Curveballs for Jobu

Curveballs for Jobu is Off Base Percentage's daily trip around the ballparks.

Today's honorary bat boy: Todd Benzinger




Reds 7, Phillies 3. The last time Johnny Cueto faced the Phillies-July 6, 2009-he allowed nine earned runs and didn't get out of the first inning as the Phillies handed Cincy the worst loss in franchise history, 22-1. That's SimplySuperIrabuian. Monday's rematch went a bit better. Cueto gave up a run in eight innings and Scott Rolen hit his 300th career home run for the Reds, who are in first place this late in the season for the first time since 1999. To illustrate how long ago that was, I give you a few notes about the '99 Reds:

* The four pitchers who made the most starts for Cincinnati in 1999 were Pete Harnisch, Brett Tomko, Ron Villone and Steve Parris.
* The catcher during most of those starts: Edward Kenneth Taubensee
* Also prominently involved: Juan Guzman, Steve Avery, Stan Belinda, Jeffrey Hammonds

Marlins 10, Mets 3. I didn't think I'd be typing this on June 29, but for Anthony Young's sake, someone finally beat R.A. Dickey.

Indians 2, Bluejays 1
Pirates 2, Cubs 1
This was the first time since June 5 both the Indians and Pirates won on the same day. In Cleveland, Jake Westbrook gave up a run in six innings, while the appendage formerly known as Kerry Wood's arm saved a game for the second consecutive night. Meanwhile, the Bucs snapped a six-game losing streak by beating Chicago for the eighth time in 10 tries this season. If Pittsburgh could schedule Chicago 162 times a year....people would stop going to Wrigley Field.

Shot Of The Night

Shot Of The Night is Off Base Percentage's toast to a player who had an exceptionally good or bad night. There's always a reason to drink.

Tonight's shot of the night is Morning Wood: 1 oz vodka, 1 oz peach schnapps, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz sweet and sour mix, 1 oz blackberry liqueur. And it's in honor of Brandon Wood.

Clearly this is a homer pick. I'm not going to apologize. The kid has struggled and I give him plenty of grief on Twitter but I still believe. In true morning wood fashion, Brandon came up strong in today's Angels game. Brandon Wood hit his first career grand slam and even had a walk while not striking out. I hope he's turning a corner but it's a good reason to get hammered nonetheless.

Honorable Mention: Kerry Wood
The appendage formerly known as Kerry Wood's arm picked up his 6th save of the season while striking out the side. That can't last long. Just like morning wood.

Curveballs for Jobu

Curveballs for Jobu is Off Base Percentage's daily trip around the ballparks.

Today's honorary bat boy: Amos Otis




Mariners 1, Reds 0. Cliff Lee is really good. The lefty pitched a complete game, six-hitter and didn't walk anyone. Again. Lee has walked four batters in 10 starts and hasn't given up a base on balls in 27 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, the Mariners are terrible, so Lee will be not walking batters for someone else in about 41 days.

Padres 3, Orioles 2. If David Hernandez is your closer, you probably stink. I think I'm going to make that into a t-shirt. Julio Lugo, who also has an odor, singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth for Baltimore, but Hernandez loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom half, then quickly allowed the winning runs to score.

Indians 4, Pirates 3. Carlos Santana Watch: 2-for-2, 2 walks. The rookie phenom also ripped an RBI-double in a four-run seventh for the Indians, who had to get a save from the appendage formerly known as Kerry Wood's arm to hold off the Bucs. That's 12 consecutive losses for Pittsburgh. I'm all out of Pittsburgh Pirates jokes.

Marlins 7, Devilrays 4. Rookie Mike Stanton belted his first major league home run-a first-inning grand slam-to lead Florida. According to a number of published reports, Stanton came out for a current call, but I'm sorry, I just don't believe that actually happened.