Reds 5, Phillies 1: Aaron Harang Outstanding as Cincinnati Ends Losing Streak

The Reds needed a strong outing from their No. 1 starter and they got it.

After being swept in San Diego and losing the first game of the homestand, the Reds were reeling.  The bats that were hitting everything a week ago had gone silent.  The injury bug crept up on the team and bit them hard.

Aaron Harang delivered with seven strong innings.  He allowed four hits and struck out nine.  The only mistake he made was trying to sneak a fastball by Raul Ibanez in the fourth inning.  Ibanez crushed it onto the grassy knoll in center for his fourteenth home run of the season.

Arthur Rhodes pitched a scoreless eighth.  Francisco Cordero did the same in the ninth.

Harang's record is now even at 4-4.

Offensively, the Reds collected twelve hits.  Willy Taveras, Jerry Hairston, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and Ryan Hanigan had two apiece.

Hanigan belted his first home run of the season in the second inning.  There isn't a better backup catcher in baseball.  He is hitting .327 and is always stellar behind the plate.  Ryan Hanigan could start for a lot of teams.

WIth the Reds leading 3-1 in the seventh, Brandon Phillips provided his team with some insurance.  He drove in two with a triple to left-center.  Phillips took a monster hack at the pitch and went down to one knee.  Phillips promptly righted himself and ran hard down the baseline even though the ball had a chance to leave the yard.

The Phillies and Reds play the rubber game of the series today at 12:35.  It will be Joe Blanton (1-3) against Micah Owings (3-4).

Edinson Volquez cut short his bullpen session yesterday because of discomfort in his left side.  He could miss a start.

The Reds released a statementlast night saying, "All tests on Joey Votto have been completed, with results expected tomorrow.  We will have an update at that time."