Dusty gives Phillips a day off to recuperate

CINCINNATI -- After suffering a left quad contusion while turning a double play on Thursday, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips battled through most of Friday's game before singling and being replaced by pinch-runner Billy Hamilton in the eighth.

Manager Dusty Baker decided on Saturday it would be best to keep Phillips off his feet and give him some rest.

"It's kind of a necessary day off," said Baker. "[We have] a short turnaround. I didn't like how he went after a couple balls. He wasn't gliding like he usually does."

Baker said he would only consider using Phillips in a situation where he wouldn't have to do much running, such as a potential two-out, pinch-hit opportunity. With the series finale coming at 8:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Baker said that would also give Phillips the advantage of additional rest. Phillips is also one of the few Reds players to have much success against the Dodgers' Sunday starter Clayton Kershaw, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a walk and an RBI.

"I just told [Phillips] to get as much treatment as possible," said Baker. "It's not quite hero time. Almost."