Reggie Taylor (center) is greeted by Todd Walker and Russell Branyan after hitting a three-run, pinch-hit HR Wednesday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        DENVER - Reds outfielder Reggie Taylor spends a lot of time working with hitting coach Jim Lefebvre. But Taylor also gets some long-distance counseling.

        “When I'm going bad, I call Dick Allen,” Taylor said, “and he'll give me advice.”

        Yes, that Dick Allen, the former big-league star.

        Taylor met Allen when Taylor was in the Philadelphia Phillies' organization.

        “He's like a mentor to me,” Taylor said. “I talk to him five, six times a month. He's got DirecTV, so he watches all my games.”

        Taylor has developed into one of the Reds' best extra players. His three-run homer got the Reds back into it in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Rockies. It was Taylor's second pinch-hit homer of the year, and he leads the Reds with 10 pinch hits and six RBI.

        “He's a talented kid,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “He hits the ball really well when he stays back. He's got surprising power. He's done really well in a very tough role for a young player.”

        The home run Tuesday was Taylor's sixth in only 147 at-bats. That's as many as starters Barry Larkin and Jason LaRue, and one more than injured first baseman Sean Casey.

        Taylor, 25, was the 14th pick overall in the 1995 draft.

        “I still think I can play every day,” he said. “I've accepted my role. But I don't want to be known as a pinch-hitter.”

        Taylor has thrived in part because of some advice from Allen.

        “He told me you have to look for a pitch in your zone,” Taylor said. “You're only going to get one at-bat. You have to be ready.”

        Taylor has done well against the opposition's best. His homer Tuesday came off Colorado closer Jose Jimenez. He also had a two-run, two-out triple off Chicago Cubs closer Antonio Alfonseca to send a game the Reds won into extra innings June27.

        “He's been in situations where they've tried to blow a fastball by him,” Boone said. “He can catch up to it, if he has an idea it's coming.”

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