Sunday, May 24, 1998

BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The first thing on Eddie Priest's pitching dossier is: Throws strikes. He and Reds manager Jack McKeon should get along just fine.

The Reds called up Priest, a 24-year-old left-hander, from Indianapolis Saturday to take Sean Casey's place on the roster. McKeon plans to give Priest the first available start.

"Maybe at the end of this homestand or against the Dodgers," McKeon said. "We're going to start him, develop him, or at least get a look."

Priest began the year at Double-A Chattanooga. After going 2-1 there with a 1.73 ERA, he was promoted to Indy in late April. He was 3-0 with 4.09 ERA at Indy.

"We pitched him in one game in spring training," McKeon said. "He's a control type. He's not overpowering. He's got a good changeup." Priest's forte is throwing strikes. In his minor league career, he has 328 strikeouts and 83 walks, a 4-to-1 ratio.

Priest split last year between Single-A Charleston and Double-A Chattanooga. He missed most of the 1996 season after having surgery on his left shoulder.

Robinson lesson

McKeon listened in on Frank Robinson's press conference Friday and liked what he heard when Robinson talked about what it took to win.

"I wish some of our players were there," McKeon said.

Robinson talked about the importance of moving runners up, breaking up double plays, laying down a bunt. McKeon often talks about the same things.

"He talked about doing it before the manager asked you to," McKeon said, "not complaining when you were asked."

Someone mentioned that Robinson was a hard-nosed player.

"That's why he's in the Hall of Fame," McKeon said. "And that's why some guys here will never get there or be successful."

That led to subject of playing hurt.

McKeon recalled how Robinson played the second game of a doubleheader with his eye nearly swollen shut and his thumb bruised after a fight with Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves. Robinson went 3-for-4 and made a great catch to help the Reds win.

"Now days a guy hurts his hand and misses four or five days," McKeon said.

Reggie Sanders, by the way, was out of the lineup for a fifth straight day with a bruised hand.

Some Reds do play Robinson-style. The Reds' first run scored when Mike Lansing threw the ball away trying to turn a double play as Barry Larkin slid hard into him.

Young hitter

Dmitri Young, the round mound of pound, is on another tear. He was 3-for-4 Friday and 1-for-3 with a home run Saturday, extending his hitting streak to five games. He is 8-for-19 (.421) over that span and 54-for-148 (.365) in his last 38 games.

Young started at first base Saturday. He'll continue to do so against right-handers until Casey is recalled from Indy. He'll play left field against lefties, with Eduardo Perez at first.

"Ideally, I'd like (Young) to settle into one position, probably left-field," McKeon said.

Remlinger ready

Left-hander Mike Remlinger will start Tuesday. Remlinger, who strained a left groin muscle a week ago, threw off the mound Friday and felt no ill effects Saturday.

"It's fine," he said. "I don't feel it at all."

Remlinger missed his start Thursday.

Still loves Rockies

Chris Stynes had two more hits against the Rockies Saturday, improving his season average against them to .482 (13-for-27). Stynes is hitting .218 against the rest of the National League.

Up next

Brett Tomko (5-2, 3.77 ERA) faces Colorado left-handed pitcher

Bobby Jones (0-0, 5.30) in the final game of the three-game series today at 1:15 p.m.

Tomko's start was switched from Saturday to today, so he could get his usual four days' rest. Scott Winchester started Saturday instead of today.

"Winchester was more comfortable with three days' rest," McKeon said. "Tomko is more comfortable with that routine."