Sean Casey hits a two-run single against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        CHICAGO — Sean Casey returned to the starting lineup Friday in the Reds' 5-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs after missing four starts after being hit on the head by a pitch from Philadelphia's Robert Person last Saturday.

        Casey was unable to play before Friday because every time he tried to run, he felt a piercing pain behind his ear. That problem was pretty much gone by Friday.

        “I felt pretty good,” he said. “I only felt it a couple of times, when I had to cover first. That quick burst.”

        Casey pinch hit in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros and grounded into a fielder's choice. He was better than that Friday — he went 2-for-4 and drove in both the Reds' runs with a single in the eighth inning.

        Casey struck out in each of his first two at-bats Friday, including in the first inning with runners at second and third.

        “The first two times up, my head felt better than my swing,” he said. “But it was good to be back out there.”

        Casey felt no trepidation about getting back in the batter's box, even Thursday during his first at-bat since the beaning.

        “I was thinking more about the ovation,” he said of the warm reception he got at Cinergy Field. “That was nice.”

        No fear?

        “I wasn't really thinking about it,” he said. “I was thinking about getting a hit. The first pitch was a curveball. You don't want to think about it.”

        WHY KEARNS? Casey's return meant Adam Dunn went back to left field from first base.

        That meant Reds manager Bob Boone had to decide between rookie Austin Kearns and Ruben Mateo for right field. Kearns got the start.

        Boone said it was a tough call.

        “It's almost 50-50,” he said. “Austin has given us pretty professional at-bats. But Ruben is swinging the bat well also ... If I had a DH, they'd both be in there.”

        Boone wouldn't commit to who's starting today for the second game of the series.

        “I haven't made out that lineup card yet,” he said.

        Kearns was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday, so Mateo may get a turn.

        OK WITH BROWER: Jim Brower, who along with Jose Rijo was a candidate to start Sunday, has no problem with Rijo getting the call.

        “I was kind of hoping Jose would get it,” Brower said. “That's something he wants to do. I think he can give us five, six innings. That's all we need.”

        NO SURPRISE: Boone said Thursday's firing of Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes didn't surprise him.

        “Nothing that happens in this game surprises me,” Boone said. “I wasn't expecting it. But when teams do poorly, nothing surprises me. These jobs are all about getting the most out of your players. When someone above you thinks you're not doing that, they get antsy.”

        Lopes was the second manager to be fired this season. Detroit fired Phil Garner after an 0-6 start. Those firings moved Boone up on the managers-in-the-hot-seat list.

        He can live with that.

        “This is a pretty cut-throat business,” Boone said.

        STRUGGLING: Brady Clark, who struck out in a pinch-hit appearance Friday, is hitless in his last 13 at-bats.

        STAT CORNER: Scott Williamson worked one inning Friday, striking out two. That gives him 11 strikeouts in five innings this season, a pace that would average 19.8 per nine innings of work. ... Adam Dunn has nine hits in his last 22 at-bats (.409). But he has only one extra-base hit (a homer) this season.

        MIKE AT THE MIKE: That was Mike Vassallo, the No. 2 man in the Reds' publicity department and a wanna-be broadcaster, filling in for Marty Brennaman in the sixth inning of Friday's radio broadcast.

        UP NEXT: The Reds play the Cubs in the second game of their three-game series. Right-hander Elmer Dessens (0-3, 2.70 ERA) takes on right-hander Kerry Wood (2-0, 1.50) in a 2:20 p.m. game. Fox Sport Net will televise it.

Cubs 5, Reds 2 Reds box, runs Casey comfortable despite beaning Reds won't see Alou this weekend Clement gets W to go with 12 K's AP's gameday notes Pudge may be headed for DL NL: Neagle beats D-Backs AL: Pedro rules Royals

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