Wednesday, May 05, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Casey ready for Big Unit baptism
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Sean Casey will be the lone left-handed hitter to face Arizona Diamondbacks ace Randy Johnson at 7:05 tonight.
Johnson, the 6-foot-10 flamethrower, is one left-hander most lefty hitters duck.
“Casey is one guy who would like the challenge,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said.
Casey didn't go quite that far.
“Your job is to hit against guys like that,” Casey said. “So I guess looking at it that way, you could say I'm looking forward to it.”
Casey did not face Johnson last season when the Reds played Houston and Johnson was with the Astros. Johnson stifled the Reds' exclusively right-handed lineup 1-0 on six hits and struck out 14.
In his six starts this year, six different left-handers have faced Johnson. In their 20 total at-bats, they've managed only one hit and struck out 11 times.
McKeon said Johnson's intimidation factor helps him.
“His reputation precedes him,” McKeon said. “This is a game if you get inside someone's head, it's tough.”
A promise
McKeon has told the Reds if they get 10 games over .500, he'd give up cigars.
“Now, that would be hard to do,” he said.
He was talking about the cigars, not getting 10 games over .500.
Below average
Jeffrey Hammonds started in right field and batted second Tuesday. Hammonds entered hitting .130, giving the Reds a lineup with five players hitting .200 or below. Greg Vaughn (.195), Barry Larkin (.196), Aaron Boone (.200) and Brian Johnson (.200) also started.
Closer case
McKeon was confident Scott Williamson would be an effective reliever by June 1.
McKeon has revised that. “He may be there already.”
McKeon isn't ready to designate Williamson the closer, but if Williamson continues to throw the way he has, that could change.
Williamson has earned two wins and a save in the Reds' last five wins. In his last three appearances he has gone six innings, allowing only one run, four hits and no walks. He has struck out seven in that span.
“People have to remember we have four young guys in the bullpen,” McKeon said. “You've got to be patient. ... Look at Altanta, they brought (John) Rocker along slow; now they've got a closer.”
Williamson, 23, is in only his third year of professional ball, but he's beginning to feel like a big-leaguer.
“I don't get jittery anymore,” he said.
Williamson credits Stan Belinda, the veteran reliever on the disabled list, for easing his adjustment.
“Stan's helped me on and off the field,” Williamson said. “He's been like a big brother. I sit with him on the plane and pick his brain.”
The players have taken to calling Williamson “Mud” because he spends so much time with Belinda, whom they call “Dirt.”
Pokey's play
Pokey Reese is 2-for-2 on sacrifice bunts since he popped a bunt that helped kill a rally against the Astros 10 days ago.
His sacrifice in the ninth inning Monday night was an overlooked but key part of the Reds' winning rally.
“I can get my bunts down,” he said. “It was just that one. Those things happen.”
The key to bunting, Reese said, is keeping the head of the bat higher than the ball. The mistake he made against Houston was bunting a high pitch.
Baerga goes long
Remember Carlos Baerga? He hasn't done much to distinguish himself at Triple-A Indianapolis, but Tuesday he had three RBI, including a two-run homer, in Brett Tomko's first outing at Indy, a 6-3 victory. It was the first home run for Baerga, who's hitting .270.
— Scott MacGregor
Up next
The Reds face the Diamondbacks and Johnson (2-1, 3.40 ERA) in the finale of the three-game series at 7:05 tonight (Fox Sports Net Ohio).
Steve Avery (1-2, 2.02) starts for the Reds. Avery is first in the National League in opponents' batting average (.162) and third in ERA (2.02).
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