SAN DIEGO — What could Aaron Boone do if he played a full, uninterrupted season? Nobody knows yet.

        Boone hit .280 with 14 homers and 72 RBI in 1999, when he suffered through an 11-game demotion to Triple-A. Last year, Boone was hitting .285 with 12 homers and 43 RBI before a serious knee injury ended his season. This year, Boone's knee recovered nicely, but a broken bone in his right hand forced him to miss a month.

        Still, Boone appears bound for an outstanding season. He entered Friday hitting a season-high .313. After leading the Reds with a .363 average in July, Boone sustained that momentum by going 5-for-8 in August's first two games, then doubled in his first at-bat Friday night. He also has sparkled defensively, starting a double play in each of the previous two games and making a diving stop Wednesday.

        “I think it's just learning — growing up, figuring yourself out, figuring out what (pitchers) are doing,” Boone said. “I missed the last half of last year, so when I started playing in the middle of spring training, I had an eight-month layoff. So in spring training and certainly in the first three weeks of the season, I was really searching.”

        Then came the hand injury, which sapped Boone's strength. But he has rebounded physically and mentally.

        STILL GREAT: Tony Gwynn's various leg ailments have limited him to pinch hitting. So the San Diego right fielder has dedicated himself to being the best pinch hitter possible.

        The eight-time National League batting champion began Friday hitting .533 (8-for-15) with six RBI off the bench, boosting his average to .373 overall.

        Bob Boone continues to maintain the highest respect for Gwynn, who has announced that he'll retire after this season.

        “I don't think there is a way to pitch him,” Boone said. “I'll tell you what we're not going to do — pitch him away (outside) and play away. That's the stupidest thing. He doesn't have a weakness. If you don't make a quality pitch, he'll kill you.”

        UP NEXT: Chris Reitsma will oppose Brian Tollberg (4-3), who will be promoted today from Triple-A. Tollberg defeated the Reds on May 6, yielding one unearned run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Reds 9, Padres 2 Reds fans contributing to Paul Brown Stadium Reitsma gets velocity back after rest Pitching has been good, too Boone putting it all together Reds box, runs

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