The Reds actually gave Elizardo Ramirez some support for a change in this 8-4 win over the Astros on Thursday.

Ramirez worked six and two-third innings, allowing one run (earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out eight, seven of them in a row. Brian Shackelford finished out the seventh without allowing a hit.

Gary Majewski started off the eighth, but couldn't get an out. He was charged with two runs (earned) on three hits. How this guy still had a 4.37 ERA after this game is beyond me. He must have been freakin' awesome in Washington.

Bill Bray gave up a run on three hits in his two-thirds of the eighth; Todd Coffey gave up zero runs on zero hits in his third. Eddie Guardado struck out three in the ninth.

Adam Dunn had a hell of a night, going 3-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored, and four RBI including a two-run home run in the second inning. Ken Griffey, Jr. also contributed two RBI with a two-run home run in the first inning. Rich Aurilia and Ramirez batted in the other two.

Ryan Freel didn't hit in any runs for a change, but did score two of them in his 3-for-5 performance.

The win brought the Reds' record to 54-48. The series with the Astros won, the Reds moved on to Milwaukee. They would send Eric Milton out to face Tomo Ohka on Friday.

Ahhh…I love the beginning of a game. So full of promise. Zero outs in the bottom of the first, and Milton hasn't allowed any runs yet.

UPDATE: nevermind.

In today's notebook at the Dayton Daily News (subscription required), Todd Coffey talks about what he stores on his iPod.

“I'm a movie freak. Lots of movies. Lord of the Rings. I'm a sci-fi guy. OK, I guess I'm just a big ol' nerd.”

Just another reason for me to like him.

Now let's see him continue his resurgence in his late-innings relief role.

The Reds lost a game of their lead on third place yesterday with a 5-8 loss to the Astros.

When I woke up this morning, the sports guy on 104.1 WLBC (News, Sports, and Weather…Together!) said that the “bullpen collapsed” in the loss. Apparently he hasn't heard that Bronson Arroyo is a starter now.

Unlike other recent failed attempts for the tenth win, Arroyo earned this loss fair and square. He gave up eight runs on eight hits and a walk through six and two-thirds innings pitched. His personal record inches ever-closer to .500, now at 9-7.

Brian Shackelford made his triumphant return in to the seventh to face one batter without a hit. David Weathers struck out two in a hitless eighth.

The Reds scored five, which would normally be way more than enough against the Astros. Adam Dunn went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Rich Aurilia went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Edwin Encarnación actually got to play third base. What the heck more do you need?

A manager who pulls the starter before he can give up six runs in an inning might help.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 53-48. Tonight the rubber game. Elizardo Ramirez takes on the ever-so-sweet-faced Taylor Buchholz at 8:05 p.m.

Marc says that David Ross indeed made it back for today's game to play binky to Bronson Arroyo, so the Reds had to make room on the roster. They did so by designating for assignment Joe Mays.

Mays recently sparked an argument between me and the Crack Technical Staff. CTS said that Ryan Freel would be a better choice to start, whereas I took the more practical approach of saying a pitcher would be better on the mound than a utilityman.

In any event, Mays had been scheduled to start Saturday. Marc says the pitcher is TBA. George Grande said during the game tonight that they seem to be leading toward starting someone on three-days rest, so I guess that would be Arroyo?

At least he's got his binky back. For all the good it's doing him tonight.