GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (70-88) at CINCINNATI (71-87)

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (4) VS CINCINNATI (2) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Anderson cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .382
C Burke 2b 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .232
C Ransom 3b 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 .229
T Wigginton 3b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .288
C Lee lf 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .303
H Pence rf 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 .324
M Lamb 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .291
E Bruntlett ss 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .248
J Towles c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .389
W Rodriguez p 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .122
a-O Palmeiro ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238
b-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 4 7 3 2 5 7

a-hit for W Rodriguez in the 8th; b-lined out to left for O Palmeiro in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Burke (19, M Belisle); T Wigginton (11, G Majewski). RBI - H
Pence (68), C Lee (117), E Bruntlett (14). 2-out RBI - H Pence, E Bruntlett.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Towles 1. GIDP - C Lee. Team LOB -
4.


CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .336
J Keppinger 2b 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .333
J Votto lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333
E Encarnacion 3b 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 .291
J Cantu 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .300
D Ross c 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .204
J Ellison rf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .184
P Lopez ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .171
M Belisle p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .060
a-B Phillips ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .290
M McBeth p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Bray p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Salmon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 27 2 4 2 3 6 9

a-intentionally walked for M Belisle in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - J Keppinger (16, W Rodriguez). HR - E Encarnacion (16, 1st inning
off W Rodriguez 1 on, 2 Out). S - J Ellison. RBI - E Encarnacion 2 (76). 2-out
RBI - E Encarnacion 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Cantu 1, N
Hopper 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - G Majewski (1, throw). DP: 1 (J Keppinger-P Lopez-J Cantu).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 202 -- 4
CINCINNATI - 200 000 00 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 7 4 2 2 3 6 1 4.58
D Borkowski 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.22

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 7 3 2 2 1 4 0 5.32
M McBeth 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 6.27
B Bray 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.43
G Majewski 2/3 3 2 2 1 1 0 8.22
B Salmon 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.42

IBB - B Phillips (by W Rodriguez), M Lamb (by G Majewski). Pitches-strikes: W
Rodriguez 113-69; D Borkowski 8-6; M Belisle 80-56; M McBeth 13-9; B Bray 7-6;
G Majewski 20-10; B Salmon 1-1. Ground balls-fly balls: W Rodriguez 6-9; D
Borkowski 1-2; M Belisle 5-12; M McBeth 0-1; B Bray 1-1; G Majewski 0-1; B
Salmon 0-1. Batters faced: W Rodriguez 28; D Borkowski 3; M Belisle 24; M
McBeth 2; B Bray 2; G Majewski 6; B Salmon 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Doug Eddings. 1B--Mike Everitt. 2B--Chris Guccione. 3B--Kerwin
Danley.

Weather: 70 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 5 mph, left to right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - PITCHING CHANGE
HOU: BRAD LIDGE (5-3, 3.32) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 2

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J CANTU (.300, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Lidge relieved D Borkowski.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 2 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J Cantu (.300, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Valentin hit for P Lopez.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, D ROSS ON SECOND, J CANTU ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 2 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J Valentin (.272, 2 HR, 33 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY JAVIER VALENTIN SCORED JORGE CANTU.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J VALENTIN ON FIRST, D ROSS ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B SALMON (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Gil ran for J Valentin.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J GIL ON FIRST, D ROSS ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B Salmon (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Coats hit for B Salmon.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J GIL ON FIRST, D ROSS ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B Coats (.286, 0 HR, 2 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 7 1
CINCINNATI 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 5 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, DAVE BORKOWSKI (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND
J.R. TOWLES

CIN - MATT BELISLE, MARCUS MCBETH (8TH), BILL BRAY
(8TH), GARY MAJEWSKI (9TH), BRAD SALMON (9TH) AND DAVID ROSS

HOME RUNS: HOU - NONE

CIN - EDWIN ENCARNACION (16) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 1ST, 1
ON</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 7 1
CINCINNATI 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 5 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, DAVE BORKOWSKI (8TH), BRAD LIDGE (9TH) AND
J.R. TOWLES

CIN - MATT BELISLE, MARCUS MCBETH (8TH), BILL BRAY
(8TH), GARY MAJEWSKI (9TH), BRAD SALMON (9TH) AND DAVID ROSS


WP - DAVE BORKOWSKI (5-3)
LP - GARY MAJEWSKI (0-4)
SAVE - BRAD LIDGE (18)

HOME RUNS: HOU - NONE

CIN - EDWIN ENCARNACION (16) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 1ST, 1
ON


TIME: 2:34 ATT: 13,626

PROBABLES: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (17-13, 4.08)
CIN - BRONSON ARROYO (9-14, 4.22)

