DaytonDailyNews.com

CHICAGO — Lou Piniella recognized that guy slapping three hits and driving in a run against his Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night in Wrigley Field. And the perpetrator, Josh Hamilton, remembers Piniella.

"It was the end of spring training in 2003, and he told me they were sending me out, that I was a great ballplayer, but I needed to get my life straightened out," Hamilton said.

Said Piniella, "That was the beginning of his troubles (drugs and alcohol), the first time his problems were exposed — spring training of 2003. He was going to not only make our club (Tampa Bay Devil Rays), but he was going to start, be a part of an outfield that would be him, Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford."

That was Piniella's first year as D-Rays manager.

"I told my coaches in camp that year that if you put 100 top athletes on a baseball field, he would be one you would notice," Piniella added. "It's a shame it all happened. It started out with him being late, then he didn't show up. I believed his stories at first, then it became painfully obvious that something was drastically wrong."

1-0? Must be Harang

There have been four 1-0 games in the history of Great American Ball Park — and Aaron Harang has started all four for the Reds, winning three and losing one (to Pittsburgh and Oliver Perez).

"Really?" he said. "Didn't realize that. I remember the first one in 2004 because it was my first complete game, and I beat Chris Carpenter."

Hit by a softie

When Brandon Phillips got hit by a pitch Tuesday, it was probably the softest hit-by-pitch in baseball history.

Chicago pitcher Carlos Zambrano just lobbed it plateward, a blooper pitch. Phillips was so stunned he was frozen in the batter's box and got hit on the shoulder.

"It was what they call an eephus pitch, or something. I didn't know he had that pitch. The coaches are supposed to tell you about that," Phillips said with a laugh. "When you are as good as he is, I guess you can invent pitches as you go along."

Santos, not Cueto

Unless he has to be used in relief in the next couple of days, Victor Santos is the choice to start Saturday's game in Milwaukee.

There was speculation the Reds might call up 21-year-old Johnny Cueto from Class AAA Louisville, but Mackanin said he is opposed to it.

"We've talked about it, but I don't know if it's in his best interests or in the best interests of the team," said Mackanin. "I know I wouldn't recommend it. I've never seen him pitch. I know he has a future.

"I've seen that before where everybody speaks so highly of a young guy who is doing well in the minors and they come up and just aren't quite ready (Homer Bailey?)."

Last year, Cueto was 8-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 14 starts at Class A Dayton and 7-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts at Class A Sarasota. He started this season at Sarasota and was 4-5 with 3.33 ERA in 14 starts, was 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in six starts at Class AA Chattanooga and is 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA in four starts at Louisville.

Bereavement again

For the third time this year, shortstop Alex Gonzalez is back on the bereavement list to spend time in Cincinnati with his ailing 10-month-old son, Johan.

To cover Gonzalez's absence, the Reds purchased the contract of infielder Mark Bellhorn from Class AAA Louisville. Bellhorn had just been designated for assignment by the Reds on Sunday.

Quotes of the day

• Ken Griffey Jr. on getting double-switched out of Tuesday's game: "Yes, it was the first time. And the last time. Next time they try I'll be like Tanner in the Astrodome in Bad News Bears running around the outfield making them try to catch me."

• Adam Dunn on Griffey approaching 600 home runs: "That's pretty impressive. I'd bet more than half the guys who ever played in the majors never even got 600 hits."