Third baseman Brandon Larson, among the Reds rushed to the majors because of the team's numerous injuries, had gone hitless in his last 15 at-bats before an infield single in Sunday's fourth inning.

        “The fact is, he's supposed to scuffle,” manager Bob Boone said of Larson, who's batting .074 (2-for-27) overall. “We knew coming in that he's not ready for this level.”

        Boone said that when players in Larson's situation struggle like this, they either become plagued by self-doubt or they work hard to improve when they return to the minors.

        “If a guy's worth his salt, that's the way he reacts — the latter,” Boone said.

        Larson, 25, sounded as if he's coping with his disappointment, though he said, “It's testing my patience, sanity and all that.”

        If anything, Larson said he might occasionally be too patient at the plate.

        “I'm trying to stay back and see what (pitchers) have,” said Larson, Cincinnati's No.1 draft choice in 1997. “That's probably kind of getting me in trouble a little bit, because I'm waiting until the last possible minute to swing and then I'm getting jammed. That's not a good thing.”

        YOUNG RETURNS: Left fielder Dmitri Young returned to the lineup, hyperextended left knee and all, after resting Saturday. Young, who underwent a precautionary MRI after aggravating the injury in Friday night's game, went 1-for-4 and made a nice running catch on Albert Pujols' fifth-inning liner with a runner on second base to end the inning.

        ETC: The Reds had their customary rain delay, a 52-minute stoppage in the bottom of the seventh inning. Five of their last six games have been halted by rain for a total of seven hours and 12 minutes in delays.

        • Dennys Reyes underwent an MRI which confirmed that he's suffering from tendinitis on the inside of his elbow. However, Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said that Reyes could be ready to pitch to day.

        • Bench coach Tim Foli replaced Ron Oester in the third-base coach's box Sunday. Oester received permission to attend the graduation of his daughter, Jill, from Ursuline Academy.

        UP NEXT: Rob Bell (0-3) is scheduled to start today's series opener against Chicago, so get your umbrellas. Rain delays have interfered with Bell's last two starts, limiting him to a total of 5 2/3 innings in those outings. He'll oppose Julian Tavarez (3-4), who allowed three hits and three runs while lasting three batters into the sixth inning in Chicago's 5-3 victory last Tuesday.

Cardinals 2, Reds 0 DAUGHERTY: Deion's days numbered Griffey speaks up on ESPN Shoulder strain puts Riedling on DL Larson lost at plate Cards end winning road trip Reds-Cubs Scouting Report Reds box, runs

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