Houston shortstop Julio Lugo can't get a handle on a throw by pitcher Wade Miller as Reds captain Barry Larkin is safe. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        HOUSTON — Ryan Dempster knew every bit the magnitude of his first start for the Reds Friday night, right down to the last detail.

        A two-game losing streak. A 2-5 record in the last five games, a stretch in which the Astros had picked up four games on the Reds, going 6-1. And the Reds hitters were back to struggling with runners in scoring position, meaning the pitching was going to have to be extra fine.

        Results: The Reds now have a three-game losing streak, the Astros have picked up five games on them in a week, and the Reds hitters were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position Friday night.

        It all combined for a 6-3 Reds loss before 35,154 roaring fans at Minute Maid Park. Dempster lasted only 3 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on six hits and four walks.

        “It's tough,” he said. “I really wanted to go out there and do a good job and help this team win. Especially this team. I was very excited to come here. But I have 15 or 16 starts left. I want to make the most of it.”

        He said he doesn't “just shake anything off and say, "Oh well I didn't have it tonight.' There's always a reason. It's up to me to find it.”

Reds catcher Jason LaRue walks up the mound to talk with starter Ryan Dempster in the fourth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Dempster had his usual 94-mph fastball and his usual hard-biting slider, but he was missing his spots.

        The Astros, however, were not missing theirs.

        Most notable of those who weren't: Julio Lugo (leadoff home run to start the Astros' first inning), Richard Hidalgo (two-run double in the first; Reds down 3-0) and Daryle Ward in the third inning (two-run homer into the second deck; Reds down 5-2).

        A tough double-play chance for Todd Walker at second base could have gotten Dempster out of the first with only one run, but Walker bobbled it, getting only the runner at first.

        “"That one hurt,” Boone said. “Then he came back with a fastball down the pike to Hidalgo . . . The fastball to Ward was right there. That's what Ward is. We had talked to (Dempster) about that (before the game).”

        Dempster wanted the Hidalgo fastball down and away, but it was just away, not down enough. The pitch to Ward was inexcusable, he said.

Astros closer Billy Wagner shut 'em down in the ninth. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “That's a mental error, and those can't be,” Dempster said. “I can deal with the pitch to Hidalgo. But it's 100 percent my fault. Not only the wrong pitch, but bad location. That's a bad combination.”

        He said he has been high-energy before and had it affect his location, but he didn't feel that way Friday.

        “Once the game started, I felt fine,” Dempster said. “I had a lot of energy before the game — new team, wanting to do a good job for the guys. I let them down. But I'll prepare to bounce back in five days.”

        It was Dempster's shortest outing of the season. Dempster is normally a high-innings guy. Boone liked Dempster's stuff Friday. The fact he was 5-8 with a 4.79 with the Marlins is probably why he was available. But the Reds still feel he's a difference-maker and will right things.

        “We think he's a premier kind of guy; we're going to find out,” Boone said.

        Adam Dunn left two men on in the third inning (he grounded out to first) and Pedro Borbon struck him out looking for the second straight night in a big situation. This time, Dunn was standing at the plate with two men on and one out. Borbon struck him out with a tough pitch on the outside corner.

Astros 6, Reds 3 Reds box, runs Teammates thrilled by addition to staff Larson will start today Marlins wonder: What next? Floyd feels buzz rejoining Expos NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Friday's games Red Sox 18, Bats 4

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