Chris Reitsma delivers against the Florda Marlins in his last start, Tuesday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        ATLANTA — It figures that if the Reds were going to face Atlanta Braves ace Greg Maddux in this series, it would be on Chris Reitsma's day to start. By luck — or unluck — of the draw, Reitsma has faced a who's who of National League pitchers this year.

        Philadelphia's Randy Wolf, Houston's Roy Oswalt, Colorado's Mike Hampton, Los Angeles' Kevin Brown, St. Louis' Darryl Kile, Milwaukee's Ben Sheets, Florida's A.J. Burnett and San Francisco's Livan Hernandez have pitched against Reitsma. No jokers in that deck. All were double-digit winners last year.

        In fact, the only unproven starter Reitsma has faced is Montreal's Tomo Ohka. But none of the above evokes the kind of response the name Maddux does. Maddux is synonymous with excellent pitching.

        “It's an honor to face him,” Reitsma said.

        But despite Maddux's impressive record, the Reds have to feel good about their chances today. Reitsma comes in with a 3-0 record and a 2.59 ERA, better than Maddux (4-2, 3.08) on both counts.

        The most impressive thing is the Reds have won seven of Reitsma's nine starts.

        “We have a lot of confidence in him,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        Reitsma spent almost all of last season in the Reds' rotation. He took some lumps, as his 7-15 record and 5.29 ERA indicate, but he learned.

        “I've been through it before,” Reitsma said. “I'm not putting as much pressure on myself. I've kept it light.”

        Reitsma, 24, is the Reds' best hope for developing into a No.1 starter. Sean Casey dropped the “ace” tag on Reitsma after his seven-inning, four-hit, one-run performance against Sheets in Milwaukee on May16. Reitsma was just as good in his next start when he went 7 2/3innings to beat Florida 6-1.

        Reitsma has posted only one bad start — he allowed four runs in 2 1/3innings April12 at Philadelphia, thanks largely to bad defense. Throw that out, and his ERA is 1.84.

        Reitsma, who came to the Reds from Boston in the Dante Bichette trade of August 2000, thinks he's much better equipped for the long run this season. His conditioning program last year was cut short by a stint in the Arizona Fall League.

        “This year, I feel like I've got a good strong base under me,” he said.

Reds 6, Braves 4 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A with John Fay Reitsma drawing all aces in deck Rijo to miss next start because of fatigue Miller's tale Cinergy Moment No. 26 - May 13, 1993 Reds chatter Ottawa 5, Louisville 2 Prep pitcher's stock rises as velocity increases Green breaks another homer record John Fay's power ratings Kevin Mitchell ejected for throwing a punch Mets' revenge could come soon - Clemens slated for Shea NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

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