Worth noting

• Baker said he's a bit puzzled about the fact that his Reds won't see Washington any more this season after this weekend's series. The teams met in Cincinnati earlier in the month. Last year, the two clubs didn't play each other again after May 13.

• Cincinnati pitchers struck out at least 10 straight batters in six consecutive games before Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Cubs. They struck out 13 in three straight games last weekend.

• The Reds entered Thursday leading the Major Leagues in hit by pitches with 13. Shin-Soo Choo had been a huge help there, getting hit 10 times coming into Thursday's series opener in Washington.