The Reds cleared roster room for Petet Harnisch by optioning right-hander Scott Winchester back to Triple-A Louisville.

Summoned from Louisville after Sunday's game to replace demoted starter Rob Bell, Winchester pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday but yielded four hits and three runs (two earned) in two innings Thursday.

McKeon said the decision had nothing to do with Winchester's second perform ance. ""It was decided before the game that this was the way we were going to go,'' he said.

ELMER'S GLUE-ALL: Even if Elmer Dessens never starts another game for the Reds, at least they know that he can.

Dessens proved he can serve as a competent emergency starter with his 5-inning stint Wednesday against St.Louis. Dessens allowed three runs and six hits as Cincinnati won 7-3.

""It's always good to have a guy who you know can do different things,'' Gullett said. ""We have an alternative now. We need more guys like that to step up and take the bull by the horns.''

NO MAC ATTACK: Though the Reds managed only a series split against St. Louis, they avoided being pummeled by Mark McGwire, the major leagues' home-run leader.

McGwire went 1-for-15 in the series, mustering a leadoff single in Monday's seventh inning for his lone hit. He struck out eight times, drew three walks and grounded into a double play.

It's safe to say that Cinergy Field is not McGwire's favorite ballpark. He owns a career average of .203 (13-for-64) with four homers here.

GATE CRASHERS: Thursday's paid attendance of 45,771 set a franchise record for a weekday afternoon game that wasn't a season opener. The previous mark was 42,543, established June 27, 1990, against San Francisco.

ETC.: Third baseman Aaron Boone's high ninth-inning throw on Craig Paquette's leadoff grounder ended the Reds' seven-game streak without an error.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 26th homer of the season in the fifth inning and is tied with Baltimore's Albert Belle for most homers in June (12).

Terraced plaza recalls Crosley era Reds turn summer into a fall Cardinals 12, Reds 3 Box, runs Davis: Cardinals need to keep urgency Winchester goes back down Reds-Diamondbacks scouting report

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