The Reds suffered a major setback in their pennant chase when rookie outfielder Austin Kearns strained his hamstring and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. He could be out for the season.

Austin Kearns is consoled by coach Jose Cardenal after leaving the first game with a strained hamstring. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “Of all the guys we've had with hamstrings,” Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said, “he's the first one I had to put on crutches. He couldn't walk. He was in a lot of pain.”

        Kearns strained the hamstring trying to beat out a grounder in the first game of the Reds' doubleheader with the St.Louis Cardinals.

        The Reds replaced Kearns on the roster with outfielder Jose Guillen, who signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati after he was cut by the Colorado Rockies. Guillen was hitting .310 with two home runs and eight RBI in seven games with Triple-A Louisville.

        Ruben Mateo started the second game of the doubleheader in right field. Reds manager Bob Boone wouldn't say who will play there the rest of the season.

        “I'm trying to get through tonight,” he said.

        Guillen has played 583 games in the major leagues. His best seasons were with the Pittsburgh Pirates - .267 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI in 1997, and .267 with 14 homers and 84 RBI in 1998.

        Guillen started the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and hit .229 with four homers and 15 RBI in 54 games.

        Kearns was the Reds' hottest hitter. He extended his hitting streak to 13 games Tuesday, and was batting .438 with five home runs and nine RBI during that span.

        Kearns, who is batting .315 overall, could become the first rookie to lead the Reds in average since Grady Hatton in 1946.

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