Friday, April 30, 1999

SCOUTING REPORT

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Reds (9-11) at Braves (14-7)

        • Where: Turner Field, Atlanta.

        • When: 7:40 p.m. today, 7:10 p.m. Saturday and 1:10 p.m. Sunday

        • Radio: WLW-AM (700).

        • TV: Fox Sports Ohio, today and Sunday.

At the plate
        The Braves' spell over the rest of the NL appears destined to continue. They entered Thursday ranked third in batting average (.277). Right fielder Brian Jordan has led the offense, hitting .354 with six homers and 21 RBI. He began Thursday tied for the league lead with 11 multiple-hit games.

        Switch-hitting third baseman Chipper Jones has been much more proficient batting right-handed (.417) than left-handed (.232). His five homers ranked second on the team.

        Ryan Klesko has been bothered by a hamstring injury, but he has been productive when he's in the lineup, hitting .364.

On the mound
        • Today: Steve Avery (1-1, 1.88) vs. John Smoltz (3-0, 2.03).

        • Saturday: Pete Harnisch (2-2, 3.62) vs. Kevin Millwood (1-2, 5.79).

        • Sunday: Denny Neagle (0-0, 3.60) vs. Odalis Perez (0-1, 3.86).

        The Braves rank third in ERA (4.12). Cincinnati won't face Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine, but tonight's opponent, John Smoltz, has been formidable. The right-hander has struck out 29 batters in 26ö innings while limiting hitters to a .216 average.

        Left-hander John Rocker has only one save, but he's the reliever manager Bobby Cox is most likely to turn to in the ninth inning.

Outlook
        Atlanta dominated the Reds last year, winning seven of nine games. Cincinnati won one of three games in its only 1998 visit to Turner Field.

       

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