BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PITTSBURGH -- Things got off to a good start on the Reds' just-concluded 10-game road trip last weekend.
They took two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers, who led the National League Central Division at the time.
And after taking two of three in Montreal and splitting in Pittsburgh, the Reds come home in good shape -- 6-4 on the road trip, evening their record at .500 (18-18).
The come-from-behind win Sunday, the Reds' second in the four-game series against the Pirates, was just what they needed to end the road swing.
"It makes it a great trip," said outfielder Jon Nunnally, whose throw home in the bottom of the ninth Sunday cut down Al Martin with what would have been the winning run for the Pirates. "You always want to end a trip with a win."
The Reds won two of their three series on the trip, which is what manager Jack McKeon looks for.
"You can't win every game, but if you keep winning series, at the end of the season you're 10, 20 games over .500."
Don't get too excited, however. The Atlanta Braves, who are dominating the National League East, come to town today and Tuesday with Cy Young pitchers Greg Maddux and John Smoltz scheduled to start.
Helpful talk
Despite the hit he allowed against the only batter he faced Sunday, left-handed reliever Gabe White has been throwing his slider well lately and credits a 10-minute talk with pitching coach Don Gullett for straightening him out.
White said all Gullett did was show him a little better way to throw the slider. "Sometimes people can tell you and tell you something, then someone else tells you once and you go out and pitch the way he was saying," White said. "It's amazing the difference he made with 10 minutes of his time."
Though he entered spring training hoping to earn a spot in the starting rotation, White has adjusted well to his role as the Reds' left-handed reliever. "Preferably, I'd just as soon stay in the pen, work at it and keep learning," he said. "I've learned so much already."
Staying alive
Pat Watkins saw it coming. He figured when Sean Casey and Melvin Nieves came back from rehab assignments, he and third baseman Aaron Boone would be sent to Triple-A.
As it turned out, Boone was sent down before Casey came back, and Watkins didn't go at all. When Nieves returned last week, the Reds placed pitcher Marc Kroon on the disabled list with a case of tendinitis instead to keep Watkins around.
Watkins was one of the most surprised. "Pleasantly surprised," he said.
The Reds think Watkins is ready to play in the big leagues, especially with his outstanding defensive skill. The problem is, he can't get at-bats right now with the outfield so crowded, so he plays mostly as a late-inning defensive replacement.
Watkins, of course, doesn't mind staying with the big club and says even if he's not getting a lot of at-bats (27 in 25 games), he's glad to stick around.
"I don't think there's any substitute for playing in the big leagues," he said. "If I was to go down to Triple-A and hit .400, I'd still have to make adjustments when I came up again. I know my role on this team, that I'm a defensive player, and I have to work hard to stay here."
Day of rest
McKeon gave shortstop Barry Larkin, who may be coming out his slump, a day off Sunday as planned. Larkin's average is up to an even .200 after spending most of the last two weeks in the .170s and .180s. He hit .226 on the 10-game road trip (7-for-31) and has hit safely in three straight games (5-for-11, .455).
Bad weekend
Pittsburgh-area native Casey's homecoming didn't turn out quite the way he'd hoped. He was 1-for-13 in the four games, made three miscues in the field and was doubled up on the basepath after straying too far away on a fly ball -- all with a horde of friends and relatives in the stands.
"Casey is pressing a little bit," McKeon said. "He's got that busload of people here. I'll be glad to get out of here."
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