Danny Graves wipes his face as he walks to the dugout after giving up two runs in the ninth inning. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        The usual tonic for all the Reds' ills didn't work Thursday. Closer Danny Graves gave up two runs in the ninth inning and the Reds fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 before 16,662 fans on a steamy day at Cinergy Field.

        It was the first time in eight games this season that the Brewers have beaten the Reds. It was also the Reds' third straight loss, dropping them three games behind first-place St. Louis.

        “This was a tough one,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “We had this one right there.”

        Graves took a 4-3 lead into the ninth.

He got the first out routinely before Robert Machado hit a ball that Reds second baseman Todd Walker fielded but couldn't get enough on the throw to get Machado. Graves retired Ryan Thomson on a flyout.

        Alex Sanchez followed with a dribbler into right field that was just out of Walker's reach.

Jason LaRue sits alone in the dugout after the game. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

                “I got ground balls,” Graves said, “just not in the right place. That's what you have to deal with as a sinker-ball pitcher. You're going to give up hits.”

        Eric Young made the hits hurt by lining a first-pitch double into the left-center gap, scoring two runs.

        “That was the one mistake he (Graves) made,” Boone said.

        Added Graves: “It was a sinker that was supposed to be in. It ran over the plate. He smoked it. I've thrown that pitch to him before and he's grounded out or popped up.”

        It was Graves' first blown save since May28. This was only the second of his six blown saves to come in the ninth inning. The other four came in the eighth.

Jared Fernandez was a surprise starter. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Graves has taken two of the Reds' three losses during the homestand.

        “I don't think anything's happened to him,” Boone said. “They just hit groundballs in the right spots.... Those things happen.”

        The National League Central race with the Cardinals has become a constant backdrop for the season.

        “We've got so much baseball left,” Boone said. “The pennant race makes the losses tougher and the wins more exciting. But there are so many ups and downs in this game anyway. I don't think anybody's scoreboard watching. If you do, you'd just go crazy.”

        Still, the Reds are aware that now is a bad time for a losing streak.

        “We've bounced back all year,” Reds outfielder Adam Dunn said. “But these next three games are pretty important. We want to play well going into the All-Star break.”

Russell Branyan is tagged out by shortstop Jose Hernandez while trying to steal second. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        Thursday started very well for the Reds. Surprise starter Jared Fernandez, a knuckleballer just called up from Triple-A Louisville, had a shutout through four innings.

        By then, the Reds had a 3-0 lead. Fernandez started the rally with his first career hit, a single to right, and Walker singled up the middle. Aaron Boone tried to move the runners up with a bunt, but did one better, beating it out for a base hit.

        Dunn forced in a run by walking — one of four for Dunn in the game. Juan Encarnacion then extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single.

        A bout of wildness got Fernandez in trouble in the fifth.

        The Brewers loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Richie Sexson unloaded them with a double to left. The third of the three runners scored on Dunn's error, tying the game 3-3.

        “I was having trouble gripping the ball,” Fernandez said.

        The Reds took the lead back in the sixth. Austin Kearns led off with a shot to left. Running all the way, he legged out a double.

        Russell Branyan and pinch-hitter Jason LaRue both struck out. The Brewers intentionally walked pinch-hitter Barry Larkin to get to Walker, who made them pay by lining a ball to left that Sanchez tried to scoop but couldn't.

        “That was a big hit after the two strikeouts,” Bob Boone said.

        Walker's RBI single gave the Reds a 4-3 lead.

        After two innings of one-hit relief from Scott Sullivan, Graves took over to pitch the ninth.

        “He was throwing pretty well,” Boone said of Graves. “ He made one mistake (to Young). Those other balls rolled through. That's part of what he is. You'd like him to go in there and strike everyone out. But that's not the kind of pitcher he is.”

        Walker doubled with one out in the ninth, his third hit of the game. Aaron Boone then hit a nubber in front of the plate and was thrown out. After Dunn was intentionally walked for the second time, Encarnacion grounded out to end it.

Players may set strike date Monday Brewers 5, Reds 4 Reds Box, Runs MRI gives shaky Williamson reassurance Reds' pitching pool suddenly shallow Reds Notebook: Dessens gets extra day's rest Brewers finally beat Reds jinx Cardinals 3, Dodgers 2 Athletics 3, Royals 2 Orioles 7, Angels 2 Rangers 11, Devil Rays 8

Williams sisters breeze into Wimbledon final
Coming up this week
Enquirer Softball All-Stars

• Return to Reds front page...