Jason LaRue gets caught in a rundown between second base and third base in the 8th inning. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        Shawn Estes, the newest Red, did what a starting pitcher is supposed to do: keep his team in the game.

        But the Reds couldn't close the deal. The Houston Astros scored five ninth-inning runs off starter-turned-reliever Joey Hamilton and struggling closer Danny Graves to beat the Reds 6-1 before 25,916 fans at Cinergy Field.

        Luck wasn't on the Reds' side in the ninth. With a runner at first base and two outs, a comebacker went off Hamilton's foot and into right field to key the rally. Jose Vizcaino followed with his fifth hit to drive in the go-ahead run.

        The Astros piled it on from there — Lance Berkman greeted Graves with a two-run double and Jeff Bagwell followed with an RBI single — to put the game firmly out of reach.

        The loss drops the Reds 5 ½ games behind Houston in the National League Central. The Cards beat Philadelphia 5-1 earlier Saturday.

Reds' starting pitcher Shawn Estes deserved a better fate Saturday night. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        Estes, a 29-year-old left-hander, came to the Reds on Thursday in a trade with the New York Mets. He didn't get to Cincinnati until just before Friday's game.

        The Reds traded for Estes because he had pitched well in four of his last five starts. They figured if he got hot, he could make a difference in the pennant race.

        Based on the early returns, he's going to help. Estes bounced back from a shaky first inning to pitch 72/3 innings of one-run ball.

        Estes got off to a bad start, giving up a leadoff home run to Vizcaino to begin the game. Estes fell behind 3-0 before working the count full. Vizcaino then jumped on a 90-mph fastball, sending it out to left field.

        Estes got Craig Biggio to pop up, then allowed a triple to Reds killer Berkman. After Bagwell popped out, Estes walked the bases loaded, but he escaped when Jason Lane popped out on the first pitch.

Craig Biggio is safe at home as Jason LaRue waits for the ball in the ninth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Estes got out of another jam in the second — runners at first and second, one out — by inducing Biggio into a double-play grounder.

        The Reds tied it in their half of the second. Austin Kearns led off with a single to right and Sean Casey also followed with a single to right, sending Kearns to third. Barry Larkin then hit a comebacker that Oswalt fielded and turned a 1-6-3 double play on. But Kearns scored to make it 1-1.

        Estes settled in after the second, allowing singles in the third, fourth and fifth, and a walk in the sixth. A caught-stealing and two double plays kept the Astros' baserunners from scoring, and Estes worked his first 1-2-3 inning in the seventh.

        Oswalt, meanwhile, was being Oswalt. The Reds got only one runner to second base from the third to the sixth.

Reds' third baseman Aaron Boone can't apply the tag in time as Houston Astros' Lance Berkman slides safely into third base for a triple in the first inning. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        Estes gave up back-to-back hits to start the eighth. After he got Berkman to bounce into a double play — the Reds' fourth of the night — Cincinnati manager Bob Boone brought in Scott Williamson to face Bagwell.

        Williamson walked Bagwell on four pitches.

        The Astros sent out Orlando Merced to hit for Richard Hidalgo. The Reds countered by bringing in Gabe White, who struck out Merced on three pitches.

        The Reds put together a threat in their half of the eighth. Jason LaRue singled, and Ken Griffey Jr.pinch-hit for White and drew a walk. A running faux pas then cost the Reds an out and a baserunner.

        Todd Walker tried to bunt the runners over. As he bunted through a pitch, LaRue strayed too far off second and was picked off. Ryan Dempster, running for Griffey, was able to get to second while LaRue was in the run-down. But Walker hit a weak line drive to second for the second out, and Aaron Boone flied to left.

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