The Reds ended a six game winning streak with a 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros this afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Elizardo Ramirez got his second start in place of Eric Milton, who is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Ramirez's first outing was an impressive showing in the canyon of RFK, but his second showing was not bad for a guy of his age and experience. He allowed three runs (earned) on six hits and two walks through six innings. He struck out five and allowed two home runs.

Matt Belisle, Rick White, and Todd Coffey each worked an inning of scoreless relief, with only Coffey surrendering a hit.

The offense took the day off today, hopefully to rest up for the series against the Cardinals tomorrow. The Reds mustered only four hits, the only two that mattered coming in the sixth inning. Quinton McCracken singled to lead off the inning and Adam Dunn, who suddenly remembered he's supposed to be a slugger, homered him in three batters later.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 17-8, tied for first place in the NLC with the St. Louis Cardinals, who just so happen to be coming to town. Jerry Narron has shuffled the rotation so that Bronson Arroyo will take the mound to face Mark Mulder tomorrow, leaving Dave Williams to face Fat Syndey, a guy he definitely has a chance against, on Tuesday. Tomorrow's contest begins at 7:10 p.m.

I'm apparently in the mood to taunt the Baseball Gods today because I'm calling for Reds fans everywhere to get out their Swiffer for the sweep of the Astros this afternoon.

The last time The Lizard pitched, he flat-out earned himself a second look. If he can keep it up today, we could be seeing this cute little fella long-term.

CINCINNATI, OH -- Ken Griffey, Jr. discovered that the Houston Astros' grip on first place was held together with pine tar this weekend when he replaced the tar with honey.

Griffey, a notorious prankster and bored during his continuing stint on the disabled list, snuck into the visitor's clubhouse before Friday's game. There, he cleaned the nasty-ass pine tar off Craig Biggio's batting helmet. In place of the tar, he covered the helmet in honey.

“It seemed to fit,” said Griffey of the prank, “they're supposed to be killer bees.”

Even Griffey didn't know that the tar was all that was holding the team together.

“I just thought it might attract gnats or something,” Griffey explained, “I didn't realize I was helping the Reds win.”

Helping the Reds win is not one of Griffey's priorities. He recently said he would be unwilling to consider a position change, despite the fact that the Reds have been performing better without him in center field.

“Look, I'm only 36, and I'm held together with the very best staples and duct tape that science has to offer,” said Griffey. “There's no reason for me to move.”

The Reds agree and have left Griffey on the disabled list going into Sunday's game.

I know we're not due to play the Cubbies again for a while, but I think last night's performance is worthy of note. Our favorite Chicago pitcher, Glendon Rusch, gave up seven earned runs in two and two-thirds innings. Those seven runs would turn out to be less than half of the opponent's score as the Cubs got beat 16-2.

Death has an open letter to Mr. Rusch. I remember when we felt this way about Milton.