ST. LOUIS - If Aaron Boone had not been injured, D.T. Cromer probably would have been headed to Triple-A Louisville to make room for right-hander Jose Rijo, who will join the Reds Friday.

        Cromer didn't waste time counting roster spots, worrying about a demotion.

        “I don't worry about that,” he said. “It's out of my hands. If I worried about every time I got shipped out, I'd go crazy.”

        This is Cromer's fourth stint with the Reds this year. He has performed well — .286, two home runs and seven RBI in 28 at-bats.

        “I know I belong here,” Cromer said.

        SOWERS UPDATE: Dr. Rob Campbell, stepfather of the Reds' top draft pick this year, Jeremy Sowers, said the two sides continue to work on a deal.

        “Jeremy's adviser made a proposal to them (on Monday),” Campbell said.

        The sides, however, remain far apart. Campbell said the proposal was in the $3 million range. The Reds have offered $1.3 million.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden would not comment, referring the matter to scouting director Kasey McKeon, who is handling the negotiations. McKeon could not be reached Wednesday.

        Time is critical because Sowers, a left-handed pitcher, has signed with Vanderbilt, and school starts there Aug.29. Once Sowers enrolls at the college, he no longer can sign with the Reds.

        KEARNS RETURN II: Austin Kearns, last year's Reds minor-league player of the year, was forced to leave the second game of the Gulf Coast Reds' doubleheader Tuesday because of soreness in his right thumb.

        Kearns, who is rehabilitating with the rookie team after missing more than 60 games because of a torn ligament in the same thumb, had just resumed playing Monday.

        “I haven't gotten a report on it,” Bowden said of Kearns' injury. “I think if it were serious, I would have heard something.”

        UP NEXT: Right-hander Jose Acevedo (3-3) faces right-hander Dustin Hermanson (10-9, 4.43) in the series' final game.

Cardinals 8, Reds 4 Boone goes on DL again Young to 3B, Clark to LF Cromer gets reprieve Edmonds' hitting picking up Ballpark cost shrinking Reds box, runs

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