Jason LaRue led NL catchers in throwing out baserunners last season, nabbing 60 percent. He got Rafael Furcal twice Sunday to help Dessens escape threats.

Barry Larkin tags out Rafael Furcal trying to steal. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Although LaRue is in a 1-for-17 slump at the plate, he has helped the Reds shut down opponents on the bases, throwing out 11 of 23 runners (47.8 percent).

        “I've got to have pitchers who can get me the ball and give me a chance,” LaRue said. “In my mind, if you get me the ball, I can throw anybody out in this league. That's what Elmer did — he gave me a chance and I threw him out.”

        BENCHMARK: Barry Larkin's seventh-inning double was the 382nd of his career, moving him ahead of Johnny Bench into third place on the franchise's list.

        The tiebreaking hit came two days after 38,777 fans showed up for a Bench bobblehead doll giveaway.

        “I'm working on my consistency,” said Larkin, who's hitting .227. “That double felt really, really good — and it put me past Johnny Bench, too. Not that I was thinking about it, but it's nice.”

        GRIFFEY GRIEF: Griffey caught grief from his teammates about his throw to the plate to nail Andruw Jones. The ball hit the infield grass and skimmed home to LaRue for the tag.

        “You mean that Brunswick bowling ball Junior rolled in?” Larkin said. “That was a great play. Jason waited on it and had to absorb the hit.”

        LaRue said the throw flattened out when it hit the infield.

        “It seemed like the grass was a little hard today and it kind of knocked it down,” LaRue said. “I was talking to the ball saying, 'C'mon, c'mon.' That was a big play.”

        Griffey had a comeback line.

        “Just call me kingpin,” Griffey said. “When I threw it, I actually was looking at the third base coach. I was just trying to hit the cutoff man, so I threw that Brunswick all the way home.”

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