The Reds took the first of a three game series over an ailing ballclub on Monday with an 8-7 win over the Cardinals.

Brandon Claussen failed to be awesome in his five innings of work, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks. He struck out four. All-in-all, the performance cost him 114 pitches. Rick White also failed to be awesome in the sixth, allowing two runs (earned) on one hit and one walk.

Esteban Yan got the win on Monday by allowing one run (earned) on one hit and one walk in the seventh and eighth. Todd Coffey returned to bad-ass form for the save by holding the Cards hitless in the ninth.

Ken Griffey, Jr was the story of the offense, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and notching, not one, but two home runs in the only existing major league park where he had not already homered. He'd tied with Fred McGriff for the total number of different ball parks in which he's homered at 43, but he'll have to wait until someone builds a new one before he can have the record all to himself. Perhaps the Nationals will come through for him.

Felipe Lopez was nothing to sneeze at at the plate either on Monday. He went 4-for-5 with two RBI from the lead-off spot. Rich Aurilia and Brandon Phillips also each contributed a run.

The win brought the Reds' record to 33-24. They continued the series on Tuesday with Eric Milton facing Chris Carpenter, fresh off the DL but still the defending Cy Young Award winner.