Reds' starting pitcher Shawn Estes deserved a better fate Saturday night. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        Shawn Estes was acquired in the hopes he'd beat the Cardinals. He's showing quite an aptitude against the Astros, too.

        Reds manager Bob Boone said he'll likely move Estes' turn back a day, bringing right-hander Elmer Dessens off the disabled list to pitch Thursday at Arizona, in part so Estes can go Friday in Houston.

        Estes allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision Saturday against Houston. As a New York Met, he pitched seven shutout innings July 31 in beating the Astros 10-0.

        “I'd be inclined to make sure he pitches against Houston,” Boone said. “(And) we'll try to set it up so he'll definitely pitch against St. Louis.”

        The Cardinals, laden with left-handed batters, are 16-14 when the opponent starts a left-hander.

        Having Estes pitch Friday would seemingly set him up to face St. Louis in each of his following two starts.

        “Any time I can see a bunch of lefties in the lineup, the advantage goes to me,” Estes said of the Cardinals. “But it didn't seem that way the other day against them.”

        In his last start as a Met, Aug. 10 at St.Louis, Estes walked the first three batters and then allowed a grand slam to Albert Pujols. He was pulled after 3 2/3 innings and got a no-decision.

        INJURY UPDATE: Boone said before Sunday's game that reliever John Riedling (strained groin) could pitch if needed.

        Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.missed his third consecutive start with a strained quadriceps muscle.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Reds bench coach Ray Knight frequently forgets someone when writing non-starters on the locker-room lineup card. Sunday, the man missing was second baseman Todd Walker, who quipped, “Damn, I miss one bunt (Saturday night) and I'm off the team.”

        CONCERN: Boone expounded on his concerns about two Reds, closer Danny Graves and infielder Juan Castro.

        Graves has posted a 10.80 ERA in his last seven appearances, raising his overall ERA to 3.72. Reds pitching coach Don Gullett recognized a mechanical flaw in Graves' delivery last week, but Graves still gave up a run in one-third of an inning Saturday.

        “He's just got to use the sinker,” Boone said. “He's a sinkerball pitcher. ... But he hasn't had it the last three times.”

        Castro, who had a spot start Sunday, entered the game batting .104, but went 2-for-3 to raise his average to .137. His fifth-inning infield single snapped an 0-for-16 drought.

        “At some point, you start defining yourself,” Boone said before the game. “He has to produce more offensively.”

        KEARNS IN CENTER: Austin Kearns got his first career start in center field on Sunday. The rookie outfielder had played center twice before in late-game defensive shifts, and said he started a few times in center last year and this year at Double-A Chattanooga.

        “Usually you find it a little easier to read the ball in center,” Kearns said. “You just have to cover more ground.”

        FARM REPORT: Jose Acevedo (11-6) won his sixth consecutive decision Saturday for Triple-A Louisville, pitching seven innings of shutout ball in a 7-1 victory at Columbus. Acevedo is 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA in his last 10 starts.

        Carlos Almanzar, recovering from a hairline fracture in his right ring finger, made the first appearance of his rehab assignment in that game and allowed one run in one inning for Louisville. He has been on the disabled list since June 11.

Reds 2, Astros 1 Reds box, runs DAUGHERTY: Baseball knows fans will return At last, joy in Mudville Cards likely to get good view of Estes Louisville 8, Columbus 7 Clock ticks as negotiations resume A-Rod at top of his game while team is at bottom Cards' Rolen sits with sore shoulder Cardinals 5, Phillies 1 Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 Pirates 3, Brewers 2

Akili wants turn vs. Saints
Backup running backs Keaton, Johnson racking up yards
Fans wondering where Colts' offense went
Brady mediocre in second exhibition
Davis to wear Broncos jersey one last time
NFL Camp Notebooks
Redskins 35, Steelers 34
Beem him up, Scotty
Guys with more longing than sense
Tiger makes his charge, but runs out of holes
Tiger's relationship with swing coach has changed
Under pressure, Wadkins pulls performance up to par
Woods, Lefty unlikely teammates
Kroger commitments
Sorenstam wins Compaq Open
Da Matta returns to winning ways
Jarrett's problem-solving does the job at Michigan
Sadler takes Rudd's place with Yates
College players keep skills sharp in summer league
Kentucky clinches Little League semifinal berth
Shaq a no-show at youth basketball camp
Blake outlasts Srichaphan for first tour title
Fire shut out Revolution
Sports gear so out of style it's in style
Sunday Silence, former Kentucky Derby, Preakness winner, dies

• Return to Reds front page...