Well, that was not the way I wanted the series to start vs. the Cardinals. Homer Bailey had no trouble getting the first two outs in the first and then tossed some slow pitch softball to the next few batters to the tune of 3 home runs and 4 runs total.

He did settle down after that but with only three hits in the game, the Reds were not going to come charging back. Bill Bray made his first appearance of the season and Brandon Phillips left the game with a possible injury.

On Phillips:

. “I don’t think it’s too serious, but he probably won’t play tomorrow because you’ve got to get him well,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “That’s what you’re always guarded against, especially playing your first game in the kind of chilly air out there. It’s a thing you try to avoid. We’ve been good on leg injuries from Spring Training until now, except for Billy Bray’s groin. Other than that, we’ve had none. We just have to take caution and hope it won’t be too long.”

Homer talks about what was going on in the first:

“I just got a little passive with two outs. I didn’t stay aggressive. Once you open that can, it’s kind of hard to shut sometimes. The wind blowing out like that, small park – it’s going to happen. After the first, I just tried to get as deep into the game as I could.”

Like I said yesterday, this game does not make the season or put the Reds in a hole. I still expect them to take the next two from the Cards. However, it did open up the debate on whether Homer should be a starter or if Chapman should have his spot. I still like the rotation the way it is. I think Homer is better than he looked in the first yesterday and I love the ability to bring Chapman in for a couple innings and shut down the other team.

The Reds have a shot to even the series tonight against the Cards at GABP. Let’s hope they do it.