Sunday, April 18, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Williamson more comfortable
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Scott Williamson, the phenom of the Reds spring training, is starting to pitch like he did in Florida.
Williamson, a 23-year-old rookie with a 97 mph fastball, pitched three innings in the Reds' 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Williamson allowed an unearned runand two hits. He struck out four and walked one.
“I've been real comfortable the last two times out,” Williamson said. “I've been talking to Stan Belinda a lot. You have to learn how to pitch. How to set up guys.”
Belinda has been a tremendous help because Williamson is pitching in relief for the first time.
“I was pitching scared when I first got up here,” he said. “Now, I'm going after people like I was in spring training.”
Reds manager Jack McKeon is trying to bring Williamson along slowly, trying to build on the positive.
“That was a real plus today,” McKeon said. “He's had two good outings in a row. He can see that when he doesn't walk people he's successful.”
Williamson pitched to one batter Friday night and got two outs on a double-pay ball. Saturday, he was aided by another double play after he walked the pitcher in the sixth inning.
“You've got eight guys behind you,” Williamson said. “You've got to let them make plays.”
Another arm
The Reds are expected to purchase the contract of the right-handed pitcher Rick Greene from the Indianapolis Indians today.
Mark Wohlers, who came to the Reds on Friday in a trade for John Hudek, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder.
That left the Reds with nine pitchers.
Greene, 28, has never pitched in the major leagues. He was 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA last year at Triple-A Louisville. That was his sixth year in the minor leagues. The Reds signed him late in the spring as a free agent.
He was 0-0 with 4.67 ERA in four games at Indy.
Mighty Casey
After going hitless Friday for the first time this year, Sean Casey went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI.
Casey started so hot that a 2-for-5 dropped his average from .484 to .472.
Looking up
McKeon was pleased with Belinda's progress after watching him throw Friday.
“He looked great,” McKeon said. “He's not that far off. He'll give us another dimension.”
Rockin' his world
Heavy metal was the music of choice in the Reds clubhouse before Saturday's game.
“I love this stuff,” McKeon said, “gets me psyched up for the game.”
Lineup shuffle
Jeffrey Hammonds started in right field for Dmitri Young on Saturday, and Mark Lewis started at third base for Aaron Boone.
“I've got to get those guys in there some,” McKeon said.
The timing was especially good for Young. He fouled a ball off his left big toe in Friday night's game, and he's been struggling. He is 3-for-24 in his last seven games.
“He can use a day off,” McKeon said. “He's just trying too hard.”
Young did pinch-hit Saturday. He struck out for the final out of the game.
Rooting for Tony
McKeon figures if Tony Gwynn gets hot he could get his 3,000th hit against the Reds in San Diego. Gwynn needs 55 hits. The Reds are in San Diego May 21, 22 and 23.
“I'd like to be there for that,” McKeon said. “It'll be a historic moment.”
McKeon was the Padres general manager when Gwynn broke in.
Up next LHP Steve Avery (1-1, 2.45 ERA) will start today for the Reds against RHP Todd Ritchie. It will be Ritchie's first appearance of the season. Former Red Pete Schourek was scheduled to start, but he was moved back to Monday.
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