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ROAD TRIP ANYONE?

Reds revved up to face NL Central’s best

Is there a power surge in Cincinnati? It looks that way, and Jay Bruce (left) and Joey Votto are behind it. Bruce is tied for fourth in the National League in home runs with 14, while Votto has eight homers to go with 33 RBIs and a .360 batting average.

Associated Press photo by Al Behrman Is there a power surge in Cincinnati? It looks that way, and Jay Bruce (left) and Joey Votto are behind it. Bruce is tied for fourth in the National League in home runs with 14, while Votto has eight homers to go with 33 RBIs and a .360 batting average.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 1:31 AM Friday, May 29, 2009

Jay Bruce was giddy after hitting two home runs and a triple when he said it, but he said it without being asked. And he said it with conviction and emotion.

“We’re going on the road with some momentum and we plan on coming home in first place,” Bruce said after the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of last-place Houston.

The Reds take a four-game winning streak on the road for their next seven games against the National League Central’s big boys — three against second-place Milwaukee and four against first-place St. Louis. The Reds are third, 11/2 games behind the Cardinals.

“We’re confident,” Bruce said. “We’ve played well on the road (13-8) and we’ve played those teams tough. I have confidence in our pitching staff and now we’re hitting well. I’m excited about this team. It has been a fun year so far and it is just getting started and there is a lot coming.”

And it appears there is no more playing down to the levels of lesser teams, as the Reds did last year. They played much better against the good teams in 2008 and let the also-rans run over them. So far this season the Reds are 16-9 against teams below .500 and 11-11 against teams above .500. They are 3-2 against Milwaukee and 2-1 against St. Louis.

Manager Dusty Baker couldn’t believe it when somebody said it was unusual at this time of year for the Reds to embark on an important road trip.

“This early?” he said.

When told that the Reds — owners of eight straight losing seasons — usually were chasing shadows by now, he repeated, “This early in the season? Usually out of it? Wow.”

Baker knows it is time for the Reds to make a statement — in it or out of it — but tries to downplay it just a bit.

“Being within 11/2 games of first place is real big,” he said. “Our bullpen is rested (with Bronson Arroyo’s complete game Wednesday and an off day Thursday) so we start this big road trip strong.”

How strong? Second baseman Brandon Phillips and his fractured right thumb plan to play tonight, but as he said, “If I can’t go, I won’t hurt the team. I’ll back out.”

Baker smiled and said, “We’re going to Milwaukee knowing what’s at stake these next 10 games. We know it is a tough road, but these guys have responded before.”

When the Reds return home, they have a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs — 10 straight games against the best of the Central.

Arroyo, as was Bruce, was on a high after Wednesday’s game. He pitched a five-hitter for his seventh win, tied for tops in the National League with the Mets’ Johan Santana.

“I’ll take the wins when I can get ’em,” he said. “Sometimes you get on a roll and then there are times when I stand here trying to tell you writers why I can’t get anybody out.”

Arroyo has made 10 starts and has a decision in each one (7-3) and said, “That’s unusual for me. I usually have a lot of no-decisions, but that’s an indication that this team is a little scrappier than we’ve had in the past. We don’t lay down when we’re down 3-0 in the third inning.

“Both Milwaukee and St. Louis are playing good ball and we haven’t been in this position for a long time,” he added. “It’s not do-or-die because we’re playing pretty good, but it would be nice to take two of three and split with St. Louis to come off the road with a winning record.”

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Looks like my 2-5 prediction for this road trip is looking very good. This team is not a contender.

boxter
9:03 AM, 5/31/2009

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Guys! We are all forgeting the most important thing, it doesn't matter who wins the Central as long as it is not the Cubs!

Brianbase
1:17 AM, 5/30/2009

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Cards fans are scared? You've got to be joking. The Reds team looks good this year and your young players are very scrappy. But don't bloat yourself up too much. If you win, you win. But we're not scared of you...not for a minute. And "um...no thanks"...it's nice to take a pot shot at Albert with the steroid comment, even though you have no proof and all his tests prove otherwise. It makes it sound like YOU are the one that is scared...

STL # 1
6:02 PM, 5/29/2009

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The Reds are for real. Cardinals fans are scared.

Next time, your mouth won't be the only thing that's running!

Max
4:58 PM, 5/29/2009

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the knocks on El Hombre are a riot. But you're right cincy...if I'm going to build a team I would want to build it around your precious Joey too...yeah right!!!! Pujols is without question the BEST player in the league...on and off the field. Try making the playoffs as a stepping stone and then come talk the trash.

stlcardinaltiger

stlcardinaltiger
3:52 PM, 5/29/2009

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