Monday, July 02, 2001
Reds Notebook
Rodriquez rejoins Reds
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
All things considered, Frankie Rodriguez would rather be in Seattle.
“But anytime you're in the big leagues, it's a good feeling,” he said.
The Reds called up Rodriguez from Triple-A Louisville to take the roster spot opened by the trade of Mark Wohlers.
Rodriguez was 7-4 with a 2.20 ERA and five saves at Louisville. He took over the closer role there after Chris Nichting was promoted to the Reds.
“I did a little of everything there,” he said. “Three-inning saves. One-out saves. Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute here.”
Rodriguez, a 28-year-old right-hander, spent most of the past two seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He was 2-1 with a 6.27 ERA last year and 2-4 with a 5.64 ERA and three saves in 1999.
“Last year was tough,” he said. “I wish I could have put up better numbers, so I could have stayed over there.”
The Mariners, of course, have the best record in baseball.
Rodriguez spent all of 1996, '97 and '98 in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins, splitting his time between starting and relief.
His best year was '96 when he was 13-14 with a 5.05 ERA.
ANOTHER COACH ON DL: Acting hitting coach Mike Greenwell, who took over while Ken Griffey Sr. recovers from back and neck problems, is ready for the disabled list himself.
Greenwell was struck on the right hand by Jason LaRue's line drive during batting practice. He suffered a hairline fracture and will be in a cast for two to three weeks.
GOLDEN SOMBRERO: In Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Jason LaRue became the first Red to strike out four times in a game since Greg Vaughn did on Sept. 26, 1999.
The fourth K came when LaRue swung through a fastball from Kyle Farnsworth that registered 100mph on the scoreboard. Farnsworth is the only pitcher to hit 100 on the Reds' gun.
LaRue went down swinging each time. LaRue has only two hits in his last 24 at-bats (.083).
JUNE NUMBERS: Alex Ochoa led the Reds with a .368 average in the month of June. Dmitri Young hit .358.
Pokey Reese (.176) and Jason LaRue (.194) struggled. But Reese was productive for a .176 hitter. He tied for the club lead in home runs for the month with four and tied for third with 11 RBI.
MORE REESE: Reese was out of the lineup Sunday. Juan Castro started at shortstop.
Reese's average is down to .228. He has hit .133 since June 20 and .168 since May 30.
PROUD TEACHER: Jose Rijo watched fellow Dominican Jose Acevedo record his first win in the big leagues on Saturday.
“Every pitch,” Rijo said. “It was awesome. Anytime you get your first major league win, it's exciting. But he pitched so well.”
Reds Stories
DAUGHERTY: Golf is a bargain
Met tennis champs back to defend
Women's stroke play tee times
• Return to Reds front page...
Rodriquez rejoins Reds