The Reds climbed into a first-place tie with St. Louis and Milwaukee at 20-14 Wednesday, May 13, beating up on the worst-hitting team in the National League. After a day off Thursday, they open a three-game series tonight in San Diego against the second worst-hitting team in the National League.

Brandon Phillips couldn't help himself Wednesday, first trying to tell writers about how it's early, about how it is easy to get to first place and difficult to stay there. After a long, cautious dissertation, he smiled broadly and said, "But it's really nice and there is more to come."

First place was shortlived. While the Reds were off Thursday, Milwaukee and St. Louis played and beat Florida and Pittsburgh, respectively, taking a half-game lead. And the Chicago Cubs won, moving into a second-place tie with the Reds .

Based on what's happening with the Padres these days, things figure to be easy this weekend. The Padres have lost six straight, 19 of 23 and they've gone 25 straight games without a starter winning a game.

Aaron Harang (3-3, 2.93 ERA) pitches tonight against Kevin Correia (0-2, 5.34), then it's Edinson Volquez (4-2, 4.40) facing Josh Greer (0-1, 5.14) Saturday night and Bronson Arroyo (5-2, 7.02) draws Jake Peavy (2-5, 4.30) Sunday afternoon.

Gonzo returns

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez is expected to return to the lineup tonight, so what happens to suddenly moltenhot Jerry Hairston Jr., who has been playing shortstop?

Well, with right-hander Correia (0-2, 5.34) facing Harang (3-3, 2.93), Hairston will shift to left field.

Hairston is on a ninegame hitting streak (15-37, .405, two homers, seven RBIs, 14 runs).

"Ready? I've been ready," Gonzalez said. "I feel perfect, no problems. My side is healed."

Quote of the day

"We needed the off day, now we go to San Diego and see if we continue the same way." - Reds manager Dusty Baker after his team completed a threegame sweep in Arizona to win six of their last seven games.