September 9, 1976 at Riverfront Stadium 

Reds 4, Astros 3  (90-51)

The Reds won an exciting eleven game thriller after coming back from a three run deficit.  The Astros tagged Pat Zachry for three runs in the first two innings before he calmed down and yielded to a rock solid bullpen.

In the top of the eighth with the score still 3-0, Johnny Bench singled home Joe Morgan to make it 3-1.  In the top of the ninth, Cesar Geronimo and Dave Concepcion hit back to back singles.  George Foster struck out and then Pete Rose singled to load up the bases.  Ken Forsch reliever Joaquin Andujar, and he got Ken Griffey to fly out to left to make it two outs. Then the MVP, Joe Morgan, singled to drive home Geronimo and Concepcion to tie the game.

Neither team scored in the tenth.  In the top of the eleventh, Pete Rose grounded out to start things out.  Then Ken Griffey reached second on a costly error by Tavares.  Joe Morgan was walked intentionally and then it looked like the Reds had bailed out Alex Taveras because Griffey was caught stealing third on a double steal.  Then Bob Bailey singled home Morgan to give the Reds the first lead of the game.

Will McEnaney set the Astros down in order in the eleventh to earn his seventh save of the season.  Rawly Eastwick won his 11th game of the season with two innings of relief.

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