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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer 12:31 AM Thursday, May 7, 2009

CINCINNATI — Happily, even delightedly so, Dusty Baker discussed his Reds pitchers before the start of Cincinnati’s two-game home series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, May 6.

The manager also sounded a note of caution.

“They’ve been good, and they’re going to get better,” Baker said. “But we can’t gloat. We’ve got work to do.”

Well, maybe a little gloating might be appropriate. After all, Baker and General Manager Walt Jocketty did resist the urge to trade a starting pitcher for a veteran hitter in the offseason, and now that decision seems vindicated.

• After tossing four shutouts in six games, the Reds returned from Florida with a major-league-leading 3.61 ERA through the season’s first month. Starters were even better at 3.47. The Reds have not led the National League in ERA over a full season, to say nothing of the majors, since 1940.

• Over that six-game span, the starters were 4-2 with a 1.41 ERA, allowing seven earned runs in 44 2/3 innings.

• Six shutouts, most in the majors, match last season’s total, and four in six games is a feat accomplished by the Reds for just the third time since 1920. It was done in 1943 by Johnny Vander Meer (back-to-back no-hitters), Joe Boggs and Elmer Riddle, then in 1970 by Gary Nolan (two), Jim McGlothlin and Jim Merritt.

• Six shutouts in 26 games? Not quite a team record, but close. In 1914, the Reds had six in their first 25.

No Gonzo MRI

Baker said it was determined that shortstop Alex Gonzalez’s strained side muscle did not require an MRI and that a stint on the disabled list might not be necessary. Gonzalez, injured Monday against Florida, sat out the Milwaukee opener, however, and could miss the homestand.

“We’ll wait three or four days (before making a decision about the DL),” Baker said.

Paul Janish was in the lineup at shortstop against the Brewers. Jerry Hairston Jr., who prefers shortstop, took over at third base. Regular third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (chipped bone in wrist) remains on the DL but had his cast removed Wednesday.

Runner honored

Segio Reyes of Palmdale, Calif., winner of Sunday’s Flying Pig Marathon through Cincinnati and northern Kentucky, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Reyes won the men’s division in a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, 37 seconds.

Anxious to meet Reyes was Reds Media Relations Director Rob Butcher, who finished 312th (3:28:23) in his first marathon, qualifying him for the Boston Marathon.

“Makes me very proud,” Butcher said. “A lot of work went into it, I’ll tell you that.”

Quote of the day

Second baseman Brandon Phillips is rooting for quarterback Brett Favre’s latest comeback to materialize. Said Phillips, a fellow No. 4 wearer, “He’s the greatest of all-time. He’s got the right number, too.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@coxohio.com.

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