Monday, May 10, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Young's return is a mixed bag
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Starting his first game since bruising his ribs at Atlanta on April30, right fielder Dmitri Young contributed a sacrifice fly in his first at-bat and singled and scored in his next one.
“I felt like the kid in the third grade who missed two weeks of school and is coming back to class,” said Young, who also committed a fourth-inning error that led to an unearned run. “I felt behind, but I was still there.”
So-so Tomko
Brett Tomko, trying to return to the starting rotation, posted a pitching line that was adequate but not outstanding Sunday for Triple-A Indianapolis against Ottawa. He lasted two batters into the seventh inning, surrendering four runs and seven hits while walking none, striking out four and hitting a batter.
Reese on roll
Pokey Reese extended his hitting streak to a team-high seven games by equaling a personal best with three singles.
During his streak, Reese is hitting .458 (11-for-24), raising his average to .326.
“The ball seems huge to me right now,” he said. “Hopefully it'll stay that way.”
Exercising exec
Reds Managing Executive John Allen was thankful that he ran the first 10-kilometer leg of Sunday's inaugural Flying Pig Marathon, and not the second portion, which was more uphill.
“Very seldom do I pull executive rank,” joked Allen, who participated as part of a corporate team with his wife, Anna, and Reds group sales executives Brad Blettner and Chris Herrell.
“I hit the wall at about five miles,” said Allen, a veteran of three full marathons. “I gutted out that last mile.”
Belinda working
Tuesday could be an important day for Reds reliever Stan Belinda, who's continuing his comeback from shoulder tendinitis. “We'll know more then whether he needs another bullpen (session) or hitters,” pitching coach Don Gullett said after Belinda threw off a bullpen mound Sunday. “He's making progress every day he throws.”
Bere effort positive
Though starter Jason Bere failed to last past the sixth inning for the fifth consecutive start, manager Jack McKeon wasn't wholly displeased by his effort.
“It was a positive,” McKeon said after Bere worked into the sixth inning, yielding five runs (four earned) and four hits while walking four. “He pitched better this time.”
Etc.
• Jeffrey Hammonds' eighth-inning single ended an 0-for-15 skid.
• Reds announcer Marty Brennaman agreed with other veteran observers that Sammy Sosa's home run Saturday for Chicago might have left the park more quickly than the other 25 upper-deck blasts in Cinergy Field history.
“I can't recollect (another) ball that I knew was a red-seater when it left the bat,” Brennaman said.
• Cubs right-hander Kevin Tapani broke the hamate bone in his left (gloved) hand when Eddie Taubensee's line drive struck him in Friday night's sixth inning. Tapani, who already has endured one stint on the disabled list this year, will continue to pitch.
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