Tuesday, June 15, 1999

REDS NOTEBOOK

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Avery will remain in starting rotation

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds starter Ron Villone was relived in the sixth inning after giving up his seventh walk as the Mets tied the game. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Though Steve Avery remains in the Reds' starting rotation, pitching coach Don Gullett didn't rule out shuffling the staff again if the left-hander's problems continue.

        “It wouldn't be out of the question that something like that might happen if Avery can't get it going and we have to look at it realistically in another way,” Gullett said Monday. “We have to get some innings out of our starting pitchers. The guys in the bullpen have done a great job. But you hate to look to your bullpen every night in the second or third inning.”

        Avery, who's scheduled to make his next start Friday against Milwaukee, pitched at least seven innings in his first five appearances. Lately, he has worked less than three innings in three of his last four outings. Avery's hardly alone, because Cincinnati's starters have averaged a league-low 5ô innings per game.

        Because no trades for a starting pitcher appear imminent and because Triple-A Indianapolis has no suitable help, Jason Bere, who has been in and out of the rotation since mid-May, would be an obvious choice to join the rotation.

        Gullett said that if a reliever had to be pressed into service — as the Reds have done with Ron Villone — Gabe White (4.31 ERA) would be a better choice than Dennys Reyes (2.00).

        Gullett pointed out that White, who has five consecutive scoreless appearances, needs fewer pitches than Reyes to get through innings.

        Gullett believes that should Avery regain the velocity on his fastball, which crept up to 82-83 mph in Sunday's 7-3 loss to Cleveland, his command of each pitch and his overall effectiveness will follow.

Reese returns
        As he predicted, Reds second baseman Pokey Reese remained in the starting lineup, unaffected by the bruised chest he suffered in Sunday's first-base collision with Cleveland's Omar Vizquel.

        “I woke up this morning and didn't feel a thing,” Reese said. “Thank God it was Vizquel and not (Manny) Ramirez, (Jim) Thome or one of their big fellas. Richie Sexson (6-foot-6) might have stepped on me.”

Stress management
        Jack McKeon was asked how he copes with the pressures of his job.

        “I like the stress, to be honest with you,” the Reds manager said. “I don't view it as stress, really. I mean, it is, but ... I don't live and die with every particular game. I'm not saying you don't care. Sure you care. But I look at it this way — once it's over, what the heck can you do about it?”

        Houston manager Larry Dierker's frightening collapse on Sunday at the Astrodome served a reminder that real life occasionally interrupts the trivial matter of baseball.

        “I just think back to what happened here,” said Reds catcher Eddie Taubensee, referring to umpire John McSherry's fatal heart attack on Opening Day, 1996. “Baseball always seems like a safe haven. You never think of things like that happening.”

Sweet 16
        Taubensee's 16-game hitting streak, which ended Monday, enhanced his appreciation for his friend and former Houston teammate, Arizona left fielder Luis Gonzalez, whose 30-game streak is the longest in the majors this year.

        “I can't fathom going that far,” Taubensee said before the game. “I'm pleased where I am, especially being a catcher. You get double-switched a lot or come in late in the game.”

Etc.
        Originally scheduled to join the Reds' Single-A Rockford (Ill.) affiliate today, Mark Wohlers will instead remain with the Reds, throw lightly on the side and leave for his minor-league rehabilitation assignment Wednesday, when Rockford departs on a road trip.

        • The Reds honored the state championship baseball teams from Elder and Madeira high schools before Monday's game.

       

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