Tuesday, March 14, 2000Three left in fight for Reds' No. 5 starter
Bell, Fernandez, Portugal battling
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerFORT MYERS, Fla. — As the exhibition schedule dwindles, the Reds' pitching staff sharpens.
While Mark Portugal, who allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings in Monday's 12-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins, remained in direct competition with Rob Bell and Osvaldo Fer nandez for the No. 5 starting spot, Scott Winchester has the best chance at securing the bullpen's lone vacancy.
Mark Portugal delivers during a pitch during his first inning against the Twins Monday.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |With roughly half of the Grapefruit League schedule complete, Reds manager Jack McKeon said evaluating pitchers has become much more important than conditioning them.
The race for the final spot in the rotation continues today with Fernandez, who's unscored upon in six exhibition innings, facing Philadelphia. Bell, a rookie, has allowed only one run and two hits in seven innings. Portugal has a 5.73 spring ERA but also a 109-95 lifetime record.
“I haven't been paying too much attention to (the competition),” Portugal said. “I've been pitching in the big leagues for 13 years. I know what I have to do to get ready.”
McKeon confirmed Winchester and Heath Murray no longer were being viewed as potential starters.
McKeon also called Winchester, who has allowed just one run and two hits in 6ô innings, the “most consistent” of the relief candidates.
“The main thing with him is keeping him healthy,” pitching coach Don Gullett said, referring to the 1998 shoulder surgery that limited Winchester to six minor-league outings last year. “He obviously hasn't done anything to hurt himself, as far as his performance.”
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