Reds Earn Shutout in Home Finale

Bronson Arroyo felt right, looked right and most importantly pitched right. He dealt a six-hit complete-game shutout in leading the Reds to a 2-0 win over the Astros on Wednesday afternoon in the home finale at Great American Ball Park.

"Just last week, people were talking about taking him out [of the rotation] so he wouldn't break the home run record," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Arroyo entered the day with a club-record 44 home runs allowed, and the veteran righty was four away from Jose Lima's National League record and six from Bert Blyleven's Major League record of 50.

The long ball would not be a problem for Arroyo for only the eighth time in 31 starts. He also did not walk a batter and struck out two while using only 91 pitches, 64 of which were strikes.

Still, Arroyo improved to only 9-12 with a 5.09 ERA.

"I'm glad for him," Baker said. "It's been a tough year for him, a very tough year. He's a man and he's professional. He loves to pitch and loves to compete. It couldn't happen to a more deserving person."

While Houston notched its 102nd loss of the season after dropping the final two games of the three-game series, the Reds are 76-80 and still have a shot at a winning season. They must win their remaining six games on the road at Pittsburgh and New York.

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