Aaron Boone has bigger things on his mind than joining Eric Davis and Barry Larkin as the only Reds to total 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in one season.

        “We've got a lot more pressing issues here right now, which is nice,” Boone said. “Being in a pennant race, you come to the park with a lot more purpose.”

        But he appreciates the magnitude of reaching the 30-30 mark.

        “It"s still a pretty exclusive and elite club,” Boone said.

        Among the adjustments he's made since struggling in the first half of the season is closing his stance and not rolling his front side inward before swinging

        “Night and day,” Boone said of the difference. “It's helped me hit the ball to the opposite field better with more authority. What started me kind of tinkering with it was watching Paul Konerko on TV during a streak when he was red-hot. Sometimes, watching other players can help you.”

        Boone has also learned much about base-stealing.

        “By having the opportunity to run, I've learned a lot about when to run and who I can run off of, and how to get a jump off of this guy or that guy,” he said.

        Boone doesn't have a green light to steal, but there are times when he has the go-ahead and can pick the pitch on which he wants to run.

        One bonus of reversing his first-half slump is it took some of the heat off his father, Reds manager Bob Boone, who kept the third baseman in the lineup despite his struggles.

        “I'm glad to get him off the hook,” said Aaron, grinning. “It's the nature of the business (that fans and talk-show callers are going to be critical). Fortunately, our manager - in this case, my dad - is pretty level-headed. He's been there, done that. He can relate to a lot of us. I don't think he lets outside things affect him either way.”

        RIEDLING REDUX: Reds reliever John Riedling has learned much by watching closer Danny Graves be a stand-up guy, even after games when things haven't gone Graves' way.

        “In years past, I'd beat myself before I'd go out there,” Riedling said. “I'd think, "I've blown a game in this situation before.' That's where watching Danny has helped me. He's always ready to go. Every day is a new day.”

        Riedling gave his manager and teammates some tense moments Sunday when he walked the bases full late in the game before getting out of the jam. He worked two key scoreless innings, and it's possible he could get some closing opportunities during the coming weeks.

        Bob Boone will decide when those opportunities might come. Much will depend on Graves, who has been battling a stiff back, Boone said.

        CASEY UPBEAT: A day after substituting for player rep Aaron Boone at a meeting in which the players union decided not to set a strike date, Reds first baseman Sean Casey said he remained hopeful that progress will continue to be made toward reaching a settlement in baseball's labor negotiations.

        “The tone of the talks are such that we really hope in the next few days, there will be significant movement forward,” Casey said.

        He said the feeling was mutual among the players and union leaders Don Fehr and Gene Orza that a strike date not be issued Monday. He said setting a strike date would been contentious.

        “We understand the situation and I think the owners understand, too,” Casey said. “That said, we are still looking for a deal to get done.”

D'Backs 6, Reds 1 Reds Box, Runs Baseball deal may be near Q&A about baseball's labor dispute Florence ready to play ball Rijo gets start Hamilton wanted Reds Notebook: Boone picked up tip on TV Gonzalez's streak jeopardized Cardinals 9, Pirates 5 Astros 5, Cubs 4 Angels 7, Tigers 6 Athletics 5, Blue Jays 4 Mariners 10, Red Sox 3

Jones 'wows' Bengals with potential
Simmons accepts six-year contract
Westbrook catching passes again
Bengals Notebook: Anderson plans to be burger king
NFL Notebook: Broncos' Davis may retire
Lakota rivals take game to Miami
UC, Valparaiso agree to 3-year series
Dusing wins U.S. 200 freestyle
Els ready to take on Tiger?
Can Woods, Garcia recreate magic of Medinah?
PGA Notebook
PGA Course Description
PGA Player Capsules
Kite commits to play in Kroger
Indiana QB's compete for job

• Return to Reds front page...