(My Sportsbook) - Little was expected to change, as far as on the field production, when the Cincinnati Reds dismissed Jerry Narron on July 1 and named Pete Mackanin interim manager.

However, not only have things changed, but they have also improved for the better.

For example, the Reds held the worst record in the majors at 31-51 when Narron was fired, and were on pace to lose 100 games for the first time since 1982. However, since Mackanin took over, Cincinnati no longer has the worst record in baseball; that honor now belongs to the 38-61 Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

However, at 42-59, the Reds are still the worst team in the National League, but have spent some time out of last place in the NL Central at least.

Still, the Reds are 11-8 in 19 games since Mackanin took over. He will be the first out of Cincinnati's last eight managers to finish over .500 after their first 20 games at the helm. Davey Johnson was the closest, guiding the Reds to a 10-10 mark after 20 contests in 1993.

The next item of judgement is the 30-game mark. Only Narron finished above .500 out of the last seven managers, while Johnson and Jack McKeon in 1997 both broke even at 15-15.

For Mackanin, his club was actually 10-4 under his guidance -- which included a five-game winning streak early in his tenure -- before stumbling to a 1-4 mark over their past five games.

A new manager is just the first of many changes sure to come to the Reds this year. As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, clubs are sure to contract the Reds, who are far out of the playoff picture.

Blockbuster deals could be made for Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and David Weathers, while spare parts Kyle Lohse, Mike Stanton and Jeff Conine could be moved to a team looking to strengthen its club's bench.

The Angels are reportedly interested in Dunn, as are the Yankees, Brewers and Nationals. Griffey, meanwhile, could be heading to the west coast, maybe even back in Seattle.

HARANG BACK, GUARDADO AND GONZALEZ ARE NOT

Aaron Harang returned from a brief stint on the bereavement list Monday following the death of his grandfather. He showed no ill effect of his time off, as he hurled 10 innings, allowing one run on seven hits in the club's 2-1, 12-inning victory.

Harang got a no-decision and became the second pitcher in the majors this season to throw 10 innings, joining Toronto's Roy Halladay. The last Reds pitcher to toss 10 innings was Rick Mahler, who did it August 30, 1989.

One player who hasn't yet returned from a personal tragedy is shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez went on the bereavement list on July 14 and has since been transferred to the restricted list. He has been away to be with his 10-month old son, whose condition and illness is unknown to the team.

It is also unknown when Gonzalez will return to the club.

"He's not ready to play, but I saw him today (Tuesday), finally," Mackanin told the Reds' official Web site. "He says, I guess, things are in a holding pattern. Obviously, since he's here, his wife is still at the hospital. That's all I know. I didn't ask him for details. Right now, everything is up in the air."

Also, reliever Eddie Guardado is slated to throw a session to live batters on Wednesday. It was thought Guardado could return to the club before the All- Star break, but stiffness to his back and throwing arm have stalled his return.

Guardado had been making appearances with Triple-A Louisville.

Finally, outfielder Josh Hamilton is scheduled to have his sprained right wrist examined Thursday or Friday by hand specialist Dr. Andrew Markiewitz.

WHO'S HOT

Dunn is lifting his stock for the Reds as he is currently on a season-high 10- game hitting streak. He is batting .324 over that span with three homers and nine RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Another trading chip is not doing so hot. Conine is just 7-for-50 in his last 20 games, dropping his batting average from .299 to .254.

UP NEXT

The Reds have two games left in their four-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers, having split the first two. Lohse (5-12, 4.71 ERA) takes the hill on Wednesday against Jeff Suppan (8-8, 4.92), while Bobby Livingston (4-11, 4.58) will battle in Dave Bush (8-8, 4.83) in Thursday's finale.

Cincy will then host the Cubs for three games over the weekend. Bronson Arroyo (4-11, 4.58) goes on Friday against Rich Hill (6-6, 3.58), followed by Harang (10-2, 3.45) against Sean Marshall (4-4, 3.25).

Matt Belisle (5-7, 5.28) will throw the series finale on Sunday versus Carlos Zambrano (13-7, 3.65).