rally for a win Thursday night










Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBI's and the Reds capitalized on a Nationals error to rally for a 5-3 win over Washington on Thursday night. Cincinnati trailed 3-1 after six innings but came back.
 

Corey Patterson, pinch-hitting for starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, reached second base after a bunt when Washington first baseman Dmitri Young couldn't handle the throw from relief pitcher Jesus Colome (2-2). Patterson moved to third on Jerry Hairston's single, but could not score after falling down while rounding the bag.


Jeff Keppinger was walked intentionally to load the bases, and after Ken Griffey, Jr. popped up, Phillips lined relief pitcher Luis Ayala's first pitch down the right field line for a two-run single.


Phillips made it a 3-2 game with a RBI single in the sixth inning and the Reds tied the game two batters later on a Joey Votto base hit.


Cueto is 7-8 after the victory. He allowed seven hits and three runs with one walk and eight strikeouts in seven innings for his second consecutive win after three straight losses. Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 19 opportunities and first since June 25. Cueto also retired the first 15 Nats hitters he faces before an infield single off the bat of Christain Guzman in the fourth.


The Reds and Nationals meet in game two of the series on Friday afternoon. Gametime is 1:15pm. Jason Bergmann will oppose Bronson Arroyo. Coverage begins at 12:15pm with the Inisde Pitch on 700 WLW.


Reds notes: The Reds on Friday claimed infielder Andy Phillips off waivers from the New York Mets. Phillips is in his second stint with the Reds this season. He appeared in 15 games in late May and mid June before being designated for assignment on June 22. He was claimed by the Mets on June 25 but then let go on Tuesday. To make room on the roster, the Reds sent pitcher Darryl Thompson to AAA Louisville.