Juan Encarnacion homered for the second straight night. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        PITTSBURGH — Based on the early returns, the Dmitri Young trade is looking pretty good for the Reds.

        Juan Encarnacion, one of the two players the Reds got from Detroit for Young, drove in all three runs in the Reds' 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before a crowd of 12,795 at PNC Park Thursday.

        The win improved the Reds to 5-4 and means they have won two of their three series this season.

        Encarnacion hit his second home run in as many nights to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. After the Pirates went up 2-1, Encarnacion got the lead back with a two-run single.

        Encarnacion, 26, is a different type of player than Young. He's faster and has more power and a better arm. But he doesn't have Young's flair for the game. You won't see his helmet flying off when he rounds second on his way to a double. And Encarnacion isn't a lock to hit .300.

        But a few more nights like Thursday and Reds rooters will grow to admire, if not love, Encarnacion. He leads the Reds in homers (three) and RBI (eight). He had two homers and nine RBI for the entire month of April last year.

        Plus, the Reds got Luis Pineda, a right-hander who throws 96 mph, in the Young deal as well.

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Jimmy Haynes allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings (AP photo) 600 | 800 | 1024

        Encarnacion had to win the right-field job in spring training, and he did so easily. Even before balls started falling, the Reds liked what they saw.

        “I watch him every day,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “You make a mistake (with a pitch) and he's going to hurt you. He hit a ball tonight farther — and it was into the wind — than I ever hit one, farther than I ever hit two.”

        “It's nice to get started good,” Encarnacion said. “I've been feeling pretty good all spring. Sometimes you get results; sometimes you don't.”

        Encarnacion at one time was considered one of the best prospects in baseball. As a 23-year-old in 1999, he hit 19 home runs, drove in 74 runs and stole 33 bases.

        “He's got a chance to be a special player,” Boone said. “It takes some guys longer to mature. Hopefully, he's coming into his own. I know he's awfully dangerous.”

        While Encarnacion carried the offense, right-hander Jimmy Haynes followed an awful first start with an awfully good second one. Haynes (1-1) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing the two runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked one.

        “I was able to hit my spots tonight,” Haynes said. “That was the big difference.”

Adrian Brown climbs the fence but can't catch Todd Walker's double. | ZOOM |

        The bullpen followed Wednesday's four innings of scoreless relief with 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball Thursday. Danny Graves got the last four outs for his 100th career save.

        “I never dreamed I'd get 100,” he said. “Hopefully, there will be a lot more.”

        Encarnacion got the Reds on the board with a bolt out to right-center to lead off the second inning.

        “I'm seeing the ball and hitting it,” Encarnacion said. “Same approach.”

        The lead didn't last through the inning. Haynes walked Aramis Ramirez to start the Pirates' third. An out later, Kevin Young hit his second homer of the year, driving an 0-2 pitch out to left-center field.

        The Reds came right back in the fifth. Jason LaRue hit a smash down the left-field line, and for some reason, LaRue ran straight through the first base bag. Had he turned, he probably would have had a double. Haynes tried to sacrifice LaRue to second, but Haynes' bunt landed right in front of the plate. Catcher Kendall easily nailed LaRue at second.

        Barry Larkin followed and pulled a double into the left field corner. Encarnacion singled to left. Haynes trotted home, and Larkin motored around from second just in time to beat the throw and make it a 3-2 game.
       

Reds 3, Pirates 2 Suspended Pineda rethinks appeal Reds Notebook: Clark makes grave mistake Reds box, runs Reds-Phillies Series Preview Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 4 Mariners 8, Angels 4

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