Tuesday, April 06, 1999

Hayes enters with bat ready

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BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Charlie Hayes was figuring to get maybe one at-bat Monday.

        “I was thinking about going into the game in the seventh inning,” Hayes said.

        Hayes was in by the seventh pitch instead.

        Hayes came in for the San Francisco Giants after their second batter, Bill Mueller, was hit by a pitch that broke his toe.

        Hayes would end up playing a starring a role. He hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Giants over the Reds 11-8.

        “I didn't really hit it that well,” Hayes said. “I guess it got up in the jet stream. Today if you got the ball up, it went out.”

        With Barry Bonds due up after Hayes, the Reds allowed lefty Gabe White to face Hayes.

        “I guess they were more worried about Barry,” Hayes said. “That's good for me.”

        Hayes took his sweet time on the home run trot.

        “I wasn't trying to show anyone up,” Hayes said. “It was a big hit ... It was more me being pumped up by a big hit than trying to show anyone up.”

        The Giants led 6-2 after five innings but had to come back after the Reds took an 8-6 lead; Hayes' error in contributed to the Reds six-run sixth.

        San Francisco rallied via the home run.

        Ellis Burks tied the game with a two-run shot off John Hudek in the seventh. Then came Hayes' shot in the eighth.

        Hayes will get a lot more chances. Mueller, the Giants third baseman, is out at least three weeks.

        “I don't feel like I'm on my last legs or anything,” he said. “I come here every day ready to play.”

        Hayes started 39 games at first base and 37 at third last season for the Giants after coming over from the New York Yankess.

        “We've got guys like Charlie who can come in and win the game.” San Francisco manager Dusty Baker said.

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