Friday, June 5, 1998

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Having failed to make an impression outside the state of Ohio, the last-place Reds turn their attention this weekend to defending their in-state bragging rights.

BATTLE OF OHIO

Tickets Friday: Several thousand left. Saturday: 2,000 standing-room tickets on sale at 5:05 p.m. Sunday: Several thousand left.

The red-hot Cleveland Indians come to town tonight in the renewal of that age-old (OK, two-year-old) I-71 interleague rivalry, and even though the Tribe can boast of being one out away from winning the World Series last year, the Reds are the ones who took two of three from them in 1997.

"We're still defending state champions. They were almost defending world champions, but we won the state," joked Reds' catcher Eddie Taubensee, a former Indian.

Most of the time, these rivalry things mean about as much to players as spring training games. Who cares if it's Cleveland or anybody else?

But there are a few Reds who care a lot about this one, particularly 25-year-old rookie pitcher Scott Winchester and 24-year-old reliever Danny Graves. They're two of the six former Indians on the Reds' roster (Jeff Shaw, Jon Nunnally, David Weathers and Taubensee are the others), but they have the most to prove.

It was Cleveland that traded the two promising pitchers last July (along with infielder Damian Jackson and pitcher Jim Crowell, now in the Reds' minor leagues), to Cincinnati for pitcher John Smiley and infielder Jeff Branson.

"I've been waiting for this big-time," said Graves, who spent some time with the Indians last year but pitched mostly in their minor-league system.

"I was talking to my wife before the season started, and I told her, "I just hope I'm in the big leagues for the Cleveland series. That's all I want to do.' I don't look at it like they shouldn't have traded me, because I know it's business. But I want to show them, "Here's what you had, and here's what Cincinnati has now.' "

Winchester knows exactly what Graves means.

"I think it would be fun to face an organization you used to play for," said the former reliever-turned starter. "I have a lot of respect for the Cleveland organization, but it's a way to show them, "Here's what you're missing out on.' "

Taubensee, Shaw and Nunnally were products of the old Indians farm system, before Cleveland's unlikely revitalization into a big-market power, but they, too, have something to show off.

Shaw has gone from a pitcher that the Indians thought would never have big-league stuff to the league's most dominant closer, while Taubensee has been transformed from a backup catcher to fourth in the National League in hitting with a .354 average.

Said Taubensee, who was traded from Cleveland to Houston in 1991 for eventual star center fielder Kenny Lofton: "They were in transition, and I was one of their transactions."

All the personal stuff aside, there are some ballgames to be played at Cinergy Field this weekend, and the Indians (35-23) present a big challenge for the Reds.

The defending American League champions not only have one of the most potent lineups in baseball, but a pitching staff that was leading the AL with a 4.14 ERA going into Wednesday's games. Burba, acquired from the Reds March 30 for Sean Casey, is 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA, while tonight's starter, Charles Nagy, is 7-2 but has a 5.68 ERA.

The Reds counter with Pete Harnisch (5-1, 3.06) tonight, Mike Remlinger (3-6, 4.35) vs. Jaret Wright (4-3, 4.03) Saturday night and Scott Klingenbeck on Sunday.

"The matchups are outstanding," said Reds' manager Jack McKeon. "We're going to see the best of their staff. They don't have any donkeys on that team."

Last year, the Reds appeared overmatched but won two of three at Cleveland, with Brett Tomko and Remlinger pitching well in the victories.

For one of the few times all year, the Cinergy stands are expected to be packed -- mostly with Indians fans, the Reds realize -- which could add to the intensity.

"You've still got to go out there and approach them the same way you do the Pirates or the Dodgers or anybody else," McKeon said. "But anytime you put 50,000 people in the ballpark, it adds excitement for the players. You'd like to play in front of that every night."