Wednesday, September 29, 1999
Harnisch huge coming off rest
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HOUSTON — Pete Harnisch was pushed back in the Reds' rotation because he was ailing and ineffective. Harnisch was healthy and effective in beating the Houston Astros 4-1 Tuesday night in his biggest start of the year.
Harnisch (15-10) outdueled Houston 20-game winner Jose Lima (20-10). Harnisch went eight innings, allowing four hits. He walked none and struck out four. He threw only 75 pitches, 59 of which were strikes. For someone pitching on nine days' rest, Harnisch showed no rust.
“This is what we were saving him for,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “We know he's our ace in the hole.”
Harnisch, a former Astro, is 4-0 versus Houston.
He allowed a leadoff single to Craig Biggio, who scored the Astros' run, then retired 12 straight.
Harnisch was at his best in the seventh with the pressure on. Billy Spiers led off with a single. Harnisch induced Houston's big bopper, Jeff Bagwell, to fly to center. Carl Everett followed with a double, putting runners at second and third with one out.
Harnisch struck out Ken Caminiti on three pitches.
“Split-fingers,” Harnisch said. “Pretty good ones.”
Harnisch has been troubled by a sore shoulder since early June. He pitched well with the pain most of the year. But after he went 1-4 with a 7.10 ERA from Aug.24 to Sept.19, the Reds decided to take advantage of an off day and skip Harnisch's turn.
Harnisch couldn't say if the rest was a factor, but an adjustment he made in the bullpen warming up was.
“It hurt to throw over the top,” he said. “So I started to go three-quarters, almost sidearm. I had movement on my fastball I don't usually have.”
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