I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.
I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.
I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
Jay Bruce forgot to hit a home run Friday night. It would have been a record five straight games with a home run.
His memory was revived Saturday with his 33rd home run of the season, setting a new career high in the Reds' 5-1 win. He is closing in on a new career high in RBI as well. His high mark is 97. He stands at 95 at the moment.
The 421 foot blast off Bud Norris leading off the second inning erased an early 1-0 deficit. The young Houston Astros fresh off the farm from Oklahoma City scored off the cagey veteran, Bronson Arroyo in the first inning. Fernando Martinez doubled with one out and scored on a two out single to center by Justin Maxwell.
They scored no more in Arroyo's seven innings in spite of getting five singles and two walks against the Reds' hurler. Arroyo lasted seven innings.
"August and September have always been pretty good for me," Arroyo said, who improved his record to 12-7. "I'm a guy who needs regular work. Too many days off leaves me tired. If I ever get off to a good start, I might end up having a great season. I always seem to be running uphill in the second half."
Brandon Phillips hit his 16th off Norris in the third. The Reds added three in the sixth. Joey Votto doubled to lead off, his second hit. Bruce was walked intentionally an out later. Todd Frazier was unintentionally issued a base on balls to load the bases. Ryan Hanigan dumped a single into shallow right to score Votto. Wilson Valdez, playing shortstop with Zack Cozart out with a strained oblique battled Norris' replacement, Fernando Rodriguez. Behind 0-2 Valdez squibbed the 10th pitch of the at bat between thirdbase and Rodriguez. The pitcher made a sliding stop then threw the ball past catcher Jason Castro and two men scored.
Phillips struggled since moving back to the leadoff spot on Wednesday.
"It usually takes a while to get used to it," Phillips said. "Today was one of those days when hits fell in. I might be coming back sooner this time."
Sean Marshall, pitched a scoreless eighth. Henry Rodriguez singled for his first major league hit batting for Marshall in the eighth.
Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to reduce the Reds' magic number to 14. Pittsburgh also lost to the Chicago Cubs, leaving them with a tragic number of 13.
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