Elmer Dessens MLB profile

        ST. LOUIS — The second annual renovation of the Reds' pitching staff may have begun Thursday night.

        Elmer Dessens may have pitched himself into the starting rotation with 4 2/3 innings of effective relief for the apparently injured Osvaldo Fernandez as the Reds thumped the St. Louis Cardinals 12-6.

        After the game, manager Jack McKeon officially announced Scott Williamson would start Sunday against the Cleveland Indians, replacing Ron Villone in the rotation.

Jim Edmonds, er, no ... Ken Griffey Jr. singles in the ninth inning. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        “You could very easily see Williamson and Dessens in the starting rotation in the second half,” McKeon said after the second-place Reds (41-43) avoided suffering their first three-game sweep here since May 15-17, 1987. Referring to last year's emergence of Steve Parris and Villone in the rotation, McKeon added, “We made some changes like that last year, and it worked out pretty well.”

        This two-city trip actually worked out well for the Reds, who finished 4-3 here and in Arizona. Though they still stand nine games behind Central Division leader St. Louis (50-34), which owns the National League's best record, a defeat would have doomed the Reds to a gaping 11-game deficit.

        “It was important for us to win,” said Dessens (1-0), who earned his first victory since June 18, 1998, for Pittsburgh at Milwaukee.

        As the Reds basked in their 13-hit output against the Cardinals, Williamson already was eagerly anticipating his first major-league start. It'll represent a return to his competitive roots, since he pitched exclusively as a starter in Cincinnati's farm system before he moved to the bullpen last year and won the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Dmitri Young safe at second ZOOM |

        “It'll be fun,” said Williamson, who prepared for his task by running for 20 minutes Wednesday and 10 minutes Thursday before a bullpen-throwing session. “It's what I've always wanted. Even Jack said before I ran, "I think this is the first smile I've seen on your face in a long time.'”

        By contrast, Fernandez was gloomy as he pointed to his surgically repaired right elbow and admitted that it hurt to throw. “I'll probably check with the doctor (today),” said Fernandez, who endured his third rough outing in a row by allowing three runs and six hits in 1 1/3 innings.

        Dessens replaced Fernandez and immediately extinguished a two-on, one-out threat. The right-hander proceeded to strand three Cardinals in scoring position over the next three innings. He ultimately allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits while walking one and striking out four.

        Last Wednesday at Cinergy Field, Dessens received no decision in a spot start against St. Louis but pitched creditably, yielding three runs in 5 2/3 innings in the Reds' 7-3 triumph.

Dante Bichette left the game in the second inning after being hit on the shin. ZOOM |

        “Surprising, ain't it?” Reds outfielder-first baseman Dmitri Young said of Dessens' wizardry against St. Louis. “I faced him in the Mexican League (in 1995) and he had pretty good stuff.”

        Young went 3-for-4 with two RBI, slapping all of his hits with runners in scoring position. Chris Stynes homered and had three hits, while Alex Ochoa drove in a career-high four runs, three on a bases-loaded double off Heathcliff Slocumb in the ninth inning. Pokey Reese also drove in a pair of runs.

        For the second time in two nights, the Reds lost a regular to an injury. Right fielder Dante Bichette suffered a bruised left shin when Rick Ankiel (6-4) hit him with a pitch leading off the second inning. Bichette left the game, just as third baseman Aaron Boone did one night earlier when he hyper-extended his left knee and departed in the second inning.

        “I've got two kneecaps now,” Bichette said.

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