By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

As of Sunday, it wasn't clear whether Barry Larkin (strained left calf) would be activated Tuesday for the Reds-Rockies series in Colorado.

"It's still a little tight, but we're gonna see how it is in the workout (Monday)," Larkin said.

Is Tuesday even feasible?

"Feasible, yes," Larkin said. "But it depends what level they want me at. If they want me at 100 percent, I probably won't be 100 percent by Tuesday."

He said he could play with a "tight calf," but if it is going to put him in jeopardy of a tear, then it is likely the medical staff will play it safe.

ONE AND TWO: When Larkin returns, might Reds manager Bob Boone bat Larkin in the two hole, and lead off with Felipe Lopez?

After all, Lopez is settling in at the plate. He is displaying a selective eye and has a young man's speed. And the Reds need a long-term answer at leadoff.

"I'd probably go the other way (Larkin leadoff, Lopez two-hole)," Boone said. "Felipe can bunt for a base hit. I like the idea that if you need to generate a run, or get off to a good start, if Lark gets on, now you've got a bunt possibility (in Lopez) with a legitimate chance of him getting a hit. And if a pitcher messes it up and throws it away, you can win the game right there - if a guy can handle the bat and run - like Felipe can."

AUSTIN'S POWER: Austin Kearns made an over-the-shoulder catch running full-speed at the 370-foot mark in right-center field with one out and one on in the eighth inning and the Reds up 7-4.

"I couldn't believe it wasn't a homer," Boone said. "Every ball we've seen hit like that has gone out. Austin stayed with it. It was a tremendous catch."

Kearns said when he saw the ball hit, he put his head down and ran to a spot just in front of the wall and looked up for the ball and caught it.

"The big thing is knowing where the wall is and how much room you have," Kearns said. "You can kind of brace yourself a little at the end if you realize you're going to hit the wall."

BUNT THIS: Boone said his team's inability to get down bunts has him "about ready to be Earl Weaver."

The reference was to former Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver, famous for eschewing "small ball" in favor of waiting for his team to hit a three-run homer.

The issue came up Sunday when Boone was talking about how games in Coors Field in Denver are often slug-a-thons, which diminish the use of sacrifice bunts.

Three-run homers worked for Weaver because, with the Orioles pitching staff, he knew he needed only one bomb to win. Not so for the Reds.

MR. WILSON: Starting pitcher Paul Wilson (1-2) pitched well, giving up three runs - all solo home runs - in seven innings. He had a nice sacrifice fly to right field in the fifth inning with the Reds leading 4-3, none out and the Padres having just intentionally walked Kelly Stinnett to load the bases.

"(Starting Padres pitcher Brian) Lawrence got behind in the count, so I knew he had to throw a fastball," Wilson said. "But you know what? I missed a 'take' sign (on that at-bat). I'm sure I'll be reprimanded for that."

Wilson fouled off a 2-0 pitch before hitting the sac-fly.