Saturday, April 06, 2002
Reds notebook
Graves likes being a 1 2/3-man show
By John Erardi and Gary Estwick
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In an age of the one-inning closer, Danny Graves wants to turn back the clock. He enjoys coming into the game in the eighth inning with men on base, working out of that jam and then coming back for the ninth.
That's how he earned the save in the rubber match of the three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.
“I like coming in with men on base,” Graves said. “I do better with men on base. If I come on with nobody out, nobody on, more than likely a couple of guys will get on.”
Such as in the ninth inning Thursday?
“Exactly,” Graves said. “I'm not trying to let guys on, but it seems like when I do, I always find a way to turn it up a notch.”
Reds manager Bob Boone is glad to oblige Graves. Boone said he likes having Graves available for the eighth when necessary, although he wouldn't want to use him like that on consecutive days.
When a closer gets used to coming on in the eighth, Boone said: “It makes it easier. When guys aren't used to that, that makes it harder to do.”
Graves blew the save but got the victory when he worked 1 2/3 innings on Opening Day.
“A lot of teams use their closer only in the ninth, but I don't consider myself a typical closer,” Graves said. “I like to pitch, and pitch out of jams. That's why I'm more effective throwing one-plus innings. That way I get to use my stuff and work out of jams.”
Graves said it's easier for him than for other closers to go more than one inning, because he's not a strikeout pitcher.
“I don't go deep in the count,” he said. “These guys who strike out a lot of people, they throw a lot of pitches. They might throw 15 pitches in the ninth, but I might get through two innings on 15 pitches.”
On those occasions he's worked more than an inning but done it economically, there's no reason he can't do it again the next day, he said.
“I think it's the plan that I not go more than one inning on consecutive days, but if the situation calls for it, we can do it,” Graves said. “That's the luxury of having the bullpen we have. We've got guys who aren't just one-inning guys.”
NEW BACKSTOP:
Catcher Kelly Stinnett got his first start of the season Friday. Manager Bob Boone said he wanted to get Stinnett some work.
He relieved starting catcher Jason LaRue.
"I've got to play Kelly some,” Boone said. "I can't sit him forever and expect him to do the job. I want him to play, and we've got two days games coming up.”
Stinnett isn't concerned either.
"That's why we have Brady Clark around here,” he said.
EMERGENCY BACKSTOP:
Outfielder Brady Clark is the emergency catcher in case both Stinnett and Jason LaRue are unavailable.
Clark said he has never played catcher before. He practiced there for the first time during spring training and plans to practice weekly during the season.
“I don't see myself doing it on an everyday basis,” Clark said. “Let's hope I never have to. I think it's a good thing to have on my resume.”
NO JAMS:
Boone said he'd rather use right-hander Scott Williamson to start an inning than bring him in in the middle of an inning.
“Right now, I'm not real comfortable,” Boone said. “I want to give him plenty of time to get ready.”
NO GAMS:
While former Reds great and present Expos manager Frank Robinson was addressing the media before Friday's game, Ken Griffey Jr. snuck up from the side and began patting down Robinson's notoriously skinny legs.
“I thought you'd be on the juice this year!” Griffey said, feigning disappointment.
“I am on juice,” Robinson retorted. “What do you think I'd look like without it?”
That brought a chortle from Junior.
A few years ago, The Enquirer named Robinson the greatest ballplayer in the 58-year history of Crosley Field. If Junior begins posting some Seattle-like numbers in Great American Ball Park when it opens next year -- and perhaps goes on to break Henry Aaron's career home-run mark there -- then Junior will be known as the greatest player at Great American.
Another Hall of Famer at the park Friday, Johnny Bench, came over from his spot behind the batting cage to shake hands with Robinson. “I'm glad to see you back in uniform,” Bench told Robinson.
E-mail: jerardi@enquirer.com; gestwick@enquirer.com
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