Cincy's spring training season was starting to turn ugly. The Reds had suffered through five straight losses and their pitching staff was getting raked with regularity. Though these games in Arizona don't count in the standings, they do have the potential to set a tone for what may follow when it matters.

So though it wasn't exactly desperation time, Dusty Baker's club was in serious need of something to build on. The Reds were anxious to get out of this extended rut of poor and indifferent play and start on a different course. A win, any sort of win would be a balm to the Reds collective psyche.

On a pleasant and sun splashed Sunday at their spring home of Goodyear Ball Park, the Reds finally extricated themselves from the bad karma and came out on the winning end. Before an involved crowd of 5,037, Cincy scored early and often en route to a 9-6 besting of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This was hardly an earth-shattering victory but perhaps getting into the win column will kick-start the Reds and enable them to finish the spring with a flourish. Because Cincy could use some real momentum heading into the 2011 season opener this coming Thursday against the touted Milwaukee Brewers.

Let's delve a bit deeper into this particular Cactus League game and hit some of the high points from which the Reds can draw some encouragement.

Outfielder Drew Stubbs is an appropriate place to start since he held down leadoff duties versus Arizona. In a word, Stubbs was impressive. He flashed brilliance with all three of the weapons at his disposal, namely his bat, glove and legs.

Twice Stubbs worked the count to his advantage against Diamondback starter and ex-Notre Dame standout Aaron Heilman. Stubbs forced Heilman to have to come in and when he did, the budding Reds star was primed and ready to rip into Heilman's offerings.

First, Stubbs laced a hooking line drive into left for a single. He then followed that up with a ringing double into the gap an inning later. The 6-4, 200-pounder would eventually score two runs.

But Stubbs didn't limit his excellence to just swinging the lumber. Drew exhibited his considerable motoring skills by getting a great jump and stealing second base. A short time later, his feet were churning again, this time in pursuit of a deep fly ball that Stubbs tracked down and gracefully hauled in going away.

Stubbs was literally doing it all. One fan was so taken with Drew's exploits, he loudly proclaimed, " Stubbs is the real 'Natural'." On this afternoon, the mythic Roy Hobbs didn't have much on the versatile Stubbs.

If Stubbs diligently applies himself, can cut down on the strikeouts with greater plate discipline and raises his average to a level commiserate with his talent, he can become a huge factor for the Reds and a possible All-Star.

Another Red who did heavy damage with the stick was Brandon Phillips. Cincy's slick second baseman absolutely crushed a ball off the centerfield batter's eye for a mammoth homer. Not long after, Phillips delivered a slicing shot into right-center for his third RBI in two innings.

And just for good measure, Phillips flashed his renowned glove when he nimbly retreated to the outfield grass, gathered in a tricky hop and was right on the money with a lengthy flip toss to first.

Phillips has enjoyed a very productive spring (.341 BA) thus far and he looks locked and loaded to have another big offensive year hitting out of the No. 2 hole.

When the Reds signed infielder and reigning World Series MVP Edgar Renteria in the off-season, it was with the understanding that he would back up promising shortstop Paul Janish and perhaps get some spot starts there and elsewhere around the infield.

Well, Renteria is serving notice he might not be content to be just a reserve or play part-time. Renteria continued to build on a glossy spring (.382 BA) with another multi-hit game.

His single in the first was particularly noteworthy because he expertly went down and launched a well place Heilman off-speed pitch into center for a clutch RBI hit.

Even at 35 years of age, Renteria doesn't look like he's lost much, especially with the bat. At the very least, he looks to provide a nice boost and depth off the bench and should be a solid replacement should the Reds require any infield help down the road.

We all know that Jay Bruce is capable of doing the big things like providing power and making acrobatic catches. But against the D-backs, the Reds burgeoning outfielder demonstrated he knows something about the little things as well.

Taking advantage of what the defense was giving him, Bruce dropped a perfect bunt to the left of the pitcher's mound and used his speed to beat the throw easily. Moreover, Bruce demonstrated a superior eye and notable restraint by laying off borderline pitches in each of his at bats.

Bruce also made a splendid defensive play in the top of the first when he ranged far to his left to cut off a shot down the line, thereby holding the hitter to a long single.

Though hardly dramatic, these understated acts are indicative of just how many ways Bruce can help the Reds wins games. Now, that he seems to have a grip on doing both the big and little things, it doesn't appear as if there's much that can hold Bruce back.

Let's touch briefly on other positives that manifested themselves in the D-back contest.

Veteran Ramon Hernandez looked sharp behind the plate, gunning out a runner at second with a bullet of a throw and very nearly picking off another with a quick snap toss to first. Hernandez also produced at the plate with a deep sacrifice fly.

Returning from a few days off due to injury, third sacker Scott Rolen seemed fine when he scorched a rocket of a double into the gap in left-center that plated a run.

Two reserves who might have bright futures ahead of them made their presence felt.

Stout infielder Juan Francisco stung the ball twice and knocked in a run.

Outfielder Chris Heisey, growing in maturity and giving every sign of being a real contributor in a variety of roles, came off the bench and totally smashed a beam that didn't reached much altitude but left the ballpark in one hell of a hurry. The power display was merely a continuation of a stellar spring by Heisey who now has hammered five big flies in Arizona.

Once again, the Reds pitching wasn't very noteworthy but that figured since only one of the six pitchers Baker used has a chance of breaking camp with the big league club. That was the up-and-down reliever Jared Burton who tossed a clean inning.

It was absolutely mystifying to this writer why Baker didn't use at least a couple of surefire major league hurlers in this game. After all, only two spring games remained after the D-back tilt. And given the fact that virtually no one on the projected opening day staff has thrown well in March, it would have made plenty of sense to give a few frontliners some needed work.

Instead, Baker employed virtually nothing but minor leaguers and, at times, they looked the part. But, to be fair, there were some moments of professionalism.

Starter and winning pitcher Scott Carroll labored somewhat but he did display a decent curve and a nasty change-up. If Carroll can learn to spot his fastball, the right-hander could become serviceable.

Young Bradley Boxberger demonstrated he can consistently keep the ball down and his four strikeouts showed he's got some juice.

Finally, lefty Lee Tabor wasn't overpowering but he showed no fear and registered a couple of clutch strikeouts to close out both the eighth and ninth innings.

So, on balance, it was a reasonably good day for the scuffling Reds. They wielded some potent lumber, played reasonably alert and, most importantly, they won.

Sure, it's only one game and it doesn't count for squat but maybe it's a start. Maybe beating the D-backs will get Cincy headed in the right direction.