So, the steroid problem continues.  Manny Ramirez has been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs.

The difference here is that, given his history, I don't think Manny Ramirez really cares.  We have all heard the phrase "Manny being Manny".  We have watched him lazily go after a ball in the outfield.  We have seen him walk to first base, only to have the ball hit the top of the wall and him end up with a long single.  The contract negotiations this spring was just to get out of spring training workouts.  Frankly, I am tired of his act.

To be fair, I must note that Manny Ramirez claims that the substance he tested positive for was for a personal medical condition.  He has also supposedly apologized to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Please excuse me if I don't shed a tear.

I am not sure what the policy is across the United States.  But in Ohio, people convicted of drunk driving have a yellow license plate with red letters.

Hmmmmm.....

Instead of suspending Manny Ramirez, make him play without pay.  Also, make him wear a yellow uniform. 

Do this from now on, and go all out.  Head to toe.  Yellow hat/helmet, jersey, pants, socks and shoes.  From now on, any player who tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs must wear the yellow uniform!

Who suffers from Ramirez being gone for 50 games?  The Dodgers and their fans.  Make him play in the yellow uniform.  If he doesn't give the expected effort, add a day to the suspension. 

You can't take away his money.  You can't take away his ability to hit a baseball.  But you can take away some of his pride.  Point at him.  Laugh at him.  Embarrass him.  Humiliate him.

Arroyoooooooo.....nooooooooooo.....

The Reds starter was screwed, booed, tatooed and barbecued last night by the Brewers.  There isn't really anything else to say.  These things happen.  The great thing about baseball is that you get to come back the next day and do it all over again.  The Reds need a win tonight to get some momentum heading into the big weekend against the Cardinals.

Aaron Boone was back in the Astros clubhouse, just six weeks removed from having open heart surgery. He said that he has not ruled out playing again. I always loved Boone and hated seeing him leave Cincinnati. I wish him nothing but the best.

As a whole, the Reds pitching staff has been great this year. Going into Wednesday, they led the Major Leagues with a 3.61 earned run average. Pitching coach Dick Pole's words of wisdom..."I am just trying to stay the heck away."

I understand not wanting to send Alex Gonzalez to the disabled list if you don't absolutely have to, but something needs to be done. You can't go into the Cardinals series with 24 players, especially if you might need your backup shortstop to pitch the ninth.

I have been ranting about the pitch-tipping allegations against Alex Rodriguez since the information was first leaked. It seems the Major League Baseball is now going to take a look.

I highly recommend watching this video about pitch-tipping. Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin and John Hart really give great insight to what goes on around the infield before a pitch is thrown. I love this stuff about baseball. Ninety-five percent of the people at a ballpark have no idea that kind of stuff is going on.

I also loved the quotes from David Ortiz and Tony LaRussa about the possibility of A-Rod tipping pitches. Ortiz affectionately said, "I would beat the crap out of him." The Cardinals manager obviously had football on his mind, saying, "I would be punting him through the end zone."

If they were told the game was cancelled, of course they should have been let back into the stadium. But how can they prove it? Bad situation...

I like the show, but is this for real?

Maybe if this guy was reading SB Nation, they would have given him a pass.

The Reds return to Great American Ball Park for a five-game homestand.  It starts tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers.  Here is a preview of the series probable pitchers, weather forecast, broadcast schedule and promotional giveaways.

Milwaukee Brewers (15-12) at Cincinnati Reds (14-12)

Great American Ball Park

Wednesday, May 6 at 7:10 PM ET

• Manny Parra, LHP (0-4, 5.33) vs Bronson Arroyo, RHP (4-1, 4.91)
• High 68/Low 57, Few showers
• TV: FS-O, Radio: WLW 700

Thursday, May 7 at 7:10 PM ET

• Braden Looper, RHP (2-1, 3.10) vs Micah Owings, RHP (1-3, 4.84)
• High 79/Low 62, Scattered t-storms
• TV: FS-O, Radio: WLW 700
• Reds T-Shirt for first 20,000 fans, Singles Night, Senior Citizen Specials

Another great pitching performance.

Another shutout.

Another winning road trip.

Edinson Volquez got the win, going eight shutout innings and allowing just three hits.  He has now allowed just five hits in his last 21 innings.  Volquez is now 4-2 and his earned run average is down to 3.47.  Nick Masset pitched the ninth and looked outstanding.

The Reds have the lowest team ERA (3.61) in all of baseball.  The pitching staff has six shutouts, matching the total for all of last season.

Brandon Phillips had his best game of the season, collecting three hits and driving in six runs.  One of those hits was his fourth homerun of the year.  Jerry Hairston, Joey Votto and Ramon Hernandez each had two hits.  The Reds as a team had 14 hits on the night.

With the two-game split against the Marlins, the Reds now have a road series record of 4-0-1.  Let's hope they can keep it going and improve on their home record, starting tonight against the Brewers.  It will be Manny Parra (0-4) against Bronson Arroyo (4-1).

Other Reds notes:

• Ramon Hernandez caught 14 innings on Monday and was in the lineup last night.  Dusty Baker said he planned to start Ryan Hanigan in the opening game of the homestand and he didn't want to give Hernandez two days off in a row.  (But Hanigan isn't Arroyo's personal catcher, right?)
• Adam Rosales said he plays every day like it could be his last.  I love this kid more and more every time I watch him play.  I just hope he can put up the numbers to justify him staying with the big club.
• Alex Gonzalez received a cortisone injection because of his oblique strain and will be evaluated again today.
• David Weathers' next appearance will be his 906th and tie Cy Young for 19th on baseball's all-time list.