By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Tuesday's game

PITTSBURGH - Sean Casey never got his hearing with Bob DuPuy, Major League Baseball's chief operating officer.

But his suspension was reduced from three games to two anyway.

DuPuy, whose wife was in a traffic accident, was unable to come to Pittsburgh on Tuesday for the hearing on Casey's suspension.

"The union called me right before the game," Casey said. "They said it's been reduced to two games. I start it (today)."

Casey initially was given a three-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl between the Reds and the Chicago Cubs on June 19.

Jose Guillen, who was suspended two games for bumping umpire Matt Hollowell on June 25, also was supposed to have a hearing Tuesday. There was no word if his suspension has been reduced.

Guillen will not have to serve his suspension until Casey completes his.

The postponement put the Reds in a bit of a tight spot.

Outfielder Stephen Smitherman was called up from Double-A Chattanooga to be with the club while Casey and Guillen were out. The moved looked unnecessary when the hearing was postponed.

The Reds could have brought up a pitcher to take Kent Mercker's roster spot.

"It makes me a little nervous to go with six pitchers in the bullpen," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "When we decided to go (with a four-man) rotation, the plan was to protect the starters."