Adam

Dunn

If he gets another 2 runs and 4 RBI, he will become the first Red since Joe Morgan in 1976 to have 100 Runs, 100 RBI and 100 walks in the same season. Dunn also is 6 strikeouts short of the single-season record of 189 strikeouts set by Bobby Bonds in 1970. It has been an interesting statistical season for Dunn to say the least.

1976 MVP Joe Morgan turned the trick. Dunn currently sits at 93 runs, 91 RBI, and 102 walks.

The good news is, the Reds are already short-handed without Griffey, so Dunn’s not about to lose his job. The bad news is, this is not an encouraging follow-up to last season’s .190 post-All Star batting average. Dunn owners hope that Dunn will heat up with the weather and that Great American Ballpark will become a homer haven.

Maybe if Hudson were signed for another three or four years they’d consider it, but if that were the case, the A’s wouldn’t be looking to move him. “He’d look great in a Reds uniform,” GM Dan O’Brien said. “But, no, it’s not going to happen.”

Manager Bob Boone said he came into the series planning to give Dunn the first two games off with lefty Mike Hampton and off-speed specialist Shane Reynolds starting for the Braves. And Jose Guillen did homer twice off Reynolds the last time Reynolds faced the Reds. Dunn had also been slumping before his pinch-hit grand slam Monday, with three hits and 17 strikeouts in his previous 25 at-bats. Dunn will play today, but he’s still upset: ''I’m not happy. But there’s nothing I can do. I can (whine) and moan, but [Boone’s] not going to change it. I’m not going to waste my breath.’' Boone needs to find a way to set his lineup without ticking off all his good players.

He did deliver a pinch-hit home run. ''(The shins) are OK,’' Dunn said. ''They’ll be fine once I get off this turf.’'

The Reds likely will use a lineup of Larkin, Aaron Boone, Ken Griffey Jr., Austin Kearns, Dunn, Sean Casey, Brandon Larson and Jason LaRue. Boone plans no changes against left-handers.

''Maybe two games, or maybe none,’' was Casey’s take.

Dunn is hitting .228 overall with a major league-leading 45 strikeouts. On the other hand, he’s tied for second in the NL with nine home runs. Decide what to do with Dunn based on whether or not you can sacrifice average for power.

The Reds aren’t as high on Dunn as they used to be, but the 24-year-old is still guaranteed regular playing time this year. He’ll be undervalued on draft day.