Wednesday, March 10, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Cameron rises to leadoff spot
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Pokey Reese had his chance, and he'll likely receive another one. But now it's Mike Cameron's turn to bat leadoff.
Cameron had led off only once in the Reds' seven games before Tuesday night's exhibition against the Texas Rangers, going 1-for-4 with a walk in last Friday's split-squad 6-2 loss to Minnesota.
Reds manager Jack McKeon had said that both Reese and Cameron would be tried at the top spot during Grapefruit League play.
Reese was batting .105 (2-for-19) in five games, but as McKeon said, “Don't read anything into it (the change).”
He added, “I said I was going to use both of them, so ... somewhere along the line you have to let one guy go three or four games and then let the other guy go three or four games.”
Against the Rangers, Cameron had a single in his first three at-bats, but was picked off first base after his hit, ending the third inning.
SURVIVING A SCARE: Royce Clayton's line drive that struck Brett Tomko on his left calf ended the right-hander's evening. Fortunately for Tomko and the Reds, he wasn't seriously injured.
“I had a weird feeling I was going to have a line drive hit at me,” said Tomko, who scrambled after the ball and threw out Clayton to end the third inning. “Maybe it was the first time under the lights.”
Tomko probably would have pitched one more inning without the mishap, having blanked the Rangers on two hits.
“It's going to hurt to get up (today),” he said. “It'll be stiff, but I don't think I'll miss a start.”
NEAGLE UPDATE: Left-hander Denny Neagle, trying to regain strength in his shoulder before he pitches in an exhibition game, will throw on the side today and might pitch in a simulated game Saturday, McKeon said.
The Reds had hoped to use Neagle in a “B” game either Friday against Tampa Bay or Saturday against Philadelphia, but both have been canceled.
MORRIS RECOVERING: First baseman Hal Morris, who dislocated the pinky on his right hand Sunday against Toronto, took batting practice and pregame infield practice with minimal discomfort.
McKeon said Morris probably will play today against Detroit.
HIATT HURT: Third baseman-outfielder Phil Hiatt was going to face a struggle to make Cincinnati's Opening Day roster under normal circumstances.
Now that he'll miss 6-12 weeks with a broken right wrist, he has no shot.
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