Wednesday, September 08, 1999
CUBS 2, REDS 1
Trachsel of old wins Game 1
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHICAGO — Based on Steve Trachsel's 5-16 record and 5.83 ERA entering his start in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader, you had to like the Reds' chances.
But Trachsel went 19-9 last year, and lately he has pitched more like a 19-game winner than a 16-game loser.
Trachsel certainly looked like the former Tuesday, beating the Reds 2-1. The right-hander went eight innings, allowing the run and four hits. He walked only one and struck out five.
Trachsel retired 16 straight from the third inning to the eighth.
“I threw a lot of sinkers away,” Trachsel said. “A lot of splitters down. That's what they pounded into the ground.”
The Reds had 11 groundball outs.
Trachsel has strung together back-to-back gems. He beat San Diego 1-0 on three hits his last time out.
He barely resembled the pitcher who went 0-5 with a 9.55 ERA in June.
“The team never lost confi dence in me,” he said. “The catchers were telling me my stuff was still good. And I never lost confidence in myself. Those three things kept me going.”
The Cubs kept Trachsel in the rotation, even though he was on pace to lose 20-plus games.
“We all had the understanding that the record wasn't what he wanted it to be,” Cubs manager Jim Riggleman said. “But almost all his starts lately have been solid. That's an indication of what kind of pro he is.”
The Reds got the leadoff hitters on in the first and second innings. But in the first, Pokey Reese was caught stealing. In the second, Aaron Boone led with a double and was stranded at second.
That started the roll by Trachsel.
Reds Stories
Reds page
