Even the offensive power of Brandon Phillips was not enough to beat the Brewers today as the Reds fell 4-1.

Eric Milton took the loss as he allowed four runs (earned) on five hits and four walks through six and two-thirds innings. I think it's worth mentioning, though, that Gary Majewski was the one to actually allow half of those runs to score. Convenient for him they were inherited runners. At the end of the night, his line shows zero runs on three hits through an inning and a third.

Todd Coffey rounded out the show, allowing zero runs on one hit in the ninth.

The Reds' lone run came on a solo shot by Brandon Phillips in the eighth inning. The Reds had only five hits all day; they would have had to have scored on all of them to win this game.

Edwin Encarnación was again out of the line-up today for no concrete reason, but the crime of “being young” seems like a likely candidate. In his place was Rich Aurilia, whom Narron seems to have forgotten can play in places other than the corners. Juan Castro at short went 0-fer and Phillips hasn't had a day off in recent memory.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 52-47. The Cardinals won, so the Reds stand five games back of first. They stand five games ahead of the third-place Houston Astros, whom they go to visit on Tuesday. Aaron Harang takes on Roger Clemens.