Thursday, May 17, 2001
Reith earns another start
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[img]](http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/2001/05/051701reiththrowap_120x157.jpg) Brian Reith will probably start Tuesday. (AP photo) | ZOOM | |
Brian Reith displayed a lot more self-control Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks than he did two nights earlier, when Double-A Chattanooga manager Phil Wellman told him he was being promoted to the Reds.
I started shaking and couldn't breathe, said Reith, 23. I haven't slept the last two nights.
Reith calmed down in time to make his major-league debut a success. The Reds lost 2-1, but Reith performed admirably, maintaining a no-hitter for 5 2/3 innings. He lasted 6 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, including back-to-back homers by Luis Gonzalez and Matt Williams to start the seventh inning.
About 20 of Reith's relatives and friends made the 3 1/2-hour drive from his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind., to watch him pitch. They might have been shocked to hear the boos from the Cinergy Field crowd when Reith failed to execute a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning.
![[img]](http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/2001/05/051701reithk_100x133.jpg) Reith in the dugout after failing to execute a sac bunt.. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM | |
Reith wasn't surprised, though. If I bunt like that, I expect to get booed, he said.
Reds manager Bob Boone was impressed enough with Reith to announce the right-hander, who was 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA at Double-A, will receive another start, probably in Tuesday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs.
That'll be another thrill for Reith, who as a youth rooted for the Cubs and Mark Grace, their longtime first baseman who now plays for Arizona.
It was a great feeling to pitch against Mark Grace tonight, Reith said. I grew up watching him on TV. I was in awe when I was out there.
![[img]](http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/2001/05/051701reithhook_180x106.jpg) Bob Boone shakes Reith's hand as he pulls him in the seventh ininng. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM | |
The Diamondbacks were just as impressed with Reith.
It was difficult facing a guy from Double-A that we'd never seen before, said Gonzalez. He was effective. We were hoping his pitch count would get up there and we would get to him.
Obviously, he had an advantage because we didn't know much about him, Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said. We didn't know much about him on his second and third time through the lineup, either. He was very impressive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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