One-third down

The Reds' 4-3 win against Florida on Friday concluded the first third of the season.

And in that third, you can break it down into three stretches - a 5-13 start, a 16-6 recovery and a 5-9 stumble.

Here's a look:

NL Central, April 20

Team	W	L	GB
Chicago	12	6	-
St. Louis	9	7	2
Houston	9	8	2 1/2
Pittsburgh	8	9	3 1/2
Milwaukee	7	11	5
Reds	5	13	7

The skinny: The Reds finished this stretch losing eight of 10 games, capped by a doubleheader loss to the Expos in Puerto Rico.

Pitchers allowed at least 11 hits in eight of the last nine games.

The Reds were last in the league in fielding and outhit their opponent once in the first 18 games.

Hitters had more strikeouts (152) than hits (138).

Starters had a 7.99 ERA; relievers 5.03.

They went 3-4 against the first-place Cubs.

NL Central, May 14

Team	W	L	GB
Chicago	23	16	-
Reds	21	19	2 1/2
Houston	21	19	2 1/2
St. Louis	18	19	4
Pittsburgh	16	24	7.5
Milwaukee	13	27	10 1/2

The skinny: The Reds won six of seven series, powered primarily by the long ball.

Austin Kearns (13), Adam Dunn (13) and Aaron Boone (10) moved into the league leaders in homers.

The Reds went 6-0 against St. Louis, including a four-game sweep at Great American.

The Reds had three walkoff homers, including back-to-back ones by Boone (May 6) and Barry Larkin (pinch hit, May 7) vs. the Cards.

The Reds lowered their starters' ERA to 6.65 and the relievers to 4.60.

NL Central, through Friday

Team	W	L	GB
Chicago	29	24	-
Houston	29	26	1
St. Louis	27	26	2
Reds	26	28	3 1/2
Pittsburgh	23	30	6
Milwaukee	21	33	8 1/2

The skinny: Reds starters failed to earn a victory in any of the 14 games, going 0-7 with a 6.97 ERA.

Wednesday's loss to Atlanta in which the first three Braves batters homered off Jeff Austin was the low point. In all, the Reds allowed 11 extra-base hits in that game.

They were swept three games by the Marlins, who entered with a six-game losing streak.

Larkin went on the DL for the second time this season.

One-third, by the numbers

23: Games in which the Reds have allowed seven or more runs.

14th: NL rank in team batting average (.246).

13th: NL rank in on-base percentage (.324).

2nd: NL rank in home runs (80).

5th: NL rank in stolen bases (32).

16th: NL rank in team ERA 5.76.

1st: NL rank in home runs allowed (79).

Short hops

• The Reds have placed eight players on the disabled list, including Larkin twice.

• The Reds finished May with a 15-13 record.

The week ahead

Monday, OFF

Tuesday vs. N.Y. Yankees, 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday vs. N.Y. Yankees, 7:10 p.m.

Thursday vs. N.Y. Yankees, 7:10 p.m.

Friday vs. Toronto, 7:10 p.m.

Saturday vs. Toronto, 7:10 p.m.

Sunday vs. Toronto, 1:15 p.m.

The skinny: The Reds have lost a season-high four straight games at home.