"Brad Mills didn't want to pull Brett Myers. He didn't want to end the streak that has defined the pitcher's first season as an Astro. The manager didn't want to take the ball from the righthander who, for the 33rd time, labored to do what he has done all year — stay in the game.

It was time, though. With Myers one out short of pitching six innings once again, it was time to go.

When the third home run had cleared the fence and the eighth opposing player had crossed the plate, Mills went out and removed his ace with the outcome long past decided in the Astros' 9-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night at Great American Ball Park.

Myers gave up eight runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings, ending his club record streak at 32 games with at least six or more innings pitched. Mills wasn't about to let Myers, who can be described as the kind of stubborn that managers love, talk him out of it.

Mills wasn't halfway out to the mound, when he raised his left hand for Gustavo Chacin, and after a very brief give-and-take on the mound, it was over.

"When a guy is struggling with his command like he is, there becomes a time," Mills said. "Had the time gone too far at the point? Maybe so. But at the same time, he's our No. 1 pitcher, too, and I think he deserves a chance to get out of the inning."

The streak ended in spectacular fashion as the Reds launched three home runs off Myers, averaging 430 feet and beginning with a Drew Stubbs two-run shot in the second that catalyzed his four-RBI night.

After Myers gave up three runs on a full house of three hits over two walks in the fifth, Cincinnati blasted off in the sixth. Brandon Phillips crushed a two-run homer 441 feet into the upper deck in left to make it 7-1, and Jonny Gomes ended Myers' night three batters later. "