It's going to take more than callers to radio talk shows and boos to get Aaron Boone out of the lineup. Boone, hitting .198 after going 1-for-4 Wednesday, has become a target of disgruntled fans as his hitting slump continues.

Aaron Boone is forced out at second base. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The fact Boone's father, Bob, makes out the lineup has intensified complaints.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden said no roster move is coming to give Bob an alternative at third base.

        “What we're looking at is getting Aaron going,” Bowden said. “He's in a horrific slump — as are Moises Alou and Fred McGriff (for example). It's part of baseball. When Aaron gets hot, some one else will go cold. That's the way it works.”

        The Reds have two players who can play third and are hitting well at Triple-A Louisville. Brandon Larson is hitting .348 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. Donny Leon is hitting .316 with three homers and 11 RBI after hitting .362 with 14 homers and 33 RBI at Double-A Chattanooga.

        The problem is neither is on the 40-man roster. The Reds would have to make a trade or risk losing someone by putting Larson or Leon on the 40-man.

        Bob Boone tried to ease the pressure on Aaron by moving him from sixth to seventh in the order.

        “I don't know, I might drop him in the two hole to try to pick him up,” Boone said. “I'm going through an unknown, just like him.”

        Aaron's slump is a deep one. He went into Wednesday's game hitting .125 over his past 22 games. Boone has four RBI in May and none since May 15.

        “He's been good about it,” Bowden said. “He's played great at third. He's a great kid. He'll come through it.”

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