Second baseman Brandon Phillips would prefer not to bat cleanup, but he is the man manager Dusty Baker wants to split first baseman Joey Votto (third) and right fielder Jay Bruce (fifth), who bat from the left side.
Phillips has started well this season, hitting safely in three of the first five games, including a two-run home run Sunday for the game's only runs in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates. "It isn't my favorite spot to bat in the order, and if given a choice I'd pick something else," said Phillips. "But that's where they want me to bat and I'll do the best I can at that spot."
Phillips is more concerned with his team's defense, an area in which it was supposed to improve immensely this season with the Gold Glove second baseman leading the way.
But the Reds made at least one error in each of the first four games before making none Sunday. "It's about time we looked up at that scoreboard and saw no errors up there," Phillips said. "We have to catch the ball to win games."
REDS 7, BREWERS 6: 3B Edwin Encarnacion hit his third career grand slam and first homer of the year during a six-run third inning that carried the Reds. The inning saved RHP Edinson Volquez, who gave up six runs and seven hits over five innings but got out of a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the fourth to grab the victory.
