In the bully

The Reds' bullpen has been arguably the most effective part of the team the past three seasons.

Last season, Reds relievers were 31-26 with a 3.61 ERA and 42 saves. The unit was so strong, in fact, that it led the team brain trust to move Danny Graves to starter.

This season, minus Graves, the bullpen was strong again.

On July 31, the trading deadline, Reds relievers led baseball with 27 victories and had a 3.92 ERA. They had posted a 1.92 ERA over their past 18 games, including a string of 13 consecutive scoreless innings.

Then the purge began. Scott Williamson, Gabe White, Kent Mercker and, finally, Scott Sullivan were traded away. The four combined for a 14-5 record, 21 saves and a 3.27 ERA.

Yet the bullpen remains effective.

Relievers entered Saturday with a 2.52 ERA over the past 35 games covering 121 1/3 innings.

Most effective:

• Felix Heredia, with a 2.49 ERA in his last 21 games;

• Ryan Wagner, 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 14 games;

• Chris Reitsma, who is 6-1 with a 1.73 ERA in his last 33 appearances, including four saves in his past five appearances.

Remember him?

The Pirates outfielder is with a different team for the fifth consecutive season after playing his first eight years with the Reds.

Reggie Sanders, 35, entered Saturday hitting .270, leading the Pirates with 28 doubles and 29 homers, and also has driven in 70 runs.

One down note: Sanders' streak of appearing in the postseason will end at three seasons - Atlanta, 2000; Arizona, 2001; and San Francisco, 2002. The latter two seasons were also World Series appearances.

By the numbers

4: Pitchers still active with the Reds of the 11 who started the season.

6.87: The Reds' ERA in the first inning.

50-39: The Reds' record when hitting one home run.

7-31: Their record when hitting no home runs.

.340: Batting average of Sean Casey with runners in scoring position.

.197: Batting average of Jason LaRue with runners in scoring position.

The week ahead

Monday vs. Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday vs. Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday vs. Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.

Thursday vs. Milwaukee, 12:35 p.m.

Friday vs. St. Louis, 7:10 p.m.

Saturday vs. St. Louis, 7:10 p.m.

Sunday vs. St. Louis, 12:35 p.m.

The skinny: The Brewers series ends a streak in which the Reds played contenders 18 games out of 21 since Aug.1.