The Reds started their first inter-league series of 2006 with a win over the Detroit Tigers by a score of 9-4.

Brandon Claussen allowed four runs on four hits and a walk through the first seven innings of the game for the win. Todd Coffey allowed zero runs on one hit in the eighth. Chris Hammond held the Tigers hitless through the ninth. Hammond's ERA: 7.71.

The Reds drew first blood in the top of the second when Rich Aurilia led off the inning with a home run. It was his first at-bat after coming off the disabled list. Scott Hatteberg walked and Austin Kearns doubled to set up Javier Valentín for a sacrifice fly. Jason LaRue struck out and Brandon Phillips grounded out to end the inning. Score: 2-0.

The good guys busted it open in the top of the fourth. Hatteberg singled and Kearns and Valentín walked to load the bases. LaRue was hit by a pitch to bring in Hatteberg. A triple by Phillips and a fielding error by the Tigers' Carlos Guillen cleared the bases.

But the Reds weren't done yet. After a a pitching change and a ground-out by Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn knocked a home run to right field to score Phillips and himself. The Tigers would get three of those runs back in the bottom of the inning, but the Reds retained the lead. Score: 8-3.

The Reds got their final run in the top of the fifth. Kearns walked to lead off the inning and LaRue doubled two batters later. Phillips contributed a sacrifice fly to bring in Kearns. The Tigers were able to score one more in the bottom of the sixth, but the score remained the same for the rest of the game. Final score: 9-4.

The win brought the Reds' record to 25-17. Eric Milton would make his first post-DL appearance against Mike Maroth.