By Kevin Kelly and John Fay
Enquirer staff writers

Thursday's near comeback against the Mets continued a recent trend for the Reds.

During its past eight games - four wins, four losses - Cincinnati has scored 71 percent of its 35 total runs in the final three innings.

The Reds scored five runs in the eighth inning Thursday, and one in the ninth of the 7-6 loss at Great American Ball Park.

"Whatever we're thinking or doing in the seventh, eighth and ninth," left fielder Adam Dunn said, "we need to start thinking that in the early innings."

The Reds open a three-game series against the Indians today at Great American Ball Park. Tickets are still available for each game.

The Indians swept the Reds during a three-game series June 11-13 at Jacobs Field, coming from behind to win each game.

"I just want us to play better," Dunn said. "We didn't play well at their place. ... We haven't played good baseball in a week or so.

"So hopefully this is just a phase we're going through and we'll turn it around."

LONG TIME COMING: With his run-scoring single in the eighth inning, Javier Valentin broke a season-long 0-for-23 slump with runners in scoring position.

LARSON'S TRIAL: Though he played well defensively, Brandon Larson did little offensively in his two starts at third base.

Larson went 0-for-3 Thursday after going 0-for-4 Wednesday.

Manager Dave Miley gave Larson the two starts with left-handers Tom Glavine and Al Leiter pitching for the Mets.

EX-RED FACTOR: The Mets took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by first baseman Eric Valent.

Selected from the Reds in the Rule V draft in December, Valent is hitting .264 with five homers and 17 RBI in 61 games.

The Reds acquired Valent in the trade that sent Kelly Stinnett to the Phillies on Aug. 31, and he batted .214 with one RBI in 18 games.

WAGNER WATCH: Nearing the one-year anniversary of his major-league debut with the Reds, relief pitcher Ryan Wagner has settled in at Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds optioned Wagner May 30 after the right-hander allowed 37 base runners in 14 2/3 innings.

Wagner entered Thursday's game against Richmond with a 7 1/3-inning scoreless streak to go with a 1-0 record and 2.87 ERA in 14 appearances for the Bats. Opponents had 13 hits and 10 walks in 15 2/3 innings, but were batting .220 against him.

ODDS AND ENDS: Music artists Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, the stars of MTV's reality show Newlyweds, attended Thursday's game as guests of the Reds. ... The new Reds Team Shop, adjacent to Crosley Terrace, is scheduled to open for the first time at 10 a.m. Saturday. ... Louisville's Jung Keun Bong improved to 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA in five road starts Wednesday.