SARASOTA, Fla. - Pete Harnisch is looking more and more like the Reds' latest successful retread.
Harnisch, the bargain-basement free agent, went six innings Tuesday, allowing four hits and one run in the Reds' 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
''The slider is getting better and better,'' Harnisch said. ''That's big.''
Harnisch will make his final start of the spring Saturday.
Harnisch is a year removed from making 31 starts for the New York Mets. If he can be a workhorse, the Reds' rotation has a good chance to be solid.
''I felt pretty good,'' he said. ''The fastball was popping.''
Harnisch lowered his ERA to 3.54 Tuesday. He has gone 28 innings this spring, allowing 23 hits and striking out 21.
Greene working
Willie Greene's day of instruction helped, or at least he thinks so.
''I think it definitely will,'' he said. ''I was just working on seeing the ball, being more selective, trying to relax.''
Greene did not make the trip with the team to Dunedin for Sunday's game. Instead, he stayed back and took batting practice with hitting coach Ken Griffey.
Greene went into Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates hitting .135 with 20 strikeouts in 52
at-bats, but then went 3-for-3, with singles in his first three at-bats.
''Luckily, it's still spring training,'' he said. ''I still have time to get it together.''
Greene is coming off a year where he hit .253 with 26 home runs and 91 RBI. For the Reds to compete, they'll need similar numbers from him this year.
''I don't want to let my teammates down,'' he said.
Fan friendly
Before Sunday's game against Toronto, Jack McKeon was speaking to a group of fans from Ludlow, Ky., who were standing by the screen next to the Reds' dugout.
The fans asked McKeon if he could get some of players over for autographs. McKeon took a break from signing himself, then went to get first Jon Nunnally, then Brook Fordyce. Each player signed until everyone was satisfied.
This was not an isolated incident. Players seem to be signing constantly this spring.
''I think it's something we've got to do,'' McKeon said. ''The strike years turned the fans off. Our guys have been good about signing.''
Tomko update
The ball is in Brett Tomko's hand, so to speak.
Tomko will start today against Texas, then stay behind an extra day and start in a Class AAA game.
''If all goes well, he'll be slotted in the fifth spot,'' McKeon said.
Said Tomko: ''I'm back in the mix. Hopefully, I'll get a couple more starts and be ready to go.''
Rough cut
General Manager Jim Bowden had a question for the media Tuesday: ''We've got to find a way to keep Pat Watkins, Aaron Boone and Damian Jackson. Any of you have any ideas?''
Only two of the three will make the Opening Day roster, barring a trade. It's likely to be Watkins and Jackson because Watkins is a good defensive outfielder, and Jackson can spell Pokey Reese at shortstop and Bret Boone at second.
Players are fans
Several Reds made the trip to St. Petersburg for the Kentucky-Duke game. They were impressed, particularly David Weathers.
''That was the best game I've ever seen,'' he said. ''I was hoarse all morning. I'm a fan, dude. I don't go to just sit there.''
Reds 3, Pirates 1
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