The Reds lost their first place standing in the NLC with a 2-0 loss to the Phillies on Saturday.

Dave Williams provided a surprisingly strong start, going eight and a third innings allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits. He didn't walk any and he struck out five to get the loss. Todd Coffey took over for the final two outs, giving up zero runs on one hit.

With two outs in the seventh inning Phillies' Ryan Howard reached base on a fielding error by Quinton McCracken. The next batter, David Bell, knocked in Howard with a double. The error was about as stupid as you've ever seen; the pop-up was in his glove and then just wasn't. It was Dunn-worthy.

It turned out to be a very important error. Without that miscue, Williams takes his shutout into the ninth and who knows what happens. I hope that this game heralds a change in Dave Williams.

Adam Dunn, whose tiny graven image was handed out to the first 40,000 people in attendance, had the opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth when he came up with two outs and Ken Griffey, Jr on third and Felipe Lopez on first, but alas he struck out swinging. He must not have the taste for drama that Jr. does.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 23-14 and loses the series. They would try to avoid the sweep Sunday when Brandon Claussen faced Tom Gordon.