By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The cardboard moving box arrived at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday, loaded with a pillow and assorted clothes he left behind in Cincinnati.

It's been more than two months since the Reds optioned third baseman Brandon Larson to Triple-A Louisville after he hit .083 in 48 at-bats and committed four errors in 15 games.

And though Aaron Boone has regained the starting third-base job in his absence, the 27-year-old has enjoyed a rediscovery in the comfortable surroundings at Louisville.

Larson, who on Thursday was selected to play in the International League All-Star game for the second time, was hitting .341 with 12 homers and 47 RBI through his first 47 games at Louisville.

"I came down here with a good attitude," he said, "and I've found my stroke. I'm feeling good, having fun."

Helping those stats was a 26-game hitting streak that ended June 22. He batted .368 and had 10 multi-hit games during the stretch.

"What I'm doing out there now is the type of hitter I am," Larson said. "It's just a matter of confidence I guess."

With no starting spot available in Cincinnati for a third baseman, outfielder or first baseman, Larson has begun taking grounders at second base.

He is tentatively scheduled to start there during a doubleheader against Norfolk on Monday.

"I've worked out at second base before and played there some in instructional league," he said. "Now it's just a matter of doing it in a game situation."

MIND MATTERS: Louisville pitching coach Mack Jenkins has spent the past few weeks trying to get Jeff Austin to think less when he's on the mound.

The right-hander was optioned to Louisville May 28 after allowing 19 earned runs and seven homers in his last four starts (11 innings) with the Reds.

"He came down with zero confidence," Jenkins said. "His mechanics were fine, but we've just been working on the stuff between his ears.

"If he wants to think a lot, I'm not going to get him to stop that, but he's got to think positive."

Entering today's start against Durham, Austin is 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Opponents have a .293 batting average, but only one homer.

ON THE LOOKOUT: First-round draft pick Ryan Wagner has performed well since being assigned to Double-A Chattanooga.

The right-handed relief pitcher, who was chosen 14th overall, hadn't allowed a run and only one hit in three appearances entering Friday. Wagner had also struck out four and walked one.

ODDS AND ENDS: Pitcher Justin Gillman, the Reds' second round pick in 2001 who had Tommy John surgery after making seven starts last season, has thrown 11 consecutive scoreless innings for the Gulf Coast League Reds. ... Chattanooga outfielder Dernell Stenson on Wednesday hit his second homer in five pinch-hit appearances this season. ... Louisville set a Louisville Slugger Field record by drawing 48,688 fans during a four-game series from June 20-23.