Schumaker gets a nod against Greinke

LOS ANGELES -- Based partially on his past success vs. Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke, Skip Schumaker was given the start by Reds manager Bryan Price on Tuesday. Schumaker was slotted at second base in place of Brandon Phillips, who got a night off.

Schumaker entered the night 5-for-17 (.294) lifetime vs. Greinke, while Phillips was 3-for-16 (.188).

"I am a believer in playing my bench," Price said. "I haven't been great at it with [Neftali] Soto when he was here and with [Ramon] Santiago as much as I'd like. I'd like these guys to play, and it might mean five or six games off over the course of the year for the regulars -- more for some and less for others.

"Believe me, I will not do that as a form of punishment or sending messages. That's not the point. I do believe our regulars need periodic rest."

The last day off for Phillips came on May 2 whilst he was in a slump. In the 20 games since, he's batted .305 (25-for-82).