Cincinnati Reds Halt 6-Game Slide as Jay Bruce's 3-Run Double Sinks Phillies

Jay Bruce struck out three times before launching a ninth-inning double with the table spread as the Cincinnati Reds snapped a six-game losing streak Tuesday night.

The Reds also broke an eight-game losing streak against the Philadelphia Phillies in the process.

Bruce, the NL home run leader with 12, entered the game with a .522 BA in his last six games, including four HRs and nine RBI. He also was hitless in his only three plate appearances against closer Ryan Madson (2-1) who was charged with the loss.

So far in the month of May, Bruce is batting .333 with 26 H, six 2B, eight HR and 22 RBI. His shot was just what the doctor ordered as the Reds had been suffering from anemia for a week.

"I blew it the first time with guys on second and third and one out," Bruce said, referring to his strikeout in the fifth. "I just tried to relax and get something I could handle." That one swing gave reliever Logan Ondrusek (3-2) the win even though he had only recorded one out.

NL MVP Joey Votto and center fielder Drew Stubbs each added two hits in the winning effort.  Reds starter Johnny Cueto gave his third quality start in four tries before giving way to southpaw Bill Bray to start the seventh inning.

Chris Heisey got the start in the "does anybody want the LF position or not?" carousel. Heisey is only batting .206 with one HR and three RBI while playing that position. Fred Lewis is hitting an abysmal .192 with one RBI in 26 AB.

Jonny Gomes has apparently lost the deed to the real estate due to his .191 BA with seven HR and 17 RBI while playing there.

Todd Frazier, who some thought would be given an audition in the left corner, was optioned back to Louisville yesterday as reliever Carlos Fisher was recalled.

The Reds were leading the division by 1.5 games just nine days ago and had fallen into a second-place tie with the Milwaukee Brewers at 3.5 games off the pace. The Brewers are the hottest team in MLB right now with a five-game win streak. St. Louis is second with four in a row.

The Phillies loss coupled with the Florida Marlins drubbing of the San Francisco Giants saw their lead shrink to just one game over the Marlins in the NL East Division.

Shortstop Paul Janish is suffering through the worst slump of any starter on the squad. Since May 3, he is batting just .064/.118/.085, with just one extra-base hit and one RBI. Look for more playing time by Edgar Renteria.

On Wednesday night, the Reds will face Cy Young Award-winner Roy Halladay for the first time since he twirled a no-hitter against them in the postseason.