Sunday, March 19, 2000

REDS NOTEBOOK

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Portugal first to go six

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mark Portugal got a laugh out of his double. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        SARASOTA, Fla. Mark Portugal became the first Red to pitch six innings this spring, allowing one run and escaping frequent trouble against the Philadelphia Phillies.

        Portugal, who had an RBI double in Cincinnati's three-run third inning, strengthened his bid for the lone vacancy in the starting rotation. He ended a streak of subpar outings by Reds starters, who had a 9.00 ERA in the previous six games.

        Portugal allowed seven hits and walked four Phillies, including three on four pitches. But four double plays helped the right-hander survive.

        “I was a little frustrated with my inability to throw strikes,” Portugal said. “But I was happy that when I needed a double-play ball, I threw a good sinker and got the ground ball. You make a team hit the ball against this club, they're going to catch it. They're so good out there.”

        SULLY'S BACK: Right-hander Scott Sullivan wasn't overly concerned about the back spasms that have sidelined him for a couple of days, though he continued to undergo treatment Saturday.

        Sullivan looked sharp while pitching a scoreless inning Wednesday against Boston, but said he felt discomfort as he tried to sleep that night.

        “Our crack medical staff is on the job. I have no worries,” Sullivan said. “I'll be throwing 82 (mph) before you know it,” he said jokingly of his fastball.

        SEXTON DEMOTED: The Reds trimmed their spring roster to 34 players, nine above the Opening Day limit, by optioning right-hander John Riedling to Louisville and reassigning catcher Guillermo Garcia and infielder Chris Sexton, a St. Xavier High School and Miami University graduate, to Louisville.

        Sexton hit .280 (7-for-25) with one RBI. Garcia batted .444 (4-for-9) with a homer and two RBI. Riedling was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four relief appearances.

        ETC.: Relievers Danny Graves and Dennys Reyes threw in minor-league exhibitions Saturday.

        • With outfielder Darren Bragg expected to miss less than a week of the regular season with an injury, the Colorado Rockies are no longer looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder. They had expressed interest in Michael Tucker and switch hitter Dmitri Young, but now would prefer a right-hander. Colorado is said to be intrigued by Alex Ochoa, but the Reds are bent on keeping him for now.

       

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