Dave Clark

dclark@cincinnati.com

Reds manager Bryan Price apparently felt badly enough about how competitive the Reds' lineup was in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Pirates that he reached out to Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to explain it.

The Cardinals are battling the Reds' opponent this weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates, for the National League Central title.

More from MLB.com'sJenifer Langosch:

The Reds, however, will play these final three games without starting catcher Devin Mesoraco, closer Aroldis Chapman and starting center fielder Billy Hamilton. In order to make sure there wasn't any suspicion about the Reds pulling back their regulars to make it easier on the Pirates, manager Bryan Price reached out to Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to explain the individual situations of his players.

The message was relayed through the directors of both team's media relations staff.

"That was a professional move and I'd hope I'd do the same thing," Matheny said. "They have to take care of their guys and do what they have to do."

The Pirates clinched a playoff berth earlier this week and trail St. Louis - which defeated Arizona in 10 innings on Friday night - by one game in the Central.