Sunday, March 21, 1999REDS NOTEBOOK
Avery does full-day's work
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — On the surface, Steve Avery's five-inning stint Friday night suggested that he needs to build more stamina for the regular season. In reality, he's quite strong already.
Pitching coach Don Gullett said Saturday that Avery threw 96 pitches, enough for a complete game under some circumstances, while allowing two runs and three hits in Cincinnati's 6-5, 11-inning loss to Boston.
“He asked for it, and he got it,” said Gullett, who had planned to remove Avery after four innings. Gullett relayed Avery's wish to pitch another inning to manager Jack McKeon, who approved the request.
Once again, Avery's velocity hovered around 84-85 mph, about 5-6 mph slower than he threw when he was dazzling the National League in the early '90s with Atlanta. But Gullett pointed out that Avery is still building his arm strength after pitching 131 innings or fewer in each of the last three seasons.
“I truly think he'll get more velocity,” Gullett said.
HOT & COLD: Jeffrey Hammonds, who started in center field and batted cleanup Saturday, singled twice to break an 0-for-11 skid.
• With his ninth-inning single, Jeff Branson has hit safely in four of his last five games.
• Scott Sullivan improved his ERA to 0.96 with 1ô shutout innings, and Gabe White lengthened his streak of consecutive scoreless appearances to four.
On the other hand, Reds pitchers have allowed at least one homer in seven consecutive games, surrendering 12 in that span.
ETC.: Denny Neagle continued his shoulder-strengthening program by throwing off a bullpen mound for 12 minutes.
“He looked better,” Gullett said of Neagle, who might have to begin the season on the disabled list. “He was loose from the beginning and extending better on his pitches.”
Neagle's next outing will come in a “B” game Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins.
• The Reds have 37 players left in camp, but they might not make another sizable roster cut until after Tuesday, because they'll need enough players for a regular exhibition game and a “B” game that day against Minnesota.
• Former Enquirer columnist Frank Weikel, now a Charlotte County commissioner, tossed a ceremonial first pitch.
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