By John Fay and Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Tuesday's game

The Reds did not hear Tuesday about the expected suspensions for Friday's fight with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Someone asked Adam Dunn, one of those likely to be suspended, if, in retrospect, he didn't think Mike Lieberthal did him a favor by tackling him.

"Hell, no," Dunn said.

It was pointed out that if not for Lieberthal's tackle, Dunn might have made it to the mound and would be facing a longer suspension.

"I might be facing jail time," Dunn said.

As it happened, Lieberthal kept Dunn from getting to pitcher Carlos Silva, who threw the first punch.

Dunn might appeal the suspension.

"It depends on what I get and when it is," he said. "If it's one game, I probably won't."

Sean Casey, who led the charge to defend Dunn after Silva's punch, also was ejected and plans to appeal if suspended.

DEMPSTER GOES LONG: Ryan Dempster threw 114 pitches Tuesday night in the Reds' 2-1 victory over the Cubs. He may be the only pitcher on the Reds' staff who would be afforded that opportunity.

"He's a horse," said Reds manager Bob Boone. "He's the one guy I don't worry about pitch counts on the staff."

Boone's words were the ultimate compliment for the Reds' right-hander, who allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven against the Cubs. Six of those strikeouts came in his last three innings of work.

Dempster allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings in his last outing at Tampa Bay and seems to be getting stronger with each outing since coming off the disabled list June 7.

"I felt good all the way toward the end," Dempster said. "I'll tell you what, though, after that last inning, I was gassed. That really took a lot out of me. That was a good sign, because it showed how much I was into it."

BOONE EJECTED: Boone was ejected for the first time this year after the ninth inning. Boone said he wasn't arguing balls and strikes, although Jason LaRue was upset by a third-strike call in the inning.

Boone said he was protecting Juan Castro, who was angry after home plate umpire Jose West told him he was going to be fined for throwing his helmet.

PITCHING CHANGE: The Reds have flip-flopped Paul Wilson and Danny Graves in the starting rotation. Wilson, who threw just 38 pitches Sunday before the game was rained out, will start Thursday against the Cubs. Graves will start Friday at Arizona.

NO GRIFFEY: Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the lineup Tuesday to rest his right hamstring, though he feels no pain.

"It's not really hurt," Boone said. "It's more tired."

Griffey may have tweaked it when he tried to make a play against the wall in the sixth inning after scoring from second in the fifth inning of Monday's game.

"It's not really hurt," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "It's more tired."

If Jose Guillen weren't on the roster and playing so well, Griffey might have started Tuesday. Boone said Griffey will start today.

"(Having Guillen) makes it pretty easy to do," Boone said. "He had a heck of an at-bat (Monday) to keep that last inning alive. He hit a slider down on the plate that nobody else touches."

LARKIN IN LEADOFF: Barry Larkin was in the leadoff spot for the first time since returning from the disabled list.

Is the Dunn leadoff experiment is over?

"No," Boone said. "I had two lineups - one with Griffey and one without him."

If Griffey had played, Boone said, Larkin would have hit second and Dunn first. With Griffey out, Sean Casey hit third. Dunn batted went to sixth, and Guillen second.

RIEDLING UPDATE: Right-hander John Riedling, on the disabled list with tendinitis in his throwing elbow, is feeling better.

"I just got done throwing," Riedling said. "It was awesome. I didn't feel anything."

So the cortisone shot helped?

"Oh yeah," he said. "That and resting it I think."

Riedling is still just long-tossing.

"The big test will be throwing curveballs," he said. "That's where it really hurt - throwing breaking balls."

Riedling isn't eligible to return until June 27.

HOT TICKET: The Reds expect Thursday's series finale with the Cubs to sell out. Gates open at 11:05 a.m. for the 12:35 p.m. start. The Reds advise fans to arrive early.

FARM REPORT: Lance Davis went six innings in Louisville's 2-1 victory over Columbus on Monday. Davis allowed only one run on just four hits. Brian Reith got the victory with two shutout relief innings of relief. Brandon Larson extended his hitting streak to 20 games by going 1-for-3.

UP NEXT: The Reds take on the Cubs in the third game of the four-game series tonight at 7:10. Right-hander Jimmy Haynes (1-5, 7.27 ERA) faces Kerry Wood (5-5, 3.26).