Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips out of starting lineup against Brewers

Reds 2B Phillips out of lineup against Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was not in the starting lineup against the Brewers after saying he hoped to return despite a hairline fracture of his right thumb.

Phillips had said before Cincinnati’s seven-game road trip that he hoped to play in Friday night’s series opener. The Brewers and Reds are just a half-game apart in the standings and trailing the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

Phillips hurt himself in the eighth inning of Cleveland’s 7-6 win over the Reds last Saturday and has missed the last four games, all wins.

Phillips was hitting .350 (28-for-80) with five home runs and 27 RBIs this month, boosting his overall average from .188 to .275.