Parra proving reliable out of bullpen

ARLINGTON -- Reds lefty reliever Manny Parra appeared pumped up as he walked off the mound after being taken out in the 10th inning on Saturday vs. the Rangers. Upon taking over to begin the bottom of the ninth, Parra retired all four batters he faced with one strikeout. Cincinnati later took a 6-4 win in 11 innings.

"I think we all really wanted that win," Parra said on Sunday. "Mike [Leake] threw the ball so well, it was ridiculous."

Parra has been throwing well himself. He entered Sunday with nine consecutive scoreless appearances, totaling eight innings, and had retired his last 12 batters in a row. With lefty Sean Marshall on the disabled list, Parra has taken on a higher-profile role in the Reds' bullpen.

"I don't even know what role it is," Parra said. "I've pretty much come in a bunch of different situations. I just try not to put it in a box. They call up [to the bullpen]. I do know, of course, if a couple of lefties are coming up or something like that. It's just a good feeling, especially knowing the battle we've been having lately."

Parra had an 8.10 ERA over his first six appearances of the season before he went on the disabled list with a left pectoral injury. In 15 appearances over 12 innings since returning on May 24, he has a 3.00 ERA.

"It's pretty much the same thing as at the end of spring, being able to throw a breaking ball behind in the count," Parra said. "Now it's getting to the point where I'm throwing it a lot. I know the way this game works. I'm just riding the wave, enjoying it and getting the job done."