Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Aaron Harang pitched seven strong innings as the Cincinnati Reds downed the Boston Red Sox, 3-1, to open a three-game interleague set at Great American Ball Park.

Harang (3-9), who had lost his last four decisions, gave up just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts for the Reds, who have won their last two games. Jay Bruce and Adam Dunn each hit solo home runs.

Manny Ramirez drove in the lone run while Justin Masterson (3-1) was handed the loss as he gave up three runs on four hits with three walks and a career- high nine strikeouts for the Red Sox, who had won four of five coming into the series.

This was the first time Boston has visited Cincinnati since Game 5 of the 1975 World Series, which the Reds won in seven games.

The Reds wasted no time taking the lead as Bruce led off the bottom of the first with a shot that just barely cleared the right field wall.

Boston tied the game in the fourth as Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a double to the right field corner and later came home on a single from Ramirez.

However, Cincinnati answered in the fourth to again take the lead. With one out, Dunn blasted a pitch over the right-center field fence. Edwin Encarnacion then doubled and Joey Votto followed with an RBI double for a 3-1 lead.

Harang retired nine straight batters before giving up a two-out single to Sean Casey in the seventh. However, Harang then struck out Julio Lugo.

Jared Burton pitched a perfect eighth. Francisco Cordero gave up a leadoff single to Dustin Pedroia in the ninth, but retired the next three batters to pick up his 13th save of the season.