Whatever. Reds lose, 2-0.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Carlos Lee.  In a game without much offense, El Caballo provided just enough for the Astros, going 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI.  Honorable Mentions go to Willie Bloomquist, who pulled off the rare RF-2B appearance and reached base three times, Laynce Nix who also reached base three times in his first start in over a month, and Johnny Cueto, who pitched seven innings, allowing only one earned run, struck out four and walked none in front of a team of scrubs.

Key Plays

• In the first inning, former Red Jeff Keppinger hit a one out double, and after Hunter Pence struck out, former dirigible Carlos Lee also hit a double off of Johnny Cueto, scoring Keppinger.  Astros lead, 1-0.
• The Reds only threatened in two innings, one of which was the fourth.  Chris Heisey and Laynce Nix had back to back one out singles, putting runners on the corners.  But Paul Janish popped up and Corky Miller flied out to center.  Snuff'd.
• Carlos Lee led off the seventh inning with a single.  Then Chris Johnson hit a grounder to Yonder Alonso at first base, whose throw to the bag was wild.  Lee ended up on third.  Brett Wallace then grounded to second and Lee scored on the fielder's choice.  Astros lead, 2-0.
• The game was still in reach and Dusty started bringing in some of his regulars off the bench.  In a last ditch effort in the ninth inning, Laynce Nix led off with a single, and Drew Stubbs pinch ran for him.  Stubbs stole second, and then went to third on pinch hitter Orlando Cabrera's grounder.  But with a runner on third and less than two outs, pinch hitter Ramon Hernandez grounded out to the catcher, and Joey Votto grounded out to first.  Astros win, 2-0.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• None of the regular starters were in the starting lineup for this game.  Dusty Baker gave everyone a bit of a rest, and some of the players were surely a little worse for wear after the previous night's celebrations.
• Brandon Lyon recorded his 20th save, giving the Astros two relievers with at least 20 saves (Matt Lindstrom has 23).  The last team to have two relievers with 20 saves was the 1992 Reds (Norm Charlton had 26, Rob Dibble had 25).
• Johnny Cueto hasn't won a game in over a month, since Aug. 27 against the Cubs.
• The Reds were shut out for the 13th time this year.