Last year is ancient history to Steve Parris. He doesn't want to think about it. He doesn't want to talk about it. He just wants to move on.

        “Last year is over with,” he said. “This year is a different year. I want to put last year completely in the past.”

        It drops a little further in the past tonight when Reds right-hander Parris makes his 2000 debut. He'll start against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 7:05 first pitch at Cinergy Field.

        Last year was bittersweet for Parris. It started bitterly. He began the year at Triple-A Indianapolis even though he pitched well enough in the spring to make the team and had been one of the Reds' most successful pitchers the second half of 1998.

        He was sent down because he had minor-league options, and some of the players he was competing with didn't.

        But Parris went to Indy, sharpened his stuff and was ready when the Reds called. That's where the sweet part comes in.

        Parris had the best year of his career, going 11-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 starts for the Reds.

        “He and Pete (Harnisch) were our two most consistent starters,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said.

        Parris, 32, established career highs in every major statistical category. His previous high for wins was six, so people are wondering whether he can repeat his success.

        Parris thinks he can.

        “I can if I stay consistent,” he said. “If I throw strikes, with the infield and outfield we have, I'm going to win games ... and with the offense we have.”

        McKeon also thinks Parris can put up similar numbers.

        “He had two pretty good years back to back,” McKeon said. “You hope he can continue to improve. He won 11 last year, maybe he can win 14 or 15 this year.”

        Parris was 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA in '98 after being called up in June. Before that, his big-league record was 6-9.

        Parris hasn't set any goals. “I'm concentrating on (tonight),” he said. “After that, I'll concentrate on my next start. I'll go on like that for 30 to 35 starts and, hopefully, a few starts in the playoffs.”

Brewers 5, Reds 1 Neagle proves bad March meant nothing Die-hard fans brave chill Burnitz, Brewers remain Reds killers Parris looking ahead, not back REDS NOTEBOOK Runs, box score

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