Boone's return 'emotional'

Boone felt exhilarated after passing another test in his recovery from reconstructive left knee surgery — his first appearance in the field, a three-inning stint in the Reds' split-squad game against Pittsburgh.

Batting cleanup, Boone's evening was made when he singled in the third inning and scored from second base on Brady Clark's single.

“It was a tad bit emotional for me,” said Boone, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament July 5 and underwent surgery Aug.8. “To score and shake hands with your buddies — it has been a while since I've done that. I definitely missed it. This is obviously a big step.”

Otherwise, Boone's outing was uneventful. He had no fielding chances and was hit by a pitch by Pirates starter Bronson Arroyo in his first-inning at-bat. “I would have liked to have gotten some ground balls, but, oh well,” Boone said.

COLEMAN'S CLOUTS: Michael Coleman's three-run homer in Wednesday afternoon's eighth inning, which trimmed Pittsburgh's lead to 8-7 in a game Cincinnati won 11-8 at Bradenton, was his third in two games.

Coleman, whose career total of 87 minor-league homers includes 30 in 1999 with Triple-A Pawtucket, said that this is a familiar pattern.

“In '99, it was streaky,” said Coleman, the outfielder who came from Boston in the Nov.16 Chris Stynes deal. “When they come, they come in bunches.”

Coleman said he is no longer “pulling off” the ball when he swings, which plagued him last week when he struck out three times in a row.

“If my head hadn't been flying, I would have done the same thing (homered) with those balls,” Coleman said.

SURGING SANDERS: Deion Sanders has started to look more comfortable at the plate, going 2-for-4 in Wednesday's first game after lining a single in two at-bats Tuesday night against the Yankees.

“I'm feeling better and better with each at-bat,” said Sanders, who lifted his spring average to .250 (3-for-12) after an 0-for-6 start. “The better you feel, the more you can really work the count. It's just a matter of time and getting out there. Fortunately they're letting me get some at-bats; that's the main thing.”

FOR OPENERS: Though manager Bob Boone wasn't ready to name his Opening Day starting pitcher officially, he said Pete Harnisch “probably” would receive the call for the April 2 game against Atlanta at Cinergy Field.

ETC.: Trainer Greg Lynn said Ken Griffey Jr.'s sore left hamstring was improving, but he couldn't predict when the center fielder might return to the lineup.

“He spent a lot of time with us today,” Lynn said, referring to the treatment Griffey received and the exercises he performed.

Shortstop Barry Larkin (right groin) could play as early as today.

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