Thursday, September 24, 1998

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Roberto Petagine makes a sliding catch. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Steve Parris' season didn't end as well as he'd have liked, but the journeyman pitcher still views 1998 as a success.

After all, Parris made it back to the big leagues this year, and performed surprisingly well when he got here. Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Phillies -- his final start, in which he gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings -- can't obscure the highlights of the journey he has traveled.

"I'm not going to let one game bother me," he said. "In Montreal, I pitched a shutout and I said then it was just one game. That's what this was. The last two months have been great. I've been consistent, and I'd like to keep throwing."

Petagine makes a leaping catch. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Why not? This year, Parris finally established himself as a major league pitcher after shoulder surgery set him back in 1995. After bouncing around the minors in '97, he began this year by getting blown up in spring training, then toiled in Triple-A until the Reds were forced by terms of his contract to bring him up.

But in Cincinnati, Parris proved to be one of the team's most consistent starters the last two months, winning five of his last seven decisions to make the Reds take a long look at him in '99.

Wednesday, Parris was hurt by a three-run third inning that decided the game. The big hit was Phillies left fielder Kevin Sefcik's two-run triple.

"I've had better days," Parris said. "I threw well in the first inning, but the second, I forgot what to do, and I couldn't find it again.

"When the Phillies released me (in '93), they put a hex on me. Every time I pitch against them, I stink the place up."

The Reds didn't have much of a chance against former Cincinnati pitcher Mark Portugal, who allowed only two runs in 7 2/3 innings. Six of the nine players in the Reds' lineup Wednesday spent time at Triple-A this year.

Jon Nunally upends Phils 2B Mario Anderson. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Despite the loss, the Reds (74-85) are now assured they can't finish last in the National League Central division, thanks to Pittsburgh's loss.

Many predicted the Reds for last this year, but even if they take fourth, it won't be many games from the cellar.

"We never thought about finishing last," manager Jack McKeon said.

"We had people telling us we were going to lose 100 games. We're in fourth now, and we're going to try to stay there."