The Reds' start is amazing when you consider how poor their hitting has been thus far. But their bats might have a tough time awakening against the Cubs' and Braves' pitching staffs.
PLAYER NEWS: --RF Jay Bruce is 5-for-12 with two homers in three games since coming back after missing three games in Houston with a sore right hand. Before Thursday's game in Chicago he had an ice bag wrapped around the hand but said it was precautionary. "It feels great," Bruce said.
--3B Edwin Encarnacion is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts since he was moved to the cleanup spot. Manager Dusty Baker said it is temporary, only until 2B Brandon Phillips finds his stroke and can be moved back to No. 4.
--RHP Aaron Harang struck out Cubs 1B Derrek Lee in the sixth inning, his 1,000th career strikeout. The Reds scored one run total in his two losses, and his ERA is 2.00 to go with his 2-2 record.
MEDICAL WATCH:
The Reds are healthy.
ROTATION:
RHP Aaron Harang
RHP Edinson Volquez
RHP Bronson Arroyo
RHP Johnny Cueto
RHP Micah Owings
BULLPEN:
RHP Francisco Cordero (closer)
RHP David Weathers
LHP Arthur Rhodes
RHP Jared Burton
RHP Mike Lincoln
LHP Daniel Ray Herrera
RHP Nick Masset
CATCHERS:
Ramon Hernandez
Ryan Hanigan
INFIELDERS:
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Edwin Encarnacion
INF Paul Janish
INF Laynce Nix
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Dickerson
CF Willy Taveras
RF Jay Bruce
OF/INF Jerry Hairston Jr.
OF Darnell McDonald
