DENVER — Barry Larkin didn't object to the fact that Elmer Dessens hit Colorado's Larry Walker with a pitch Thursday night. He just didn't like the timing.

        Dessens hit Walker in the eighth inning, presumably in retaliation for Pedro Astacio hitting Ken Griffey Jr. in the fifth inning.

        After the game, Larkin said: “Larry Walker had every right to be ticked off. (Dessens) had no business hitting Walker. There's no explanation of it. We just needed to play the game.”

        Dessens approached Larkin in the clubhouse Friday and the two talked for about five minutes.

        “He wanted to know if I was upset with him,” Larkin said. “I told him if they hit our stud, the time to retaliate is right away — the next half inning.”

        Larkin said that will usually end things.

        “You hit our guy; we hit your guy; it's over,” he said.

        Thursday night, it wasn't over. Walker took a couple of steps toward Dessens. Both dugouts and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown. Colorado manager Buddy Bell was ejected for arguing with umpire Dana DeMuth. Walker took out second baseman Pokey Reese with a slide that went past the base on the next play. And Jose Jimenez was ejected in the ninth for hitting Eddie Taubensee.

        “When you wait, it escalates,” Larkin said. “You get into a bean ball war and somebody could get hurt.”

        Reese came the closest Thursday. His back was turned and his leg extended when Walker barreled into him. Reese knew it might be coming. He and shortstop Juan Castro had talked before Jeff Cirillo hit the ground ball that Castro fielded and threw to second. “Juan said to be careful,” Reese said. “If he really wanted to hurt me, he could have. He could have easily tore up my knee.”

        INSIDE STUFF: To Reds manager Jack McKeon, the problem with Thursday's episode is it might make pitchers hesitant to pitch inside.

        “That's the reason for all the home runs,” McKeon said. “Pitchers don't throw inside. Hitters want the ball out over the plate. Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens pitch inside. That's the way they pitch. When you pitch inside, guys are going to get hit.”

        Martinez leads the American League with 11 hit batsmen.

        INJURY UPDATE: Aaron Boone, on the disabled list with sprained left knee, won't be eligible to return until July 25. Whether he'll be ready is yet to be determined.

        “We overuse the term, but he really is day-to-day,” trainer Greg Lynn said.

        Boone is on the trip, getting treatment, doing weight work and riding the stationary bike.

        Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez, on the DL with a sore elbow, is also with the team. He's on a strengthening program and hasn't begun to throw yet.

        “He's getting stronger,” Lynn said. “His range of motion is much better.”

        BELLS UPDATE: When Mike Bell gets into a game, he'll become the first third-generation player to play for the same team as his father and grandfather.

        There are only three three-generation baseball families: The Bells (Gus, Buddy and brothers David and Mike); the Boones (Ray, Bob and brothers Bret and Aaron); and the Hairstons (Sam, Jerry Sr. and Jerry Jr.)

        The Bells will become the first to have three generations play for the same team. Gus played in Cincinnati from 1953-61, and Buddy was a Red from 1985-88.

        SURF'S UP: The Beach Boys will perform Friday, July 21, after the Reds game with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Cinergy.

        UP NEXT: Scott Williamson will make his second start today in the wrap-up of the series with the Rockies. Williamson (2-6, 3.61 ERA) faces right-hander Masato Yoshii (4-9, 5.55).

        Williamson pitched well in his starting debut. He went 5ô innings, allowing three runs on just three hits. He walked only one and struck out seven.

        “He'll go as long as he can,” McKeon said. “He'll throw 100 pitches or right around there.”

Reds 9, Rockies 2 Box, runs SULLIVAN: Reprieve for McKeon Henson insists he's made no decision Dessens gets lesson on beanball Neagle happy to join Yankees

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