Monday, March 06, 2000
Reds' aces stack up well
Harnisch, Neagle are solid in victory over Rangers
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — The Reds had Pete Harnisch and Denny Neagle going for them in Sunday's 5-2 split-squad exhibition victory over the Texas Rangers.
Figuratively speaking, the team hopes it'll have more than just Harnisch and Neagle going for the starting rotation come the regular season.
Barring injuries, the Reds may have the most formidable batting order in the National League Central Division, if not the entire NL. But the talent gap narrows between the respective starting rotations among division contenders.
Defending Central champion Houston traded 22-game winner Mike Hampton to the New York Mets but still has Jose Lima and Shane Reynolds, who finished a combined 37-24 last year. The Astros believe that a pair of 24-year-old right-handers, Scott Elarton and Octavio Dotel, who came from New York in the Hampton deal, can succeed.
St. Louis added Andy Benes, Pat Hentgen and Darryl Kile, all of whom have won 18 games or more in a season. Left-handed phenom Rick Ankiel could be ready to join the Cardinals' rotation. Pittsburgh has a talented foursome in Kris Benson, Francisco Cordova, Todd Ritchie and Jason Schmidt. And the Chicago Cubs will automatically improve if 1998 sensation Kerry Wood can return from major elbow surgery.
Cincinnati should compare favorably with any team in this group. Everybody but Juan Guzman (Tampa
Bay) and Brett Tomko (Seattle) returns from the rotation that posted a 4.35 ERA last year, fourth-best among NL starting staffs.
Yet starting pitching is still considered the Reds' most ominous unknown factor, because shoulder trouble has dogged Harnisch and Neagle within the past year and Steve Parris and Ron Villone never have started for an entire major-league season.
From all appearances, Harnisch and Neagle, who have logged a total of 19 big-league seasons, must combine for at least 30 victories if the Reds are to contend.
Harnisch looked ready to handle his share against the Rangers, throwing three shutout innings while yielding two hits. Neagle allowed a pair of home runs in his two innings, but retired every other batter he faced.
Neagle, who won his final six decisions last season, admitted that the Reds' rotation might be less than elite. But that won't necessarily spoil their postseason dreams.
“The Atlanta Braves are the measuring stick in the National League, if not in all of baseball,” Neagle said. “We may not match up with them, but in our division, I feel pretty confident in putting our starting five out there against all the others.
“We might not have all the Cy Young Awards and all the experience the Braves have. But not one single guy is going to say, "Oh, gee, I have (Greg) Maddux today.' Or, "I've got (Tom) Glavine.'”
At their best, Harnisch, who's 30-17 in the past two seasons, and Neagle, a former 20-game winner who's 90-60 lifetime, command respect from others.
Neither placed too much stock in his outing. Especially Harnisch.
“There was nothing working. I didn't throw one ball where I was trying to throw it,” said Harnisch, Cincinnati's likely Opening Day starter April 3 against Milwaukee. “I'd like to say I was sharp and hitting my spots and down on the corners, but that would be a bunch of crap.”
Said Neagle, “I was joking with some of the guys, saying, hey, it's midseason form for me. No walks, three strikeouts, a couple of solo home runs. Hopefully (in the regular season) I throw four or five more innings.”
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