Reds 3, Blue Jays 0

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Matt Belisle boosted his bid for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation, allowing one hit in four impressive innings to help the Reds beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Monday.

Belisle struck out three, walked one and earned his third win of spring training. He has allowed only one run in nine innings.

"Each outing I try to build on the one before," Belisle said after his first start this spring. "It doesn't matter whether I start these games or not because I've done both before."

Belisle is competing with Kirk Saarloos, Bobby Livingston and Paul Wilson for the last spot in the rotation, and all have had good outings recently.

"Everybody is trying to win a spot," manager Jerry Narron said. "I'm glad I don't have to decide today."

It was the Reds' first shutout this spring.

Toronto's Gustavo Chacin allowed two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in four innings, striking out two and walking two.

"I was just trying to throw the ball over the plate and they were swinging at the first pitch," Chacin said. "I just tried to keep the ball down and keep the tempo faster."

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is pleased that Chacin has picked up his pace on the mound.

"It's something we mentioned to him," Gibbons said. "But sometimes he's a creature of habit. It's better to work fast, it definitely helps the team get into a rhythm."

Adam Dunn singled in a run and Norris Hopper, trying to make the club as an extra outfielder, drove in two for Cincinnati.

Game notes
Ryan Freel left the game with a tight right hamstring. "He should be all right," Narron said. ... Toronto optioned RHPs Ryan Houston, Jean Maci and Tracy Thorpe to Triple-A Syracuse, leaving the Blue Jays with 55 players in camp. ... Cincinnati optioned LHP Phil Dumatrait to Triple-A Louisville, and optioned RHP Calvin Medlock and OF Chris Dickerson to Double-A Chattanooga. LHP Jason Kershner and RHP Tom Shearn were assigned to minor league camp. ... Ken Griffey Jr. hit against Kyle Lohse, who pitched three innings in a simulated game. Lohse is nursing a tight right hamstring, and Griffey, recovering from a broken bone in his left hand, has yet to appear in an exhibition game.