Tuesday, August 24, 1999
Harnisch shoulders load
Makes Reds armed and dangerous
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Pete Harnisch isn't going to win the National League Cy Young Award.
But, were there a team Cy Young Award, Harnisch would likely win it for the Reds. Rookie Scott Williamson has better overall numbers, but Harnisch has been invaluable.
“No question about it,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “He's carried the load for us.”
Harnisch is the only Red to make every scheduled start this year. He's done that despite pitching the last 21/2 months with a sore shoulder.
Harnisch is 13-6 with a 3.24 ERA. Harnisch ranks fifth in the National League in ERA, is tied for second with two shutouts and eighth in opponent batting average (.246). Those numbers put him on the outside edge of the Cy Young race.
“I don't think he'll get enough starts to have a shot,” McKeon said.
Harnisch enters tonight's start against the Atlanta Braves on a career-high eight-game winning streak. That also is the best current streak in the NL. (Houston's Jose Lima also has an eight-game streak.)
Harnisch hasn't lost since June 6.
Despite the shoulder injury, he seems to get better as the season goes along. Consider: He is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last five starts.
“He's done a tremendous job,” pitching coach Don Gullett said. “He's subpar physically, but his performance hasn't been subpar. That tells you a lot about his intensity. He just goes out and battles through it.”
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