Another in a Line of Tough Losses Reds Fall to Astros 4-3 in 10

Dusty Baker said it best.  "We couldn't get the big hit."

The Reds have had many chances to score more than they have and they are eight runs away from the NL lead in runs scored.  They are also one of two teams to leave over 800 runners on base.  They are now 25-37 in games decided by less than two runs.  They are 16-24 in games decided by one run.

Bronson Arroyo gave up hits to four consecutive batters in the second inning against Houston but shut them down through eight innings. The three run second was it until they were able to touch Logan Ondrusek for two hits to open the 10th which led to the winning run.

The Reds battled back

Drew Stubbs singled to open the third.  He stole second and scored on a double by Joey Votto.  Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 11 game with an RBI single.

The real tale of the Reds offense was a sad one with missed chances.

In the fourth, Ryan Hanigan walked with one out.  Paul Janished doubled Hanigan to third.  Arroyo tried to bunt for a hit and Stubbs popped out to waste the chance.

The Reds tied the game in the fifth but it was it was still disappointing for them.  Singles by Miguel Cairo, Votto and Phillips loaded the bases with no out.  Jay Bruce put the ball in play but right at the secondbaseman for a 4-6-3 double play.  Yonder Alonso, making his first major league start in left field, walked.  Hanigan popped out.

In the sixth, Janish missed a home run by about five feet leading off.  Arroyo bunted him to third but Stubbs struck out on a nasty curve by Fernando Rodriguez.  Cairo flied out to center.

The final wasted chance came in the top of the 10th.  Pinch hitter Chris Heisey laid down a bunt for a single.  Stubbs bunted to move Heisey into scoring position. Cairo, who has been a clutch player all year, popped out to first and Phillips struck out swinging.

Ondrusek has been effective in most of his 54 appearances.  This time he was not.

Humberto Quintero singled to left to open the inning.  Houston manager, Brad Mills, put the slow footed Quintero in motion.  The nothing-to-lose roll of the dice paid off when Angel Sanchez blooped a single to center, putting runners on first and third with none out.  The Reds created a force at any base by walking Brian Bogusevic.

Ondrusek had to get Jose Altuve to hit it on the ground to the drawn in infield.  Altuve hit it up the middle.  Brandon Phillips made a diving stop and threw home from his knees.  Hanigan couldn't back hand the ball with his catchers mit and the game was over.

The Reds fell 7 1/2 behind Milwaukee, who defeated St. Louis.  Pittsburgh lost to the Cubs.  A win would have done the Reds good.  The loss snapped a three game winning streak.