DETROIT — It became apparent a long time ago that the Reds lacked the base-stealing prowess that helped them last season. Now it's even more obvious.

        Entering Tuesday, the Reds hadn't even attempted a steal for eight games in a row, a season-high streak. They went six games in a row without trying any thievery between June 24-29.

        The emphasis on power hitting throughout the majors has minimized the impact of base-stealing. After ranking fourth in the Nation al League last year with 164 thefts, the Reds have 55 steals, seventh-most in the league.

        First base coach Dave Collins indicated that the Reds will get moving again when it's advantageous to do so.

        “We just haven't been in the right situations,” Collins said. “A lot of times in Colorado, we wanted to leave the hole open (between first and second base). The last couple of nights, we haven't been in position to run.”

        HAVING A BALL: A fresh baseball autographed by former Detroit star Kirk Gibson, now a Tigers broadcaster, sat in Sean Casey's locker. It was bound for Casey's growing collection of signed balls, which he said had grown to about 170.

        Casey said most of his mementoes were signed by prominent ballplayers. “It's exciting to me,” the Reds first baseman said. “I'm still a little kid around those guys.”

        Casey said he also had a handful of balls signed by non-baseball celebrities, such as golfer Nancy Lopez and Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight.

        Casey said he began his collection after receiving a ball signed by Hall of Famer Willie Mays as a prize for finishing second in a home run contest as a Single-A ballplayer in 1996.

        ETC.: It has become an open secret that Reds right-hander Andy Larkin has been placed on waivers, though no club official would confirm this. Once Larkin clears waivers, the team has 10 days to trade him or send him to the minors. Larkin, who has no record with a 5.40 ERA in three relief appearances, could become a free agent if he were to refuse an assignment to the minors.

        • Catcher Benito Santiago probably will be sidelined for a game or two with the lower back spasms that forced him to the trainer's room before Monday night's second inning.

        • Numerous hitting streaks continued in Tuesday's first inning. Chris Stynes (career-high 11 games) doubled; Dante Bichette (season-high 12 games) singled, and Casey (season-high 11 games) singled. Stynes also singled in the second inning, extend ing his streak of multihit games to eight.

        • Jackson Melian, the highly touted Double-A outfielder acquired from the New York Yankees in last Wednesday's Denny Neagle trade, will be on the disabled list for at least seven days after suffering a pulled right hamstring Sunday.

        • On Friday and Saturday at Cinergy Field, the Reds' wives will coordinate the annual “Help Us Feed The Hungry Day” to benefit Toys-4-Tots and the Emergency Food Center of Cincinnati. Fans donating food, clothing, toys or money at any gate will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win free Reds tickets or a $50 gift certificate to The Dugout Store.

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