Barry Larkin has a word with pitcher Luis Pineda in the 6th inning just before Pineda was taken out. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Scott Williamson gave fellow right-hander Luis Pineda a pat on the back and some words of encouragement after the Reds' 5-2 loss to the Montreal Expos Saturday.

        Pineda needed it.

        That's because for Pineda, his time in the game Saturday made for both a short outing and a long day. With the score tied at one and Pineda relieving starter Chris Reitsma in the sixth, Pineda walked three batters and left the game as the Expos had a four-run inning. It was Pineda's first loss of the season.

        Pineda was charged with two earned runs, a big difference in the game, as the Reds lost their second straight.

        Pineda's performance came one day after he allowed just two hits in two scoreless innings against the Expos Friday.

        “He certainly didn't do what we thought he would do,” manager Bob Boone said. “He threw one strike in (11) pitches. That's unacceptable.”

        Pineda's problems started early. He walked Michael Barrett and Brad Wilkerson. Then, he got a 2-0 count against pinch hitter Mike Mordecai before Boone pulled him in favor of right-hander Scott Sullivan.

        Wilkerson and Mordecai went on to score two of the Expos' runs in the sixth.

        Pineda said he couldn't throw any of his pitches.

        “My hands were so cold,” he said. “I couldn't feel my fingers — that's not an excuse.”

        The game-time temperature was 43 degrees. Pineda also said the back-to-back duty didn't affect his outing.

        “My arm felt pretty good,” he said. “I don't think it was that. I just couldn't throw strikes. Sometimes, it's like that.”

        Said Pineda: “There's always another day. We'll get them next time.”

        And Boone will be looking forward to next time.

        “There's some things we have to find out,” Boone said. “He pitches two innings last night and (we wanted to see) how does he bounce back. (Jim) Brower actually was better in the same position.”

        Brower allowed one hit and no runs Friday. He walked two.

        On Saturday, Brower was hitless in the ninth. Boone said, though, that Pineda's outing Saturday will not affect his role in the bullpen.

        “He'll be in there all the time,” Boone said. “His role in the bullpen certainly doesn't change.”

Reitsma holds up, but Reds collapse Pineda can't find strike zone Reds Q&A with John Fay Sidearm and top-notch No clear choice for Reds' No. 3 pick Reds notes: Encarnacion a hit, so far AP wire notes: Reitsma feels good Expos-Reds: Runs, Box NL Saturday roundup AL Saturday roundup Baseball notes: McGwire phone call settles down Giambi

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