Tuesday, May 29, 2001
Reds Notebook
Boone not betting on one lineup
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Reds manager Bob Boone has taken to making out lineup cards with a lot of options.
“(Monday's) looked like a $2 Pick Six that I paid $24 for,” Boone said. “I've got 6-1-2, 4-3-5 ...”
It depended on Pokey Reese's availability. Reese's thumb was still too sore to start, so Juan Castro played shortstop. Reese entered the game in the seventh and stayed to play shortstop.
BOONE THROWS: Aaron Boone played toss for the first time since having surgery May 15 to remove the hamate bone in his right hand. The hand was broken when he was hit by a pitch.
“I've got some pain,” Boone said. “But I don't think it's related to the surgery. My grip is getting better. Everything is getting better.”
Boone's target date for a return is June 4-5 at Milwaukee.
“That's what I'm hoping for,” he said. “or by Cleveland (June 8-10) at the latest.”
LaRUE GUNS: Reds catcher Jason LaRue has thrown out the last six runners who have attempted to steal against him. For the year, he's thrown out 13 of 24 (54 percent).
LaRue ranks third in the National League behind Mike Matheny of St.Louis (.636) and Milwaukee's Henry Blanco (.625).
The key for any catcher throwing out base runners is getting help from the pitcher. If a pitcher can keep runners for getting huge leads and then deliver the ball quickly, the catcher has a chance.
“If you get the ball in 1.1 to 1.3 (seconds), it gives you a chance,” LaRue said.
DEION ENDS OH-FOR: Deion Sanders bunted for a single as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning, ending an 0-for-19 slump that was the longest by a Reds hitter this season. The NFL cornerback is hitting .167 since his May 1 promotion.
SELBY HITS: Bill Selby has caught Bob Boone's eye. Selby had three hits Saturday, but Boone doesn't always judge hitters by hits.
“He's given me some professional at-bats,” Boone said. “What's been distressing lately is we haven't put up good at-bats. When I talk about hitting, I talk about quality at-bats. We've made some easy outs lately. ”
Selby, 30, has played 886 games in the minor leagues. He's had two stints in the bigs: 40 game with Boston in 1996 and 30 games with Cleveland last year.
“Every player in my position would look at this as an opportunity,” he said. “But I also look at it as a chance to help the Reds. ... I want to help the team tread water until they can get back to Plan 1.”
DUNN HOT: Adam Dunn has found his stroke at Triple-A Louisville. A night after going 3-for-4 with a grand slam in the RiverBats' 8-6 win over Syracuse, Dunn homered again in a 6-5 victory over the Charlotte Knights.
UP NEXT: Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez (5-3, 5.44 ERA) faces former Red right-hander Jason Bere (3-2, 5.13) today at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the three-game series.
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Boone not betting on one lineup
