Tuesday, August 24, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Young's hot bat remains on bench
ATLANTA — Dmitri Young has hit safely in his last 14 starts, which includes a current five-game hitting streak.
Yet manager Jack McKeon rested the club's hottest hitter in Monday night's series opener against the Atlanta Braves, keeping Michael Tucker in right field for the second consecutive game.
McKeon said he had planned to dust off Tucker against the Braves: “He hasn't played much. This will give him a couple of days in a row against his old team. Maybe he can do something.”
Though Tucker appeared in the Reds' nine previous games, he started only two of them. He received a bonus start Sunday when McKeon rested Greg Vaughn and inserted Young in left field.
McKeon wasn't worried about Young losing his batting stroke on the bench. The switch-hitter has batted .409 (9-for-22) in his five-game streak and .421 (24-for-57) in his last 14 starts.
“He's fine. He's in a groove,” McKeon said. “We have to get the other guy (Tucker) tuned up, too.”
Interestingly, Tucker and Young have each started 55 games, though Tucker has been in the lineup more frequently in right field, 51-44. Jeffrey Hammonds has started just 34 games, including 28 in right.
Tucker's presence did offer the potential for better defense.
Friendly foe
Bret Boone admitted that he didn't foresee such an immediate resurgence for the Reds.
“I don't mean to sound condescending, but the way they struggled the last three years, it didn't seem like they were going to get it turned around,” he said.
Otherwise, Boone would sooner flinch from an oncoming baserunner than criticize the Reds.
The second baseman expressed genuine pleasure over the success of his former team, which dealt him to Atlanta in a five-player trade last Nov. 10.
“I'm happy for my brother (third baseman Aaron) and for all the guys I played with,” said Boone, a Red from 1994-98. “There's no bitterness, as far as the trade and all that. I still wish them the best. Except for when we play them. I want to kick their butts. When they leave, they can start winning again. And I'll be pulling for them.”
Boone was especially proud of Aaron, who began Monday's game with a higher batting average (.301-.256), slugging percentage (.454-.426) and on-base percentage (.347-.317) in the brother-vs.-brother matchup. Bret Boone, who had 477 at-bats to Aaron's 326, had the edge in runs (81-42), doubles (31-16) and homers (16-8).
“I know Aaron's makeup,” Bret Boone said. “Mentally, he can handle this level. He has a good head on his shoulders and he has ability. What I've said all along about Aaron is, he needed the chance to play everyday, and then after that it's his job to take advantage of it. I'm glad to see he has.”
One more time
General Manager Jim Bowden said that right-hander Steve Parris will need at least one more injury rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Indianapolis before he rejoins the starting rotation.
Parris is scheduled to pitch for the Indians at Columbus on Friday. “We'll see how he does and make a judgment,” said Bowden from Indianapolis, where he is evaluating both the overall roster and potential September call-ups.
Parris, who has recovered from a strained right triceps muscle, permitted four runs and five hits in 4ô innings Sunday against Toledo. He walked two and struck out four while throwing 85 pitches. Parris actually had surrendered just two runs when he left the game, but two baserunners of his scored when reliever Scott Klingenbeck allowed a three-run homer.
Ho-hum
The Braves' fans apparently took their cue from the Atlanta players, who declined to characterize this as a “big” series.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that through last Thursday, the most recent figures available, the Braves had sold 28,806 tickets for Monday's game, 35,587 tickets for tonight's game and 28,469 for Wednesday's finale. By comparison, the Houston series Aug. 9-11 drew 40,072, 38,303 and 39,578.
Up next
Pete Harnisch will seek his ninth win in a row and his 100th career victory tonight. Harnisch (13-6) has a 99-90 record with Baltimore, Houston, the New York Mets and Milwaukee.
Atlanta will counter with John Smoltz (8-6), who encountered elbow problems shortly after firing a one-hit shutout against the Reds on April 30.
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