Ruben Rivera might have been the star of Sunday's game, but he knows that doesn't mean his future is with the Reds.

Ruben Rivera gets high-fives after his pinch-hit HR (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        What is his future? “I wish I could know,” Rivera said.

        Rivera, a five-tool player, is now the Reds' fifth outfielder. But he made the contribution that role requires Sunday. His two-run, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning was the key blow in the Reds' 8-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 21,881 at Cinergy Field.

        The Reds signed Rivera late in spring training as a reclamation project. He makes $400,000 this year. But there's a club option for $1 million next year with a $350,000 buyout.

        “So many things come into it,” Reds manager Bob Boone said of Rivera's future. “I don't even want to speculate.”

        Rivera hasn't wowed anyone at the plate. But he's hitting .258 after hitting .195 and .208 for San Diego the last two years. His defense has been spectacular at times.

        “He's gotten better,” Boone said. “This is a tough role for him.”

        Rivera agreed. “I don't feel bad. But if I got a chance to play more, I could do better.”

        The Reds' outfield for 2002 would seem set with Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dmitri Young. And the budget probably won't allow for a $1 million backup.

        The Reds put on one of their better offensive performances Sunday to win consecutive home series for the first time all season.

        The top four hitters in the order all had big games: Todd Walker (three hits, his 18th home run and two doubles); Young (two hits, two RBI); Griffey (three hits); and Sean Casey (two hits).

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