--RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Bronson Arroyo, RHP Edinson Volquez and RHP Johnny Cueto all have started more than 25 games and all have ERAs under 5.00, something four starters have not accomplished with the Reds since 1992.
--RHP Johnny Cueto (9-13, 4.62 over 30 starts) faces the Astros in Houston on Thursday, attempting to add to his 157 strikeouts, most by a rookie in the NL. --RHP Ramon Ramirez made his fourth start Wednesday, the 45th time this season that the Reds have started a rookie pitcher (RHP Johnny Cueto 30, RHP Homer Bailey eight, RHP Daryl Thompson three).
--RF Jay Bruce is hitting .292 over his last 21 games (21-for-72) with seven homers. He had two hits Wednesday in his hometown of Houston and made a catch to take away a home run.
--LHP Bill Bray retired the only Houston batter he faced Wednesday, giving him 16 scoreless outings in his last 17 appearances. He has a 1.86 ERA in that stretch.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- One-run games the Reds played in a row in mid-September. They went 5-2 and are 26-19 this season in one-run games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The only way to learn how to play and win one-run games is to play in them and when you learn that, you become a contender, because contenders always are top-heavy with one-run wins." -- Manager Dusty Baker.
