By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PITTSBURGH - The Reds' minor league season ended on a very good note. Billings won the Pioneer League championship with a 3-0 victory over Provo.

The Mustangs swept the best-of-three finals. The way they won the clinching game was most impressive.

James Paduch, the 12th round pick in this year's draft, no-hit Provo. Paduch, a 20-year-old right-hander, struck out six, walked two and faced only 28 batters.

The no-hitter capped a great year for Paduch. He was 7-1 with a 1.94 ERA in 15 starts for Billings after being drafted out of Concordia (Ill.) University.

ANOTHER DAY: Juan Castro and Jason LaRue were out of the lineup again Monday. They were available to pinch hit. Neither has played since developing sore backs in Friday's game in Chicago.

Ryan Freel, out since Sept. 2 with a hamstring strain, was also available.

ACEVEDO UPDATE: Jose Acevedo (blister) was cleared to throw after being examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek.

It's still not clear whether Acevedo will make another start.

"He did some short tossing (Monday)," trainer Mark Mann said. "He'll either long toss or throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday."

Acevedo, 2-0 with 2.67 ERA, developed the blister warming up for a simulated game as part of his rehab from an ankle sprain. Acevedo's ankle is still bothering him when he runs.

"That's the No. 1 concern," Mann said.

70 TO 3: Sean Casey, a Pittsburgh native, usually has a long list of ticket requests when he plays in his hometown.

That wasn't the case Monday.

"I had to get three. My mom and dad and best friend are coming," he said. "Not a lot of demand."

Casey was had to come up with as many as 70 in the past for game at PNC.

UP NEXT: The teams play the second game of the four-game series tonight at 7:05. Right-hander Aaron Harang (3-2, 4.94 ERA) returns to the rotation to face left-hander Oliver Perez (4-8, 5.33).