Cincinnati Reds
Step by step, the Reds are creeping back from a sluggish start to the season.
The Reds opened up their week on the road with a three-game series at Houston.
For the first time this season, Reds fans had their chance to bring out the brooms, as the Reds swept the series against the Astros.
Pitchers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo had some solid outings, each recording a win in the first and third games of the series respectively, and Mike Leake continued a brilliant start to his professional career recording a win off his seven-inning, five-hit performance in the second game.
Pitcher Johnny Cueto helped the Reds’ win-streak get to five games on Friday, as the Reds won at St. Louis.
The streak then came to an end Saturday as the Reds couldn’t match the Cardinals’ late-game surge, losing the game 6-3.
Studs: The Rotation. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like these guys were never going to win a game for the Reds. In just this past week, Harang, Leake, Arroyo and Cueto all recorded wins, and didn’t leave it up to late game heroics to ensure a Reds’ win.
Duds: Jonny Gomes. It was tough because no one Red had a really bad week. Gomes has only two hits in 15 at-bats over the last six games, though, and he’s a liability in the field as it is.
Next Week: The Reds come back home this week as they host a series with the Mets today, and then get a day off before hosting a three-game series against the Cubs.
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians struggled offensively once again, going 2-4 in series’ against the Los Angeles Angels and the Minnesota Twins.
After taking only one of three from the Angels, the Tribe returned home and only won one in a weekend series against the division-leading Twins.
The Indians are 10-14, 5-and-a-half games behind the Twins in the American League Central and in third place behind Detroit.
Studs: Austin Kearns. The former Cincinnati Reds slugger had a big week, with seven hits and six RBIs in three games against the Angels. He came into Sunday’s game against Minnesota hitting .357, with two home runs and 12 RBIs.
Duds: The offense. The Indians’ offense continues to be a major disappointment, with an American League-worst 85 runs. Those fortunes could change when highly touted catching prospect Carlos Santana gets called up from the Columbus Clippers.
Up Next: The Indians continue their homestand with three games against Toronto beginning Monday and a three-game weekend series with the Detroit Tigers.
