Monday, April 05, 1999
SCOUTING REPORT
Giants at Reds
• Where: Cinergy Field.
• When: Today, 2:05 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.; Wednesday, 12:35 p.m.
• Records (1998): San Francisco, 89-74 (2nd NL West); Cincinnati 77-85 (4th NL Central).
• Radio: WLW-AM (700)
• TV: Fox Sports Ohio, today only.
At the plate
The Reds can look across the diamond and see what they aspire to be. While receiving little respect, the Giants compiled baseball's fourth-best record in the last two years, winning the '97 West title and losing a one-game playoff to the Chicago Cubs for last year's wild-card playoff berth.
As a moderate-revenue team, the Giants couldn't afford to make substantial roster upgrades during the offseason. They did add hard throwers Felix Rodriguez, a right-hander who pitched 26 games for the Reds in 1997, and Alan Embree, a left-hander, to their oft-used bullpen, which has been a mainstay during San Francisco's resurgence.
Closer Robb Nen looked dominant in spring training, posting an 0.90 ERA as opponents batted .143 off him.
Most players enjoy hitting in Cincinnati, and as you might expect, Giants left fielder Barry Bonds is like most hitters. The future Hall of Famer owns a career .326 average in Cinergy Field with 23 homers in only 218 at-bats.
Jeff Kent drove in 128 runs last year after collecting 121 RBI in '97, becoming just the second second baseman with 120 or more RBI in multiple seasons.
On the mound
• Today: RH Brett Tomko (13-12, 4.44 ERA last year) vs. RH Mark Gardner (13-6, 4.33).
• Tuesday: RH Jason Bere (6-9, 5.65) vs. LH Kirk Rueter (16-9, 4.36).
• Wednesday: LH Steve Avery (10-7, 5.02) vs. RH Russ Ortiz (4-4, 4.99).
Outlook
The Reds have won 19 of their last 25 openers. Cincinnati has never defeated San Francisco in an opener. Juan Marichal beat Don Gullett 4-1 in 1973 and Vida Blue outlasted Tom Seaver in an 11-5 decision in 1979.
The Reds would like to improve upon last year's opener. Their 10-2 loss to San Diego was the worst in an opener since 1962. Pokey Reese tied a modern-day Opening Day record for shortstops by committing four errors, including three in the third inning.
Eight different Reds hit at least .300 this spring, prompting hopes that they'll generate more offense this year. Cincinnati ranked in the middle of the NL last season in batting average and runs (both seventh) but toward the bottom in homers (12th).
Reds Stories
Brown stars in pre-draft camp
Davidge eyes Blue Jackets post
Reds page
