MILWAUKEE - Chris Stynes had started every game at third base since Aaron Boone was injured July 5.

        Stynes started off with a 10-game stretch in which he hit .605. But lately he has struggled. He has only seven hits in his last 39 at-bats (.179). That dropped his average from .479 to .345.

        “He needs a day off,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “He hasn't played that much the last two years. He'll play tomorrow and then get another day off. He might be tired.”

        The Reds are off Thursday.

        ROSTER MOVE: The Brewers activated former Red Mark Sweeney before Tuesday's game. Sweeney returned from a 20-day rehab assignment. Sweeney hit .509 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 18 games with Triple-A Indianapolis.

        Sweeney hit .217 with four RBI for Milwaukee before a shoulder injury put him on the DL.

        UP NEXT: Right-hander Rob Bell (5-6, 5.00 ERA) faces fellow rightie Jeff D'Amico (8-4, 1.88) tonight in the series finale.

        Bell, a rookie, is making his fourth start since being recalled from Louisville. He went five innings and allowed only one run in his last start, Friday against the Cubs in Chicago.

        The Reds won that game 6-4; Bell got no decision.

        D'Amico is one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. He has won six straight starts. His ERA is 1.13 over his last eight starts.

        D'Amico, 24, pitched a scoreless ninth against the Reds Oct.3 of last year. It was his first appearance in the big leagues in more than two years. He had spent that time recovering from shoulder surgery.

Brewers 2, Reds 1 Box, runs Griffey surprised about fuss Sexton makes 1st start for Reds Slumping Stynes gets rest

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