Despite the best efforts of Jason Standridge, the Reds got the post-All-Star-Break half going right with a 7-9 win over the Rockies last night.

Eric Milton allowed three runs (earned) on five hits and a walk through six innings for the win. Then the Reds sent out everyone and the kitchen sink to pitch the rest of the game.

David Weathers did OK, allowing no runs on one hit in the seventh. Todd Coffey did the same in the eighth.

Standridge allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits before his one-third of an inning was in the books. He finished the game with an 8.10 ERA. Yet it was Esteban Yan that was designated for assignment today. Go figure.

Finally, Eddie Guardado stopped the bleeding to finish off the ninth and get the save.

Chris Denorfia got to lead off, having been brought back from Louisville. Frankly, I'm surprised. Narron never seemed to want to play Denorfia when he was with the team in the past. He went 1-for-5 on the night.

Juan Castro surprised everyone with a three-run home run in the seventh inning off Ray King. Ken Griffey, Jr. didn't really surprise anyone with his solo shot in the same inning. Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnación, Jason LaRue, and Eric Milton provided the remaining RBI.

LaRue went 2-for-3 on the night with two runs scored. He's hot! Let's not sit him! Javier Valentín pinch hit for David Weathers in the seventh with a single. Yeah, yeah, everyone loves David Ross. But I love the Catching Tandem of Power from 2005 even more. Especially now that they're the only people I recognize on this team.

OK, that's hyperbole. But you know what I mean.

The win brings the Reds' record to 46-44. Thanks to the continuing weakness of the Cardinals and about everyone else in the NLC, the Reds remain second in the division and just four games out of first. Tonight at 7:10 p.m., Aaron Harang faces off against Jason Jennings. Not that it's all that important, but I would love for Harang to be the first to get his tenth win.