Right-hander Edinson Volquez has left knee tendinitis and won't make his scheduled start in Sunday's season finale in St. Louis, a precautionary move. He has thrown his last pitch for the Reds in 2008.
Left-hander Adam Pettyjohn will make the start for Volquez, who has pitched through the sore knee the last few weeks. "If he could pitch, I'd like to see him go after his 18th win, but it is OK by me because has had a very good year," manager Dusty Baker said.
Volquez finishes 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 196 innings pitched. He recorded the most wins by a Reds pitcher since the 18 won by Pete Schourek in 1995.
He recorded 206 strikeouts this season, tying him with Gary Nolan for most strikeouts by a pitcher in his first year with Cincinnati. Nolan struck out 206 in 1967.
ASTROS 5, REDS 0: RHP Ramon Ramirez gave up only two runs and four hits over five innings, walking three and striking out four, but a two-run first-inning home run by 1B Lance Berkman beat him.
