Mike Cameron jars the ball from catcher Brent Mayne. (Saed Hindash photo) | ZOOM |

        Mike Cameron stood at his locker a half-hour after Monday's final out. But his soul remained on the diamond.

        “I'm still pumped right now,” said the Reds center fielder.

        It was that kind of afternoon for the Reds. From their perspective, much of Opening Day was worth lingering over, despite their 11-8 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

        A sellout crowd of 55,112, the seventh-largest in the team's regular-season history, left Cinergy Field enlightened, if not satisfied.

        The spectators saw the Reds can be resurgent. Cincinnati came back from deficits of 3-0 and 6-2, making it a one-run game the first time, then scoring six sixth-inning runs to take an 8-6 lead.

Sean Casey, right, and Barry Larkin celebrate after Casey's HR gave the Reds an 8-6 lead. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        The crowd realized that the Reds can be powerful. The team that finished 12th in the National League in home runs last year belted three. Sean Casey hit a two-run blast that gave the Reds an 8-6 lead, and Mark Sweeney had a pinch-hit, three-run shot.

        The fans learned that they might witness the emergence of stars this summer, as Cameron and right fielder Dmitri Young delivered electrifying performances (given Young's shockingly blond hair, maybe that's doubly true for him).

        Cameron displayed the combination of power and speed that impressed the Reds in spring training, stroking a two-run homer and jarring the ball loose from Giants catcher Brent Mayne to score the tying run in the sixth.

        Young, who ended last season knowing he had to lose weight and improve his defense, collected three infield singles and threw out runners at third base and home plate.

        “It was very big for us to establish certain things,” Cameron said. “We didn't pick up the win, but there were some positive vibes going today.”

Brett Tomko: 6 runs in 3 2/3 innings. (Saed Hindash photo) | ZOOM |

        “The good thing about today's game was, we battled back,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “We gave the fans a good show.”

        These heroics should have been enough to give the Reds their 20th victory in their last 26 openers.

        But third baseman Aaron Boone's throwing error aided the Giants' three-run third inning, starter Brett Tomko (3 2/3 innings, six runs) struggled with his control and the bullpen surrendered to the Giants instead of stifling them.

        Ellis Burks' two-run homer off John Hudek (0-1) tied the score 8-8 in the seventh, one inning before Charlie Hayes' three-run homer made the difference.

        All these highs and lows were essential for the Reds to absorb at this early juncture.

Gabe White is consoled by Don Gullett after giving up Charlie Hayes' game-winning homer. (Saed Hindash photo) | ZOOM |

        So though he had exerted his influence as a leader in the clubhouse, on the field and during several sessions of extra hitting, Reds left fielder Greg Vaughn felt compelled to exhort his teammates to maintain their effort.

        “He was preaching that the whole game,” Taubensee said.

        “There's no quit over here, and I'm not going to let there be any,” said Vaughn, who spent last season with the NL champion San Diego Padres. “Hopefully they'll understand what I'm talking about as the season goes on. We have to try to look at it from a positive (standpoint), and that's that we fought.”

        They must learn who they are. Catcher Eddie Taubensee was the only holdover at his position from last year's Opening Day lineup (second baseman Pokey Reese started at shortstop for then-injured Barry Larkin).

Hal Morris strikes out with two runners on to end the game. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Yes, the Reds just finished seven weeks of bonding. But logistics typically leave teams fragmented in spring training.

        “People don't understand — this is the first time we've really all been together for a game,” Sweeney said.

        Young even noticed that approach among the embattled pitchers.

        “Those guys would give up a home run and they were still ready to get someone out,” he said admiringly. “"So what, let's go get this next guy.' That attitude right there is going to carry and carry.”

        As long as the balls hit by opposing hitters don't carry in the same fashion — “Our pitchers are better than that,” McKeon said — this should be a lively season.

        “If we battle like that every day, good things are going to happen for us,” Reese said.

Excitement is back, say Reds fans
Box score - How runs scored
Casey's good gap-to-gap, ear-to-ear Paul Daugherty column
Young's makeover more than hair color Tim Sullivan column
Cameron makes good 1st impression
No relief in sight in opener
Vaughn still waiting to get his groove on
Notebook: Tomko's struggles a matter of form
Hayes enters with bat ready
Parade garb reflects team's
Fans come first on Opening Day
It's quiet opener for Schott
Marge's last Opening Day as bosslady Laura Pulfer column
Going, gone, gone! Pigeons make fast stadium exit Cliff Radel column
Stealing base easier than parking car

• Excitement is back, say Reds fans
• Box score - How runs scored
• Casey's good gap-to-gap, ear-to-ear Paul Daugherty column
• Young's makeover more than hair color Tim Sullivan column
• Cameron makes good 1st impression
• No relief in sight in opener
• Vaughn still waiting to get his groove on
• Notebook: Tomko's struggles a matter of form
• Hayes enters with bat ready
• Parade garb reflects team's
• Fans come first on Opening Day
• It's quiet opener for Schott
• Marge's last Opening Day as bosslady Laura Pulfer column
• Going, gone, gone! Pigeons make fast stadium exit Cliff Radel column
• Stealing base easier than parking car