Darnell McDonald homered during Cincinnati's three-run first Thursday and five pitchers made the lead stand up in a 3-2 decision over Florida. Since the final day of August, Cincinnati has won seven in a row, lost five straight and now has won five out of six. After McDonald opened the first inning with his home run against Anibal Sanchez (2-7), the Reds loaded the bases and Jay Bruce delivered a two-run single to shallow left. Matt Maloney (1-4) gave up two runs over five innings to earn his first major league victory in his sixth start. Ramon Ramirez, Arthur Rhodes, Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero then combined to throw four innings of one-hit relief.

Edinson Volquez allowed a lone hit over eight innings Wednesday and Adam Rosales had two RBI, giving Cincinnati a 3-0 victory over Houston. The only Houston hit of the game was a two-out double in the first inning by Miguel Tejada.

Johnny Cueto allowed four hits over seven innings Wednesday and Francisco Cordero earned his sixth save, giving Cincinnati a 3-0 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. Cueto (1-1) also chipped in two hits in helping the Reds win for the third time in four games. Cordero allowed a hit in the ninth before nailing down the save.

The first home run in a Cincinnati uniform for Ramon Hernandez, a two-run shot in the ninth, lifted the Reds to a 2-1 win over Houston Friday. Three Houston pitchers had combined to throw shutout ball through eight innings, when Jose Valverde (0-1) came on in an attempt to pick up his first save of the season.

Social networking between friends can have some good spinoffs for finding jobs. -------------------- EVEN a couple of years ago if someone mentioned social networking, they would have meant meeting and schmoozing at meetings and social events.