Ken Griffey Jr. slaps his bat after missing strike two, then ... | ZOOM |

makes a sour face on strike three. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        Remember that record streak when the Reds went 208 games without being shut out? It's been history since May 24, and the Reds haven't had much luck get ting another one started.

        Four Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers combined to blank them Saturday night, 7-0, before a crowd of 24,308 at Cinergy Field.

        It was the sixth time in 90 games that the Reds have been shut out since the streak ended.

        The Reds had their “A” lineup to face a left-hander. Third baseman Aaron Boone returned after 16 days on the disabled list with a fracture to his left wrist.

        But Dave Williams, a 22-year-old rookie, and three relievers allowed only one runner to reach third all night.

        Williams (2-6) came in on a six-game losing streak, but he pitched like Sandy Koufax through 6 1/3 innings. He allowed only three hits, walked none and struck out six.

        “He was good,” Reds first baseman Sean Casey said. “His ball was sinking in to lefties. He should have a few more wins than he does.”

        Williams has started twice against the Reds. The last time, July 5, they mustered one earned run off him in six innings, despite winning 7-1.

        “We had trouble with him last time,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “We don't pick up (his pitches) for some reason.”

Aaron Boone throws his bat after striking out. | ZOOM |

        Fortunately for the Reds, their starter, Jose Acevedo (4-6), was nearly as good. Acevedo, the 23-year-old rookie right-hander, had one of his best outings of the year. He went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. He walked none and struck out four.

        “Jose pitched well,” Boone said. “He pitched well his last outing too. He hit a little bump, but he's straight ened himself out.”

        The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Jason Kendall started the rally with an one-out single. He ended up scoring on Kevin Young's singled to left. Dmitri Young tried to make a shoestring catch on the play, but the ball went off the end of his glove toward center.

        Shortstop Pokey Reese recovered the ball. But Kendall beat his throw home for the first run. Kevin Young went to second on the throw.

        Gary Matthews Jr. then singled to center. Young had to hold at third. But he scored on Pat Meares' RBI groundout.

        Williams retired the first 11 Reds. Ken Griffey Jr.'s double to left broke the string.

        Griffey went to third on Dmitri Young's infield single. But Casey, hitting .370 with runners in scoring position, grounded out to end the inning.

        Griffey came charging down the line as Casey swung. The move obviously distracted Casey.

        “We talked about it,” Casey said. “(Griffey) said he was trying to get Williams to balk. We agreed (Griffey would) never do it again.”

        Acevedo was dealing by then. He retired the last 10 batter before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth.

        “It's a shame I had to take him out,” Boone said. “But I had to try to get something going.”

        The Pirates broke it open with five runs off Jim Brower in the eighth.

Bowden: Boone is 'our manager' Griffey + Dunn = 100 homers? Process of elimination nearly over Pirates 7, Reds 0 Fan's-eye view of the Reds Pickering (6-5, 290) makes big impression Pirates pitcher ends long wait Reds box, runs

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