Reds use power surge to take series from San Diego

CINCINNATI — They were flying out of Great American Small Park like Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice out of a cannon. And when the Cincinnati Reds are hitting home runs, the Cincinnati Reds are winning — as in three Wednesday to account for eight runs in a 9-5 victory over the sad Diego Padres. Javier Valentin hit one with the bases empty in the fifth. Edwin Encarnacion hit one with one on in the sixth. Adam Dunn hit one with the bases loaded in the seventh. It enabled the Reds to take two of three from the Padres, their fourth of seven on the homestand with three remaining against Colorado. And it enabled Bronson Arroyo to win his fifth straight start, then make a postgame plea to owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty not to set up trade booths on Joe Nuxhall Way. Arroyo pleaded his case strongly and, yes,... [read full story]