Tim Naehring is thinking about giving Bobby Basham a major promotion — all the way from Single-A Dayton to Triple-A Louisville.

        It probably would be just for one start. But it's worth the gamble, considering what Basham has done at Dayton. Basham, a 22-year-old right-hander, has pitched three straight complete-game shutouts for the Dragons.

        “He's stunned me,” Naehring said.

        Basham was the Reds' seventh-round pick in last year's draft. He went 1-2 with 4.85 ERA at Billings last year. But part of that is because he wanted to finish school at the University of Richmond and, thus, got a late start. He got a late start again this year because of school.

        He has put up incredible numbers in just seven starts: 4-2 record, 1.17 ERA, 35 hits in 54 innings. He has struck out 62 and walked only five.

        That's why Naehring is contemplating jumping Basham two levels.

        “He throws 91, 93 (mph),” Naehring said. “He's got a nice slider and a curve. He commands the fastball on both sides of the plate. He's really impressed me.”

        GRULER UPDATE: No. 1 draft choice Chris Gruler threw a simulated game Friday. If he has no ill effects from that outing, he'll rejoin the rotation at Billings Thursday.

        Gruler was shut down because of weakness in his throwing shoulder.

        WHO'S NEXT? If the Reds have to go to the minors to get another pitcher, left-hander Trevor Miller is probably next in line.

        “About two weeks ago, he started dropping down (and throwing sidearm),” Naehring said. “He has a 1.05 ERA since.”

        Miller, a 28-year-old left-hander, has impressive numbers overall at Louisville. He's 6-2 with a 2.08 ERA. He has struck out 53 in 52 innings.

        Miller pitched with Detroit in 1996, Houston in 1998 and '99, and Los Angeles and Philadelphia in 2000.

        Naehring admits the minor-league cupboard is getting bare as far as pitching is concerned.

        “We've got a lot of guys who are a year away,” Naehring said.

        Other than Miller, the pitcher closest to the majors is probably Jose Acevedo. Acevedo, a 24-year-old right-hander, started the year in the Reds' rotations. He is 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA at Louisville.

        “He needs to work on his consistency,” Naehring said.

Reds 6, Brewers 4 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A The pride of Newberry DAUGHERTY: A strike for 'rights' is wrong Choosing stars no highlight for Brenly Cloudy forecast for Bud Bowl A fast but tenuous start Midseason report Cinergy Moment No. 20 - July 1, 1973 Down on the farm Graves 'Lucky' Griffey's return may come in 2 weeks Reds chatter Relief tempers envy of Yankees' Weaver trade Memories of an American original No funeral services for Kid Bats 3, Clippers 1 John Fay's power rankings AL roundup NL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

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Sorenstam takes two-stroke lead into the final round
E Dubai wins Suburban Handicap
Mr. John wins $400,000 Cornhusker
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Mighty Ducks acquire Sykora
Police say Iverson being investigated
Coming up this week
GROESCHEN: Prep Insider

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