By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

PHOENIX - The Reds have been in this position before, looking as if they're headed straight out of contention.

While the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are battling for the NL Central lead, the Reds have been spinning their wheels in fourth place - for 32 straight days - all the while managing to stay within 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 games of the front-runner.

After Sunday's 6-5 loss to Arizona, the Reds stood 4 1/2 games behind Houston, which took a half-game lead in the division after beating the Texas Rangers 3-1.

Any time you open a 12-game, 14-day road trip with three straight losses, as Cincinnati did against Arizona, it's not a good sign.

This is the fifth time this season the Reds have lost three or more games in a row.

"It's a tough way to start a long road trip," pitcher Ryan Dempster said. "But the thing about this team is we always bounce back."

Said third baseman Aaron Boone: "One good thing about it is we'll turn the page pretty quick. The frustrating thing is in this series, all three games could have easily gone the other way."

The Reds are entering a critical stretch in their schedule.

Cincinnati plays 13 games against NL Central teams between Tuesday and the All-Star Break - beginning with three against the Cardinals in St. Louis after an off-day today. The Reds have won eight of their last 11 against the Cardinals.

"Hopefully, we'll get a streak going the other way," Boone said.