By John Fay and Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BY THE NUMBERS

0 Starting shortstops in the major leagues without an error after Barry Larkin's first error of the season Monday. 13 Consecutive shutout innings against the Astros by Reds pitchers before Houston scored in the fifth inning of Monday's game. 44 Reds' hits in the 4-game series against the Astros. 29 Reds' runs in the series. 8 Days the Reds have held first place by themselves this season. 15-4 Reds' record this season in games that Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns have started together in the outfield. 1978 Last time the Reds swept four games against the Astros in Cincinnati. 15-7 Reds' record at home, best in the National League.

D'Angelo Jimenez was known as a defensive liability when the Reds got him from the Chicago White Sox last year. That hasn't been the case this season. "He's been outstanding," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He's made great plays. He's turned some nice double plays."

Jimenez, who has made four errors, says part of the improvement is getting used to playing second base. He came up as a shortstop. "It's a big adjustment," he said. "I've worked at it. I take my groundballs. I feel more like a second baseman."

Jimenez is improved particularly at going after balls hit toward the middle. He's one of a handful of players who have benefited from working with infield whiz/first base coach Randy Whisler.

"He lets me know when I'm doing something wrong," Jimenez said.

Jimenez has a shortstop's arm, so if he can get to a ball, he usually has a shot of throwing a runner out. "I have the ability to play shortstop, second, third," he said. "But I don't want to be known as a utility player. I want to learn the (second base) position."

The Reds were last in the majors in fielding in 2003. They are 11th in the National League so far this year.

GRIFFEY COUNTDOWN: Don't expect Ken Griffey Jr. to be demonstrative in his celebration after he hits his 500th career home run. Griffey, who hit No. 491 Monday night, said he was taught by his father at a very early age not to show emotion as he rounded the bases.

"I was taught that way from Day One," Griffey said. "I got yelled at."

He was 14 years old and playing Knothole baseball in Cincinnati when he hit a ball over the fence for the first time, prompting him to circle the bases pumping his fist the way he had seen Steve Garvey do it on television.

As soon as he touched home plate he was summoned by his dad, who told him that it wasn't right to show up a pitcher like that.

"I never even got to shake my teammates' hands," Griffey said.

FOR STARTERS: Someone asked Miley if he was surprised by the success of his starting pitchers. Answer: Not from what he saw in Florida.

"With what we were able to implement in spring training, I knew they were very capable," he said. "They're not hurting themselves with walks. Part of that is confidence in the defense behind them."

Reds starters entered Monday's game 16-11 with 4.67 ERA. They were walking only 2.4 batters a game.

SETUP ROLES: Prime setup man John Riedling and Todd Jones each pitched two innings in their last outings. Riedling pitched two perfect innings Friday. Jones was perfect for two Saturday, although he did give up a sacrifice fly.

Don't expect that to be a trend.

"It worked with Riedling because his first inning was a nine-pitch inning," Miley said. "Then we didn't use him (Saturday) and Jonesie went two innings.

"You'll see us do it occasionally, but not a lot."

FIRST AND FOREMOST: The Reds have won seven straight against first-place teams.

The streak includes four over Houston and three over Los Angeles.

The Reds get a chance to add to the streak when the Florida Marlins, who lead National League East, come in.

Ironically, the Reds set the Major League record for most consecutive wins over first-place teams with 10 straight June 21 to July 1, 1999 - when current Marlin Jack McKeon was the Reds manager.