The Reds lost the game and the series to the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday by a score of 2-7.

Bronson Arroyo started for the Reds. He allowed four runs (earned) on nine hits and two walks through six innings to get the loss. Todd Coffey pitched the seventh giving up zero runs on one hit and one walk. Rick White pitched the eighth allowing three runs (earned) on three hits and a walk.

Cincinnati drew first blood for a change when Ryan Freel, Felipe Lopez, and Ken Griffey, Jr. each singled to start the first inning. Austin Kearns knocked a sacrifice fly to left to score Freel. Adam Dunn walked to load up the bases again, but Edwin Encarnación popped out and Brandon Phillips struck out to end the threat.

The Reds didn't put up much of a fight again until the fifth inning. Freel and Lopez drew back-to-back walks, setting up Griffey to score Freel on a single to left field. Kearns grounded into a double play and Dunn walked for the second time, putting the pressure on Encarnación, who flied out to end the inning.

In the seventh, Freel singled to reach base for the third time on the night (he would walk in the ninth to make it a total of four). After a fly out by Lopez and a HBP for Griffey, Freel got himself picked off. Even with two outs, though, Kearns reached on a fielding error and Dunn walked to, yet again, put the pressure on Encarnación. Poor kid k'd.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 23-17. They prevent the sweep this afternoon at 12:35 p.m. Dave Williams takes on Victor Santos.