FORT MILL, S.C. — Thirty-six-year-old Jose Rijo, making his third start of a miracle comeback bid after five surgeries on his arm and a six-year layoff, gave up two runs on five hits in the four- inning stint the Reds' brass wanted when they sent him here to pitch Saturday for Triple-A Louisville.

Jose Rijo says he's proved he's ready for the Reds. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        He showed his former big-league guile because he didn't have his old-time fastball, his slider was “sloppy,” and only his dipping, off-speed forkball was keeping the Knights off balance.

        He left the game with the visiting RiverBats trailing Charlotte 2-1 on a breezeless 75-degree night at Knights Stadium where the 1990 World Series Most Valuable Player kept his dream alive before 10,156 fans.

        It was the Knights' fourth-best crowd this season.

        “I'm ready to go to the Reds,” said Rijo, who said he has nothing left to prove in the minors after this moderately successful outing following two stellar ones at Single-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga in the past 10 days.

Rijo walks to the dugout with catcher Corky Miller. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        This wasn't the type of outing that normally would earn a Triple-A pitcher a big-league callup, but Rijo isn't just any pitcher.

        When he left the Reds in 1996 with an arm injury, he was 111-87 in a career that had been defined by a great slider, a huge heart and an always-low ERA that year after year was one of the stingiest in the big leagues.

        “I want to pitch again in the major leagues, and not just with anybody, but with the Reds,” Rijo said. “I love the Cincinnati fans. They have always given me great support, and they're showing it again. All I ask is for their prayers, because I'm working on a miracle.”

        He flew to Charlotte from Cincinnati in a private plane late Saturday afternoon, ar riving at the ballpark about 4:30 p.m. for his 7:15 p.m. start. He did some running in the outfield about 6:55 p.m. and later began his throwing in the bullpen.

Pitching coach Grant Jackson (23) confers with Rijo on the mound, along with SS Chris Sexton and Miller. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “I thought I was loose, but it wasn't until I began pitching in the first inning that I realized I wasn't loose,” Rijo said. “I had to change the way I planned to throw right from the start, because I didn't have my fastball and I had to go to the breaking ball.”

        Rijo threw 76 pitches — 28 in a tough third inning in which he gave up a leadoff, opposite-field double to Julio Ramirez just inside the first-base line, an RBI single to Jason Hardtke, two walks and a bases-loaded RBI single by Toby Rumfield on which left fielder Adam Dunn gunned down Liu Rodriguez at home plate. .

        “I think it's a great sign that my arm doesn't hurt after throwing all those sliders (a pitch that puts a lot of strain on the elbow),” Rijo said. “I was tested out there and I was able to get out of it and keep pitching. (The Reds) wanted four innings, and that's what I gave them.

Rijo talks with Jackson in the dugout. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “Of the five hits I gave up, four were on fastballs. They were late on some of them — that's another good sign — and they hit only one ball hard. I'm very pleased because I never got loose and didn't have command, but I overcame it.”

        He said he didn't know how he might react if the Reds don't call him up in the next four days and instead ask him to make another Triple-A start.

        “Whatever stretching out (of the number of innings he needs to achieve to become a viable starter) I can do with the Reds,” Rijo said. “I shouldn't have to do it down here. I have nothing to prove here. My arm is healthy. I feel great. I'm ready to pitch again for the Reds.”

Recent Rijo stories:
• Rijo rushing Reds' timetable
• Rijo, Dunn callups not imminent
• Rijo gets AAA start Saturday
• Rijo pitches 3 scoreless innings at AA
• Double-A next for Rijo
• Rijo starts with good outing at Dayton
• Fans support Rijo
• SULLIVAN: Rijo can't give up

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