Sean Casey is welcomed at home plate by the team after his 10th inning, game-winning home run. DESKTOP WALLPAPER Click to load full-sized image, then right-click to SET AS BACKGROUND. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Though possessing the Reds' sunniest disposition, Sean Casey has weathered a stormy season.

        He twice was beaned in the head. He tore a muscle in his shoulder and landed on the disabled list for the first time in 28 months. His batting average and power numbers dipped. He even heard trade rumors.

        Casey can only hope his and the Reds' season ends with the giddiness their game did Sunday.

        After waiting out a nearly three-hour rain delay and then losing a lead, the Reds seized a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros when Casey hammered a one-out, 10th-inning home run into the Cinergy Field green seats.

        “This one feels awesome,” Casey said. “There's been times (this season) where I've had something I've just had to battle through. I wanted to be out there to help win ballgames for this team.”

        Casey's darkest hour came after being beaned in April by Philadelphia's Robert Person. Casey missed more than a week of action and wife Mandi, fearing for his safety, asked if he should consider retirement.

Relief pitcher Bruce Chen started in the third inning following the rain delay in relief of Jummy Haynes. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        It also had to be hard hearing fans question his production. Casey, a .311 career hitter entering this season who had averaged 19.3 homers the past three years, came to bat in the 10th inning Sunday with a .271 average, five homers and 40 RBI.

        Casey hadn't homered since June 26 and had never ended a game with a home run — until now.

        “It's funny, because Dunner (Adam Dunn) had been asking me the other day, "Did you ever hit a walk-off homer?”' Casey said. “The thought crossed my mind when I was in the on-deck circle. But at 0-and-2, it's the last thing on your mind.”

        Ricky Stone, a Hamilton High alum and Astros reliever, held that count after Casey fouled off the first pitch and whiffed badly at a changeup. Stone threw another changeup, this one low, and Casey hit it 409 feet into a fan's waiting arms.

        The victory kept Cincinnati 5½ games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central and moved them within a half-game of the second-place Astros. It was the Reds' eighth walk-off victory of the season, the fourth to end with a homer.

        “I'm feeling good at the plate,” Casey said. “I feel strong again. It got to a point where it was time for me to take a break and get my shoulder right so I could get back into the mix and do some things. I think it's helped a lot.”

Austin Kearns high fives Sean Casey after Kearns hit a second inning solo homer to put the Reds up 1-0. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Casey returned from the DL on Aug. 9. He is batting .364 (12-for-33) in his last nine games.

        “You know he's capable of doing it,” Reds manager Bob Boone said of Casey. “He's done it before. We just keep sending him up there.”

        The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the second on Austin Kearns' 10th homer. Reds starter Jimmy Haynes was lifted after three no-hit innings because of the lengthy delay, but the bullpen allowed just one run in seven innings.

        “People get on the bullpen, but the bullpen saved the day today,” said right-hander Scott Williamson, who recorded two perfect innings.

        The unsung hero was left-hander Bruce Chen, who went four innings. He gave up Jeff Bagwell's game-tying homer in the seventh but otherwise was sharp. Fellow lefty Gabe White (6-1) pitched the 10th for the victory.

        “We were swinging like girls (but) pitching very well,” Boone said. “Chen was fantastic.”

Reds 2, Astros 1 Reds box, runs DAUGHERTY: Baseball knows fans will return At last, joy in Mudville Cards likely to get good view of Estes Louisville 8, Columbus 7 Clock ticks as negotiations resume A-Rod at top of his game while team is at bottom Cards' Rolen sits with sore shoulder Cardinals 5, Phillies 1 Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 Pirates 3, Brewers 2

Akili wants turn vs. Saints
Backup running backs Keaton, Johnson racking up yards
Fans wondering where Colts' offense went
Brady mediocre in second exhibition
Davis to wear Broncos jersey one last time
NFL Camp Notebooks
Redskins 35, Steelers 34
Beem him up, Scotty
Guys with more longing than sense
Tiger makes his charge, but runs out of holes
Tiger's relationship with swing coach has changed
Under pressure, Wadkins pulls performance up to par
Woods, Lefty unlikely teammates
Kroger commitments
Sorenstam wins Compaq Open
Da Matta returns to winning ways
Jarrett's problem-solving does the job at Michigan
Sadler takes Rudd's place with Yates
College players keep skills sharp in summer league
Kentucky clinches Little League semifinal berth
Shaq a no-show at youth basketball camp
Blake outlasts Srichaphan for first tour title
Fire shut out Revolution
Sports gear so out of style it's in style
Sunday Silence, former Kentucky Derby, Preakness winner, dies

• Return to Reds front page...