The Reds took the first half of a two-game series tonight against the Cardinals by a score of 1-6.

Bronson Arroyo took the mound for the Reds and pitched a complete game four-hitter. He allowed one run (earned) on a home run by Juan Encarnación in the second inning.

The Reds first scored in the first when Rich Aurilia hit a home run. After the aforementioned home run in the top of the second, the score remained tied at ones until the bottom of the fifth.

In the fifth, Ryan Freel doubled with two outs and came in on a Felipe Lopez line-drive single to left field. Lopez would have three RBI on the night.

The big inning for the Reds was the bottom of the sixth. After Adam Dunn doubled, Austin Kearns singled him in with a line-drive to right field. Edwin Encarnación and Brandon Phillips each singled to drive in Kearns and drive Cardinals starting pitcher Mark Mulder from the game.

After David Ross struck out, Encarnación and Phillips advanced on a wild pitch while Arroyo was batting, and Arroyo eventually walked. Freel struck out swinging, but Lopez singled to bring in two more runners. Aurilia grounded out to end the threat and the scoring. Final score: 1-6.

In the top of the ninth, Arroyo induced a ground ball from Jim Edmonds and struck out John Gall to set up Juan Encarnación for a fly ball to left field. Never, ever has Adam Dunn looked so determined to get to a ball, sliding for it and even using two hands to ensure it stayed in his mitt.

The win brings the Reds' record to 18-8 and gives them sole possession of first place in the NLC. Tomorrow they go for the sweep of the short series, pitting Dave Williams against Syndney Ponson at 12:35 p.m.