Something interesting happened on the way to what was forecast as another losing season in Cincinnati. Rather than roll over by July and play dead, the Reds constructed a 91-win season that vaulted them to their first division crown since 1995 and their first winning season since 2000. They posted their highest run total since 2005 and allowed the fewest runs over a full season since 1995.

The Reds won at least 10 games against every division opponent except the Cardinals. They led the division for 115 days and by as many as eight games.

Cincinnati’s season included an MVP effort from first baseman Joey Votto, who signed a three-year, $38 million extension in the offseason, as well as a bounce-back season from third baseman Scott Rolen. The pitching staff became one of the league’s deepest despite receiving more than 140 innings from only two starters (Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto).

The turning point might have been the brawl with the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on Aug. 10, a day after Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips criticized St. Louis’ style of play. The Cardinals swept that three-game series to briefly recapture the division lead but faded immediately afterward.

The Reds aren’t likely to fade any time soon. They have cultivated an excess of young starting pitching that includes Cueto (25), Edinson Volquez (27), Travis Wood (24), Mike Leake (23), Homer Bailey (24) and Aroldis Chapman (23). For now, Chapman and his triple-digit fastball remain in the bullpen. Arroyo serves as an underrated veteran hub. Although Cincinnati finished 10th in rotation ERA (4.05) in the NL last season, only the Phillies’ rotation managed a better winning percentage than the Reds’ starting unit (.564).

A bullpen led by closer Francisco Cordero might be a larger issue as setup man Arthur Rhodes left as a free agent. Cordero saved 40 games last season but allowed almost twice as many earned runs (31) as the year before (16). He blew eight save chances compared to four in 2009.

The Reds can afford a rough pitching stretch or two because of an offense that last season led the league in runs, homers, batting average and OPS.

This season’s lineup is much like last, but free-agent acquisition Edgar Renteria could eat into shortstop Paul Janish’s playing time. Phillips, who has 30-30 ability, has produced at least 52 extra-base hits the past four seasons and twice has scored 100 runs. Injuries slowed Rolen in the second half, so the Reds will closely monitor his playing time this season.

An outfield of Jonny Gomes, Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce is effective, if not spectacular. Stubbs surged in the second half last season. Gomes is one of the league’s best mistake hitters but faded after producing 60 RBIs before the All-Star break. The Reds invested heavily in Bruce by signing him to a six-year, $51 million extension this past offseason. Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan are expected to share the catching duties.

Cincinnati is a team on the rise. Once again in 2011, the Reds will heavily influence a shifting balance of power within a division no longer deeded to St. Louis and Chicago.

— Joe Strauss, for Sporting News

PROJECTED LINEUP

1. 2B Brandon Phillips. .332 OBP was low in 2010, but a career-best

2. CF Drew Stubbs. 22 HRs and team-best 30 SBs last season

3. 1B Joey Votto. NL bests in ’10: .424 OBP, .600 SLG, 1.024 OPS

4. 3B Scott Rolen. 17 HRS, 57 RBIs in first half; 3, 26 after break

5. LF Jonny Gomes. .856 OPS vs. LHP last season; .709 vs. RHP

6. RF Jay Bruce. .266 AVG in first half of ’10; .306 in second half

7. C Ramon Hernandez. .818 OPS, 19 RBIs at home; .763, 29 on road

8. SS Paul Janish. Career-best 5 HRs, 25 RBIs, .260 AVG in 82 Gs in ’10

PROJECTED ROTATION

1. RHP Edinson Volquez. 9.6 K/9 but 5.0 BB/9 in 12 starts in 2010

2. RHP Bronson Arroyo. Career-best 17 Ws in ’10; 6 straight seasons of 200-plus IP

3. RHP Johnny Cueto. Career highs last season: 12 Ws, 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

4. RHP Homer Bailey. 5.51 ERA in first half; 3.55 in second half

5. LHP Travis Wood. Rookie’s 3.51 ERA (17 GS) led rotation last season

PROJECTED CLOSER

RHP Francisco Cordero. 4.20 ERA, 5 HRs in first half; 3.38, 0 after break

THREE STRIKES

Sporting News baseball writer Anthony Witrado analyzes the Reds:

1. Joey Votto will continue his upward progression. The 27-year old is entering his prime and already has an MVP award on the mantle. He has gotten increasingly better in each of his three-plus seasons.

2. Having Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen all season is key. The lefthander appeared in 15 games last season and struck out 19 hitters; that makes up for his occasional lack of control (five walks in 13 1/3 innings). If Chapman improves his command of his slider and dominant fastball, the back of Cincinnati’s bullpen will be one of the best in the league.

