Wednesday, March 29, 2000
Red Sox 11, Reds 8
THE ARMS: Cincinnati's bullpen, which had recorded a 2.78 ERA in the previous eight games, was hammered. Rookie left-hander Hector Mercado relieved starter Mark Portugal in the fifth inning and allowed his first spring run, ending a 10-game, 15-inning shutout streak. Dennys Reyes and Scott Sullivan each yielded a pair of runs.
THE BATS: Having come from behind in their last seven victories, the Reds (16-14) erased a 4-0 deficit with six runs in the fourth inning. The biggest hits were two-run doubles by Aaron Boone, a rope to left-center field, and Pokey Reese, who hit a pop-up behind first base that Mike Stanley couldn't locate.
THE REST: The crowd of 6,580 at City of Palms Park marked the Reds' 14th spring sellout overall and eighth on the road. They'll finish their home schedule at Ed Smith Stadium today with their seventh sellout in 15 dates.
UP NEXT: Today against Boston at Ed Smith Stadium, 1:05 p.m. Pete Harnisch, Cincinnati's likely Opening Day starter next Monday against Milwaukee, will face Boston right-hander Brian Rose.
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