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SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Freel described the 10 games on this West Coast trip for the Cincinnati Reds in three words: "This is it."

He sat in front of his locker in the visiting clubhouse in AT&T Park before Thursday's game with the San Francisco Giants and said he hopes his teammates are aware of what is at stake in these four games in San Francisco, three in Los Angeles and three in San Diego.

"All three of those teams are good, and all three of them are playing for something, too," he said. "What we're all playing for is something we've dreamed about as kids and most of us on the Reds have never had it happen in the majors. And what I hope our guys realize is that this might not happen next year, this might be a one-time thing. I hope not, but you never know, so we have to take advantage of it."

Although his play on the field doesn't reflect it, Freel says the importance of every game has his nerves frayed and said that he sniffs the pressure.

"But this is fun," he said. "It's August and we're talking about the postseason. Usually we're talking about next year or being the team to spoil another team's fun. We're actually sitting here talking about something I've dreamed about my whole life. It has been a really great experience — a little nerve-wracking — but it's most (of our) first experience at it. This is why we play — for the postseason and a pennant. So it has been an absolute joy to come to the park every day."

Of the trip, Freel said, "This is so huge, and I just hope everybody realizes it. I think they do. We have so many gamers in here — Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Scott Hatteberg, Rich Aurilia. We have come from behind to win so many times that not only do we expect it, I think other teams are fearful of it. I know I wouldn't want to pitch to Dunn or Griffey or Aurilia or Hatteberg with the game on the line.

"We just have to stay focused and play the way we've been playing, go 7-3 or even 8-2 on this trip and that will make a statement to all those other teams," Freel added.

Owner writes to team

Owner Bob Castellini is fired up about this trip. He sent a letter to each member of the team that read: "Your performance on the field has been awsesome all year. You NEVER quit. Good luck on your West Coast swing. Please know upon your return we will have done everything we can to fill the stands in these last crucial homestands. You deserve nothing less from our fans and management team."

That was in reference to another series of half-priced tickets and $1 hot dogs when the Reds host a three-game series against the Padres on Sept. 12-14.

Keep the doors open

Manager Jerry Narron said that if what happened to his kids recently happened to him, the Reds would have a new manager right now.

His kids were trapped in an elevator in Narron's apartment for nearly 30 minutes, and the fire department had to extract them.

"If I had been in there, I wouldn't be here," said Narron. "I wouldn't have survived because I'm very claustrophobic."

Swinging the bats

For the most part, the Reds' pitchers are not automatic outs when they come to the plate, a fact punctuated when Kyle Lohse had three hits in his last start, although he said, "Truly an accident. I'm not that good."

But Eric Milton has 10 hits this year and is hitting .227, Aaron Harang has eight hits, Bronson Arroyo has seven hits, including two home runs, and

Chris Michalak is hitting .400 with two hits in five at-bats.

"Michalak looks as if he knows what to do with a bat," said Narron.

"Harang is much better. Milton can hit. I like Arroyo better against left-handers than right-handers. Lohse? Well, I'm not sure about him."

Familiar lineups

Narron is reluctant to admit it, but the man who used a different lineup and different batting order nearly every day seems to be settling into the same lineup and batting order nearly every day — at least against right-handed pitchers.

His favorite alignment recently: RF Ryan Freel, 1B Scott Hatteberg, CF Ken Griffey Jr., 3B Edwin Encarnacion, LF Adam Dunn, SS Rich Aurilia, 2B Brandon Phillips, C David Ross.

"I'm trying, I'm really trying," said Narron, who has used 108 different lineups this year in 127 games.

Brennaman report

Reports that the Cincinnati Reds are ready to offer Marty Brennaman's son, Thom, a postion in the booth next to his father are unfounded.

That comes directly from the father's mouth.

"Thom is under contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Reds would have to ask permission from the Diamondbacks to even talk to him," said Brennaman. "And they haven't done that. But I believe there is interest there."

The Reds are replacing Steve Stewart, who was told last week that his two-year contract will not be renewed after this season.

Farm report

• RHP Homer Bailey pitched five scoreless innings Wednesday for Class AA Chattanooga, giving up four hits. When asked about Bailey, manager Jerry Narron smiled and said, "Wayne (General Manager Wayne Krivsky) won't even let me talk about him. That's why I don't comment when his name is brought up. Wayne did say he would let him pitch through the playoffs, but he didn't saw which playoffs (majors or minors)."

• RHP Grant Balfour, pitching on rehab for the Class A Sarasota Reds, pitched an inning Wednesday and allowed a run and a hit, striking out two, throwing two wild pitches and balking in a run, quite an eventful 17 pitches.