3. The 20-somethings will take the next step. Five of the rotation candidates are 27 or younger, with Mike Leake and Travis Wood each having just over 100 innings of major league experience. If the youngsters live up to last season’s promise, the Reds’ arms can compete with anyone in the NL.

Sporting News prediction: The Reds will repeat as NL Central champions and make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 1975-76 seasons.

COMING TUESDAY: Chicago Cubs preview

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Jonny Gomes tried Thursday to distance himself from the controversy he sparked the day before when he learned about the season-ending elbow injury suffered by St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

According to a report, Gomes was singing “Wainwright gone, Wainwright gone” in the Reds clubhouse Wednesday.

However, Gomes said that wasn’t the case.

“I want to answer as many questions about it as I can,” Gomes told The Cincinnati Enquirer, adding that he never would wish an injury upon anyone. “I want to put it to bed. I’m not running from it.”

Gomes said he heard about Wainwright’s injury during a radio interview Wednesday morning. When he walked into the clubhouse soon after, he was singing a song from the Karate Kid, was excited about pushing back another interview and then asked about Wainwright’s injury.

“It’s not like I said, ‘Wainwright gone, Wainwright gone’ in celebration,” Gomes told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “The celebration part was coming from pushing the (scoreboard interview) back 15 minutes. There was no celebration about Wainwright. … I asked the question, ‘Is Wainwright gone?’”

According to the newspaper, Gomes reached out to the Cardinals to set the record straight, and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said there was no ill will toward him.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati left-hander Matt Maloney looked pretty good as a starter Sunday.

He pitched two perfect innings in the Reds’ Cactus League opener, a 7-6 victory against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark.

Maloney started in the place of Edinson Volquez, who was scratched because of visa issues.

However, Maloney knows his best shot this year to make the team is as a reliever.

“They’ve got a bunch of guys going for the rotation and limited spots,” Maloney said. “I have no problems pitching out of the bullpen. I’ll do whatever role they want me to do.”

Maloney made two starts for the Reds in 2010 and seven in 2009. He was good at Triple-A Louisville in 2010 with a 10-7 record and a 3.34 ERA as a starter.

But the Reds have been pretty clear Homer Bailey, Travis Wood and Mike Leake are battling for the last two spots in the rotation.

Maloney and Sam LeCure are getting ready as starters, but they are merely a backup plan.

“It’s nice to start off on the right foot,” Maloney said. “I tried to be aggressive. I fell behind (Indians leadoff man Michael) Brantley, but I was ahead of everybody else. I’m real happy about that.”

Maloney found out Saturday he was starting Sunday.

“It’s a little bit of a different mind-set,” Maloney said. “I tried to keep it short like I was coming out of the bullpen.”

“He looked good,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “His change-up was good, his curveball was sharp, his fastball was sharp.”

PHILLIPS WANTS TO END CAREER AS A RED

Brandon Phillips’ baseball hero growing up was Barry Larkin.

Phillips would like to follow in Larkin’s steps and finish his career as a Red. Of course, there’s the matter of his contract. Phillips is in the final year of his four-year, $27 million contract. The team holds an option for 2012 at $12 million.

The Reds have at least broached the subject of contract extension for Phillips.

“We talked to his agent in the fall,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “He hasn’t come back to us yet. His agent is supposed to be out here this spring. We’ll talk again.”

Phillips wasn’t aware of the fall meeting, but he’s clear on what he wants to do.

I want to stay here,” Phillips said. “I love it here. (I) love the city of Cincinnati. I love the fans. The Reds gave me a second chance to come here and live my dream. I’ve been blessed. I want to give back to the city. I want to be the type of person Barry Larkin was to the city. It would be nice to be here for the rest of my career.”

Phillips would like to have a new deal before the option of leaving becomes a factor.

“When it comes to that, I’d love to get an extension,” he said. “They could pick my option or not. I want a guarantee instead of a possibility.”

With any contract, the questions are always: How much? And how long?

Phillips turns 30 on June 28, so he is entering his prime years. He is coming off a year in which he won his second Gold Glove, and he hit .275 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI.

Phillips’ offensive numbers suffered greatly because he played through an injury. Phillips missed six starts after being hit on the hand by a pitch Aug. 25. When he returned he hit .198 in his next 27 games.

Aside from that slump, Phillips hit .290.

Phillips said the contract won’t affect his play.

“I’m just going to go out and play the best way I know how,” he said. “Hopefully, they extend me. If not, I understand it’s business. But I love Cincinnati. There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP)—There’s a noticeable absence, an emptiness this year at training camp that the Cleveland Indians will never fill.

