After watching Owings pitch three effective innings to pick up the first save of his five-year professional career in Cincinnati's 11-5 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Baker tracked down Kieschnick on Wednesday morning to get some ideas of getting the most out of the hybrid role.

"It was valuable," Baker said. "I talked to Brooks about how to do it. I asked if he would talk to Micah. Micah, big-time, wants to talk to him. Brooks was a dangerous man. I remember managing around him not to have him pinch-hit when he might be in the game to pitch. He'll talk to Micah about how to warm up quicker as a reliever. I actually have to get him up an inning in an advance now."

Owings is hitting .245 with three doubles, a triple, three home runs and nine RBIs this season while posting a 6-12 record and 5.35 ERA in 22 pitching appearances, including 19 starts.

Kieschnick, who batted left-handed and threw right-handed, hit .286 with eight homers and 19 RBIs in his two seasons of doing two jobs with the Brewers. On the mound, he was 2-2 with a 4.59 ERA in 74 games, all in relief.

REDS 5, PIRATES 3: Brandon Phillips had three hits, including his 19th homer, and drove in three runs, and Drew Stubbs also homered as the Reds completed their first sweep of a four-game series against Pittsburgh in Cincinnati since Aug. 14-17, 1975. For the second consecutive start, Homer Bailey set a career high in strikeouts, this time with eight. He won his third start in a row.