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CINCINNATI — Aaron Harang is usually a pretty even-keeled guy. Usually doesn't display much emotion. If he's frustrated, he's not going to show you.

But after the Reds' offense finally gave him enough runs to score an 8-7 win against the Marlins on Monday, May 12, Harang could admit to a deep, dark secret. He's prone to kicking a wall like anybody else.

Dusty Baker noticed it during Harang's last start, a game in which the Cubs shut out Cincinnati. As the Reds manager walked from the dugout to the clubhouse following the game, he noticed a size 15 cleat mark on the wall. He deduced it was the work of Harang.

On Monday, with the Reds giving him eight runs — one more than his past four starts combined — Harang could confirm Baker's report. Yes, he kicked the wall in frustration. No, apparently Harang (2-5) isn't emotionless.

"It's tough to go out and pitch well and come out on the losing end," Harang said. "That's going to happen. But it's definitely different when it's happening a little more than normal. It's harder to bite your lip. But I always had faith in them. I never doubted them."

Though the runs finally were there — thanks, in large part, to a pair of two-run home runs by Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips in the seventh inning — the bullpen and defense nearly kept him the best 1-5 pitcher in the majors.

After Harang completed his night, allowing seven hits and four runs in seven innings and leaving with the 8-4 lead, the Reds bullpen nearly imploded.

David Weathers got two outs in the eighth and giving up a leadoff hit, but he walked Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla to put runners on first and second. Jeremy Affeldt replaced him and against the only batter he faced, he allowed a run-scoring single to Luis Gonzalez.

But when Dusty Baker called on closer Francisco Cordero to replace Affeldt, the inning got really ugly. Cordero started by hitting Wes Helms with a pitch. Ken Griffey Jr. dropped a fly ball from Mike Rabelo — a two-run error — but following a Cordero walk to Florida pinch-hitter Cody Ross to load the bases, he induced a fly out from Alfredo Amezaga to end the threat.

"I've never seen that with him," Baker said, referring to Griffey's error. "That's a first for me. That shows that can happen to anybody. He's about as sure-handed a man as you can find."

Luckily for the Reds, it didn't bleed into the ninth inning. Instead, Cordero pitched a perfect inning for his sixth save of the season.

Comment: What did you think of Harang's performance?

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