Jack McKeon bids farewell to the crowd after Sunday's game. (Michael E. Keating photo)

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        If Jack McKeon was experiencing his last moments as the Reds' manager Sunday afternoon at Cinergy Field, he seemed determined to enjoy them.

        The Reds scored three ninth-inning runs, the final pair coming on Chris Stynes' two-out home run off Octavio Dotel, to edge the Hous ton Astros 4-3.

        McKeon acknowledged the fans who stayed for the thrilling conclusion of the season's home finale, doffing his cap as he walked off the field. He handed the lineup card to a spectator and held both arms aloft as he flashed the “V” for victory sign.

        “No excuses. We didn't win the division,” McKeon said as the Reds, who were eliminated last Wednesday from the National League Central race, officially fell from wild-card contention Sunday when the New York Mets defeated Philadelphia. “I'll accept responsibility for us not reaching those high expectations.”

Chris Stynes hits game-winning HR. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Praising Stynes, who also hit a tie-breaking homer in Saturday's eighth inning, McKeon said, “He's going to make it tough for somebody next year to keep him out of there.”

        Many players, packing boxes and duffel bags after the game, tried not to dwell on McKeon's fate. “Most of us don't think about that kind of stuff,” Stynes said. “You never know what's going to happen during the winter.”

        But first baseman Sean Casey, who hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth-inning rally, offered support for McKeon.

        “We're 82-74; we're right up there with a lot of teams,” Casey said. “I think expectations were so high that everyone's kind of (thinking), "What a down year.'

        “But Jack had to work with a lot of injuries all year, putting in different lineups and getting certain guys playing time. We obviously don't know what's going to happen after the season, but his four-year stay here has been a pretty good one.”

Teammates greet Stynes at home plate. (AP photo)

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        The fans, said McKeon, have helped make his Cincinnati tenure worthwhile.

        “Wherever you go, all over town, they're appreciative of what we try to do here,” he said. “They don't get on you. They treat you very fairly and objectively. It's a town where the fans appreciate a good effort.”

        While scores of prizes were distributed on Fan Appreciation Day, the players saved their biggest gift for the ninth inning.

        After Astros rookie Wade Miller limited Cincinnati to four hits through eight innings, Chris Sexton, whose sixth-inning double drove in the Reds' lone run to that point, singled to lead off the ninth. He went to third on a double to left by Dmitri Young, who was replaced by pinch runner Kimera Bartee.

(AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Casey's sacrifice fly off reliever Wayne Franklin was fielded by Richard Hidalgo against the left-field wall. In came Dotel (3-6), who retired Ochoa on a fly to center.

        Then Stynes wasted little time, driving Dotel's 0-1 pitch for his 11th home run of the season and the Reds' ninth of the series.

        Told he made the fans happy, Stynes said, “I think they were all ready to go home.”

        But he gave them, and McKeon, one last event to savor.

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