Mon May 12 22:28:25 2008

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Keppinger, Phillips homer as Reds cool off Marlins

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips each hit two-run homers to help the Cincinnati Reds down the Florida Marlins, 8-7, in the opener of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Corey Patterson went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI while Adam Dunn also drove in a run for the Reds, who have won two of their last three games.

Aaron Harang (2-5) got his first win since April 10 as he gave up four runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. He had dropped his past four decisions.

Dan Uggla went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and scored three times while Jeremy Hermida added a solo home run and scored twice for the Marlins, who had a season-high seven-game winning streak stopped.

Burke Badenhop got the start and was charged with four runs -- three earned -- on six hits in six innings of work. Taylor Tankersley (0-1) got the loss for giving up four runs in the seventh.

With the score tied in the seventh, the Reds grabbed the lead on a pair of home runs. With Tankersley on the mound, Patterson led off with a bunt single and Keppinger followed with a blast into the left field stands. Ken Griffey Jr. then worked a walk and Phillips increased the Reds' lead to 8-4 on a shot over the left field wall.

The Marlins made it a one-run game in the eighth with a bit of luck. David Weathers started on the mound and got two outs, but also allowed two baserunners and was pulled for Jeremy Affeldt.

He only lasted one batter as Luis Gonzalez punched a single to center that scored Hermida and Francisco Cordero took the hill. Wes Helms was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mike Rabelo then lofted a lazy fly ball to right field that Griffey had lined up, but he took his eye off the ball for a second and it popped out of his glove, allowing Uggla and Gonzalez to score and make it an 8-7 game. Cody Ross then walked to again load the bases. Alfredo Amezaga then belted a long fly ball to deep right-center and Griffey chased it down and he again bobbled the catch, but was able to come down with it.

Cordero then retired the Marlins in order in the ninth to pick up his sixth save of the season.

Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on the strength of back- to-back solo homers from Hermida and Hanley Ramirez.

The Marlins took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning as Uggla ripped a shot into the left field stands that just barely stayed fair.

Cincinnati got on the board in the fifth with a pair of runs. Paul Bako hit a one-out single and moved to second on a sac bunt from Aaron Harang. Patterson then punched a double to right to score Bako. Keppinger followed with a grounder to third, but Jorge Cantu threw the ball away and Patterson came around to score.

In the sixth, the Reds grabbed the lead. Joey Votto led off the frame with a walk and Edwin Encarnacion followed with a double. Dunn brought home Votto with a sac fly and, after Bako popped out, Encarnacion scored on a wild pitch for a 4-3 lead.

Florida, though, tied the game in the seventh as Uggla led off the frame with a double and later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Rabelo.

Game Notes

It was the fifth time this season that the Marlins have had back-to-back home runs...Ramirez has a seven-game hitting streak...The Reds have won four straight against Florida...Each team stranded six runners...Attendance was 15,233.