Miller

        HOUSTON — Reds catcher Corky Miller was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, making room for Kelly Stinnett, the higher-paid catcher who hasn't had the kind of year Miller enjoyed in Cincinnati.

        “It lasted a lot longer than I thought it would last,” said Miller, who spent the day focused on catching the darting, dodging, dipping offerings of knuckleballer Jared Fernandez.

        “This is a tough one,” added Reds manager Bob Boone. "I've said it before: This game's not fair.”

        Boone said Miller “has done a real good job for us,” and would be back with the Reds. But Boone couldn't say when.

        “This game's all about numbers (of players on a team), options and all that stuff,” said Miller, who wasn't bitter, but grateful for the opportunity to get playing time in the big leagues.

        That's one reason Miller is popular with his teammates. He is easy-going, calls a good game and is a pretty good hitter (.250, 27-for-108, with a 1-for-3 day and 2 RBI Sunday).

        Plus, Miller can catch a knuckleball, which isn't an easy job. Jason LaRue or Stinnett are going to find that out, because Fernandez is with the Reds to stay based on the game he threw Sunday.

        When Miller came up to the Reds on April11, he gradually worked his way into becoming the catcher for Jose Rijo, Jose Acevedo and Chris Reitsma.

        But Rijo got hurt, Acevedo was demoted and only Reitsma was left — until Fernandez showed up.

        “He's excellent back there,” Reitsma said of Miller. “It's unfortunate (Miller being sent down), because it's a situation where he didn't do anything to deserve it. He did a good job, a great job.”

        Stinnett, who hit .257 in 63 games last season, played in only one game before being placed on the DL with a sore elbow. He injured his groin on the final day of his rehab June11. He's signed through next season, and his $1 million salary ensured his spot on the active roster.

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