Cincinnati Reds notes: Best start of season for Dan Straily

After throwing seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday at Great American Ball Park, Straily is 4-6 with a 4.07 ERA. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four.

“(The slider) was a good pitch for me today,” Straily said. “We did a good job picking the right times to use it, but really what made my slider better was the fact that I could throw the fastball wherever I wanted to whenever I wanted to. That makes pitching a whole lot easier.”

Straily was making his first start since before the All-Star break. He allowed three earned runs in six innings in a 3-1 loss to the Miami Marlins on July 8. This was his best start of the season. It was the fifth time he pitched seven innings and the second time he has allowed no runs in a start. He threw five scoreless innings May 15 against the Phillies.

“I felt good all day on the mound,” Straily said. “I was excited to get back on the mound after an extended time off. Everything felt good. You never know what you’re going to get the first time back off the break.”

Roster move: The Reds demoted starting pitcher John Lamb to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Lamb (1-7, 6.43 ERA) made his 14th start of the season Saturday and allowed a career-high nine earned runs in two innings. His season ERA jumped a full run from 5.43. The Reds lost 9-1.

Lamb’s next scheduled start would have been Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park. The Reds have not announced who will take his place, but they could skip his spot in the rotation because they have an off day Thursday.

The Reds called up outfielder Kyle Waldrop to take Lamb’s spot on the roster.

Next series: The Reds start a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday at Great American Ball Park. Brandon Finnegan (4-7, 4.71), Cody Reed (0-4, 8.39) and Anthony DeSclafani (4-0, 2.55) start the three games.

The Reds are 2-2 against the Braves this season. The Reds, Braves and Minnesota Twins are the top contenders for the first pick in the draft next June.