The Reds broke their string of lost series yesterday when they won their second consecutive game over the Houston Astros by a score of 7-5.

Bronson Arroyo took the mound and allowed two runs (zero earned) on eight hits and one walk through six innings for the win. Chris Hammond worked the seventh and allowed one run (earned) on one hit and one walk. David Weathers allowed zero hits through the eighth.

Todd Coffey had his first bad outing when he worked the ninth. He allowed two runs (earned) on three hits, and it took a solid play by Austin Kearns in right and a heroic play by Ryan Freel in center to help him escape. Coffey's ERA has “skyrocketed” to a stunning 1.74.

Arroyo himself was the offensive star of the game, going 3-for-3 with four RBI. Arroyo's RBI for the season (6) now outnumber his hits for the season (5), though he still hits a massive .156, so it's hard to deem him a slugger yet.

The win brings the Reds' record to 31-24 and three games out of first place in the division. They go for the sweep this afternoon at 2:05 p.m. when Elizardo Ramirez takes the mound against Roy Oswalt.