DaytonDailyNews.com

BRADENTON, Fla. — Cincinnati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, fast becoming a legend on a level of The Natural, wears anything between a size 16 to size 18 shoe and said, "My grandmother told me when I die they'll find me standing up."

Hamilton needs to be well-anchored. He swings a 35-inch bat that weighs 34 ounces. And so far this spring, he swings it like a lethal weapon against opposing pitchers.

After watching the left-handed Hamilton a couple of games, manager Jerry Narron is impressed with the way Hamilton stays square in the box against left-handed pitchers, "No hint of bailing out, no hint of fear."

Said Hamilton, "It's weird, because if you ask me, I'd say no about success against left-handed pitchers. When I played at (Class A) Bakersfield (2002), I didn't realize it, but my manager came up to me late in the season and told me I was leading the league in batting average against left-handers (.330-something). Maybe it is a concentration factor. If I do bail out, I feel it and correct it right away."

Hamilton had two more hits Sunday in a 10-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and has eight in 15 at-bats.

"He can hit a little bit," said Narron in his best understated mode. "He is very, very talented, and I'm happy for him because I know how hard he has worked. It was nice to see him in center field. He has great speed out there, and this is a tough center field to play. He only had a couple of plays, but he made them look easy."

Freel, Arroyo absent

• Outfielder Ryan Freel missed Sunday's "A" game with a stiff and sore left wrist after he fell circling a fly ball Saturday. X-rays were normal, and he isn't expected to miss much time.

• First baseman/outfielder Jeff Conine is temporarily inactive with a sore back.

• Pitcher Bronson Arroyo missed his "B" game starting assignment Sunday with flu-like symptoms and maybe a touch of the 10 a.m. blues. He is expected to throw on the side today.

The Reds' B-Boys didn't need Arroyo, posting a 5-0, six-inning win. Starter Mike Gosling and Phil Dumatrait each pitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton pitched one scoreless inning, and David Weathers pitched a scoreless inning despite giving up a hit and two walks in his spring debut.

• It is likely that Kyle Lohse (mild hamstring strain) will pitch a simulated game Wednesday in Sarasota, while left-handed pitcher Bobby Livingston starts Wednesday night's game in Tampa against the New York Yankees.

Johnny, not Jerry

Other than the fact he is bow-legged and wears No. 77 instead of No. 41, Johnny Narron is a duplicate of his brother, Reds manager Jerry Narron. Fans are confused, often yelling, "Jerry," at Johnny.

"The record is 101 times, and it was set today," Johnny said before Sunday's game in Bradenton. "I need to grow a mustache."

Big Red Machine

The Reds are 4-0 this spring and have won their last 10 spring exhibition games after winning their last six last spring.

"You want to play well," said Jerry Narron. "There is a mind-set you want to start spring training with, and our guys have done that. Spring training wins don't mean anything other than playing the game the right way and having a mind-set of winning."

Keppinger injured

Infielder Jeff Keppinger, who the Reds acquired in a January trade from the Royals, suffered a broken right ring finger Sunday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Keppinger was hurt when he was hit by an Allan Simpson pitch in the fifth inning of the Reds game with the Pirates.