The All Star Game is long gone and now, the games take on even more meaning.  The Reds have been sliding, but they got it done in a big way tonight behind a super outing by Bronson Arroyo.  He threw seven shutout innings and the win pushes his record to 10-8.   Oddly, he’s gotten the decision in all but one of his now 19 starts.  He didn’t throw enough shutout innings to get his ERA below five though.  Maybe next time.  Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero threw a shutout inning each to close out the game.

Edwin Encarnacion led the way for the Reds at the plate.  He went four for four with a home run and two RBIs.  Laynce Nix went two for four with a run and an RBI and those two guys accounted for most of the Reds offense.

The win puts the Reds three games below .500 and five games back (at the moment) of the first place Cardinals.  Fortunately, the Pirates have been even worse then the Reds so there was no slide into last place.  Tomorrow, it’s Aaron Harang against Manny Parra.  These division games are huge and this is a game where the Reds have the better arm.  Plus a win guarantees at least a split in the series.

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