CHICAGO — Barry Larkin left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning after experiencing muscle spasms in his right shoulder and neck. Larkin came out after running to first on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning.

        The at-bat came in the half inning after Larkin made one of his best plays of the year. He went deep into the hole to field a ball off the bat of pinch hitter Angel Echevarria. There were runners at second and third, so the play saved at least one run.

        “My (trapezius) tightened up,” he said. “I couldn't get it loose.”

        Reds manager Bob Boone said he'll probably give Larkin today off. But, Larkin said: “We'll see. It's pretty sore.”

        WALKER LEADS OFF: Larkin started a game and did not bat leadoff for the first time since May 31. Todd Walker led off Wednesday, as he did Tuesday when Larkin did not start. It worked well. Walker hit the first pitch of the game for a home run. Larkin entered the game on an 0-for-18 skid. That's the longest drought by a Red this sea son and longest for Larkin since he went 0-for-30 April22 to May6, 1998. But Boone said the change had more to do with Walker swinging well than Larkin swinging badly.

        “Barry's been swinging pretty good for a guy who's scuffling for four or five days,” Boone said. “He's had a lot of hang-with-'ems lately. But Walker's looked pretty good.”

        STINNETT ON REHAB: Catcher Kelly Stinnett was sent to Triple-A Louisville to rehab his pulled groin muscle. Stinnett has been on the disabled list since April 11 — first because of a sore right elbow and then because of a groin pull.

        Stinnett pulled the groin June11 — the last day of his rehab from the elbow injury.

        Stinnett can remain at Louisville for up to 20 days. He's likely to be ready sooner than that.

        The Reds face a tough roster decision when he's ready. Corky Miller, his replacement on the roster, has caught and hit well.

        WORN OUT: Luis Pineda figures he was in bed by 7:30 or so Tuesday night. He slept until 6a.m., got some breakfast and slept two more hours.

        That's what throwing a career-high 98 pitches in the heat and humidity will do to you. Pineda did that to earn his first career win in the Reds' 5-2 victory Tuesday.

        UP NEXT: The Reds conclude the four-game series with the Cubs with a 2:20p.m. game today. Right-hander Joey Hamilton (3-5, 4.86 ERA) faces right-hander Jon Lieber (6-4, 3.25). Lieber was supposed to start Wednesday, but he and Jason Bere switched spots in the rotation.

Reds 8, Cubs 6 Reds box, runs Griffey defends workout habits White cleared for Cardinals series Reds Notebook: Larkin probably out today Bruised Bere will miss start Kile's son, victory lift Cardinals' spirits Dodgers 5, Rockies 3 Mariners 1, Athletics 0

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