One perfect inning of relief got Chris Reitsma what he hadn't been able to get since June 20 as a starter: A win.

        Reitsma happened to pitch the inning before the Reds scored five runs.

        “He vultured it,” Boone said.

        Reitsma is getting extra rest between starts. He'll start Saturday in San Diego. That will be 13 days between starts.

        It appeared to help Sunday. Two of the three outs were strikeouts.

        “His velocity was up four miles per hour,” Boone said. “I'm very delighted with what he did.”

        Said Reitsma: “I felt like it was spring training again,” he said. “It really recharged my batteries.

        The relief appearance, Reitsma's first in the majors, was the first time Reitsma had thrown since July 22 when he went 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs in an 11-7 loss to Florida.

        SHORTSTOP SNEAK: Barry Larkin isn't supposed to be taking batting practice, but he's snuck some in recently.

        “Everything I do, I have to sneak it,” he said.

        Larkin has been on the disabled list since June 29, recovering from a strained right groin muscle. He also is dealing with a sports hernia.

        “My groin is considerably better,” he said. “My abdomen is not.”

        The next crucial date for Larkin is Aug.7. That's when he'll be examined by a surgeon who operates on sports hernias.

        There's a chance surgery will be recommended, ending Larkin's season.

        “It's not my call,” he said. “That's the medical people. But I don't want to shut it down. I want to play.”

        DMITRI'S DAY OFF: Boone rested Dmitri Young Sunday as planned — even though Young hit a grand slam in Saturday's 5-0 victory over Florida.

        “I told him if you do good I'll give you the day off,” Boone said. “I went up to him afterward and said, "You did pretty good.'”

        Boone has been resting players on a rotating basis.

        “All the guys I've given a day have responded,” Boone said. “Pokey (Reese) is next.”

        Boone never subscribed to the rest theory as a player.

        “I always questioned it,” he said. “I always felt worse after a day off. I'd say, "I need a week — not a day.' ”

        TONY STEAMED: Tony Perez was so upset with his team's play in the first two games of the series he called a meeting before Sunday's game. Perez let the players have it for about 10 minutes.

        RIEDLING UPDATE: John Riedling, on the DL since May 27 with right shoulder problems, had another successful throwing session Sunday.

        “He was pretty good,” Boone said.

        The plan is for Riedling to throw again on Tuesday. If that goes well, he'll throw Wednesday.

Reds 8, Marlins 4 DAUGHERTY: Griffey should keep sounding off Dunn has bad day in field Reitsma gets relief from relief Rijo gives up HR in two innings Sour homecoming for Perez Reds box, runs

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