--Reds pitchers continue to perform at history-making levels. Elias Sports Bureau reports that, going into Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, Cincinnati had logged four shutouts over a six-game span for just the third time in team history. Starters for the shutouts in the first two occurrences were Johnny Vander Meer twice, Elmer Riddle and Joe Beggs in 1943, and Gary Nolan twice, Jim Merritt and Jim McGlothlin in 1970. Edinson Volquez made two starts and Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo one each in the recent stretch.
--The streak isn't red-hot, but OF Jay Bruce at least is consistent. Bruce, who earlier this season had a six-game hitting streak, extended his current streak to seven games Wednesday, when he went 2-for-3 with a home run. He is 8-for-28 (.286) with two homers and two RBIs in the current streak. --INF/OF Jerry Hairston on Tuesday made his first start at shortstop this year with Alex Gonzalez injured. It was the fifth position at which he has started (third base, second base, left field, center field, short). "Shortstop is my favorite and I love it," he said.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Roster moves made by the team over the first 24 games. 3B Edwin Encarnacion had to be placed on the disabled list with a fractured left wrist.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Our goal is to win 15 games a month. And if we do that, we win 90 games, and that should get us something." -- Manager Dusty Baker.