PROBABLES: ATL - JO-JO REYES (1-2, 6.75)
HOU - MATT ALBERS (4-10, 5.88)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (4) VS CINCINNATI (3) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Anderson cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .382
C Burke 2b 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .232
C Ransom 3b 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 .229
T Wigginton 3b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .288
C Lee lf 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .303
H Pence rf 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 .324
M Lamb 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .291
E Bruntlett ss 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .248
J Towles c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .389
W Rodriguez p 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .122
a-O Palmeiro ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238
b-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 4 7 3 2 5 7

a-hit for W Rodriguez in the 8th; b-lined out to left for O Palmeiro in the
8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Burke (19, M Belisle); T Wigginton (11, G Majewski). RBI - H
Pence (68), C Lee (117), E Bruntlett (14). 2-out RBI - H Pence, E Bruntlett.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Towles 1. GIDP - C Lee. Team LOB -
4.

FIELDING: E - T Wigginton (3, throw).


CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 5 0 1 0 0 1 4 .334
J Keppinger 2b 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .333
J Votto lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333
E Encarnacion 3b 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 .291
J Cantu 1b 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .300
D Ross c 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .204
J Ellison rf 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .184
P Lopez ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .171
b-J Valentin ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .275
J Gil pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Belisle p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .060
a-B Phillips ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .290
M McBeth p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Bray p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Salmon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-B Coats ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .273

Totals 30 3 5 3 5 6 12

a-intentionally walked for M Belisle in the 7th; b-reached on infield single
to third for P Lopez in the 9th; c-grounded into fielder's choice to first for
B Salmon in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Keppinger (16, W Rodriguez). HR - E Encarnacion (16, 1st inning
off W Rodriguez 1 on, 2 Out). S - J Ellison 2. RBI - E Encarnacion 2 (76), J
Valentin (34). 2-out RBI - E Encarnacion 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J Cantu 1, N Hopper 2. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - G Majewski (1, throw). DP: 1 (J Keppinger-P Lopez-J Cantu).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 202 -- 4
CINCINNATI - 200 000 001 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 7 4 2 2 3 6 1 4.58
D Borkowski (W, 5-3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.22
B Lidge (S, 18) 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 3.41

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 7 3 2 2 1 4 0 5.32
M McBeth 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 6.27
B Bray 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.43
G Majewski (L, 0-4) 2/3 3 2 2 1 1 0 8.22
B Salmon 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.42

IBB - B Phillips (by W Rodriguez), M Lamb (by G Majewski). Pitches-strikes: W
Rodriguez 113-69; D Borkowski 8-6; B Lidge 19-10; M Belisle 80-56; M McBeth
13-9; B Bray 7-6; G Majewski 20-10; B Salmon 1-1. Ground balls-fly balls: W
Rodriguez 6-9; D Borkowski 1-2; B Lidge 3-0; M Belisle 5-12; M McBeth 0-1; B
Bray 1-1; G Majewski 0-1; B Salmon 0-1. Batters faced: W Rodriguez 28; D
Borkowski 3; B Lidge 6; M Belisle 24; M McBeth 2; B Bray 2; G Majewski 6; B
Salmon 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Doug Eddings. 1B--Mike Everitt. 2B--Chris Guccione. 3B--Kerwin
Danley.

T--2:34. Att--13,626.
Weather: 70 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 5 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 4
CINCINNATI 3 FINAL</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (4) AT CINCINNATI (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CINCINNATI 1ST: N Hopper reached on bunt single to first. J Keppinger
grounded into fielder's choice to first, N Hopper out at second. J Votto
popped out to third. E Encarnacion homered to center, J Keppinger scored.
J Cantu flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 7TH: J Anderson singled to left. C Burke doubled to left,
J Anderson to third. C Ransom walked. C Lee grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, J Anderson scored, C Ransom out at second, C Burke to
third. H Pence singled to center, C Burke scored. M Lamb flied out to left.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 9TH: G Majewski relieved B Bray. C Burke popped out to second.
T Wigginton doubled to left. C Lee singled to left, T Wigginton scored, C Lee to
third on throwing error by pitcher G Majewski. H Pence struck out swinging.
M Lamb intentionally walked. E Bruntlett singled to right, C Lee scored, M Lamb
to second. B Salmon relieved G Majewski. J Towles flied out to right. (2 Runs,
3 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 9TH: B Lidge relieved D Borkowski. J Cantu walked. D Ross
walked, J Cantu to second. J Ellison sacrificed to third, J Cantu to third,
D Ross to second. J Valentin hit for P Lopez. J Valentin reached on infield
single to third, J Cantu scored, D Ross to third on throwing error by third
baseman T Wigginton. J Gil ran for J Valentin. B Coats hit for B Salmon.
B Coats grounded into fielder's choice to first, D Ross out at home, J Gil to
second. N Hopper grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Gil out at third.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 3.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (4) AT CINCINNATI (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- J Anderson CF, C Burke 2B, C Ransom 3B, C Lee LF,
H Pence RF, M Lamb 1B, E Bruntlett SS, J Towles C, W Rodriguez LHP.

