WSH@CIN: Frazier's RBI single cuts into Nats' lead

ST. LOUIS -- With his role secure and always brimming with self-assurance, third baseman Todd Frazier has gotten off to an extremely hot start for the Reds.

Frazier entered Monday batting .480 (12-for-25) over his first six games with a team-leading three home runs and nine RBIs. He was 10-for-16 (.625) over the last four games.

"I just want to drive the ball and keep doing what I did last year and keep producing for this team," Frazier said. "It goes to show you, when we get good pitching going, our hitting will come through."

Frazier, who excelled last season replacing both Joey Votto and Scott Rolen at the corner infield spots, was told the job at third base was his after Rolen was not re-signed.

After a slow start to Spring Training, Frazier found his swing in the second half of camp. Unlike last year, he didn't have to worry about making the team and could just prepare for the regular season.

"I'm very happy with what's going on with my swing," Frazier said. "I think I'm right where I need to be. I will just keep making slight adjustments to keep being a better hitter and the hitter I need to be. I'm going up there with all the confidence in the world."

Chapman thriving, but workload will lessen

WSH@CIN: Chapman strikes out Span to seal the victory









Baker wants hitters to drive up foes' pitch count

WSH@CIN: Bruce, Robinson on 6-3 win vs. the Nationals

ST. LOUIS -- During Sunday's 6-3 win over the Nationals, the Reds were successful at running ace Stephen Strasburg's pitch count up early. Strasburg lasted only 5 1/3 innings and threw 114 pitches.

Many starting pitchers aren't as stretched out yet to go deeper in games, and Reds manager Dusty Baker wants his hitters to exploit that fact.

"Early in the year, if you have a high pitch inning, just one of them, that does you in for one or two at-bats," Baker said on Monday. "That's why I urge my hitters, especially in the day of the pitch count, to be as many tough, foul-them-off at-bats as you can. Even if they strike out, at least you're taking 10-12 pitches out of the guy. That's equivalent to almost a whole inning from one person."

Worth noting

• The Reds drew 197,598 fans to Great American Ball Park for the first six-game homestand, which is a new stadium record. It broke the previous first-homestand record of 173,296 set during the ballpark's inaugural 2003 season. The franchise record is 210,896 fans, set at Cinergy Field in 2000.

• Triple-A Louisville lefty starter Tony Cingrani, who struck out 14 in his six-scoreless innings season debut, was named Monday as the International League's pitcher of the week.