Jason LaRue batted second Saturday night. He had never hit higher than sixth in his career.

        The difference between the Reds and Cardinals benches? Friday night, Craig Paquette was the Cardinals' second pinch hitter, only because J.D. Drew was unavailable.

        “If I had him, he would have been playing third and batting fourth,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        JUNIOR ON ESPN: Ken Griffey Jr. will be the subject of ESPN's Sunday Conversation. The interview, conducted last week in Cincinnati, will air today during the 11p.m. SportsCenter. It touches on a variety of subjects, including family life, how Griffey has mellowed and the death threats against him.

        FIVE A GAME: Manager Bob Boone's theory is, to win in baseball today you have to average five runs a game.

        “From a statistical standpoint, it's as simple as that,” Boone said.

        In the 4-18 swoon before Saturday's victory, the Reds averaged 3.04 runs a game. They scored fewer than five runs 15 times in those 22 games.

        If the Reds had scored five runs in every game, they would have won six and been tied after nine in five. So 10-7-5, instead of 4-18.

        ETC:When LaRue threw out Cardinals outfielder J.D. Drew attempting to steal Saturday night, it was no fluke.

        The caught-stealing was LaRue's fifth straight. He has thrown out 12 of 21 runners attempting to steal (57 percent).

        • Jim Edmonds' home run in the fourth inning Saturday night extended the Reds' pitching staff's streak of allowing a home run to 16 consecutive games, a club record.

        • LaRue broke an 0-for-20 slide by Reds' pinch hitters Friday night. The Reds entered Saturday 6-for-66 (.091) with four RBI. That's last in the National League.

        “I don't see that as problem,” Boone said. “We knew that going in. It's cheaper to go with defense (off the bench).”

        DOWN ON THE FARM: Last year's No.1 pick, shortstop David Espinosa, made an error Friday night, his 27th in 44 games this season. He's doing better at the plate. He has hit safely in 18 of his 23 games. He's hitting .377 with a homer and 11 RBI in that stretch.

        • Outfielder Adam Dunn was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double at Triple-A Louisville. It pushed his average up to .233.

        • Right-hander Chris Nichting, an Elder product, earned his 15th save at Louisville. He leads the International League. He has a 2.54 ERA.

        UP NEXT: Rookie right-hander Brian Reith (0-1, 4.35 ERA) takes on St. Louis right-hander Darryl Kile (6-3, 3.38) in the final game of the three-game series at 1:15 p.m. today.

Reds 7, Cardinals 2 DAUGHERTY: Reds fans are watching 2003 now Is it Reese's time at shortstop? Reds' injury bug hits minors Definition of desperate? LaRue batting second Reds box, runs

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