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Jeff Keppinger and Joey Votto each had three hits and scored twice, and the Reds survived a four-run Giants rally in the bottom of the ninth to beat San Francisco, 10-9, on Saturday.

Paul Bako hit a solo homer for the Reds, his second HR of the season, and Brandon Phillips had 3 RBIs.

Matt Belisle (1-1) got the win on the mound for the Reds, and Francisco Cordero got his third save despite a shaky outing in which he allowed a two-run triple to the Giants’ Eugenio Velez.

The game was a see-saw affair in which the Reds ultimately needed every bit of their 15-hit attack. The Reds’ three-run uprising in the seventh, in which Ryan Freel contributed an RBI double, proved decisive.

Former Red Rich Aurilia had a solo homer for the Giants, his second of the season. Fred Lewis homered into McCovey’s Cove in the fifth, becoming the first Giant to reach the water since Mister Mitchell Report Barry Bonds did it last August 11.

Coupled with the Pirates’ 8-4 loss to the Phillies on Saturday, the win moved the Reds out of the NLC basement. They are 6-1/2 games behind the division-leading Cubs, who blanked Leatherpants Vampire’s Washington Nationals by a 7-0 margin.

Elsewhere in the division, the Cardinals beat the Astros, 4-3, on Skip Shumaker’s ninth-inning RBI single. Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, Prince Fielder’s mammoth 428-foot solo homer provided the deciding run in the eighth inning as the Brewers beat the Marlins, 4-3. It was the second time in four days that Fielder hit a game-winning dinger in the eighth inning – he also victimized the Phillies on Wednesday.

The Reds go for the series win today, with right-hander Edinson Volquez (3-0, 1.21) slated to face Giants southpaw Barry Zito (0-5, 5.61).

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A day after getting their 10,000th win, the Cubs (15-7) embarked on the quest for 10,000 losses, and the Rockies (10-12) were happy to help.

I was shocked to see that the Cubs have a winning record despite not having won much of significance over the years. Still, it’s a shame that the Phillies are so lonesome, and I know the Cubs will join them in a few years.

The Cubs continue to defy all sense of propriety with their rotation as Jason Marquis pitched well again. Kevin Hart (2-1) got the loss, but it was really the lack of offense that killed the Cubs. Aaron Cook (3-1) got the win with Brian Fuentes (S 1) getting the save.

The Cubs’ search for their next loss happens tonight at Nationals Park when Ryan Dempster battles Odalis Perez at 7:35pm EDT.

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The Cardinals (14-9) stopped their losing streak thanks to the Pirates (9-13) sending out an obviously injured Tom Gorzelanny (1-3). The team is without Dave Littlefield, but they don’t seem to have gained much knowledge about how to deal with pitchers if the response from Pirates bloggers is any indication.

Joel Pineiro (1-2) pitched his first good game since returning from the DL, going 7 innings and allowing only 1 run. Of course, it was against the lowly Pirates, but I bet he can use it as a confidence booster nonetheless.

The Cardinals return home to host the Astros tonight at 8:15pm EDT sending Braden Looper against Shawn Chacon. The Pirates host the Phillies in a matchup that sees Adam Eaton against Zach Duke at 7:05pm EDT.

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The Astros (11-12) swept the Reds (9-14) in their short two-game series. The win gave Houston a five-game winning streak and moved them to one game below .500.

The Reds continue to find ways to suck. This time, it was rookie phenom Johnny Cueto (1-2). Well, it’s probably harsh to say that he sucked, but he did allow 5 runs in 7 innings, while striking out only 2.

Not that the Reds had much chance of preventing the Astros from scoring, regardless of the pitcher. Lance Berkman owns Great American Ballpark, and a home run and three RBI to his impressive totals there.

Jack Cassel (1-0) got the win, starting in place of an injured Wandy Rodriguez, and Jose Valverde (S 3) got a routine save.

Houston moves to St. Louis where they’ll send out Shawn Chacon to battle Braden Looper at 8:15pm EDT. Meanwhile the Reds take a short plane ride to San Francisco where Aaron Harang starts against Jonathan Sanchez at 10:15pm EDT.

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In the aftermath of the firing of Wayne Krivsky, the Reds (9-13) played the Astros (10-12). And they lost, which will surely displease Bob Castellini. Who’s head will roll next?

When I saw Chris Sampson (1-2) with an 8+ ERA going against Bronson Arroyo (0-3) with a 5+ ERA, I knew the Reds were doomed. The Astros offense is on a roll right now, and Arroyo is not.

The Astros won their fourth straight and will try their luck against rookie Johnny Cueto today. Houston counters with Jack Cassel.