By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Danny Graves wants to go on the accelerated program.

Graves, on the disabled list with a strained lower back, was so encouraged by his long-toss session Monday that he successfully lobbied to throw off the mound today.

The plan was for him to throw off the mound Wednesday.

"I'm going to beg," Graves said.

It worked. Graves hopes by moving it up a day he could possibly be activated Friday, the day he is eligible to come off the DL.

"But the final call's not mine," he said.

Graves doesn't like the DL.

"I'm really bored," he said. "I can't decide whether to go to the bullpen or stay in the dugout or stay in the clubhouse. I don't know what to do with myself."

Monday's session was a big test for Graves. He threw from 150 feet with no problems.

"I really aired it out," he said. "At first, I was a little tentative. But I let it go. It felt great."

Graves' back went out when he threw a pitch to Reggie Sanders Aug. 18 in St. Louis.

JAYHAWK HONORED: Double-A Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens was named the manager of the year in the Southern League.

The Lookouts are 82-50 overall and 44-18 in the second half under Owens.

Owens, a graduate of Glen Este High, is in his third year with the Reds and his first year as the Chattanooga manager. In 2002, he led Single-A Stockton to the California League title and an 89-51 record.

"He's done real well," said Tim Naehring, the Reds director of player development. "He's got a good mix of baseball knowledge. There's a Reds way of doing things and he's implemented that. He's also good in discipline, which is important."

Owens played professionally for 10 years, including 130 games in the majors.

GOOD CAUSE: The bidding to meet Sean Casey and his teammates stood at $3,955 as of Monday afternoon.

"Isn't that great?" Casey said.

The winning bidder gets four tickets, plus a list of goodies and a chance to meet Casey and his teammates during batting practice.

You can bid at www.cincinnatireds.com. Bidding ends at 9 a.m. today.

The proceeds go to Lighthouse Youth Services.

"Whoever gets it is going to have a good time," Casey said.

MATTHEWS UPDATE: Left-hander Mike Matthews, on rehab at Triple-A Louisville, pitched two scoreless innings Sunday in his third rehab appearance.

Matthews has not allowed a run over four innings on the rehab.

FARM REPORT: Right-hander Steve Kelly allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings in Chattanooga's 14-5 victory over Tennessee.

Kelly, the Reds' fourth-round pick in 2001 from Fairfield, is 12-6 with a 3.01 ERA on the year. He is 37-19 in his four pro seasons.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the Astros in the second game of the series tonight at 7:10. Right-hander Aaron Harang (8-6, 4.14 ERA) faces right-hander Brandon Backe (1-2, 5.62). Harang is coming off his first career shutout. He beat St. Louis 1-0 his last time out.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com