Jason LaRue said he takes some ground balls each day to “fool around” and get loose for games. That practice came in handy when Reds manager Bob Boone asked him to start at third base in both games of Saturday's doubleheader against Philadelphia and again today.

        LaRue, a catcher who has also played first base and left field this season, last played third base for four games when he was at Double-A Chattanooga in 1998.

        “The hardest part? Probably all the shots you get over there,” LaRue said. “The ball comes about 1,000 miles an hour.”

        So, how did he do?

        LaRue handled the first three ground balls he got and threw out the runners. In the fourth inning of the second game, he was called for interference against baserunner Brian Hunter, who was awarded home. LaRue also muffed a bunt in the sixth inning of the nightcap that helped lead to the Phillies' third run.

        ABOUT FACE: Boone was ready to let Ken Griffey Jr. miss Saturday's games so he could return home to Florida to see his son Trey play football. But Griffey had forgotten about a commitment he had with Nabisco. The company sponsored a contest won by a local youth who brought some friends to Cinergy Field to play ball with Griffey.

        UP NEXT: Left-hander Lance Davis (8-3, 4.69 ERA) gets the final start of the season for the Reds vs. Philadelphia lefty Randy Wolf (9-11, 3.85).

Reds management not giving us hope 2002 chances depend on starting pitching Reds expect more offense next season Latin America scouting pays off Reds set record for home losses LaRue handles 3B Game 1 box, runs Game 2 box, runs

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