The Reds' offense avoided the blame for the loss on Friday in the first game of the series with the White Sox by scoring four runs. The White Sox avoided the loss entirely by scoring twelve.

Brandon Claussen took the mound and was abysmal. He allowed nine runs (earned) on eight hits and two walks through two plus innings pitched. Three batters into the third with no outs and two runners on, he was pulled in favor of Joe Mays, who will probably take Claussen's next start in New York.

Mays promptly allowed both of his inherited runners to score before giving up two of his own runs (one earned) on seven hits through four innings of work.

Esteban Yan held the Sox hitless through the seventh. Rick White allowed one run on one hit and one walk through the eighth and ninth.

After the White Sox put a 4-spot on the board in the top of the first, the Reds responded with three runs of their own off a Rich Aurilia home run in the bottom of the inning, giving the brief illusion that perhaps this game wasn't a completely lost cause.

Austin Kearns added a solo shot in the seventh inning to provide the Reds' other run. Felipe Lopez was the only Red to have more than one hit: he wen 2-for-4 and scored on the Aurilia homer. At least there was a base runner for a change.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 37-30. They would continue the struggle against the White Sox on Saturday when Eric Milton would face Jose Contreras.