The Reds need a strong finish to end talk about Dusty Baker walking the managerial plank. Other managers in limbo are the Indians’ Eric Wedge, Nationals’ Jim Riggleman, Astros’ Cecil Cooper and Orioles’ Dave Trembley. … The Twins’ Joe Crede’s recurring back injuries could prompt him to retire after the season. He has had surgery the last two off-seasons and needed an epidural on his back last week. … Jorge Posada has taken a beating behind the plate this season. He’s 38 and bears watching carefully in September. His health is essential for the Yankees. … The Orioles’ Brian Roberts is on the verge of his third 50-plus doubles season. He will join Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial as the only players to do it. … The Royals are worried about first baseman Eric Hosmer, whom they took with the third overall pick in last year’s draft. He’s having vision problems, which they hope Lasik surgery will correct. … Time on the DL seems to have helped the Angels’ Joe Saunders get back to normal. He hit 94 m.p.h. in his first game back, saying his shoulder felt much better. … Barring injury, Ichiro Suzuki easily will exceed 200 hits again. It will be his ninth consecutive 200-hit season, breaking the record held since 1901 by Wee Willie Keeler. … Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan is an old-style player. He bunted for a leadoff single in the eighth inning Thursday even though he already had two home runs in the game. He knew the Marlins needed a baserunner. Sometimes winning is about the simplest things. … The Cardinals have had 16 games this season in which their pitchers didn’t allow a walk, the most in the majors. Joel Pineiro has been at the center of the control movement. He has had no walks in 13 of his 25 starts. … The worm has turned for Manny Ramirez in Los Angeles. He was booed loudly last Sunday at Dodger Stadium, with fans taking offense to his indifferent approach in left field. Manager Joe Torre is puzzled by Ramirez’s power outage. He entered the weekend with one homer in his last 70 at-bats. … The Twins spent $800,000 to sign outfielder Max Kepler-Rozycki , the 16-year-old son of two German ballet dancers. He has moved to Florida to attend high school and work out at the team’s spring training complex. … Frank Thomas isn’t going to hold the record for home runs by a designated hitter much longer. David Ortiz entered the weekend at 268, one behind Thomas’ record.
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