The Reds slipped by the Nationals last night by a score of 6-5.

Dave Williams and his muttonchops took the mound for the Reds, looking to redeem himself after a couple really rough starts. He lasted five plus innings, giving up four runs (earned) on nine hits and a walk. It was a performance worthy to get him the win.

Todd Coffey took over in the sixth and let one of his inherited runner to score. He came back out for the seventh and allowed a run of his own to score in a performance that counts as shaky by Coffey's standards. He gave up one earned run on two hits and two walks. His ERA now stands at 0.75.

Kent Mercker and David Weathers each provided a hitless inning of relief. Weathers got the save.

Again the offense got off to a big start in the top of the first. After Ryan Freel lined out, Felipe Lopez and Rich Aurilia each singled. While the major shift was on for Adam Dunn (seriously--three infielders on the first-base side), Lopez and Aurilia pulled off the double steal. Dunn was then hit with a pitch to load up the bases. Austin Kearns drew a walk to bring in the first run, and Edwin Encarnación singled in two more. Brandon Phillips dropped a sac fly into right field before Jason LaRue lined out to end the threat. Score: 4-0.

The Nats got a couple runs back in the bottom of the second on a Ryan Zimmerman two-run home run with Nick Johnson on base. Score: 4-2.

The Reds added some insurance in the top of the fifth when Aurilia doubled and Dunn was intentionally walked. Two batters later and with two outs, Encarnación doubled the two of them in. Score: 6-2.

And it was a good thing he did, because the Nationals would come back to score a run in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. The run in the fifth was a solo shot by Alfonso Soriano. The run in the sixth came on a Daryle Ward single to bring in Nick Johnson. The run in the seventh came from a Jose Vidro single after Royce Clayton reached on a throwing error by Felipe Lopez. Final score: 6-5.

The win brings the Reds' record to 14-7 and ensure they win the series. The Reds go for the sweep this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Bronson Arroyo takes the mound for the Reds to face former Red Ramón Ortiz for the Nationals.