HOUSTON - This season was going to be it for Justin Lehr. He had gone three years without a sniff of the big leagues.

It took multiple organizations and a lot of time in the minors, but Cruz has turned himself into an important and productive member of the Rangers as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1999, and for just the fourth time in their nearly 50-year history.

Considering all the injuries the Astros have been forced to deal with in the second half of the season, it's been surprising that the one name absent from the trainer's report has been second baseman Kazuo Matsui.

Since giving up 10 runs in his start on Aug. 14 against the Cubs, Pirates starter Charlie Morton has returned to the way he pitched before that disastrous outing.

The Reds knew as much when they promoted center field Drew Stubbs -- his defensive skills are more than Major League ready.

In his pregame sewing circle with the beat writers, Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker lamented that his bullpen was shredded after two extra-inning games and he needed something special from starter Justin Lehr .

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MILWAUKEE - Justin Lehr overcame a rocky start Thursday to pitch into the eighth inning and drew a key walk in Cincinnati's five-run fifth, helping the Reds to an 8-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that completed a three-game sweep.

Journeyman right-hander Justin Lehr can pitch the Cincinnati Reds to a road sweep today when they visit Miller Park for the finale of a three-game midweek series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Journeyman right-hander Justin Lehr can pitch the Cincinnati Reds to a road sweep today when they visit Miller Park for the finale of a three-game midweek series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Justin Lehr doesn't worry whether his next pitch with the Reds will be his last.

In his first two games, Drew Stubbs showed precisely what it can be like for a talented rookie, both positively and negatively, trying to adjust to big league life in the batter's box.

Journeyman right-hander Justin Lehr tries for an unlikely third straight victory today, when the Cincinnati Reds play the Washington Nationals in the finale of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park.

After experiencing what he did during his last start for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, the Cardinals' Mitchell Boggs should have no problems on Tuesday when he is expected to be recalled to start against the Reds at Busch Stadium.

Brian Ching and Charlie Davies have been given starts at forward for the United States in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico.

Given a chance to open a one-game lead in the NL Central - something they haven't done all season - the Chicago Cubs got twisted into knots by a journeyman pitcher and an infielder with a sore head.

Given a chance to open a one-game lead in the NL Central - something they haven't done all season - the Chicago Cubs got twisted into knots by a journeyman pitcher and an infielder with a sore head.

Apparently, Justin Lehr is no fluke. The Cincinnati Reds' 32-year-old journeyman fill-in worked into the seventh inning to win his second straight start in the third outing of his career, a 5-4 victory over the St.

David Weathers' departure means a promotion, of sorts, for reliever Nick Masset in the Reds' bullpen.

Rich Harden vs. Justin Lehr Story-lines In the shadow of a surging Cardinals team, the Cubs are poised to sweep another team on the road -- this time being the Reds, in what is surely Dusty Baker's swan song as a major league manager.