Sunday, April 14, 2002
Reds notes: Power of the 'pen
Relievers' scoreless streak at 19 1/3 innings
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PHILADELPHIA — It's early, very early. But Scott Williamson thinks this year's Reds' bullpen is better than the 1999 bullpen.
The bullpen extended its streak of scoreless innings to 19 1/3 in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Williamson's prediction is based on more than the fast start. The bullpen has an ERA of 2.49 and a 3-1 record, and the opposition is hitting .219 against it.
The bullpen is made up of some of the same pitchers as 1999: Williamson, Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan and Gabe White. The other principles that year were Dennys Reyes and Stan Belinda.
This season, the Reds are using a seven-man bullpen. Jose Rijo, Luis Pineda and Jim Brower are the additional members.
“Sully is wiser,” Williamson said. “He's throwing better. Gravy is solid as the closer. Gabe has thrown well. We haven't had a good left-hander like that. Pineda throws hard. Brower, Rijo. I feel like the last guy in the bullpen.”
Williamson throws up to 97 mph and was rookie of the year in '99. If he's the last guy in your bullpen, you have a good one.
The Reds had the best bullpen in National League last season. But that was without Williamson and Pineda, the hardest throwers in the staff. Another strength is the Reds's diversity.
“We all have different styles,” Graves said. “We all have different stuff. That makes the bullpen effective. Hitters can't get comfortable.”
You have hard throwers in Williamson and Pineda, a sidearmer in Sullivan, a sinker-baller in Graves, a three-inning guy in Brower, a hard-throwing left-hander in White, and Rijo — a great competitor who knows how to pitch.
“When anyone comes in, you're confident they're going to get the job done,” Williamson said. “It's awesome, awesome to watch.”
The bullpen paved the way for Friday night's comeback in the 8-5 victory with 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
“That reminded me of '99,” Williamson said. “We had (the Phillies) on the ropes and put them away. We pounded them.”
Saturday, they shut down the Phillies after the Reds took the lead. In the four-game winning streak, the only runner who has reached second against the bullpen is Travis Lee in the ninth Saturday, who stole the base against defensive indifference.
GRAVES' MILESTONE: Saturday night's save was the 102nd of Danny Graves' career, tying him with Clay Carroll for second on the Reds' all-time list. John Franco is first with 148.
“That's cool,” Graves said. “I didn't know about it. If I did, I'd have a speech ready.”
Graves says his job has been easy lately. “The guys before me strike everybody out,” he said. “When I come in, they ground out on my sinker.”
GAGS: Aaron Boone failed to catch a popup near the stands and then had one he did catch nearly hit him the face, all in the seventh inning. “I'm like a fan catching popups,” he said jokingly. “I need one of the those Velcro gloves that pulls the ball in.”
MORE BULLPEN: With injured pitchers John Riedling, Jose Silva, Lance Davis and Brian Bohanon getting closer to being healthy, the Reds face some very tough decisions.
“I really don't want to think about it until (Riedling, Davis, Bohanon and Silva) are ready,” Boone said. “It will be: "Who's the best 12?” It's a much better problem than the alternative.”
Silva and Davis will throw for Boone, pitching coach Don Gullett and general manager Jim Bowden on Tuesday when the Reds return home. With all 12 pitchers on the staff pitching reasonably well, the Reds will make sure none of injured players is rushed.
“We can wait until they're ready to go,” Boone said.
That probably will mean rehab assignments, which can last up to 20 days.
“These things have a way of taking care of themselves,” Boone said.
STILL MORE BULLPEN: Boone was not tempted to let Williamson pitch the eighth Friday even though he struck out the side in the seventh.
“It's going to come to that but not (Friday) night,” Boone said. “You don't know what the second inning is going to bring.”
Williamson is a candidate to close when Graves needs a rest. Williamson saved 19 games in '99.
But Friday was only his fourth appearance since having “Tommy John” surgery. In one outing, of them, he didn't retire a batter. The Reds would like to see some more consistency before giving him a bigger role.
TAYLOR, NOT LARKIN: Boone had Reggie Taylor, not Barry Larkin, in the leadoff spot for Saturday's game. The Reds won Thursday and Friday with Larkin leading off.
Boone has said he will platoon Taylor and Ruben Mateo with Ken Griffey Jr. out.
“I've got to find out what Taylor is,” Boone said. “If I'm going to do that, I might as well find out in his spot.”
Taylor, who the Reds got from the Phillies for Hector Mercado, is a natural leadoff hitter. Saturday was his second time in the No.1 hole for the Reds.
He went 1-for-5 with a walk and two stolen bases in the 8-5 win over Pittsburgh Wednesday.
“He got on, stole second, Larkin got him over and he scored,” Boone said. “I like that.”
UP NEXT: The Reds conclude the three-game series and their only trip to Philly with a 1:35 p.m. game today. Right-hander Elmer Dessens (0-2, 4.22 ERA) faces right-hander Vicente Padilla (1-1, 1.50). Dessens went home to Cincinnati Friday for the birth his first child, Elmer Jr.
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Reds notes: Power of the 'pen
