CINCINNATI -- The Cardinals' 7-3 win over the Reds here Monday served as a succinct response to Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, who provided an edge to the series before the first pitch by referring to the Cardinals as "little bitches" to Dayton Daily News columnist Hal McCoy.

"I'd play against these guys with one leg," Phillips insisted before the game. "We have to beat these guys. ... All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they're little bitches all of 'em.''

He also was quoted as saying, "I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals."

La Russa was aware of the comments before his postgame media briefing and seized the opportunity to respond.

"We win the right way; we lose the right way," the skipper said. "Over the years we've done both those things. If we get beat, we tip our caps. If we win, we don't get arrogant and show anybody up."

Phillips' quotes quickly spread throughout the Cardinals clubhouse with most players declining immediate comment. Some noted Phillips' 0-for-five game without a ball leaving the infield.

La Russa was peeved enough that he returned to the clubhouse in search of two Post-Dispatch reporters to expand his comments, noting the presence of numerous former Cardinals in the Reds clubhouse.

If Phillips spoke as if he hasn't been here before, it's perhaps because he hasn't. The Reds last reached the playoffs in 1995 and haven't made a serious postseason run since losing a one-game playoff for the 1999 NL wild card. The team has since lost the local sports scene to the Cincinnati Bengals and the collegiate Cincinnati Bearcats.

"I didn't know we had bad blood," said Skip Schumaker, whose grand slam broke open Monday's game. "They can talk. And we'll leave our comments to ourselves."