The Enquirer

Crunch time?

The Reds have seven games this week leading up to the All-Star break, all on the road.

They play three games at first-place St. Louis beginning Monday, then four games at Milwaukee against the surprising Brewers Thursday-Sunday.

The Reds won the finale of a three-game series at Busch Stadium on June 20. The Brewers have won three of five, including a two-game sweep at Miller Park.

June swoon

The Reds were 12-14 in June.

They entered the month in first place at 30-21, 21/2 games in front in the NL Central. They finished June at 42-35, 31/2 games off the lead.

They hit .261 and had a 5.60 ERA.

Who's hot: Juan Castro

He had started eight straight games before Friday, at least once at each of the four infield positions. A .222 career hitter, he entered Saturday batting .300 is at .301 this season and is batting .337 (33-for-98) in his 26 starts.

Trivia

Jose Acevedo allowed two home runs in a 7-6 loss to the Mets on Thursday, giving him 20 for the season. What pitcher holds the Reds' record for home runs allowed in a season?

By the numbers

18: Sellouts in which the Reds have played before this season, eight at Great American Ball Park.

2: Errors committed by the Reds in their last 16 games.

1: Errors by the Reds in their past 17 games at Great American Ball Park.

13-19: Reds' all-time record against the Indians.

47-61: Reds' all-time interleague record.

6.61: Reds' ERA in their past 23 games (8-15) entering Saturday.

1: Hits in 25 at-bats with runners in scoring position by Javier Valentin.

Remember him? Chad Mottola

He was the Reds' first-round pick, fifth overall, in the June amateur draft of 1992. Now 32, he hit his first home run since 1996 (with the Reds) for the Orioles last week.

Trivia answer

Tom Browning holds the record for home runs allowed in a season, surrendering 36 in 1988. Sammy Ellis owns the team record for a right-hander, with 35 in 1966.