Reds right fielder Austin Kearns is still holding out hope - although small - that his season isn't over. Kearns has jogged only once since injuring his left hamstring Aug. 27.

        “It's worse than I expected,” Kearns said.

        Kearns will not go on the Reds' four-day road trip to Pittsburgh. After they return, the Reds have only nine games left this season.

        LINEUP SHAKEUP: With left-hander Steve Smyth starting for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night, the Reds used an all right-handed-hitting outfield.

        Jose Guillen started in right, Ruben Mateo in center and Wily Mo Pena in left. None of the three was on the Reds' roster a month ago.

        The move gave Adam Dunn, mired in a 14-for-102 slump (.137), and Reggie Taylor a night off.

        It was Pena's first big-league start.

        “I'm happy,” he said. “My first start. We'll see what happens.”

        Mateo entered Thursday's game without a hit in 15 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Aug.16.

        FARM REPORT: Single-A Stockton defeated Lake Elsinore 4-2 in the first game of the California League finals. Ports right-hander Ryan Mottl improved to 2-0 in the postseason, pitching seven innings and allowing one earned run on five hits.

        UP NEXT: The Reds play the Cubs in the second game of their four-game series at 7:10 p.m. today. Reds right-hander Jimmy Haynes (14-9, 4.09) faces Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood (10-9, 3.73).

Rijo to start final game at Cinergy Reds greats will attend Cinergy closing Reds 15, Cubs 12 Reds Box, Runs Casey's bum shoulder worse than diagnosed Reds Notebook: Kearns hopes to return Angels tie A's atop AL West Rangers 7, Mariners 3 Padres 3, Giants 2 Rockies 7, Dodgers 1 Astros 6, Cardinals 3

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