DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — The message was as clear as an S.O.S. in a bottle.

Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was talking about the team's pitching prospects — specifically Josh Roenicke and Daryl Thompson, knocking them stiff in Class AAA Louisville.

Baker emphasized that there is room for them and the team won't hesitate to make changes — especially after the atrocity performed upon the mound Sunday, June 15, by Homer Bailey.

"We have some other dudes coming, and they're coming pretty quickly," Baker said. "Roenicke is coming quickly, and Thompson is coming quickly. We have some competition coming that can either push some of the guys here or pass up some of the guys here."

Thompson allowed one run and five hits over 8 2/3 innings against Rochester on Saturday, and he is 3-0 with a 3.25 ERA in four starts. Roenicke is 0-0 with a 1.08 ERA and two saves in seven appearances.

"And who knows who else we have coming," Baker added. "Usually, when they start coming we have so many that we have to make a decision on who to keep and who to trade for what we need."

Defending Johnny C.

Somebody brought up rookie pitcher Johnny Cueto, he of the 5-6 record and 5.42 ERA. Is he in over his head?

Baker was ready for that one, pulling out a sheet of paper and saying, "Somebody sent me these. Everybody knows that great Atlanta rotation of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery, right? Read this."

Listed were the records of those pitchers in their first full years in the majors: Maddux (6-14, 5.61 ERA), Glavine (7-17, 4.56), Avery (3-11, 5.64), Smoltz (2-7, 5.48).

"At this point, I'd say Cueto is way ahead of those guys," Baker said. "Imagine if Cueto is 7-17. They'd want us to get him out of here."

When he was asked if Bailey was in the same situation, Baker said, "Homer doesn't have the breaking ball and changeup that Cueto has."

And the evidence was for all to see Sunday when Bailey gave up three home runs in 2 1/3 innings to the Boston Red Sox.

Housecleaning coming?

From the New York Post: "New Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty is telling baseball people he wants to clean house, particularly of high-priced free agents like Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Ryan Freel, plus Bronson Arroyo, for the right deal."

Quote(s) of the day

• "I was never a big Homer Bailey fan, especially the lack of command with his secondary pitches." — Former Reds interim manager Pete Mackanin, now a scout with the New York Yankees, saying it before Bailey was beat up by the Red Sox on Sunday.

• "You spend most of the night thinking instead of most of the night sleeping." — Baker, on his night after losing to the Red Sox on Saturday night in 10 innings, 6-4.

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