Monday, July 6, 1998

BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Willie Greene knocks fists with Mike Frank after Greene's 2-run homer. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

The Reds are still in last place, 15 games behind the Houston Astros and 11 games under .500. But in the row of the clubhouse where the young guys are, it feels like they're playing for a winner.

"It really does," first baseman Sean Casey said. "It feels like a winning atmosphere."

That's because the Reds enter the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak. Sunday's 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, which completed a three-game series sweep, was their ninth win in 10 games.

The streak has gone on because youngsters from Casey to Mike Frank to Pokey Reese to Gabe White to Danny Graves are contributing. "We're not making mistakes like we were earlier," second baseman Bret Boone said. "We're getting runners in from third with less than two outs. We're getting good pitching. The younger guys at least have a half season under their belt now."

Several of the kids have struggled, but Casey, Frank and Reese are coming around. Casey hit .352, Frank .286, and Reese .350 on the five-game homestand.

"A lot of positive things are going on right now," manager Jack McKeon said. "The young kids are getting more comfortable. You wish the break wasn't coming right now. I hope they don't forget what we've done the last 10 days."

Sunday's win was the seventh in the streak in which the Reds came from behind.

Barry Larkin shows the ball as Brian Jordan argues the call after trying to steal second. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but it could have been worse.

After the run scored, two shoddy defensive plays -- one by Willie Greene (making his first start in right field) and one by Reese at third -- loaded the bases with no outs. But Brett Tomko (8-6) got out of it with a strikeout and double play.

"That was the game right there, to me," he said. "If I give up three or four runs there, it's tough to come back."

The Reds tied it in the fifth, then took advantage of a big break in the sixth.

A single by Barry Larkin, a double by Greene and an intentional walk to Boone loaded the bases. Casey then hit an apparent double-play ball, and St. Louis second baseman Placido Polanco appeared to turn it. But umpire Joe West called Boone safe at second because Polanco didn't tag the bag.

St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa argued the call and was ejected. Runners are usually called out in such situations.

"He wasn't even close," McKeon said. "Phantom play. That was Phantom of the Opera."

TV replays showed it was the correct call. Then, after Reese walked, Brook Fordyce lined a two-run single to right. Greene made it 6-1 with a two-run homer, his 11th, into the green seats above right field.

Mark McGwire, whom the Reds overshadowed all weekend with wins, trades and clubhouse controversy, went 1-for-3. He's up to 24 plate appearances in Cinergy without a home run.