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- N Hopper CF, J Keppinger 2B, J Votto LF,
E Encarnacion 3B, J Cantu 1B, D Ross C, J Ellison RF, P Lopez SS, M Belisle RHP.

Umpires -- Doug Eddings (HP), Mike Everitt (1B), Chris Guccione (2B), Kerwin Danley (3B).

Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Cloudy, wind left to right at 5 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: J Anderson struck out swinging. C Burke grounded out to
second. C Ransom struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 1ST: N Hopper reached on bunt single to first. J Keppinger
grounded into fielder's choice to first, N Hopper out at second. J Votto
popped out to third. E Encarnacion homered to center, J Keppinger scored.
J Cantu flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee flied out to right. H Pence lined out to right. M Lamb
flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 2ND: D Ross flied out to center. J Ellison reached on infield
single to third. P Lopez struck out swinging. M Belisle flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 3RD: E Bruntlett popped out to second. J Towles popped out to
shortstop. W Rodriguez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 3RD: N Hopper grounded out to pitcher. J Keppinger doubled to
deep center. J Votto grounded out to first, J Keppinger to third.
E Encarnacion walked. J Cantu struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 4TH: J Anderson flied out to left. C Burke popped out to
shortstop. C Ransom struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 4TH: D Ross flied out to right. J Ellison grounded out to
shortstop. P Lopez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 5TH: C Lee flied out to center. H Pence struck out swinging.
M Lamb lined out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 5TH: M Belisle struck out looking. N Hopper struck out looking.
J Keppinger flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 6TH: E Bruntlett fouled out to right. J Towles flied out to right.
W Rodriguez grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 6TH: J Votto lined out to right. E Encarnacion struck out
swinging. J Cantu flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 7TH: J Anderson singled to left. C Burke doubled to left,
J Anderson to third. C Ransom walked. C Lee grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, J Anderson scored, C Ransom out at second, C Burke to
third. H Pence singled to center, C Burke scored. M Lamb flied out to left.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 7TH: T Wigginton at third base. D Ross walked. J Ellison
sacrificed to pitcher, D Ross to second. P Lopez grounded out to third.
B Phillips hit for M Belisle. B Phillips intentionally walked. N Hopper popped
out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 8TH: M McBeth relieved M Belisle. E Bruntlett flied out to left.
J Towles singled to left. O Palmeiro hit for W Rodriguez. B Bray relieved
M McBeth. C Biggio hit for O Palmeiro. C Biggio lined out to left. J Anderson
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Towles out at second. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 8TH: D Borkowski relieved W Rodriguez. J Keppinger grounded out
to pitcher. J Votto flied out to center. E Encarnacion flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 2, CINCINNATI 2.

HOUSTON 9TH: G Majewski relieved B Bray. C Burke popped out to second.
T Wigginton doubled to left. C Lee singled to left, T Wigginton scored, C Lee to
third on throwing error by pitcher G Majewski. H Pence struck out swinging.
M Lamb intentionally walked. E Bruntlett singled to right, C Lee scored, M Lamb
to second. B Salmon relieved G Majewski. J Towles flied out to right. (2 Runs,
3 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 2.

CINCINNATI 9TH: B Lidge relieved D Borkowski. J Cantu walked. D Ross
walked, J Cantu to second. J Ellison sacrificed to third, J Cantu to third,
D Ross to second. J Valentin hit for P Lopez. J Valentin reached on infield
single to third, J Cantu scored, D Ross to third on throwing error by third
baseman T Wigginton. J Gil ran for J Valentin. B Coats hit for B Salmon.
B Coats grounded into fielder's choice to first, D Ross out at home, J Gil to
second. N Hopper grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Gil out at third.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 3.</div>

 

Astros overcome perfect game bid, down Reds

<h3>HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 3</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- A game that started out perfectly forthe Cincinnati Reds was ultimately decided because of theimperfections at the end.


Ty Wigginton scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning onCarlos Lee's RBI single during a wild sequence, leading theHouston Astros to a 4-3 victory over the Reds Thursday night.

Leading, 2-0, Cincinnati starter Matt Belisle was perfectthrough six innings, but things started to unravel in theseventh.


Houston rookie Josh Anderson ended the righthander's bid tobecome the 18th pitcher in major league history to throw aperfect game and first since Arizona's Randy Johnsonaccomplished the feat in 2004 by leading off the inning with asingle.


