Bruce crushes a solo shot in the bottom of the first, his 8th homerun of the season, to help the Reds to a 6-5 win.

Not even the swine flu could stop the Reds as they held on for a 6-5 victory over the Brew Crew last night. With Votto and Phillips scratched from the lineup due to flu-like symptoms (I’m speculating that it is of the swine variety…it may be bird related, who knows) the battered Reds (15-13) still mustered up nine hits and six runs to preserve a split in the 2-game series.

Micah Owings pitched well enough to get the win, going six innings while giving up seven hits, five runs (four earned) and striking out four. He also contributed to his own cause in the bottom of the fourth inning with a triple to deep left-center that skipped past the diving Ryan Braun for a triple, scoring Paul Janish from first. Owings now has two wins on the year, which may not sound like a lot, but it is a huge improvement from last year’s staff. In 2008, the Reds’ fifth starters combined to win only four games all year, so posting two W’s in early May from the five spot is very welcomed.

Owings wasn’t the only hot bat last night. Jay Bruce got the Reds on the board early with his eighth homerun of the season, a solo shot coming in the bottom of the first. Willy Taveras added a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the third to put the Red Legs up 2-0. Laynce Nix went 1-3 and added an RBI double as he continues his offensive tear, upping his average to .351 on the season.

The Reds’ bullpen continues to impress as Nick Masset, Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero all put up zeros. Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for this eighth save in eight chances.

The Reds take the field tonight against the first-place Cardinals, with Johnny Cueto getting the call. It’s only May, but with the Reds throwing Cueto, Harang and Volquez at the Cardinals this weekend the implications could be huge. Taking two of three at home against the always tough Cards will not only send a message to the rest of the N.L. Central, but also to the Reds themselves.