LOS ANGELES — Corky Miller is no longer a once-a-week catcher. That was about all he could expect when he was called up to take Kelly Stinnett's spot on the roster while Stinnett's on the disabled list because of a sore elbow. But Miller made the most of his opportunity.

        “He's on the verge of taking the job,” Boone said.

        He wasn't talking about Stinnett's job. He was talking about starter Jason LaRue's.

        Miller is hitting .313 with one home run and four RBI in 16 at-bats. LaRue is hitting .242 with no homers and four RBI in 66 at-bats.

        Miller is so good defensively and at calling games that the Reds always have said if he ever would hit, he would have a job in the big leagues.

        “He's really improved as a hitter,” Boone said. “He's much better. But he's here because of the way he catches. He's really good at implementing a game plan. Jason's improved at that. But Corky does a really nice job.”

        Miller reached base twice in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Los Angeles, both times by being hit by a pitch. In his pro career he's been hit 118 times.

        How does that happen?

        “I don't get out of the way. I want to get on base. I can take a fastball or slider in the back to do it,” he said.

        “He's a grinder,” Boone said. “... He keeps hanging in there.”

        Miller, who grew up in nearby Yucaipa, Calif., had about 50 friends or relatives there to see him play. Suffice to say they weren't surprised to see him get hit.

        “I've been doing it since I was 12 years old,” he said.

Reds 4, Dodgers 0 Reds box, runs Larkin hits first HR since June Dodgers blanked for fifth time Williamson ready to defend teammates Kearns battered after beaning Miller pushing LaRue for starter's job Reds Notebook: Shaw talks back on Rockies 6, Pirates 0 Padres 4, Cubs 3 Mets 7, Diamondbacks 1 White Sox 9, Mariners 2

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