SpringfieldNewsSun.com

CINCINNATI — The question was blunt and the answer by Reds manager Dusty Baker was more blunt: What's the common thread to his team's problems this year?

"Walks at the wrong time, errors — a lot of errors, both mental errors and physical errors," he said. "That creates too many opportunities for the opposition.

"And most of the time the other team is scoring first," Baker added. "So many times the other teams goes through its batting order twice before we go through once. That equals their big boys coming to the plate five times instead of four times.

"The more that happens the more problems you have," he added.

As if on cue Sunday afternoon, Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto struck out the first two Nationals, then gave up five straight hits and four runs, with an error by left fielder Adam Dunn contributing to the first-inning carnage.

Dunn's error was physical. In the second inning the Reds put their first two runners on base and, down four runs, Brandon Phillips got picked off second and the Reds didn't score.

Two for Harang?

While Aaron Harang hopes his rehab start tonight in Louisville will be his only one for the Bats, Baker said even if Harang is picture-perfect he probably will make a second start for Louisville.

"I don't want to run him out there for only four innings on his first start and put my bullpen in jeopardy," said Baker. "We want him to at least go seven innings or 100 pitches. More than likely he'll pitch two there."

Baker and pitching coach Dick Pole will watch disabled pitcher Jared Burton throw before tonight's game in Great American Ball Park.

Burton, out with a side muscle pull, threw Saturday in Cincinnati and Baker said he was told he looked good, but wants to see for himself.

"He threw off the mound and threw pretty good and we'll find out what's what when we get home," said Baker.

Lincoln's address

It was early Sunday morning and Baker asked pitcher Mike Lincoln, "Did you go back to the hotel and sleep?"

Said Lincoln, "I didn't do much sleeping."

"Neither did I. I'm not sleeping," said Baker.

Lincoln was working on a streak of 19 straight scoreless innings when he entered Saturday's game, but gave up four runs, three hits and walk in one-third of an inning (the seventh) and was handed the loss.

"It was one of those days," said Lincoln. "I was throwing the ball all right but nothing went right. But it definitely doesn't help when you walk the leadoff guy."

Lincoln said he was unaware of his 19-inning streak, "Other than I knew I had been throwing the ball well and getting people out. I didn't know how many innings — and it wasn't a very good way to end it."

Quote of the day

"I have never wanted to win more than I do right here, and I will, but this is Wayne Krivsky's team, not Walt Jocketty's and not mine. I just hope there is enough out there after the season that we can get to help us." — Baker.