I heard an interview with Joey Votto over the weekend and he talked a little bit about the Reds bats. He mentioned how they were in a slump and all it takes is one hit to end a slump.

Maybe the Reds got those hits on Sunday. In narrowly avoiding a sweep by the Nationals, some of the biggest slumpers currently for the Reds came up big. Scott Rolen was on base when Ludwick smacked a grand slam in the top of the first (an argument could be made that he shouldn’t have been and the inning should have been over, but lets call it even for the terrible strike call on Votto the batter before). Drew Stubbs opened the 11th with a hit and eventually the leading run that would be all the Reds needed to win. (Although, they did add a couple more for insurance).
The Reds bats have been bad, really bad. The start to the season has been affected, however, the Reds have done well after some miserable starts in recent history. Take 2010 for example, the Reds began the season at 5-8 (they are just 1-2 away from that now). The ended at 91-71 and tops in the division.

Mike Leake had a decent outing yesterday and really had no trouble until the 4th. Votto came up clutch in the 11th with his double scoring 2. This is the kind of at bat you expect from the Reds star and it is one he usually delivers on.

Now we reset, take on the Cardinals starting tomorrow in their house for another series. Again, this is not a must win situation. The division is not won or lost in the first three weeks of the season, but the Reds also don’t want to be 6 games back this early into 2012.

2 out of 3 will be nice but you know we want a sweep.