--Perhaps RHP Bronson Arroyo might permanently swear off the guitar -- or at least set it aside until his pitching career is over. Since a spring training bout with carpal tunnel syndrome in his right hand prompted him to put his pick down, he has won his first three starts of the season for the first time in his career. He'll try to make it 4-for-4 Saturday against the Braves.
--C Ramon Hernandez could be making a bid to fill the Reds' beleaguered cleanup spot. The right-handed hitter doubled off the left field wall in his first at bat Friday, giving him at least one hit in seven of his last nine games, and followed up with a single to right. The struggles of Brandon Phillips and Edwin Encarnacion have management still looking for a right-handed bat to slot between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Encarnacion snapped an 0-for-15 slump with a sixth-inning single. --RHP David Weathers, over the past 10 seasons leads all major league pitchers with 652 appearances. He has not given up a run in his seven appearances this year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Games among their first 11 that the Reds were behind. They won four of those games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're 6-5 without hitting, and that gives me more hope and confidence." -- Manager Dusty Baker, on his team's .208 team batting average through April 19.
