The Reds embark Monday on an 11-day, 10-game trip. It's the most days the team will be away from home this season, and the 10 games match the longest trek of the year.
And while is it is the first trip, manager Dusty Baker calls it "an important trip because it is road games and division games. "The two biggest things we have to improve on this year is our road record and our record within the division," Baker added.
The Reds were 31-50 on the road last season and 32-52 in the NL Central, holding a winning record over only the Brewers (10-8). They were 8-13 against the Cubs, 3-12 against the Astros, 6-9 against the Pirates and 5-10 against the Cardinals.
This trip takes them for three in Milwaukee, four in Houston and three in Chicago against the Cubs.
"I know it's early, but it is important to stay at .500 for as long as you can until you catch a little spurt and pull above it, and then you have to stay above it," said Baker, knowing the Reds have not had a winning season in eight years.
REDS 2, PIRATES 0: RHP Aaron Harang pitched the first complete game in the majors this season, and he made it a shutout to boot. He gave up only three hits and threw 108 pitches, 80 for strikes. He went to three balls on one hitter and two balls on seven for his 12th career complete game and sixth shutout. 2B Brandon Phillips provided the runs, a two-run homer in the first.
