Barry Larkin hopes Luis Pineda can help the Reds get to the playoffs. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        ST. LOUIS — The Reds liked the arm they were getting when they obtained Luis Pineda in the Dmitri Young deal with Detroit. But Juan Encarnacion was the principal player in the trade.

        Right now, it looks as though Pineda would have been a good straight-up trade for Young, considering the way Pineda is throwing and the fact Young was going to walk at season's end.

        Pineda, a 27-year-old right-hander, is challenging Scott Williamson for the title of Best Arm on the Staff.

        Pineda hit 99 mph on the scoreboard radar gun this week in Milwaukee. Those speed guns vary, but even Williamson didn't get to 99 in Milwaukee.

        “In Detroit, I hit 97, 98,” Pineda said. “But 99 is my best.”

        That kind of heat, coupled with a good breaking ball, makes Pineda virtually unhittable at times.

        The night Pineda hit 99, Reds manager Bob Boone said, “He came in there and threw little bitty golf balls.”

        Pineda's numbers are similar to Williamson's. Williamson has thrown 17 innings and allowed nine hits, walked 11 and struck out 22. Opponents are hitting .173 off him. Pineda has thrown 17 1/3innings and allowed 11 hits with 13 walks and 22 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .186 off him.

        Pineda's role has increased in importance over the last few games.

        “We've eased him into that role,” Boone said. “We need Pineda, Williamson and (Jim) Brower to take the load off (Gabe) White and (Scott) Sullivan.”

        Pineda, a bit of a free spirit, has thrived in the Reds' bullpen.

        “I'm happy here,” he said. “They have a lot of good people. I want to stay here for a long time.”

        Pineda is probably the player who has benefited most from Jose Rijo's presence. They are from the same town in the Dominican Republic and have become inseparable. Pineda does the Rijo workout, which is notoriously tough. He also gets Rijo pitching tips.

        “The trick is working with Jose,” Pineda said. “He taught me to step back and put all my weight on the back leg and push hard to the plate.”

Reds 7, Cards 3 Reds box, runs Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour Reds Q&A with John Fay Say it ain't so Armed for the long haul Handicapping the NL Central race Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001 Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid Down on the farms Pineda heats up in bullpen Reds chatter The week ahead Durazo's big night shatters team records Legislature approves Twins stadium bill Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade John Fay's MLB Power Rankings Louisville 4, Ottawa 1 NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Football Hall is honored
Titans looking Freakier
Ashland ends NKU's bid 6-2
Buckeyes split with Gophers
Former Navy great ponders past choices
NKU women show in NCAA golf
Ohio State to play Marshall in 2004
Two roundabout roads to success
Cauthen hopes War Emblem wins Triple Crown
Espinoza enjoys a smooth ride
Preakness notebook
Take the heat and keep going
War Emblem wins Preakness
Indy hopefuls want smooth road on Bump Day
McWilliams family tree rooted in racing
Newman cashes in at The Winston
Price leads Colonial by 5
Serena meets Henin in Italian Open final
World Cup lookin' up
A peek inside the NBA draft lottery
K-Mart will try to slow down Celtics' Pierce
Lakers 106, Kings 99
McCarty's hat trick leads Wings past Avs
NHL notes column
Quinn hopes Leafs aren't too relaxed
The Cup runneth all over the place
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings
DAUGHERTY: Kelly loved, and in turn, receives love
Taft baseball alive with Webb at reins
Fehr riddles Elder - again
Spring sparks Lebanon's rally over Oak Hills
Preps schedule
Saturday's results

• Return to Reds front page...