HOUSTON — The Houston Astros felt like they were swatting at butterflies trying to hit Jared Fernandez's knuckleball.

Astros SS Julio Lugo and OF Daryle Ward bobble the ball. (AP Photo) | ZOOM |

        “With the roof closed, there was no wind,” Houston's Daryle Ward said. “With no wind, the knuckleball can dance and the pitcher can still have good control of it. The wind can sometimes blow it out of the zone because it's going so slowly.

        “It was an interesting game. It was like playing softball for one day.”

        Geoff Blum got a pinch-hit single in the seventh in his only at bat against Fernandez.

        “I'm glad I didn't have to face him three or four times,” Blum said. “I've faced him a couple of times in the minor leagues so I was a little familiar with him. But he looked better today then he did then.”

        The Astros didn't look very good in making two errors and some baserunning blunders while ending a five-game win streak. Tim Redding (3-5) lasted only 3 1-3 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits.

        “He has good stuff,” manager Jimy Williams said. “I guess it's all about location and being able to repeat it with him. Certainly he's capable of going out and shutting them out the next time.”

        Redding was lifted two batters after being spiked by Adam Dunn on a play at home plate in the fourth inning. He's listed as day to day.

        Redding is 0-3 with five no-decisions in his last eight starts and hasn't won since taking a 10-5 victory over the Cardinals in a two-inning relief stint May 29. He hasn't won as a starter since beating the Phillies 17-3 on May 13.

        Houston had a chance to tie it in the third inning when Julio Lugo led off with a double. But Lugo inexplicably tried to score on Craig Biggio's infield hit and was thrown out by a wide margin at home.

        Notes: Houston's Jeff Bagwell flied out in the eighth inning against reliever Scott Sullivan and is now 0-for-22 career against the right-hander. ... Despite the loss, the Astros have won five consecutive series for the first time since winning six straight from Aug. 16-Sept. 5 of last year. ... Houston was trying for a sweep, which it has not done to the Reds in a four-game home series since July 2-5, 1971. ... Dunn has gone 6-for-38 (.158) since being named to the All-Star team June 30.

Reds 8, Astros 3 Reds Box, Runs Miller made most of stint with Reds Dunn asked to widen strike zone Reds-Brewers Series Preview Astros swat at butterflies Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 1 Cardinals 4, Padres 1

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