The Cincinnati Reds scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as they came from behind to beat the Florida Marlins on Monday afternoon. The 7-5 victory over the Marlins was a one game makeup game that the two teams had to play on what should have been an off day.

Joey Votto was one of three players to finish the game with two rbi. Votto had a solo home run and a rbi double in the game. The other two players with two rbi each were Jerry Hairston Jr. and Andy Phillips. Ryan Hanigan also chipped in with one rbi as well in the game. Great comeback by the offense in the seventh inning to pick up the pitching staff.

Aaron Harang picked up his sixth win of the season and is now 6-16. Harang tossed seven innings and gave up eight hits and four runs. It was a decent start for Harang but he did allow two walks and two home runs in the game. Reds closer Francisco Cordero allowed one run to score in the ninth inning but was able to record his 33rd save of the season.

The Reds will now head to Houston to take on the Houston Astros in a three game series.

- Reds Blog

Johnny Cueto duelled Andy Pettite for five innings, but did not come back out after an hour-long rain delay, and the Yankees found the offerings of the Reds bullpen more to their liking, scoring three in the sixth off Gary Majewski and Jeremy Affeldt.  Jason Giambi was 3-for-3 with two RBI for the Yankees.  Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo homer for the Reds’ only run.  Mariano Rivera pitched the final inning and a third to earn his 21st save of the year.

A bearded Jeff Keppinger, activated before the game, started the game at shortstop, but briefly moved to third when Edwin Encarnacion developed back spasms.  Andy Phillips was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Keppinger.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, a better alternative to OPS.

With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Reds closer Francisco Cordero surrendered a 3-run walkoff home run to former Red Cody Ross, as the Marlins beat the Reds 8-7.  It was Ross’s 11th homer of the season, and Cordero’s third blown save.  Another ex-Red, Jorge Cantu, also hit his 11th of the year.  Luis Gonzalez also homered and drove in three runs for the Fish.

Andy Phillips, who started at third base in place of an injured Edwin Encarnacion, drove in three runs for the Reds with a bases loaded double.  Table-setters Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jay Bruce had two hits apiece, and Adam Dunn homered for the Reds, his 16th of the year.  Bronson Arroyo struggled through four and two-thirds but did not figure in the decision.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, an alternative to OPS. 

Ex-Red Phil Dumatrait struck out a career-high nine of his former teammates, giving up only one unearned run in seven innings (also a career high) as the Pirates beat the Reds 7-2, snapping a nine-game home winning streak by the Reds.

Aaron Harang, coming off his masterful emergency-relief appearance in Sunday’s game, struggled with both his velocity and his location, giving up six runs on ten hits in only four innings, the big blow being a two-run shot by Jason Bay, his 13th of the year.  Harang’s successor, Jeremy Affeldt, was greeted rudely by Xavier Nady, who hit his ninth on the first pitch of the fifth inning.

Jerry Hairston Jr. celebrated his 32nd birthday with a bunt single, a double and a run scored, but was doubled off second in the ninth inning on a line drive to the right fielder, a base-running mistake that was magnified when Brandon Phillips followed with a solo home run, his tenth of the year, off Matt Capps.

Andy Phillips made his first start for the Reds, playing third base in place of the slumping Edwin Encarnacion.  Phillips made a nice defensive play in the fifth, ranging into foul ground and firing across the diamond to nip Jason Michaels at first.

Before the game, Matt Belisle was optioned to Louisville and Kent Mercker came off the DL. Mercker pitched an inning tonight.

Josh Fogg is scheduled to make Saturday’s start in place of Belisle.

Bluzer runs RedlegStats.com, the home of Absolute Average, an alternative to OPS.