Cincinnati Enquirer

Sean Casey is adamant that last season wasn't an off year. A .291 average, 14 homers and 80 RBI would seem to support that claim.

But Casey, now healthy, is on pace to obliterate his best season - 1999, when he had career highs of a .332 average, 25 homers and 99 RBI.

Here are Casey's NL rankings entering Saturday:

• Batting average: First, .390

• Hits: First, 71

• Multi-hit games: First, 24

• Batting average with runners in scoring position: Second, .452

• Doubles: Third, 17

• On-base percentage: Fifth, .432

• Furthermore: He has reached base in 43 of 45 games and hit safely in 39. He has not gone hitless in consecutive games this

season.

Who's hot

Ken Griffey Jr. His stats, not his glare, have been glaring in May. Junior has played in all but one game in May. Entering Saturday, he was hitting .270 with a .365 on-base percentage and a .640 slugging percentage for the month.

His nine May homers are tied for the best in the major leagues with Arizona's Steve Finely, and his 26 RBI are tied for second.

Who's not

Adam Dunn. His homer Saturday snapped an 0-for-23 streak that included 13 strikeouts.

He has only five hits in his last 42 at-bats (.119). Still, he is among the league leaders in walks (second, 48) and on-base percentage (fourth, .441).

Trivia

Paul Wilson is 7-0, making a case for an All-Star appearance. Who was the last Reds starter to be named to the All-Star team? (answer below)

Remember him?

Dmitri Young. The former Red has missed out on the Tigers' surprising start after breaking his leg the second game of the season.

Young, who hit .297 with 29 homers and 85 RBI for a 43-119 team last season, hit for the cycle in his first rehab game Saturday. He could join the team this week.

By the numbers

16: First batters faced retired by closer Danny Graves, out of 29.

.400: Opponents' batting average against reliever Ryan Wagner.

37: Baserunner allowed by Wagner, in 14 2/3 innings.

8: Runners attempting to steal thrown out by Reds catchers, out of 20 (40 percent).

9-1: Reds' record in games started by Paul Wilson.

15: Multiple-hit games by Barry Larkin, second on the team.

56: Strikeouts by Reds pitchers in 93 at-bats this season.

Trivia answer

John Smiley was the last Reds starter to be named to the NL All-Star team, in 1995.

Smiley started the season 9-1 and finished 12-5 with a 3.46 ERA.

The week ahead

The Reds get a rematch with the Marlins. They could face A.J. Burnett, who appeared in only four games last season before surgery. After an off day Thursday, the Reds have a three-game homestand with Montreal.