The Tuesday Morning Rush for July 31, 2012

CINCINNATI - It's Tuesday July 31, 2012:

THUD: The Reds returned home with a ten-game winning streak and promptly got spanked 11-5 by the Padres. Former Red Edinson Volquez got the win and former Red Yonder Alonso had three doubles.

RECIPE FOR FAILURE: Starting pitching is what got the Reds to first place, but starting pitching was the downfall on Monday. Mike Leake didn't even last through the second inning. He frittered away a three run lead.  The Padres got five in the second and four more in the third.

WALKS WILL HAUNT: Reds pitchers walked 11 batters.

NO HARM: The second place Pirates got trounced by the Cubs, so the Reds maintain a three-game lead.

VOTTO SIGHTING: It was two weeks ago today that Joey Votto had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Votto was in uniform Monday night playing catch, taking throws and going through some agility drills in the outfield. He said there's no timetable for his return.

TUESDAY: It's the Reds and Padres again with Homer Bailey pitching against Jason Marquis.

THIS JUST IN: The Big East is holding its football media day in Newport, Rhode Island and the Louisville Cardinals have been tabbed the overwhelming favorite to win the league title. UC is picked for fourth, following the Cardinals, USF and Rutgers.

SILVER SWIMMER: Mariemont's Nick Thoman finished second to Matt Grevers to claim the silver medal in the 100m backstroke at the Olympics. Nick swam collegiately at Arizona.

PERSPECTIVE: Nick Thoman mentioned that he almost got out of swimming after some disappointments in 2008. Now he says he's going back to college. "I didn't graduate" he told reporters Monday night, "so I'm going back to school and do something with my life."

SHORT STROKES: Ryan Lochte finished fourth in the 200m freestyle, but Missy Franklin won the gold medal in the 100m backstroke.

NBC: I've watched sporadic coverage of the Olympics, and it appears that NBC's coverage is outstanding.  I did wonder about the use of John McEnroe as a reporter. Just seemed to be out of place.

LET'S GET READY TO TUMBLE! I keep hearing announcers talk about a showdown tonight between the US and Russian women's gymnasts. They make it sound like these teeny girls are going to rumble.

TODAY'S ACTION: Venus Williams has already advanced to the third round in tennis. The US men's basketball plays Tunisia in what should be a thriller. Sorry, but I'm bored by this whole Dream Team hype.

THE MEDAL COUNT: Gosh, I hate every newscast trumpeting the medal count, as if it really means anything. I just like the individual competition and I couldn't care less if America wins more medals than the Chinese or Russians. It's like running the movie box office receipts totals every week. It just fills time and is just dumb, lazy news.

SHOULDER SEPARATION: I introduced myself to Bengals rookie lineman Kevin Zeitler on Monday.  His handshake enveloped my entire body. Great kid with loads of enthusiasm. Reminds me a little of Eric Steinbach.  Johnny Bench's handshake was a vise-grip, Sam Wyche's handshake swallowed you whole. Zeitler attacks you, makes you feel welcome, and then makes you feel rather puny.

Hope the day goes well...

Puny Popo