PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Barry Larkin's absence not only gives Pokey Reese a chance to play shortstop, it's an opportunity for an apprenticeship in the leadoff spot as well.
''Jack (McKeon) thinks I can be a leadoff hitter,'' Reese said, ''so I'm trying to learn it.''
Reese is having a good spring. He's hitting .302 with an on-base percentage of .378. Reese hit .219 last year with a .284 on-base percentage as a rookie.
''That's the key: I have to get on base,'' he said. ''With Jon Nunnally, Chris Stynes and Eduardo Perez hitting behind me, if I get on, there's a good chance they're going to get me over and get me in.
''Getting on also gives me a chance to use my speed.''
Reese, who had a professional career-high 25 stolen bases last season, is working on being more selective at the plate.
''I'm trying to lay off pitches, not chase balls in the dirt,'' he said. ''It's a matter of hitting the ball where you see it. If it's away, take it to right.''
Reese slumped badly late last year. He went into September hitting .238, but lost 19 points on his average by hitting .160 the last month. Reese worked on his conditioning and hit the weights hard in the offseason.
''I feel stronger,'' he said.
By he still carries only 180 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame.
''I eat like a pig,'' he said. ''But I'm one of those people who just can't gain weight.
Finally
Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Texas Rangers was the first nine-inning game the Reds had played since Tuesday's 6-5 win over Detroit. The Reds were off Wednesday, Thursday's day game against the New York Yankees was rained out, Thursday's night game against the Minnesota Twins was shortened to five innings, and Friday's game with the Red Sox was rained out.
Peace talks
Brett Tomko and McKeon talked out their feud.
McKeon has not been happy with Tomko since the right-hander informed him just before a March 5 game that his shoulder was too sore to pitch. McKeon has ripped Tomko in the press a couple of times since. Friday, Tomko said he wasn't happy with what McKeon was saying about him.
CP:Brett Tomko
''They talked it out, and it's behind them,'' Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said.
Said McKeon: ''We had a talk. It was just miscommunication. I want him to do well.''
Bowden had no problem with McKeon going public with his displeasure. ''All the great managers have different ways of motivating players,'' Bowden said. ''Sometimes it's appropriate to give someone a public wakeup call. In this case, I think it worked.'' HD:GREENE WAVES:
Third baseman Willie Greene (0-for-4, two strikeouts Saturday) continues to struggle. Greene is hitting .137. He has no home runs and three RBI in 52 at-bats.
He has struck out 20 times.
''He'll be all right,'' McKeon said. ''He may be pressing. He can't seem to pull the trigger. Then sometimes, he pulls it too quick. He may just need a day off.''
Greene waves
The Reds had a chance to come back Saturday after Damian Jackson's bunt single loaded the bases in the eighth inning. But Lenny Harris popped out on the first pitch, then Chris Stynes and Willie Greene struck out.
''We had an opportunity,'' McKeon said. ''We just didn't get the clutch hit.''
First pitch
Former Enquirer columnist Frank Weikel, now a commissioner with Charlotte County, threw out the first pitch before the Reds-Rangers game Saturday.
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