Hot corner:

than where we are,” said manager Bryan Price, whose club has been in last place since June 13. “We should strive for a lot more. We should be talking about getting to the top of the divi- sion, but at this point in time, unfortunately, it’s fourth place. It is better than where we currently stand, and we should push hard.”

After wrapping up the home schedule with the Car- dinals and American League East-leading Red Sox, the Reds have three games at Milwaukee and three against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Pirates finish a threegame home series against Milwaukee on Wednesday and Thursday, take on the Cardinals in a three-game weekend series and wrap up their home schedule with two interleague games against the slumping Baltimore Orioles before closing the regular season with three games at NL East-champion Washington.

Patrick Kivlehan made his second start at third base Tuesday in place of regular Eugenio Suarez, whose wife was at a local hos- pital preparing to give birth to the couple’s first child, a girl they plan to name Nicole Anthonella.

“They’re hoping to have the baby (Tuesday),” Price said.

The September roster expansion means Suarez would not need to go on paternity leave.

On the mend:

Center fielder Billy Hamilton is progressing in his comeback from a fractured left thumb.

“He’s hit off the tee and played catch,” Price said.