CLEVELAND - Though Deion Sanders had never been a designated hitter in a regular-season game, he sensed thatmanager Bob Boone would use him in that role Friday.

        “I had a funny feeling,” said Sanders, who went 1-for-3 after entering the game at .174. “Tuck (Michael Tucker) has been swinging well, (Alex) Ochoa's been swinging well and Ruben (Rivera) has been swinging darned well. If I'm going to play at all, it'll be as a DH.”

        Sanders said his spring-training experience as a DH, which was designed to provide him at-bats, also fed his intuition.

        “It's good to get out there, period,” Sanders said. “I don't care how it comes.”

        Boone said he figured Sanders could handle Cleveland starter Charles Nagy, who “throws a lot of slop.” Boone said D.T. Cromer, another option for the DH spot, likely would play Sunday against hard-throwing Jaret Wright.

        EX-RED ED: Eddie Taubensee has played in only 21 games with Cleveland while backing up Einar Diaz, but the former Reds catcher (1994-2000) understands the situation.

        “That's what I found out over here in the American League. Teams just really stick with their lineup,” said Taubensee, who's hitting .242 with two homers and seven RBI.

        But the Indians value Taubensee, as shown by the two-year contract extension he signed May 4.

        “I get in there and have fun,” he said.

        ETC.: Right-hander Brian Reith received no decision in his Triple-A debut Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits in five innings as Louisville lost to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5-4.

        • The Reds announced the signing of seven of this week's draft picks: right-hander Daylan Childress (fifth round), third baseman Dave Molidor (14th), shortstop Jeff Bannon (18th), left fielder Justin Davis (19th), catcher Jesse Gutierrez (20th), right-hander Jay Adams (24th) and second baseman Domonique Lewis (34th).

        UP NEXT: Tonight, Osvaldo Fernandez (5-5) opposes former Red Dave Burba (7-2), who's 5-2 lifetime against Cincinnati.

Reds 7, Indians 4 Memorable night for Selby Deion gets first shot at DH Larkin, Boone still not ready Rose, 31, undeterred by release Reds box, runs

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