Richie Sexson looks away after seeing Adam Dunn's T shirt at batting practice Saturday. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds' chances to win the National League Central certainly are remote. Entering Saturday, the Reds needed to go 22-6 in their remaining games to catch St. Louis, assuming the Cardinals go 14-15. And that's not counting what the second-place Astros might do.

        Still, the opportunity for a strong finish is there.

        A look at the teams left on the Reds' schedule with their records entering Saturday and the Reds' record against them this season:
       5 vs. Milwaukee (47-87), 11-3
       7 vs. Chicago (56-77), 7-3
       7 vs. Pittsburgh (60-75), 7-4
       3 vs. St. Louis (74-59), 7-9
       3 vs. Montreal (66-68), 1-2
       3 vs. Philadelphia (67-66), 2-1

        The Reds are 42-23 against teams .500 or worse.

        Free fall

        On Aug. 11, the Reds were 61-55 and in second place, two games behind St. Louis. Eleven days later, they were 63-63 and in third place, 8½ games back.

        Losing ways

        The Reds entered Saturday 11-17 in August, their third straight losing month. They were 12-14 in July and 11-15 in June.

        He'll be missed

        When Austin Kearns went on the DL with a strained hamstring, he was leading NL rookies in batting (.315), hits (117), RBI (56), doubles (24), on-base percentage (.407) and slugging percentage (.500)..

        Not-so clutch

        The Reds' averages with runners in scoring position entering Saturday:
       Boone, .226 (30-133)
       Branyan, .208 (10-48)
       Casey, .214 (22-103)
       Castro, .250 (3-12)
       Dunn, .234 (25-107)
       Griffey, .235 (8-34)
       Kearns, .268 (26-97)
       Larkin, .240 (24-100)
       LaRue, .244 (21-86)
       Mateo, .118 (2-17)
       Stinnett, .231 (3-13)
       Taylor, .259 (14-54)
       Walker, .252 (32-127)

        The week ahead
       Monday — at St. Louis, 2:10p.m.
       Tuesday — at St. Louis, 8:10p.m.
       Wednesday — at St. Louis, 8:10p.m.
       Thursday — Off..
       Friday — at Milwaukee, 8:05p.m.
       Saturday — at Milwaukee, 7:05p.m.
       Sunday — at Milwaukee, 2:05p.m.

        The skinny: The Cardinals series is the last chance for the Reds to gain ground head to head.

Brewers 11, Reds 2 Reds Box, Runs With season winding down, Silva's thoughts turn to Mexico Is Cincinnati the baseball town it once was? Cinergy countdown No. 11 Oh, brother, where art thou? Reds chatter Brewers deal infielder Loretta to Astros Eight weeks of talk, emotion Cards sweep Cubs in doubleheader Dodgers 4, Astros 0 Marlins 3, Pirates 2 Indianapolis 4, Louisville 0 John Fay's MLB power rankings

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