Sunday, June 25, 2000
REDS NOTEBOOK
Bell, Williamson in jeopardy
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Saturday came and Rob Bell was still in the rotation and Scott Williamson was still in the set-up role in the bullpen. That is subject to change.
“I don't think anybody's safe,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said when asked if Bell or Williamson might be sent to the minors. “Nobody's safe unless they have 5-and-10 rights.”
Barry Larkin is the only player who has been with the Reds for five years and in the majors for 10. So both Bell and Williamson, who continued to struggle Friday night in the Reds' 10-7 loss to the San Diego Padres, could have Louisville in their futures.
Bell started Friday and put the Reds in a 4-0 hole. After they came back to tie it 7-7, Williamson gave up a three-run homer in the 10th inning to lose it.
Both have options, so they could be sent to the minors to work out their problems. But the Reds really don't have any alternatives.
“We've got to hope they battle out of it,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “(Steve) Parris showed that the other night.”
Parris came back from two dreadful starts to throw seven quality innings Thursday.
Bell has allowed 16 runs in 15 innings (9.60 ERA) over his last four starts.
“It's frustrating,” Bell said. “I'm not throwing the ball the way I'm capable of. ... You start overthinking.”
Bell started the season well. He was 4-3 before hitting the skids. What's the difference?
“He was throwing strikes,” McKeon said. “He was very aggressive when he was going good.”
What killed Bell Friday was walks. He allowed a solo homer to Ryan Klesko, walked the next two batters, then gave up a three-run homer to Bret Boone.
“After you have a couple bad outings, you get tentative,” McKeon said. "We showed confidence in him by putting him up here. ... We still believe in him.”
If Pete Harnisch comes off the disabled list Friday, Bell's spot on the roster isn't secure.
Williamson has allowed 13 runs in his last 12ô innings of work. That has ballooned his ERA from 1.58 to 3.27. He has lost games in each of his last two outings.
“We've got to keep sending him out there,” McKeon said. “This is a guy who was an All-Star last year. He has great stuff. He's going through a bad time.”
Williamson may pitch in fewer pressure-packed situations. On Friday, McKeon didn't have much of a choice. Williamson and closer Danny Graves were the only pitchers available. You usually don't want to use your closer in a tie game.
STYNES OK: Chris Stynes said his strained left hamstring will keep him out only a day or two.
“I've had tons of these,” he said. “It's not too bad.”
Stynes was injured going from first to third on Larkin's hit in the first inning. He didn't come out until the third.
“I was hoping it would not tighten up,” he said. “But it did.”
POKEY HURT: Pokey Reese left Saturday's game after the second inning. Reese sprained his left ankle; X-rays showed no broken bones. He is day-to-day. With Stynes out. the Reds will be short-handed today.
WOHLERS UPDATE: Mark Wohlers threw an inning of scoreless relief for Triple-A Louisville Friday. It was the first time Wohlers threw on back-to-back days.
“It went well,” he said. “I got in a little trouble fooling around with my slider. I walked two guys. But I was able to get out of it.”
The Reds would like to see Wohlers' slider sharpen before calling him up to the big-league club.
The plan is for him to throw an inning Monday, then two innings Wednesday.
Wohlers would like to be called up after that.
“Hopefully,” he said. “They haven't said anything.”
Wohlers has spent nearly a year rehabbing after “Tommy John” surgery. He may step into Williamson's role as the right-handed set-up man.
BOOM GOES BOONE: Boone has five home runs at Cinergy Field this year. That's more than any Red except Ken Griffey Jr. and Dante Bichette, who have 10 each at Cinergy.
UP NEXT: Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez (2-0, 2.53 ERA) faces San Diego right-hander Brian Tollberg (1-0, 0.00) in the finale of the three-game series at 1:15 p.m. today.
Fernandez has been the Reds' best pitcher lately. He is 2-0 with a 1.58 ERA over his last five starts. The Reds are 6-1 in his starts.
Tollberg made his major-league debut Tuesday. He pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed one hit against Arizona. He didn't get a decision in a 3-1 win.
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Bell, Williamson in jeopardy
