."

The Reds with have a much needed off day to collect their thoughts on Monday. Tuesday they will begin a NL west abundant six game home stand. The first three will be against the Dodgers (6-6) and will be followed by three against San Diego (6-6). Here are the pitching match-ups from The Reds Report.

MORE NEWS:
-Should Reds be patient with Bailey? BLEACHER REPORT
-Would an arm from Louisville have helped? JOHN FAY
-Bud Selig should tell you the truth MORGAN ENSBERG
-How does this man keep his job? LANCE McALISTER
-Reds batter/pitcher stats REDS REPORT
-It's too early Mr. Redlegs REDS ROCKET
-Stay positive CHRIS SABO'S GOGGLES
-Reds limp back home CNATI

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