Bob Feller isn’t around.

The late Hall of Fame pitcher, who played his entire career with Cleveland and whose ties with the organization spanned more than 70 years, was honored Sunday before the Indians opened their exhibition season with a 7-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Feller, who died in December at the age of 92, epitomized the Indians. Whether throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on a humid afternoon in Florida, signing countless autographs or simply by being the sometimes irascible Bob, Feller—the Tribe’s beloved No. 19—was a rite of spring for Cleveland fans, who idolized the legendary right-hander and American original.

He’s gone now. The Indians miss him.

“You can’t help but notice that he’s not around,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “He was a presence. I remember back in the days when we would go to Winter Haven, he’d be around playing catch. There never has been a Hall of Fame-caliber guy who you identify so much with one franchise.

“Bob meant a lot to us.”

The Indians are planning a season-long tribute to Feller, who won 266 career games and is regarded as one of the game’s greatest pitchers.

During pregame ceremonies, a touching video was played on the scoreboard chronicling Feller’s storybook life. As players from both teams stood on the baselines, photos appeared of Feller as Iowa farmboy, teenage pitching wonder, eight-time All-Star and war hero. He was the first major leaguer to enlist for active duty at the outset of World War II.

Before the first pitch, a large banner with Feller’s name and number was unfurled beyond the outfield wall. It also read: “Always in our hearts.”

Feller’s 19, outlined in blue, is spray painted on the grass between home plate and the first-base coach’s box, across the diamond in Goodyear Ballpark from where the Reds are honoring late manager Sparky Anderson with his familiar No. 10, framed in red.

Anderson, who led Cincinnati to back-to-back World Series titles in the 1970s, died on Nov. 4. The Reds, who share their spring home with the Indians, will honor Anderson on Monday.

Their passings were followed by the death of Hall of Famer Duke Snider, one of Brooklyn’s “Boys of Summer” who died Sunday at the age of 84.

“The game has taken a hell of a hit lately,” said Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, who called the Reds-Indians opener. “Bob Feller dying and Duke passing away and Sparky Anderson going. We’re just losing some really great people.”

The Indians and Reds were both without major components for their first spring game.

Cincinnati’s opening-day starter Edinson Volquez(notes) was scratched because he has not yet had his work visa approved by the U.S. government. A native of the Dominican Republic, Volquez has a traveler’s visa but it does allow him to perform in games before paying customers.

The club does not know when Volquez, who served a 50-game suspension last season for violating baseball’s drug policy, will have his work visa approved. It’s possible he may have to return to his homeland to get the paperwork accepted.

“It’s out of our hands now,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

On Sunday, Volzquez stayed behind at the team’s complex and pitched two innings to minor leaguers.

The Indians kept outfielder Shin-Soo Choo(notes) out of the lineup as a precaution because of a sore left elbow. Choo had Tommy John surgery on the elbow in 2007, but said the discomfort he’s feeling is due to starting his throwing program too early before camp.

“We just want to keep him off the field for a couple days,” Acta said. “We do have to be careful. We pretty much won more games than any team last spring and it didn’t mean a thing. I need him when the season starts.”

Cleveland can’t be too cautious. The club is already without center fielder Grady Sizemore(notes), who is recovering from offseason knee surgery and may not be ready for opening day.

Notes: Reds LHP Matt Maloney(notes), trying to hang on as a fifth starter or land a bullpen job, started and pitched two scoreless innings. … Indians C Carlos Santana(notes) was encouraged after playing two innings, his first action since injuring his left knee on Aug. 2 in a home plate-collision in Boston. … Dave Sappelt, the Reds’ minor league player of the year last season, hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Reds. … Cincinnati trailed 6-1 in the eighth, but scored six runs in its final two at-bats.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Matt Maloney pitched two scoreless innings in place of Cincinnati’s opening-day starter Edinson Volquez and the Reds rallied for two runs in the ninth Sunday to beat the Cleveland Indians 7-6 in the spring exhibition opener for Ohio’s teams.

Volzquez couldn’t pitch because he has not yet gotten his work visa approved by the U.S. government. The Dominican Republic native stayed back at the team’s training facility and pitched two innings to minor leaguers. He has a travel visa but can’t perform in games in front of paying customers.

Zack Cozart and Corky Miller drove in Cincinnati’s runs in the ninth off Alex White.

Ezequiel Carrera hit a two-run homer for Cleveland.

Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was kept out because of a sore left elbow. Choo, who had Tommy John surgery in 2007, said he may have hyperextended his elbow while throwing. He’ll DH on Monday against the Reds and hopes to play in the field later this week.