Sunday, June 06, 1999REDS NOTEBOOK
Parris' long outing a complete surprise
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerKANSAS CITY — Steve Parris had yielded four runs and six hits through the first three innings on an 85-degree afternoon. One inning later, he already had thrown 68 pitches.
At that point, what kind of chances would he have given himself of pitching a complete game?
“None,” Parris said.
Nevertheless, the right-hander regained his rhythm, allowing three hits in the final six innings to help the Reds stifle the Kansas City Royals 9-4 in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader.
“After the third inning, I just wanted to go out and finish four (innings),” said Parris (4-0). “Then finish five, finish six ...”
Parris, who has failed to win only twice in six appearances (five starts), realized that he was overthrowing and slowed down his delivery. His adjustment enabled him to retire 12 consecutive Royals after Johnny Damon singled leading off the fifth.
Parris avoided trouble until the ninth, when he walked Joe Randa with one out and surrendered Scott Pose's single with two away. At that point, pitching coach Don Gullett jogged to the mound. He merely wanted to discuss matters with Parris, not remove him.
“I figured if I went eight, I'm going to go nine,” said Parris, who ended the game on his 135th pitch by striking out Carlos Febles on a curveball.
Tomko outstanding
Brett Tomko's first relief stint in 54 appearances looked like the Tomko the Reds want to see. Relieving ineffective starter Jason Bere in Saturday's nightcap, Tomko — who was pulled from the Reds' rotation last week for throwing poorly as a starter — went three innings, allowing just one hit and no runs. Tomko hadn't relieved since July 27, 1997 vs. Atlanta, going four innings.Casey's way
Sean Casey is almost as focused in batting practice as he is during games, which may explain why he has remained among the NL's batting leaders all season.“I try to take BP real seriously and have a quality approach,” Casey said. “So when I get to a game, I feel like I've already been there.”
Casey said that when bench coach Ken Griffey Sr., a left-hander, is pitching, he tries to hit the ball wherever it's pitched. With anybody else, he attempts to hit the ball to left field, his opposite field.
“If I don't feel I'm hitting the ball well, I'll hit another seven the opposite way,” Casey said. “It keeps me on the ball longer, instead of trying to jack every pitch.”
Etc.
Reliever Stan Belinda continued his injury rehabilitation assignment by pitching an inning in Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-5 victory over Charlotte. Belinda allowed one run and one hit while walking one and striking out one.• The Reds entered Saturday having grounded into 34 double plays, fewest in the NL.
Up next
Pete Harnisch, who hasn't pitched at Kauffman Stadium since his early days as a major-leaguer, faces Kansas City's Jay Witasick in today's series finale.Harnisch (5-5, 3.16) has won three of his last four starts while posting a 1.89 ERA in that span. He lost a start here as a rookie 3-0 on April 10, 1989, and received no decision on July 28, 1990, when he allowed five runs in five innings.
Witasick (1-4, 6.92) is coming off his best outing of the year, six innings of four-hit shutout ball at Texas in a 3-1 Royals loss last Tuesday. Kansas City obtained the right-hander from Oakland in a trade late in spring training.
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