Pete Harnisch looked good on his bullpen “throw day” Friday, manager Bob Boone said. The struggling Harnisch (1-3, 6.53 ERA) will remain in the rotation.

        “He worked on a couple things that are really gonna help him, some mechanical things ... nothing dramatically different,” Boone said. “The stuff he showed me down there (in the bullpen) will win.”

        CARDENAL INTERVIEWS: Former Reds coach Jose Cardenal is in town to talk with Bowden about a possible role as a roving instructor. Cardenal lost his coaching job in Tampa Bay when former Rays manager Larry Rothschild was fired last month.

        UP NEXT: Right-hander Rob Bell (0-0, 5.40) returns from Triple-A to face Padres right-hander Woody Williams (2-3, 5.45) at 1:15 p.m.

        Bell began the year as Cincinnati's No.5 starter but was optioned to Louisville after his only outing April 6. He is making his fourth career start vs. San Diego, having struggled in three starts vs. the Padres last year (0-1, 15.43 ERA in seven innings pitched).

        Williams, the Padres' Opening Day starter, did not face Cincinnati last year. He is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts vs. the Reds, both in 1999.

Padres 11, Reds 5 Reds attendance off 21 percent Specialist eases concern about Larkin Larson makes Red for a day Castro, Stennett sign extension Harnisch works on mechanics Padres find HR stroke Reds box, runs

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