Sean Casey is tagged out at home by Brewers catcher Paul Bako after tryng to score from second base on Todd Walker's eighth inning single to right field. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Barring trades, the Reds' chances in the second half depend largely on pitching. To be specific: On Joey Hamilton and Chris Reitsma.

        Early in the season, they represented the rotation's 1-2 punch as Cincinnati built a five-game lead in the National League Central. But neither pitcher has won since May, and the Reds spun their wheels approaching the All-Star break. Cincinnati's 7-4 loss Sunday to Milwaukee puts the Reds two games behind first-place St. Louis.

        The defeat was notable for how hittable Hamilton has become. He gave up five earned runs and a season-high 10 hits in five innings.

        “There's a lot of keys to our team with the second half, but myself and Chris Reitsma are two of the biggest keys,” Hamilton said. “We haven't kept our team in ballgames.”

Sean Casey picks himself up after being thrown out at home. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Hamilton began 2002 as a non-roster invitee at spring training, but became the Opening Day starter and excelled in his first six starts, going 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA. Then he suffered a partial tear of his left hamstring May 6, and from that game forward he is 1-5 with a 7.16 ERA.

        Hamilton said the hamstring doesn't bother him, but says the injury and his trip to the disabled list was his season's turning point.

        “I wish I could point out the difference, but ever since the hamstring (injury), I'm not throwing the ball as well,” he said. “Maybe it's mental. I'd like to be able to put my finger on it.”

        Reitsma's nose dive was similar. He started 3-0 but is 0-7 since. He has fallen out of manager Bob Boone's favor, being moved to the end of the rotation after the All-Star break, meaning he'll go 12 days without pitching.

        Next Monday, Reitsma will try to avoid becoming the first Reds starter since Dave Burba in 1996 to lose eight consecutive decisions.

        His and Hamilton's struggles are part of the reason the Reds are 14-20 since May 30. Cincinnati went 3-4 on this homestand against two sub-.500 teams. It's a banged-up bunch in need of rest.

        “The break comes at a good time for some guys, physically as well as mentally,” Boone said.

Milwaukee Brewers' Paul Bako is tagged out at home by Reds catcher Corky Miller after a hit by Alex Sanchez in the second inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        All parties agree the Reds' pitching, with a team ERA of 4.00 that ranked sixth Sunday in the NL, has been better than expected.

        As for the second half . . .

        “We need to continue pitching well,” Boone said.

        “The pitching is definitely the key,” shortstop Barry Larkin said.

        “If our starting pitching holds up, we'll be in it,” first baseman Sean Casey said.

        “It's going to come down to starting pitching,” third baseman Aaron Boone said.

        Hamilton, in his defense, hasn't been hit hard. He has given up eight home runs in 16 starts. Sunday was typical: He allowed three infield hits and several seeing-eye singles.

        “Joey made some good pitches,” catcher Corky Miller said. “But they hit one ball off his glove, and a bunch of their hits were dribblers that weren't hit hard. They got the breaks today and we didn't.”

        The Reds had numerous rallies cut short. In the sixth inning, Russell Branyan led off with a single and Todd Walker followed with a hit up the middle. It struck Brewers pitcher Valerio de los Santos in the back but deflected to second baseman Eric Young, who caught the ball before it landed and doubled Branyan off first.

        It was one of those days when former Reds came back to haunt: Outfielder Alex Ochoa threw out Casey trying to score in the eighth inning; Jeffrey Hammonds crushed a 370-foot home run; and Lenny Harris tripled and scored, and knocked in a run on a fielder's choice.

        Though the Reds have lost two games in the standings in the past week, the players were upbeat as they left for the break.

        “I don't think that (two-game deficit) bothers anyone,” Miller said. “To be in position where we'll be challenging in July, August and September, this team's done a good job. We're ready to go after it in the second half.”

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