The Reds' come-from-ahead loss Sunday unearthed this nugget: They haven't converted a save opportunity at home since May 1, the date of Deion Sanders' wondrous 3-for-3 performance against Los Angeles.

        Danny Graves preserved the Reds' 7-6 victory that night, which left the team tied for first place in the NL Central with a 15-10 record.

        Since then, Cincinnati has blown five save chances in 36 home games. The Reds, who own the majors' worst home record (12-34), are 7-29 in that span.

        12TH PITCHER ADDED: The Reds' need for a 12th pitcher, exacerbated by Saturday's 13-inning marathon, prompted them to purchase right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez's contract from Louisville before Sunday's game.

        Utilityman Bill Selby was optioned to Louisville to clear roster room for Fernandez, who began the season in the starting rotation but was demoted on June 15 after posting a 5-6 record with a 6.91 ERA. Fernandez was 0-1, 4.55 in five starts for the RiverBats.

        Though Fernandez initially will be assigned to long relief, he probably could rejoin the rotation with a strong outing or two. “Stay tuned,” manager Bob Boone said when asked if Fernandez would start.

        A DIRTY JOB: After receiving Saturday's complaints about the hard, sun-baked infield, Cinergy Field head groundskeeper Doug Gallant and his crew immediately began treating the dirt to soften it. Reds third baseman Aaron Boone had likened the infield to “asphalt.”

        Said Gallant, “With these day games, it dries up. Every ballpark fights it. We'll try to loosen it up.”

        ETC.: Jose Rijo wasn't the only aspiring Red to pitch for Louisville on Saturday. Left-hander Dennys Reyes, who's attempting to switch from relieving to starting, received credit for the victory despite allowing three runs (two earned) and four hits in three innings.

        UP NEXT: The Tigers series continues tonight as Lance Davis (1-1) will oppose fellow rookie Adam Pettyjohn, a left-hander making his major-league debut. Pettyjohn was 5-8 with a 3.44 ERA for Triple-A Toledo.

Tigers 8, Reds 5 Bowden says Rijo not ready for Reds Casey should miss only a few days 2 1/2 months since last home save Higginson anticipated Tigers' comeback Reds box, runs

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