Dusty Baker Meets With His Team Before Reds Loss

Chris Speier managed the Reds for the fifth straight game, an anti-climactic 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who still have a shot at the last wild card spot.

Baker arrived under cover and the players had a private meeting with him in the off limits area of the clubhouse.  Baker arrived this morning but is still resting from treatment for an irregular heartbeat which had him hospitalized at the Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago.

Acting manager Chris Speier said that the Reds hoped to have Baker back on Tuesday.

"If he gets a good night of sleep and with the day off tomorrow, we hope to have him back.  We have to see how he feels," Speier said.

Sources close to Baker said that he has been told to take it slow.  He may not manage again until the playoffs.

"It was a welcome sight to see him," Ryan Ludwick said.  "He made his rounds and everybody gave him a hug. We are hoping, praying and pulling for him.

"Dusty came in and looked good," Speier said. "He's in great spirits.  We hope to have him back but we'll play it one day at a time."

Homer Bailey was scheduled to duel former Reds' ace Aaron Harang, who was on three days rest.  Harang was moved up because Clayton Kershaw was recovering from a sore hip.  Kershaw was cleared medically and made the start instead.

Kershaw, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, showed some rust walking five but he struck out Joey Votto with the bases loaded in the fourth and finished the fifth by striking out Denis Phipps.

The Reds rested Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and Zack Cozart.  Leftfielder Ludwick is still out with strained groin.  Ryan Hanigan left the game with a bruised right shoulder.  X-rays were negative.

"Hanigan took a pitch in the Adam's apple.  I just took him out as a precaution," Speier said.

Ludwick is more sore than he thought he would be.

"It was three days ago.  I had to back off a little.  I would like to get in some games before the season ends but the important thing is to get ready for the post season," Ludwick said.

Bailey solved everyone in the Dodgers' lineup except Adrian Gonzalez.  Gonzalez had tagged Bailey three times for home runs in 12 at bats, coming into the game.  He added two more, solo home runs in the second and seventh innings.

"If you want to get Adrian Gonzalez hot, send him to face me.  He's just a tough out for me," Bailey said.  "Both pitches were out of the strike zone and he still hit them out.  Other than that, I wasn't as sharp as I've been the rest of this month but I got out of some jams."

"I thought Homer was solid. I wanted to see if he could get through that inning," Speier said.

Kershaw walked Wilson Valdez and Votto to start the third inning.  Todd Frazier tied the game with a run scoring single.

Gonzalez second home run put the Dodgers up 2-1 and opened the flood gates.  Hanley Ramirez and Luis Cruz singled with Dee Gordon, running for Ramirez, reaching third.  Bailey struck out Elian Herrera. A.J. Ellies bunted on a safety squeeze with Gordon breaking for home as Bailey threw Ellis out.  Miguel Cairo, covering first, dropped the ball trying to make the throw home.  Bailey walked Bobby Abreu then left in favor of Jose Arredondo.  A double by Mark Ellis and a single by Andre Either capped a four run inning.

Rookie Denis Phipps hit the first home run of his career in the eighth off Ronald Bellasario to make the game tight at 5-3.

"I was going to pinch hit for him to be honest with you," Speier said. "If it had been a must win situation I probably would have.  I'm glad he got one it was nice to see."

Phipps had an injury riddled season at Triple A Louisville.  He had a bad shoulder and his numbers were down but he came back strong at the end of the season.  The Reds' security negotiated for the home run ball which he plans to give to his mother.

"It feels good.  I am happy to be the here. I have good teammates here," said a grinning Phipps.

Brandon League pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the Dodgers.