By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

John Riedling was the pitcher that concerned the Reds with not following the pitch-to-contact plan in spring training.

That's no longer a concern.

Riedling, a 28-year-old right-hander, has been the Reds' best pitcher this season.

He entered Thursday night's game against the Colorado Rockies 2-0 with a 0.45 ERA.

He has allowed 10 hits and five walks in 20 innings; opponents are hitting only .145 off him.

He had not allowed a run in his last 14 appearances entering Thursday and had retired the first batter in 16 of 19 appearances.

Look for Riedling more and more in the prime setup role.

"We've said from the get-go that both Riedling and (Todd) Jones can do it," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "So don't be overly surprised if you see (Riedling) out there in the eighth."

Riedling enjoys his recent success.

"This is best my mechanics have ever been," he said.

Riedling's fastball has so much movement and natural sink that he can rely on it alone.

"I've gone back to basic stuff they teach you in rookie ball: Throw first-pitch strikes, go after guys," he said. "A lot of times when the big guys come up, guys try to do too much and fall behind.

"I don't care if they're fastball hitters. I'm going to try to get ahead."

Riedling has also learned the merit of changing speeds.

He sees how bad bullpen coach Tom Hume can make pitchers look in batting practice by doing that.

"That's all you have to do," he said. "It's old school. Guys didn't have all these pitches in the old days."

LARSON UPDATE: Third baseman Brandon Larson tested his injured left quadriceps Thursday by running the bases full speed.

"It feels pretty good," said Larson, who has been on the DL since May 9. He'll begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Chattanooga.

Larson expects a short rehab assignment. But given the history of the current brain trust on such things, he's likely to be in the minors for at least a week.

VANDER WAL UPDATE: John Vander Wal played seven innings in right field at extended spring training Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a home run and double.

Today's an off day. He'll play nine innings Saturday.

"We want him to play nine innings in right for a few games," Reds trainer Mark Mann said. "Then it's up to powers-that-be as to when he heads to Louisville."

RAIN DANCE: It cost Jose Acevedo a chance at a complete game, but it's hard to argue the method the Reds used to keep him fresh Wednesday.

Acevedo threw 25 pitches at full speed during a second-inning rain delay that lasted one hour and 12 minutes.

"That's (pitching coach Don Gullett's) philosophy," Miley said. "It's worked well in the past."

It pushed Acevedo's pitch count to 115 from 90, so he wasn't allowed to go out for the eighth.

CASEY TV: Sean Casey will appear tonight at 6 p.m. on I, MAX, the Fox Sports Net show hosted by Max Kellerman.

FARM REPORT: Right-hander Joe Valentine allowed one run on five hits in 4 2/3 innings in Louisville's 11-1 victory over Buffalo Thursday.

Center fielder Kenny Kelly went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Chattanooga's 3-2 win over Carolina. Kelly leads the Southern League in hitting (.357) and on-base percentage (.433).