By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Brandon Larson said he knew it was only a matter of time before he got a second chance at playing in the major leagues. Wednesday afternoon, just as he was headed to be honored for what he did during that waiting period, that chance came calling.

Larson was called up from Triple-A Louisville just before he left for the International League-Pacific Coast League Triple-A All-Star Game in Memphis Wednesday. After going 1-for-2 as a designated hitter in the IL's win, he joined the Reds for their 5-4 loss Thursday against the Astros at Great American Ball Park.

He ground into a force play as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.

"I knew the type of player I could be. I didn't think I wouldn't get back to the big leagues, I knew somewhere along the line I would get another chance," Larson said Thursday after batting practice. "(I was) hoping, but wasn't expecting anything. I learned not to expect too much in this game - it humbles you pretty quickly."

Larson was originally sent to Louisville April 19 after going 4-for-48 for a .083 average in 15 starts with the Reds. He found his swing in 63 games at Louisville, leaving with a .324 average, 17 home runs and 65 RBI. He was also the IL's June Player of the Month.

"Brandon's here to boost our bench and pinch-hitting and to work in left field," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "(General manager) Jim Bowden and I had talked about bringing him up daily to get some at-bats. He's been swinging extremely well."

It's a change Larson attributes entirely to confidence.

"My first game back, I hit two doubles. ... I was like, 'Wow, where's that been?' " Larson said. "Hitting for me is confidence. I certainly didn't have much confidence at the plate. I had a lot of confidence, a lot of heart, but I didn't have it at the plate.

"I just started swinging, got confident and got a smile on my face."

Larson replaces Ray Olmedo, who was optioned to Double-A Chattanooga on Sunday after hitting .250 for the Reds.

"We wanted Olmedo to play," Boone said. "We certainly recognized what a good job he did."

"... We don't want him to play off the bench; he's too good to play off the bench. If I need a hitter off the bench, I have Larson."

Larson will see time at left field, a position he said he played once in Louisville. He played third base during his first stint with the Reds this year, while Aaron Boone manned second. He recorded four errors at the position.

"I don't feel too bad out there (at left field). I don't feel like I'm going to go out there and embarrass myself," Larson said. "I can catch pop-ups and make throws. There's just some footwork I need to work on with Jose (Guillen)."

He will bolster an outfield without Austin Kearns, who missed the last five games before the All-Star Break with a sore right shoulder. Kearns was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to July 9, with an inflamed right rotator cuff.