Saturday, May 05, 2001
Reds Notebook
Larkin may return today
By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Barry Larkin (right groin tightness) was not in Saturday's lineup, the second straight start he has missed.
Larkin was available to pinch hit and was in the on-deck circle Saturday when Kelly Stinnett flied out to end the game.
Manager Bob Boone said he posted the lineup early Saturday morning, before Larkin could talk him out of it.
“I wanted to get the lineup out before he got here,” Boone said, smiling.
The Reds are taking every precaution with the 37-year-old shortstop, who is in his 15th major-league season. Friday, Larkin was examined by a Cincinnati general surgeon, Dr. JoAnn Lohr, who ruled out a hernia.
“Barry has shown a good ability to take care of himself,” Boone said. “He's a special guy, and we certainly miss his bat.”
Larkin, who has been available to pinch hit both days, is hitting .341 and leads the National League with a .467 on-base percentage.
Boone said there is a chance Larkin will start today. Larkin said he might not have been ready to play a full game Saturday.
“I think I might play tomorrow (Sunday),” Larkin said. “There's still a little tightness down there, but I feel OK.”
STREAK ALIVE: Sean Casey's seventh-inning home run broke Woody Williams' shutout and extended the team's scoring streak. The Reds have not been shut out in 192 straight games, extending their National League record. The major-league re cord is 308 straight games by the 1931-33 New York Yankees.
HE'S HOT: Dmitri Young extended his hitting streak to 12 games, a season high for the Reds. He has raised his average from .246 to .297.
THE GUN: Boone was still talking Saturday about the play of Juan Castro, Larkin's backup, made deep in the hole Friday night. Castro ranged almost behind third base to get Phil Nevin's sharp grounder, then gunned down Nevin at first base.
“Maybe Ozzie (Smith) could have made that play,” Boone said, mentioning the retired Cardinals and Padres star. “(Castro) has got a cannon. Maybe I ought to put him on the mound.”
Reds starters have posted a 9.00 ERA in their last eight games, including Saturday.
STILL GOT IT: Boone, 53, occasionally catches his pitchers in the bullpen. He caught 19 years in the majors, last playing in 1990.
“I'll catch usually when there's a problem,” Boone said.
That was the case Friday night, when Boone caught Pete Harnisch in the Cinergy Field bullpen. Harnisch has been struggling, and Boone wanted to get a catcher's view.
“It gives me a picture of how to call a game and whether he (a pitcher) can win or not,” Boone said. “It's like a jockey riding a horse. It's a feel.”
Boone said he couldn't recall another big-league manager catching his pitchers in the bullpen. Most managers are, shall we say, either too old or not in top shape.
“I remember when Danny Ozark was my manager with the Phillies and he'd try to help me, and he'd say, "I don't even see how you get down in that squat,'” Boone said.
UP NEXT: Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez (4-1, 5.23) faces Padres right-hander Brian Tollberg (2-2, 3.90) in today's series finale at 1:15p.m.
Fernandez is 0-3 lifetime vs. San Diego with a 6.57 ERA in five starts.
Tollberg is 1-0 vs. the Reds, earning a win in his second career start last June 25 at Cinergy Field (7 1/3 innings, two runs) in a 5-4 Padres victory.
Reds Stories
Bengals' pick just a hard-workin' boy from the heartland
Elvis is alive - in LeBeau
Bengals pin hopes on Webb
Bengals waive former No. 2 pick
Five Questions with: Thad Matta
Butler promotes Lickliter to head coach
Sharp wins UC basketball award
Derby gets Kentucky winner
Photo galleries: The race | Hats & headwear | Celebs & scenes
SULLIVAN: Ward gets the last word
Kentucky Derby notebook
Anything goes at infield party
Celebrities turn out for Derby
Derby fans shameless about hats
Ky. Speedway opens second season Friday
UK's Bogans, Prince to declare for draft
Austin defends IBF title here
Best and worst of week in sports
Lietzke commits to Kroger Classic
Marty, Joe ride the waves
Xavier, NKU set for NCAA golf tournaments
High School Insider
Cincinnati softball highlights
Cincinnati softball results
Cincinnati baseball results
Cincinnati tennis results
Cincinnati track results
Other Cincinnati results
N.Ky. baseball results
N.Ky. track results
• Return to Reds front page...
Larkin may return today
