Phillips has been on stolen-base tear





PHOENIX – Brandon Phillips already has twice as many stolen bases in 2015 (16) heading into Friday's game as he did in the past two years combined (two in 2014 and five in 2013) – and with his next one, he'll have more than he's had in a season since 2009, when he was 28.

The 34-year-old second baseman is not only stealing more bases this season, he's only been caught once so far this season. Last season, he was caught more times (three) than he was successful (two).

Reds manager Bryan Price said he thought he noticed Phillips was looking trimmer in spring training and after a few weeks he asked him.

"It was noticeable without having to ask," Price said. "When I did, I said he looked more athletic – even more athletic than usual. He said yes, he spent a lot of time at it, he lost some weight and felt really good. He felt the difference."

Phillips stole a carer-high 32 bases in 2007, when he also hit a career-high 30 home runs. Phillips stole at least 20 bases four times in his career and has a chance at reaching that again this season.

Price said he thought Phillips' offseason work not only helped him physically, but also mentally.

"I think part of stealing bases is picking your spots and the other spot is his ability to accelerate," Price said. "He just looked faster and he looked more agile in spring training. Now it's just a matter, he's using his knowledge, he knows situations. He knows guys aren't paying as much attention, he knows game environment. Just picking the right times to go."

INNINGS WATCH: The Reds aren't just keeping tab on their rookie starters now in the rotation, but also those pitchers who could join the team in September, including top prospect Robert Stephenson.

Stephenson, who suffered his first Triple-A hiccup in Friday night's start for Louisville, has 1181/ 3 innings between Louisville and Pensacola this year. Last season he threw 1361/ 3 in the minor leagues. Stephenson gave up five runs in the first inning of his four-inning start against Durham on Friday night. He allowed eight hits and four walks with five strikeouts.

"I'm not going to speak for the organization on what our decisions will be coming into September, but September would be a month where we'll be dolling out innings and rationing them as well if he was with us," Price said.

Price said he expects to see several players now in Louisville come up in September when rosters expand and add innings.

"We have (John) Lamb and (Brandon) Finnegan in Triple-A to go with (Matt) Buschmann and (Donn) Roach, who we were able to get during the season, we've got a nice rotation of pitchers there that we'd like to see," Price said. "And certainly Robert Stephenson, but his innings are accumulating as we speak. There's a lot of pitchers we'd like to see this year get an opportunity to see pitch."

SAMPSON GETS ANOTHER SHOT: When Keyvius Sampson made his first big-league start last Sunday, Price didn't make any promises that he'd stick in the rotation. That was up to Sampson.

The 24-year-old did his part by giving up just three runs on three hits over five innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

"We want to see him pitch," Price said. "He did nothing to suggest that he wasn't ready to make that start. I wanted to see him compete in the strike zone, which he did."

JOHNSON CEREMONY: The Diamondbacks are retiring Randy Johnson's No. 51 before Saturday's game with the Reds at Chase Field. The ceremony will push back the start time of Saturday's game until 8:35 p.m. Eastern.

The Diamondbacks will also wear No. 51 patches during the game to honor Johnson, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this season.