Chris Carpenter pitched a complete game and dropped his all-time ERA against the Reds to 2.29 to help the Cards beat the Reds 3-1 last night.  Aaron Harang might have matched Carpenter if it wasn’t for Albert Pujols (or Poo-holes in some circles), who hit a two-run homer and drove in the third run with a sixth inning double.

Lance Nix has hit three homers in two nights, breaking up the shutout with an 8th inning tonk to right.

The Reds now return to GABP for a 3-game set with the Cubs after a 2-5 road trip.  Micah Owings for the Reds, the explosive Carlos Zambrano for the Cubs (his first start back after a six-game suspension).

Over 50,000 fans are expected between the Reds game tonight and a concert at US Bank Arena.  Here’s the parking advisory from the Reds and CPD:

After talking with Cincinnati Police Special Events Unit regarding the Reds vs. Cubs game on Friday, June 5, which also falls during the Keith Urban / Taylor Swift concert at the US Bank Arena, and is a fireworks night, Central Parking has decided to implement the following traffic patterns:

Entrance:
Entrance to all facilities (East Garage, GABP, Central Riverfront Garage, Lots B, C, D & E) will be open three (3) hours prior to the game from all directions and all major highways as usual. To help with the flow of traffic due to the dual events, there will also be flaggers along Second Street going eastbound giving parkers the cash parking option to turn North on Elm Street, Vine Street, and Main Street and park at the garages along Third Street, or to continue eastbound on Second Street down the ramp to Pete Rose Way, where there are pre-paid pass garages and cash parking. All pre-paid passes for the East Garage, Great American Ball Park, Central Riverfront Garage, and Lot B && C passes will be accepted along with a limited number of cash sales and handicap sales on a limited first-come, first-served basis.

Exit:
Upon exit of the events, all traffic exiting the North side of Great American Ball Park (Pete Rose Way) will be forced East on Pete Rose Way. Traffic exiting the South side of Great American Ball Park (Mehring Way) will be forced West onto Mehring Way. All traffic exiting North side of the East Garage (Pete Rose Way) will be forced West on Pete Rose Way towards Broadway. Traffic exiting the South side of the East Garage (Mehring Way) will be forced East towards Pete Rose Way. The exiting of the Central Riverfront Garage, Lots B,C,D,E and the Third Street garages will be as usual.