The Reds signed infielder Kevin Jordan to a minor-league contract Wednesday. Jordan, 32, was released by the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.

        He hit .273 with one home run and six RBI this spring. Jordan has spent all of the last four seasons with the Phillies and is a .258 career hitter. His best year was 1999 when he hit .285 with four home runs and 51 RBI.

        Jordan, a right-handed hitter, can play second, shortstop or third. He hit .239 with one homer and 13 RBI in 68 games for the Phillies last year. Jordan will report to Triple-A Louisville today.

        The Reds released Triple-A outfielder Jermaine Allensworth Wednesday.

        DAVIS THROWS: Left-hander Lance Davis, who has been resting a sore shoulder, threw 25 times from 40 feet Tuesday. It was the first time he threw since his March 12 spring outing.

        “The ball felt like a feather,” he said. “I've been throwing that 2-pound ball.”

        Davis is still aiming to be ready by the end of April.

        SAME SAME: The Reds used the same starting eight in the same order Wednesday as they did in Monday's opener. “It saves me a lot of time,” Boone said. “I didn't have to use any paper. I just told (bench coach) Ray (Knight) to use the same one.”

        Will the streak last all year?

        “I plan on it,” he said.

        He was kidding. Boone used 132 lineups last year, when the Reds' projected Opening Day lineup was used only 13 times.

        CONFIDENCE BOOSTER: Scott Williamson's strikeout of Sammy Sosa on Opening Day meant a lot to Williamson.

        “He's one of the best hitters in baseball,” Williamson said. “Getting a guy like that out is nice. It helps the confidence.”

        Williamson had walked the two previous hitters.

        “There was a lot of adrenaline flowing,” he said. “I need to control it. It was like being out in 1999, my rookie year.”

        Williamson was pitching for the first time since his April 12, 2001, Tommy John surgery.

        MINUTE OF SILENCE: Wednesday night's game was halted at 9:11 for one minute of silence to honor the victims of the Sept.11 tragedy. All major-league clubs are doing the minute of silence at 9:11 during their first night game of the year.

        UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up the three-game series with the Chicago Cubs today. Right-hander Jose Acevedo faces Cubs right-hander Juan Cruz at 7:10p.m.

Cubs 10, Reds 3 Boone turns off clubhouse music Notebook: Reds sign Kevin Jordan Reds box, runs Wood's debut gives Cubs hope Bonds hits two more homers Reese swings big bat for Bucs County gives away ballpark bricks Reds make pitch for responsible drinking

Little kicked off Bearcats
Huggins: West Virginia not set to win
UC's Logan focused on draft
Martin, Nets beat Shaq-less Lakers
Texans says they'll take Carr No. 1
Cleveland 1, Mighty Ducks 0
Dayton 4, Cyclones 1
Coming up this week
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati high school results
Ohio cities match basketball stars
N.Ky. high school results

• Return to Reds front page...