Sunday, May 12, 2002
Notes: At-bats getting better for Boone
3B says he feels close to shaking slump
By Gary Estwick and Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Aaron Boone ended an 0-for-16 hitless slump Saturday — his longest in the major leagues since he went 0-for-16 May 3-7, 2000. Boone, who singled to center in the sixth and stole his fifth base of the season, went 1-for-4 and his batting average rose to .208.
“I've been actually feeling better at the plate the last couple of days,” he said. “I feel like I'm heading in the right direction, and now it's just a matter of finding some holes, and getting it rolling.”
Boone said he watched game video this week with manager Bob Boone and hitting coach Jim Lefebvre.
“My knee was opening up, which was causing everything else to open, which was slowing my bat down and lengthening my swing a little bit,” Boone said.
Before Saturday's game, Boone had just four hits in his last 45 at-bats (.089).
ACEVEDO UPDATE: Right-hander Jose Acevedo said he will start Tuesday in Milwaukee in place of injured right-hander Joey Hamilton, who is on the 15-day disabled list because of a left hamstring injury. Acevedo, who was recalled from Triple-A Louisville Tuesday, began the season with the Reds and went 2-1 (8.53 ERA) before being sent down April 16.
“It's kind of a second opportunity,” Acevedo said.
Acevedo (3-1, 7.53 ERA) picked up a victory Wednesday against Milwaukee in his first major-league relief appearance. He gave up one hit in 1 2/3 innings.
CASEY DAY-TO-DAY First baseman Sean Casey, still recovering from the pulled hamstring he suffered Wednesday, sat out Saturday's game and is day-to-day.
He pinch-hit in the sixth inning Friday and had a sacrifice fly, but said he “felt it” when he swung.
“Shouldn't be a big deal in a few more days, or tomorrow,” Casey said.
Adam Dunn started for Casey at first base.
PETE JR. DISAPPOINTED: Pete Rose Jr. said he was surprised by his Friday release by the Reds. He was hitting .229 for Double-A Chattanooga.
“Especially with the roster move they made today. It just makes me scratch my head,” he said.
Third baseman Donny Leon, who was hitting .362 in 34 games, was promoted from Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville.
Rose, 32, was hitting .229 for nine games in Chattanooga.
"I was really playing well," Rose said. "But it's a part of the game. I'm going to pick myself up, dust off, and keep going."
Rose is currently back in Cincinnati.
BIG PLAY: Sometimes one play early in the game can change momentum. Here is one from Saturday: .
Fernando Vina led off the game with a single for St. Louis, then was forced into a fielder's choice on a ground ball by J.D. Drew. Albert Pujols got a hit to right field that sent sending Drew to third base. Pujols and tried to stretch the hit into a double but Ruben Mateo threw to Barry Larkin, who tagged out Pujols. Reds starter Chris Reitsma then struck out Jim Edmonds to end the inning.
“Whenever you can get an out on the base paths like that, its just huge,” Reitsma said. “It gives you a boost.”
THIS AND THAT: The Reds have been struck by 20 pitches in 30 games this year, a pace that would give them more than 90 for the season ... Gookie Dawkins, who is hitless in his last 13 at-bats, turns 23 years old today. ... Saturday was the Reds' shortest nine-inning home game of the season (2 hours, 27 minutes). ... With Milwaukee's rainout at Chicago on Saturday, the Brewers' projected pitching rotation for their series with the Reds has been changed to Nick Neugebauer (1-4, 5.09 ERA) on Monday; Ruben Quevedo (1-4, 5.40) on Tuesday; Everett Stull (0-0, 7.20) on Wednesday and Ben Sheets (3-3, 4.57) on Thursday.
UP NEXT: The Reds and Cardinals will end a three-game series at 1:15 p.m. today. Elmer Dessens (2-3, 2.05 ERA) starts for Cincinnati against right-hander Travis Smith (1-0, 5.47).
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Saturday's results
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Notes: At-bats getting better for Boone
