"Reds manager Dusty Baker hopes to get Brandon Phillips' bat going by moving him up in the lineup.

Phillips batted second Tuesday night at Houston, the first time he's hit in that spot since April 21, 2008.

Orlando Cabrera was dropped from second to sixth in the batting order.

"We're trying to figure out a way to get Brandon started," Baker said. "Maybe him being in front of Joey (Votto) will help. They've been pitching around Joey lately. Cabrera has been good when it comes to driving in runs. I called them in and spoke to them about it. It's all good."

Phillips entered Tuesday's game hitting .219 with a .296 on-base percentage.

"He's missing pitches that he ordinarily puts in play," Baker said. "He's fouling back a lot of pitches. Usually when you're struggling, you're fouling off balls you put in play. That puts you in a defensive position. Last week, he missed a half-dozen balls that are usually bombs or at least hit hard."

Cabrera said he was OK with the switch.

"I've hit everywhere in the lineup," he said. "We'll see how it works."

The biggest problem in the lineup is the top spot. Drew Stubbs, the normal leadoff batter, went into Tuesday hitting .158 with a .246 on-base percentage. Chris Dickerson, who has hit first when Stubbs hasn't, was batting .244 with a .262 on-base percentage.

Overall, the Reds' leadoff hitters had a .233 on-base percentage - second-worst in the majors."