CINCINNATI — Pitching coach Bryan Price was first on the Reds’ list of manager candidates. Three hours of answering every question tossed his way ended their search rather quickly.

After one interview, it was over.

The Reds stayed in-house for their next manager, giving Price a three-year deal Tuesday that came with expectations that he’ll take them deep into the playoffs right away.

“Bryan is exceptional,” owner Bob Castellini said. “We’ve been fortunate to be with him long enough to know how exceptional he is.

“I can’t tell you how well this has fit in for us. We did not have to go out and do a search,” he said. “We had the person we felt could take this team deep into the postseason.”

Dusty Baker led the Reds to three 90-win seasons and three playoff appearances in the last four years, their best stretch of success since Sparky Anderson managed the Big Red Machine in the 1970s. But Cincinnati got knocked out in the first round of the postseason each time.

The Reds fired Baker with a year left on his two-year deal after a final-week fade that included an implosion by the pitching staff.

Cincinnati lost its last six games, including a 6-2 defeat at PNC Park in the wild-card playoff against the Pirates. General manager Walt Jocketty said the closing slump was a major factor in the decision.

Jocketty considered two in-house candidates: Price and Triple-A manager Jim Riggleman.