If the final weekend of the home season at Cinergy Field (Sept. 20-22) is about memories, nobody deserves a start more than Jose Rijo.

        No pitcher on the present Reds staff - and few in the history of the franchise - has made more memories than Rijo.

        Rijo is 4-3 as a starter this season, albeit with a 5.85 ERA.

        Reds manager Bob Boone said before Tuesday's game he pretty much has his starting rotation penciled in for the remainder of the season. Nobody in the media asked him specifically about Rijo, but if one goes by the calendar, Thursday's starter (Shawn Estes) will be the final-home-game starter.

        The door was opened a bit the other day to the possibility of that being altered, when Boone said it wasn't automatic that Estes would get a start beyond Thursday. Estes needs to pitch relatively well, show improved arm speed and give the Reds some innings, which he didn't do the last time out.

        Rijo said he would be honored to start the final game - “It would be a thrill for me,” he said - but isn't lobbying for it.

        “I don't want to change anybody's plans,” he said. “But, yes, I would love to start. It's going to be an awesome day. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?”

        Here's another possibility: Have Rijo start the first game, Friday, of the final-weekend series. Going by the projected rollover of the rotation, Friday's start normally would go to Danny Graves, who said he would step aside for Rijo.

        “He can have all my starts - that wouldn't bother me a bit,” said Graves, smiling. “That would be great for Rijo. ... It's not my call, though. Certainly, if somebody came up to me and said, "Can Rijo have this last start?' I'd say, "Go for it!”'

        Is it fair to say that if the final weekend is about memories, Rijo deserves to play as prominent a role in that as possible?

        “I agree,” Graves said. “But the final say comes from the manager. We (the pitchers) can say it, you guys can print it, and fans can e-mail it, but that doesn't mean he's going to start.”

Reds 3, Pirates 0 Reds Box, Runs Rijo deserves to start Cinergy finale Branyan conquers Black Wall Taylor gets down the line fast Reds mark 9-11 with pregame ceremonies Cards 8, Brewers 3 Astros 11, Rockies 4 Diamondbacks 8, Padres 2 Giants 5, Dodgers 2 Angels 5, Athletics 2 Rangers 3, Mariners 2

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