MILWAUKEE — The Reds appropriated the themes of the Milwaukee Brewers' big Thursday — perennial endurance and new beginnings — to fashion an 8-1 victory in the final game played at 47-year-old Milwaukee County Stadium.

        Trying to affirm himself as a player capable of batting .300 year after year, Dmitri Young went 4-for-4, matching a personal best for hits, and scored a career-high four runs in Cincinnati's offensive outburst.

        Elmer Dessens (11-5) capped his professional rebirth with a complete-game two-hitter, the stingiest effort by a Reds starter this year, to entrench himself in the team's pitching plans for 2001.

        One even can imagine Dessens being on the mound when the Reds help the Brewers christen Miller Park, Milwaukee's new retractable-roofed home, next April 6. If so, it might be too soon for Brewers manager Davey Lopes.

        “The reason we didn't win today was Elmer Dessens,” Lopes said after the Reds captured their first game in six tries here this year. “We wanted to win, but Elmer Dessens had other things on his mind.”

        The Reds (83-76), who begin their season-ending series in St. Louis tonight, spoiled what was otherwise a perfect day for Brewers backers. A throng of 56,354, the largest regular-season crowd in stadium history, sat in sunshine as legends such as Henry Aaron and Robin Yount reappeared and Warren Spahn threw the ceremonial first pitch — a 30-foot two-hopper to Del Crandall.

        Except for the festivities, it was a Cincinnati afternoon.

        Young guaranteed that with his output, which included two triples — another career first. No Red had tripled twice in a game since Barry Larkin did it June 23, 1998, against Kansas City.

        “I take it you saw the look on the my face after the second one,” said the ever-jovial Young. “I looked in the dugout at (bench coach Ken Griffey) Senior and (said), "Man, what's going on?' I'm not supposed to hit triples. You save those for the little, fast guys. But I'll take them.”

        Watching Young's baserunning display prompted first baseman Sean Casey to say, “Maybe he'll start stealing some bases.”

        Dessens, 28, began the season with Triple-A Louisville. But he thrived after joining the starting rotation in early July.

        “I felt good about the year I had,” said Dessens, who fired first-pitch strikes past 24 of the 29 hitters he faced and struck out a career-high six. “I was just trying to establish myself in the big leagues. With the confidence I gained this year, I think I did that.”

        Speaking through left-hander/interpreter Hector Mercado, Dessens expressed appreciation for the fresh start the Reds provided.

        “Here, they gave me the opportunity, trusted me and had confidence in me,” Dessens said. “The Pirates gave me the opportunity but never trusted me.”

        Dessens insisted the day's hoopla didn't distract him. “It was just another game,” he said.

        The Reds certainly hope so.

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