Mike Lincoln, Mike Leake and Travis Wood all pitched two scoreless innings.
The trio are competing with Justin Lehr, Matt Maloney and Aroldis Chapman for the fifth starter in the Reds rotation.
Lincoln was shut down in July last year and had a rough start against Cleveland on Friday but today threw 25 pitches and retired all six batters he faced.
"It was good to just get ahead of some hitters and work from there instead of getting behind," Lincoln said. "Hopefully, I'll get better the more innings I get."
Lincoln has been a reliever in the Major Leagues since 2000.
"There is a difference when you are off as a reliever and have to grind through an inning or two. As a starter you have to grind the whole game and if you get behind you won't last long."
Dusty was pleased with his pitchers.
"Hey man if they don't score, you may not be winning but you sure won't be losing," Baker said. "They threw great especially the young guys (Travis) Wood and Leake. We turned some double plays."
The Reds held a 1-0 lead through seven innings then scored five in the eighth.
Wladimir Balentien tripled. Juan Francisco and Yonder Alonso belted doubles.
Todd Frazier had two hits and two RBI.
"We got some timely hitting," Baker said. "They young guys were trying to be sluggers. I talked to Chris Heisy, Alonso, Francisco and Frazier and reminded them that they are hitters not sluggers. Young guys try to make the team by hitting everything out of the ball park, rather than trying to be hitters with power."
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