Belisle left after seven innings, allowing two runs and threehits.


Gary Majewski (0-4), the fourth pitcher of the contest for theReds, came on in the ninth and retired Chris Burke beforesurrendering a double to Wigginton. Lee took the righthander'snext pitch and grounded it past shortstop Pedro Lopez into leftfield.


Joey Votto, playing just his fourth career game in left field,played the ball and fired a throw well over the head of catcherDavid Ross, which allowed Wigginton to score easily, giving theAstros a 3-2 lead.


Majewski, who was backing up Ross on the play, caught the ballon the fly and unleashed another errant throw over the head ofsecond baseman Jeff Keppinger into center field, allowing Lee totake third on the two-base error. Three batters later, EricBruntlett plated Lee with a run-scoring single to double theHouston bulge to 4-2.


Reliever Dave Borkowski (5-3) pitched the eighth in relief ofstarter Wandy Rodriguez to get the win before yielding in theninth to closer Brad Lidge, who worked around consecutive walksto open the frame to nail down his 18th save in 26 chances.

Edwin Encarnacion continued his stellar post-All-Star break runwith a two-run homer in the first for the Reds, who have droppedfive straight. Since the "Midsummer Classic", the 24-year-oldis hitting .315 (75-for-238) with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.

 

Astros overcome perfect game bid, down Reds

<h3>HOUSTON 4, CINCINNATI 3</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- A game that started out perfectly forthe Cincinnati Reds was ultimately decided because of theimperfections at the end.


Ty Wigginton scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning onCarlos Lee's RBI single during a wild sequence, leading theHouston Astros to a 4-3 victory over the Reds Thursday night.

Leading, 2-0, Cincinnati starter Matt Belisle was perfectthrough six innings, but things started to unravel in theseventh.


Houston rookie Josh Anderson ended the righthander's bid tobecome the 18th pitcher in major league history to throw aperfect game and first since Arizona's Randy Johnsonaccomplished the feat in 2004 by leading off the inning with asingle.


"He kept us off balance," Anderson said. "He wasn't walkinganybody. I just wanted to stay aggressive and get a fastball Icould hit."


"It was just a great flow," said Belisle, whose inconsistencyled to a trip to the minors from August 11-August 25. "Rossie(catcher David Ross) and I got it going early. They wereswinging and I was getting ahead early. It was a great feeling.I knew what was going on but I didn't care. I just wanted toshut them down and win the game."


Belisle left after seven innings, allowing two runs and threehits. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter Brandon Phillips afterthrowing just 80 pitches.


"When you get the opportunity to score some runs, you have totake it," Cincinnati interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "Hisstuff is there. He just has to pitch like that moreconsistently. There is no reason he can't be successful."

Gary Majewski (0-4), the fourth pitcher of the contest for theReds, came on in the ninth and retired Chris Burke beforesurrendering a double to Wigginton. Lee took the righthander'snext pitch and grounded it past shortstop Pedro Lopez into leftfield.


Lee set a new career high with his 117th RBI, eclipsing the highwater mark he set last season.


"It feels good to go out there and have the satisfaction (that)you did your job," Lee said. "We wanted to be celebrating theplayoffs right now, but things don't always work out.Regardless of the situation, you have to go out and do your job.You have to have pride."


Joey Votto, playing just his fourth career game in left field,played the ball and fired a throw well over the head of Ross,which allowed Wigginton to score easily, giving the Astros a 3-2lead.


Lee's alert base running on Votto's throw set up what proved tobe the winning run.


"You knew there would be a play at the plate, so you want to getto scoring position for the next guy," Lee said. "I read thethrow was going to be over the catcher, so I kept going."

Majewski, who was backing up Ross on the play, caught the ballon the fly and unleashed another errant throw over the head ofsecond baseman Jeff Keppinger into center field, allowing Lee totake third on the two-base error. Three batters later, EricBruntlett plated Lee with a run-scoring single to double theHouston bulge to 4-2.


Reliever Dave Borkowski (5-3) pitched the eighth in relief ofstarter Wandy Rodriguez to get the win before yielding in theninth to closer Brad Lidge, who worked around consecutive walksto open the frame to nail down his 18th save in 26 chances.

Edwin Encarnacion continued his stellar post-All-Star break runwith a two-run homer in the first for the Reds, who have droppedfive straight. Since the "Midsummer Classic", the 24-year-oldis hitting .315 (75-for-238) with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.

The Reds have lost five straight and Houston recorded its firstsweep in Cincinnati since August 30-September 1, 2004. It wasthe first road sweep since Houston interim manager Cecil Coopertook over for Phil Garner.