Sunday, May 19, 2002
Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid
Reds notebook
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ST. LOUIS — Brady Clark's two-run double Saturday against the Cardinals gave the Reds a five-run lead and Clark a little peace of mind.
On Friday night, Clark hit into a double play that virtually sealed the Reds' 3-1 loss to St. Louis. That's life as a pinch hitter.
“It can be tough,” Clark said. “I probably hit the ball harder (Friday night). But it was right at someone. A few feet either way, and we score a couple of runs. That's what you have to learn to deal with — the mental part.”
Clark entered Saturday's game with two hits in his last 26 at-bats. With Ken Griffey Jr. getting close to being activated, someone will have to go — and Clark has options.
“That was a big hit for us — and him,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.
REST FOR AARON: Boone really didn't want to do it, but he had his son — Reds third baseman Aaron Boone — out of the starting lineup Saturday.
“It's something I agonized over,” Bob Boone said. “You don't want to take that glove out of the lineup. But he really needs a mental break. He's not going to play 162, so you have to do it sometime. A game's a game, no matter what the series is.”
Aaron Boone entered the game in the sixth inning as part of a double switch. He singled once in two at-bats, breaking an 0-for-14 skid.
Bob Boone's reluctance to rest Aaron was based on the fact that the last time Wilton Guerrero started at third, his error led to three unearned runs in a 3-1 loss to Philadelphia on April 14. Guerrero started again at third Saturday.
“I'm confident Wilton will make the plays on the balls hit to him,” Bob Boone said. “But Aaron makes those special plays in the hole on balls that I don't think any other third baseman gets to.”
Aaron Boone, who entered Saturday's game hitting .200, said he wasn't sure he needed a day off when asked about it Thursday.
“But I guess I was crying out for one,” he said. “It's rough on the mind. You spend a lot of time concentrating.”
KEARNS AT THIRD? Bob Boone said he would not try Austin Kearns at third base.
“Out of the blue, no,” Boone said. “It's a hard position.”
The Reds' brain trust was split on playing Kearns at third or in right field when they drafted him.
TWELFTH PITCHER: Boone said there is no pressing need for a 12th pitcher right now. Elmer Dessens went six innings Friday night and Chris Reitsma went seven Thursday. Jose Rijo went only five Saturday, but Scott Williamson and Jim Brower finished it. That gave the big three — Scott Sullivan, Gabe White and Danny Graves — some needed rest.
Who the 12th pitcher will be is open to speculation. The best bet is Jose Silva.
The Reds have left-handers Lance Davis and Brian Bohanon in the minor leagues working toward getting in shape. But Boone said being left-handed isn't necessarily a factor, particularly with Davis.
“He doesn't get left-handers out (better than right-handers) anyway,” Boone said.
Of the two relievers rehabbing — Silva and John Riedling — Silva is further along, having pitched two scoreless innings at Triple-A Louisville. Riedling gave up five runs in two innings at Double-A Chattanooga on Friday.
“If Silva's power arm is back, we'll probably take Silva,” Boone said.
FARM REPORT: Ranier Olmedo went 0-for-3 to snap his 11-game hitting streak at Chattanooga. Wily Mo Pena went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double double and three RBI. He's hit in seven games since coming off of the DL (.355, five HRs, eight RBI).
UP NEXT: The Reds play the Cardinals in the third game of the four-game series at 2:10 p.m. today (Fox Sports Net). Right-hander Jose Acevedo (4-1, 6.52) faces right-hander Garrett Stephenson (0-2, 5.82).
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Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid
