Saturday, August 8, 1998

BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dmitri Young reaches over Willie Greene to high five Reggie Sanders after Sean Casey's three-run double. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

If this was Knothole, the 10-run rule and nine-batter rule both would have been invoked in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday. Aaron Boone, in the midst of a career-high four RBI night, drilled a three-run double and the 20,908 could have left Cinergy Field at about 9:20 p.m.

Unbelievably, this was the Major Leagues and the Reds had to wait nearly another hour to claim a Ripley's Believe it Or Not 17-0 victory that tied for the worst loss in the history of the Brewers. "That's the most resounding defeat I've ever played in or managed," Milwaukee manager Phil Garner said after the Reds sent 16 men to the plate in the numbing sixth inning.

The Reds rung up 12 runs in the sixth as Barry Larkin, Sean Casey, Bret Boone and Dmitri Young tied a big-league record by scoring two runs in an inning.

The inning also included:

Three RBI and two doubles from Casey as the Reds logged five doubles in the frame. Casey's two doubles in the same inning also tied a big-league record, it was the first time a Red did it since Hal Morris did it nearly two years ago, and the third time it was done in the National League this year.

Pete Harnisch took the Reds to the sixth and then the offense took over. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

"We were saving those runs up for tonight," said Casey, referring to the three-hit shutout Greg Maddux painted at the Reds Thursday. "(Reds' radio man) Joe Nuxhall told me it was a record. My first one. I know (it's held by many) but it puts you in the book somewhere." The Reds came into the inning hitting .325 with the bases loaded and ended it hitting .349 with a 3-for-3 effort. Casey, Aaron Boone and Reggie Sanders slapped doubles and Eddie Taubensee walked. "Hitting is contagious," Casey said.

Five walks (one intentional) by Milwaukee starter and loser Brad Woodall (5-6) and Joe Hudson. Hudson threw just nine strikes in his 27 pitches.

An official out didn't occur until the Reds sent their 15th men to the plate.

Larkin started the mess leading off the sixth with his 150th career homer, a vintage shot to right center.

"That's 150 more than I thought I'd get,' Larkin said. "Not a home-run hitter."

It marked the most runs the Reds scored in an inning since their club-record 14 in the first inning against the Astros Aug. 3, 1989. The worthy beneficiary was Pete Harnisch, who pitched a gritty six-inning shutout when this game was still a serious matter.

Harnisch (8-5), making his first start since leaving with a strained right triceps muscle 11 days before against Atlanta,was more resourceful than sharp He battled through six 3-2 counts to the first 17 hitters, and stranded five runners in scoring position in the first five innings before leaving after throwing 70 strikes of his 111 pitches.

"Feels good to finally get one," said Harnisch, celebrating his first win in 42 days and one contract extension.

Harnisch had a message for today's starter, Dennis Reyes (1-4), who pitches against Steve Woodard (9-5) tonight at 7:05 after all the run support.

"I told Reyes, "Sorry, good luck to you,' " Harnisch said. The first inning should have been a clue that Harnisch would be more tough than good. He walked the first two hitters, balked and chucked a wild pitch. But he also fanned Jeff Cirillo, who came into the game second in the NL with a .378 average with men on base, before getting Jeromy Burnitz to ground out and John Jaha to fan. In the third, Mark Loretta nicked Harnisch for a two-out single, stole second and went to third on a passed ball before Harnisch got Burnitz (.316 in his previous five games) to pop to third. In the fourth, Harnisch allowed a single and double, but got bailed by first baseman Sean Casey's 3-6-3 double play. In the fifth, Cirillo left Fernando Vina standing on second with a fly to right.

While Harnisch was resourceful, his hitters were economical. They staked him to a 3-0 lead on just four hits with solo homers off Woodall.

The lefty swinging Taubensee led off the third with a homer just inside the right-field foul pole that accounted for his first homer off a left-hander this season and his club-high 56th RBI of the season. Two outs later, Sanders extended his hitting streak to five games with a blast to left center.