Homer Bailey made his season debut for the Reds on Thursday and picked up the loss at the Phillies' beat the Reds 5-0 in the series finale. Bailey pitched well, but three errors led to three unearned runs and Phillies' left-hander Cole Hamels once again dominated the Reds' lineup.

Bailey, who was added to the roster before the game, pitched well in his first start this season, allowing four hits and five runs (two earned) in 6 1/3 innings as he struck out one batter and walked four.

"It was a pretty good outing," manager Dusty Baker said. "He threw strikes. His pitch count [89 pitches] was down. We gave them the first three runs."

Bailey was only 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA in the minors before his call-up -- not exactly numbers you want to see out of a guy who gets the nod -- but he showed promise here and will stay in the rotation for now. His next start is likely to take place Tuesday night as the Reds return home to face the Cardinals.

If Bailey can start living up to his hype, the Reds will bolster of the NL Central's best rotations with Bailey joining veterans Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo and the young guns, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.