Sunday, June 24, 2001
Reynolds' comeback appears complete
The Associated Press
HOUSTON - Shane Reynolds called himself lucky after pitching a complete game Saturday night. His teammates say it's more a matter of skill.
Reynolds surpassed his win total from an injury-interrupted 2000 season as the Astros beat the Reds 9-3 Saturday night.
Reynolds (8-5) won for the fourth time in his last five starts. He gave up seven hits and struck out eight in his second complete game of the year, and his first complete-game win since beating Los Angeles on Aug. 5, 1999.
“The guys played great defense behind me and the offense was good,” said Reynolds, who recorded his 19th career complete game. “I'm sure if it had been a close game, I would have had to come out for a pinch-hitter.
“But the team gave me a chance to pitch the complete game. Up here, you've got to have luck to pitch complete games. You've got to be good to get here, but it's still a lot of luck to get complete games.”
Manager Larry Dierker said it was good to not have to use his bullpen after having to use relievers a total of eight times the previous two games.
“I know those guys in the bullpen appreciate a night off and Shane gave it to them,” Dierker said. “It was just a great performance. Shane was like a surgeon. He just carves you up, going inside-outside, fast-slow and not putting too many pitches over the plate.”
After starting 5-1 last year and making the All-Star team, Reynolds went 2-5 the rest of the way to finish 7-8. His season ended in late July because of a back injury, and he needed surgery in the offseason after hurting his knee while jogging.
“He has been real consistent this year,” Dierker said. “Now he's whole. His knee doesn't hurt, his back doesn't hurt and he's got some good rhythm.”
And the Astros are glad.
“He's pitched well every time out,” Craig Biggio said. “He's not going to hurt himself. He pitches around guys he wants to, pitches to the guys he wants to and knows what to do. He's a veteran who does a great job.”
The Reds would agree.
“What he does is locate his fastball,” manager Bob Boone said. “He has an excellent change and a good breaking ball that he doesn't use that much. Tonight he was mostly fastball-change. He was putting it where he wanted and that was the key to it.”
Pokey Reese wasn't surprised.
“He's an All-Star pitcher,” Reese said. “He had his splitter working tonight and when that's on, he's very tough. He's a battler who just goes out and does his business. They got the runs for him tonight and he did the rest. He keeps guys on their toes out there and they make plays behind him.”
Astros Notes: Manager Larry Dierker moved into a tie for second place on the Astros' career victories list with 392. With 328 losses, his .544 winning percentage is still the club's best ... Biggio's sixth-inning strikeout moved him in front of Jimmy Wynn to become the franchise leader with 1,089.
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Reynolds' comeback appears complete
