By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

He possesses many of the traits one looks for in a leadoff hitter - speed, the ability to bunt and the penchant for getting on base.

On Friday, with Reds captain Barry Larkin getting a day off following a night game in Pittsburgh and Adam Dunn batting third, Ray Olmedo took a turn atop the lineup.

He was the seventh different leadoff man used by manager Bob Boone this season.

"He has a knack for getting hits," Boone said. "We'll check it out and find out."

Olmedo, who batted .400 with a double, 6 RBI and 7 runs during the club's recent 12-game road trip and entered Friday with a .323 on-base percentage, singled on a drag bunt in the fifth.

He also committed two fielding errors at shortstop.

INJURED AND REINJURED: Outfielder Wily Mo Pena left the game with a strained right hamstring after pinch-hitting in the seventh.

He will be re-evaluated today.

Catcher Jason LaRue, who started for the first time since suffering a bruised left shoulder after being hit by a pitch June 29, left the game in the fourth inning.

He aggravated the injury while making a throw during a rundown in the second inning.

FREEL CLEARED TO PLAY: Utility player Ryan Freel spent several minutes before the game running while trainers and Reds general manager Jim Bowden watched.

Soon after, he was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

Freel had been on the disabled list since May 29 with a torn left hamstring. In 16 games with the Reds this season, he has batted .268 with three stolen bases.

THE LEFTIES: Relief pitchers Gabe White (strained left groin) and Kent Mercker (sprained lower back) are expected to throw off the bullpen mound today.

White is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday.

"The most important thing is to get on the mound, throw with a pretty good intensity and make sure that everything is OK," White said. "That's something you can't test any other way except for pitching."

Mercker proclaimed himself healed after a visit with the team's physical therapist Lori Berick on Tuesday.

"It's one of those things where it was really sore and I laid down and she put me through these motions," Mercker said. "I got up and the pain was gone."

ODDS AND ENDS: Pinch hitter Reggie Taylor was ejected in the ninth inning for arguing balls and strikes. He struck out looking with runners on first and second. . . . First baseman Sean Casey was back in the lineup after sitting out two games for a suspension. . . . Tonight's game against the Mets is sold out.