The Reds have played 154 games, including their Opening Day tie with Milwaukee. In a bygone era — 1961 and earlier, to be precise — their season would be over. It essentially is finished, though the schedule calls for a three-game series beginning tonight at Cinergy Field against Houston and a two-city, six-game trip next week.

        Elimination from the National League Central race officially came Wednesday night in San Francisco but has been imminent for weeks. The Reds (79-74) technically remain alive for the wild-card berth, but two other teams (Los Angeles and Arizona) and 7¹/₂ games separate them from wild-card leader New York.

        “I'm not going to say we're giving up,” said right-hander Steve Parris, whose personal seven-game winning streak ended in the series finale at San Francisco. “We're going to try to win every game from here on out. But even if we do, there's a 99 percent chance we're not going to make (the wild card).”

        Even focusing on personal glory instead of team accomplishments offers nothing compelling. Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. has hit his 40th homer.Parris' run has ended. Rookies such as Mike Bell and Brady Clark have collected their first major-league hits.

        Club officials might mouth important-sounding declarations about seeing what

        certain pitchers can do. But the proving grounds have been cleared. Barring spring-training shockers, we know that Rob Bell ought to be a leading candidate for a spot in next year's starting rotation and John Riedling belongs in next year's bullpen. Keeping Mark Wohlers and finding more work for Dennys Reyes are issues for another time.

        Sean Casey (.307) and Dmitri Young (.299) are trying to bat .300 for the second and third years in a row, respectively, and Danny Graves is one save away from reaching 30. Pete Harnisch (8-6), Elmer Dessens (9-5) and Ron Villone (9-10) have chances to reach double figures in victories. With all due respect to those outstanding gentlemen, try selling extra tickets with those inducements.

        This weekend will mark the last time fans can see Cinergy (nee Riverfront Stadium) as they have known it. Demolition of approximately 14,000 seats will begin shortly after Sunday's finale to accommodate construction of Great American Ball Park. Nostalgists who get a thrill from staring at acres of red seats should plan one last trip to the good old yard.

        Those who attend might see unfamiliar Cincinnati lineups. Casey (right hamstring), second base man Pokey Reese (left hand), third baseman Chris Stynes (back) and Griffey (left hamstring) could play but are aching.

        “I just hope in light of the injuries we've had the last couple of days, we don't overextend any more,” said shortstop Barry Larkin, himself sidelined by knee and finger ailments.

        It's an awkward but entirely fitting conclusion for a team that played with its projected starting lineup only 14 times.

        Said manager Jack McKeon, “When you look at it, even to get this far with the tough luck we had ...”

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