Manager Ray Knight said Wednesday that the Reds would not entertain a trade involving Deion Sanders, no matter how attractive the offer. He added, however, that he wasn't surprised a team such as the Dodgers might inquire about Sanders' availability.
"I just know it's somebody else starting it and not us, because we have no interest in trading him," Knight said.
Upon further review
The National League office said that because injured shortstop Barry Larkin was voted into the All-Star lineup, he counts toward Reds representation, whether or not he attends the event.
Larkin has been on the disabled list since June 17, the day after he strained his left calf rounding first base in Cleveland, the site of Tuesday's All-Star Game.
As expected, no other Reds player was selected. Reliever Jeff Shaw and Sanders were among those mentioned as candidates for manager Bobby Cox's squad.
Mercker honored
Left-hander Kent Mercker, who lost his first five decisions as a Reds starter, was named the National League pitcher of the month for June.
Mercker was 4-0 with a 1.96 ERA in six starts last month. The Reds won five of Mercker's six starts.
After losing his place in the rotation to Ricky Bones out of spring training, Mercker rediscovered his fastball and has been among the club's most consistent pitchers the past six weeks.
Greene scratched
Willie Greene, who has a sore back, was scratched from Wednesday's lineup. He was replaced in right field and in the cleanup spot by Eddie Taubensee.
Greene, who had two hits in Monday's series opener, was 0-for-4 Tuesday night.
Reggie's return delayed
Reggie Sanders' stay on the disabled list apparently will extend through the All-Star break. He remains limited by the ankle in his lateral movement.
Taubensee singled home Curtis Goodwin in Wednesday's first inning, it marked the first time in 12 games the Reds had scored first. In the 11 consecutive games their opponent was first to score, the Reds were 5-6. All told, the Reds are 16-33 when the opponent scores first.
Attendance
- Wednesday: 27,866
- Season total: 956,304 (after 42 dates)
- Average: 22,769
- Last year's average: 24,366 (after 42 dates)
REDS 7, BREWERS 4
DEION: IT'S REDS OR RETIREMENT
SHAW SHRUGS OFF ALL-STAR SNUB Tim Sullivan column
REDS ASKED FOR $235M STADIUM
CINERGY DOGS BEST OF SHOW
5 COLOR PHOTOS
BOX SCORE, RUNS
ASTROS-REDS SCOUTING REPORT
REDS PAGE
USA TODAY BASEBALL PAGE
