Reds Win Fourth in a Row, Retake First in 10-3 Win

The Reds rebounded from last week's lost weekend in Seattle, spanking cross-state rival Cleveland.

The offense scored just one lone run against the Mariners and were swept but bounced the Oakland Athletics in three straight, impersonating the 1990 Reds.  Johnny Cueto was in the role of  Jose Rijo with eight innings of shutdown, lockout pitching.

Aaron Harang pitched well in the last game of the Seattle series but all he got out of his six inning, three-hit, one-run effort was a losing kick in the teeth as the Reds scored nothing.

Tonight, Drew Stubbs and the rest of the offense made amends.  Stubbs tied a career high with four runs batted in.  He started the scoring off Aaron Laffey, who will never be confused with former Indian and current  Mariner ace, Cliff Lee.  He touched Laffey with a two-run home run in the second inning.  That was two more than Lee allowed the Reds last Friday in Seattle.  He added a two-run single in the fifth.

"Even though he hasn't hit well at times, he continues to drive in runs,"  Dusty Baker said.

In spite of his .236 average he passed Jay Bruce in the RBI column with 35 to Bruce's 33.

"I think we just ran into good pitching in Seattle," Stubbs said.  "I think we're back on track.  We want to ride it out as long as we can.  This game is full of ups and downs."

Stubbs, who hit his eighth home run, and his teammates are currently up.

Harang liked the early lead.

"It makes you put your mind at ease.  It lets you pitch your game without worrying that one or two mistakes will beat you,"  Harang said.

While the Reds were routing the Tribe from Cleveland, the Kansas City Royals and Matt Greinke were blanking its cross-state rivals in Missouri.  Greinke defeated the Reds on June 13 costing them a game in the standings to St. Louis.  Tonight he evened it up, beating the Cardinals, 4-2.

The Reds lead the Central Division by half a game.