The Reds were nice enough to break the Cubs losing streak for them with a 3-7 loss at Wrigley field on Monday.

Elizardo Ramirez worked six innings and allowed four runs (earned) on nine hits. He walked zero and got the loss. Kent Mercker added two more runs (earned) on two hits in one inning. Rick White tacked on one more run (earned) on one hit through two-thirds of the eighth.

Brian Shackelford managed to hold the Cubs scoreless through his tenure, but, to be fair, that tenure was only one out long. And he gave up a hit before he got there.

Brandon Phillips singled to start off the third and advanced to second on a passed ball while Jason LaRue was batting. After LaRue popped out, Phillips moved to third on a ground out by Ramirez. Phillips scored on a Felipe Lopez single. Adam Dunn grounded out to stop the scoring at one.

Ken Griffey, Jr., and Rich Aurilia singled to start off the second, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch while Scott Hatteberg was batting. Hatteberg lined out, but Austin Kearns brought Griffey in with a sacrifice fly. Phillips walked but LaRue grounded into a fielder's choice to again stop the scoring at one.

The Reds failed to score again for the rest of the game, except for a Dunn solo shot in the eighth. If only it had been one of those 5-run bombs.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 28-23. They would go on to match up Brandon Claussen against Greg Maddux.