Monday, September 18, 2000
Reds 8, Brewers 4
Harnisch has Reds thinking about 2001
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds are playing for the future now. When you say that, you often think of youth. But a pitcher who turns 34 on Saturday may be the key to next year's rotation.
That pitcher, Pete Harnisch, pushed his winning streak to five games in the beating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 before a crowd of 26,299 Sunday at Cinergy Field.
Harnisch (8-6) went seven innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs. He struck out six and walked none.
Harnisch is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA since returning from the disabled list after rehabilitating his right (pitching) rotator cuff.
“I couldn't be happier,” he said. “We worked hard at it. It wasn't like I was sitting around for seven weeks.”
Harnisch's return coincided with the resurgence of the Reds starting rotation.
“When Pete came back, it picked up the whole pitching staff,” Reds manager Jack McKeon. “They all want to follow suit and pitch like him.”
The numbers support McKeon's theory. The Reds starters are 35-28 with a 3.63 ERA since the break. And, remember, Denny Neagle was traded at the break.
Harnisch, probably the most vocal of the Reds, likes the leader role.
“With a personality as outgoing as mine,” he said, “it's hard not to take on some kind of leadership.”
Because the rest of staff is so young, a veteran like Harnisch is key for next year. The team holds an option for $3.75 million for 2001. There's a $750,000 buyout.
Reds general manager Jim Bowden has said the Reds would like to pick it up, but no final decision has been made.
Harnisch wasn't great Sunday.
“I couldn't stop giving up home runs,” he said. “But every time I did, we'd score two. I was trying to get it to 12-6.”
Harnisch gave up an unearned run in the first and solo homers in the second and third.
The Reds were actually down 3-2, going into the fifth. But they produced a four-run rally to take control.
The big blow was Alex Ochoa's three-run homer. If this is Ochoa's audition for the role of right fielder next year, he's earned the job.
He extended his hitting streak to eight games, equalling a career-high. Over those eight games, he's hit .500 (14-for-28) with four home runs and 14 RBI.
The homer was his 10th, and the RBI gave him 47. He set career-highs last year with eight and 40. The power numbers have climbed, despite the fact that Ochoa will end up with fewer at-bats this year.
“I've worked on my swing a lot,” he said. “I give (former Brewers coach) Jim Lebfebrve credit. He really worked with me from spring training on last year. He said, "You've got too much power to be doing what you're doing. I worked on it. So now I know when I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.”
The Reds ended the homestand 5-2.
“We'll take that anytime,” McKeon said. “It's funny the season's coming to an end and we're playing pretty good ball.”
The win Sunday meant the Reds stayed alive, albeit barely, in the race in the National League Central. St. Louis entered Sunday with a magic number of three.
The Reds have won 17 of 25. The rally this year was a case of too little, too late.
But next year doesn't look so bad — with the way Harnisch is pitching and guys like Ochoa are hitting.
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Reds 8, Brewers 4
