SARASOTA, Fla. -- With another sharp outing, Paul Maholm extended his scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings and strengthened his bid to become the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening-day starter.
"I think everybody knows it will be Paul," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said after Saturday's 6-5 victory over Cincinnati, which sent the Reds to their seventh straight loss. "We haven't announced anything officially, but we're leaning that way."
Maholm allowed three hits in six innings, struck out four and walked none. He has given up one run in 19 2/3 innings this spring training.
"I'm waiting for that bad outing," Maholm said. "I know it's going to come. I want to get it out of the way. I just need to continue to prepare and sharpen up a few things. Then in April, if I have to make an adjustment, it will be a small one."
Nate McLouth broke a scoreless tie with his third home run of spring training, a fourth-inning drive off Homer Bailey.
Bailey started his first Grapefruit League game since March 11 -- his previous turn fell on a Reds' off-day. He allowed three runs, four hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings.
"My stuff was average," Bailey said. "At the end, I started rushing a little bit. I thought, Ok, that's what I need to work on tomorrow."
If Bailey does not win the fifth spot in the rotation, the Reds may send him to the bullpen.
"I've never done it," he said. "It would be an adjustment, but with the veterans we have in the bullpen, I don't think it will be as big of an adjustment as I think."
Cincinnati's relievers include David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes.
"If he is in the bullpen, he'd be long reliever," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "That's how a lot of teams break in guys."
Notes
Cincinnati OF Norris Hopper was sent home Friday with bronchitis. ... Reds INF Brandon Phillips was scratched from the lineup Saturday with flu-like symptoms. ... Reds closer Francisco Cordero pitched against the Orioles minor league team. He threw one inning, allowed a hit and struck out two. ... Pittsburgh 1B Andy Phillips had an MRI, and he has a couple of bulging disks in his back. "We'll wait until they quiet down before we get him back in there," Russell said. "A lot of people have them. He's doing his exercises."
