Belisle rocked again

Cincinnati Reds starter Matt Belisle coughed up five earned runs in five innings while allowing seven hits against the Mets Saturday, ballooning his already balloon-like ERA to 7.45. While he's only made four starts this season, the Reds have been through this before and likely don't need to see much more to know what they're getting. Belisle lost nine games last year and posted a 5.32 ERA. He's never been more than back-end starter in recent seasons, and Cincy has top-of-the-line prospect Homer Bailey still waiting his turn in Triple-A Louisville. It would seem we're closer than ever to Bailey time. In fact, a call-up is practically overdue at this point.

While Bailey struggled with his control last season, posting 28 BB in 45.1 IP in the Majors, he's back in a groove at Louisville. Bailey's notched 39 Ks in 46.1 IP in the minors this year, walking only 12. In his last outing Bailey went seven solid innings, giving up four runs in a 4-1 loss, but opponents are hitting just .222 against him thus far, and the just-turned 22-year-old needs a chance to compete at the highest level sooner than later. Pick him up now. The Reds need help in the rotation.

Belisle's only hope is that manager Dusty Baker and GM Walt Jocketty, both new to the Cincinnati organization, think the 27-year-old right hander still possesses some upside. Certainly they know Bailey possesses more.