Question, from Phil in Texarkana: 1) Are the Reds considering, or do you think they should consider, sending Felipe Lopez down to Louisville for a few weeks to work on his hitting? When Barry Larkin and/or Ryan Freel come back, I see no point in continuing to put Lopez in the lineup. 2) Other than Larkin, is there anyone you would like to see in the leadoff spot once Bob Boone has had enough of Dunn being there? I wouldn't mind seeing Larkin back up there, but I think Freel might be the best choice.

Answer: Jim Bowden wouldn't address Lopez specifically, but the Reds have to be considering sending him down - for his own good. They can do so without losing him. As for leadoff, I see no solution beyond Larkin or Freel, and neither is going to be ready anytime soon. With Florida about to go into fire-sale mode, Luis Castillo may be available. He makes $4.85 million, but he solves the leadoff void.

Q, from George in Muskingum: Once again, what are we thinking with our draft picks? Why are we not going after a top-of-the-line starter? Stop wasting our time with high school players with the early draft picks. I do like the fact we stole the pitcher from Ohio U.

A: The first nine pitchers the Reds took were college pitchers. They see the top pick, Ryan Wagner, as a starter down the line, even though he's a closer at the University of Houston.

Q, from Troy in Indianapolis: One of many moves that has struck me as surprising was the demotion of Brian Reith and the promotion of Joey Hamilton last week. I realize that this may have been the role of the 12th pitcher, but it seems indicative of the type of move that seems to appeal only to the logic of Bob Boone and/or Jim Bowden. What are your thoughts? Reith's numbers were very good when compared against his first stint with the Reds in 2001, and he's younger than Hamilton.

A: Hamilton was brought in largely to mop up in case Jeff Austin got knocked out early. That's just what happened. And Hamilton was sent back to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Q, from Jay in Kusatsu, Japan: What's all this about Great American? Is it the stadium or the men that make the Reds the most powerful team in MLB? In sum, how many homers have the Reds hit away, and at Great American? I suppose that's where the answer lies. Thank you for your time and vast knowledge.

A: Vast knowledge, I don't have. But the road-home breakdown I do. Going into the weekend, the Reds had hit 38 homers in 28 road games and 48 homers in 31 home games. So the homer rate is 1.35 per road game and 1.54 per home game. Last year, the home-road split was 85 home, 84 road, so there is a difference so far this year.

Q, from Scott in Minster: There are three reasons the Reds are hovering around .500: 1) very poor defense, although lately it seems they are finally getting it; 2) weak starting pitching; and the No. 1 reason why the Reds are a .500 team: Bob Boone! How can a team get any consistency and team chemistry going when there is a totally different lineup every night? This team would be better off if Boone was fired and Don Gullett replaced him.

A: The fielding has been considerably better since Aaron Boone was moved to third. The starting pitching remains the key. When the Reds get decent starting pitching, Boone is a pretty good manager. The Reds, after all, were 16-4 going into the weekend when they got a quality start.

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