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CINCINNATI — After four games batting in the No. 2 spot, Ken Griffey Jr. moved back to his customary role at No. 3 on Wednesday, May 7. Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker gave shortstop Jeff Keppinger a day off, while placing Corey Patterson and Jerry Hairston Jr. at the top of the batting order.

With a team that, heading into Wednesday's 9-0 win against the Chicago Cubs, had scored two runs or less in five of its past seven contests, Baker, once again, was trying to find a lineup that might produce some offense.

So, he moved center fielder Patterson to No. 1, shortstop Hairston to No. 2 and Griffey to No. 3. It's only the second time this season Baker has used that particular lineup.

The lineup switch worked for the Reds, but not for Patterson — who struck out twice and went 1-for-5. Hairston, meanwhile, hit the fourth of seven Cincinnati home runs.

"I'm trying to find the right formula for that day," Baker said before the Reds win. "Lately, no matter how we mix it, we get the same result. With Griffey swinging better the last couple days, that was the point in putting him in the second hole. But (the 3 spot) is where he's hitting; that's where he feels most comfortable."

Against Chicago right-hander Jon Lieber, Baker also wanted to load the lineup with left-handed hitters. Patterson in the leadoff spot helped Baker's goal of giving Lieber as many lefties to face as possible.

"Lieber is like .348 against the left and .241 against the right," Baker said before his lefties went 4-for-7 against Lieber. "We're trying to get the left-handers in there."

Baker also wanted to give Keppinger some rest.

"Kepp needs it badly," Baker said. "I don't want to wear him down. He's played every game. He's started every game but one. I can give him two days off, so he can get his strength back, eat a lot, drink a lot of water, keep the weight up. I can tell by looking at him that he has a tough time keeping his weight up. The hot weather is not here yet."

Phillips has to leave

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips left the game at the end of the sixth inning Wednesday with a bruised left calf. He suffered the injury earlier in the game on a foul tip but contributed one of the team's home runs.

Loosey meets goosey

The Reds pregame clubhouse seemed unusually loose for a team that had lost six of its past seven games.

As Latin music blared from the stereo next to Francisco Cordero's locker, a number of players tossed a yellow Frisbee, Brandon Phillips stomped around in time to the music, and Edinson Volquez and Cordero shimmied to the beat.

Everyone seemed to be smiling and laughing.

"It's always pretty loose," pitcher Matt Belisle said. "Maybe it's Coco's Latin rap over there."

Another new voice

The Reds said Wednesday that Jim Kelch, in his 20th season as the play-by-play voice of Class AAA Louisville, would fill in for 14 broadcasts this season. He is scheduled to work May 12-15, May 30, June 1, July 18-19, Sept. 2-4 and Sept. 19-20.

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