Thursday, June 20, 2002
Cameron, Boone extend Reds' misery
By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
No looks were shared, no words exchanged as Bret Boone approached third base on his home run trot and passed his brother, Aaron. Both of them knew who was having all of the fun at their family reunion.
![[img]](http://reds.enquirer.com/2002/06/20/cameronap_150x114.jpg) Mike Cameron (right) is congratulated by teammate Mark McLemore after hitting a second-inning homer. (AP/Tom Uhlman photo) | ZOOM | |
Seattle's second baseman hit a solo homer and made the game's pivotal play, and Mike Cameron another former Red added a solo shot that sent the Mariners to a 2-0 victory Wednesday night.
The Mariners pushed their lead in the AL West to three games and hinted that they might be coming out of a month-long stall.
We have a great team that hasn't played up to its potential yet, Bret Boone said.
It has during its first two games of an interleague series that's drenched in nostalgia.
For starters, there's the Boone family get-together. Reds manager Bob Boone hadn't been in the same game with his two sons until this series. Someday, Bret's homer and sensational defensive play will come up during a family gathering.
For now, the Reds' painful loss was too fresh.
There's nothing to talk about, Bret said. Once we're out there, it's no different than playing against any other team.
The Mariners haven't been hitting up to expectations, but their pitching and defense have been good enough to keep them alone in first place since April 11.
Cameron, who replaced Ken Griffey Jr. in center field in Seattle, snapped an 0-for-12 slump with his 11th homer nine more than Junior, who's been hampered by leg injuries.
It felt like old times, Cameron said. It felt good to do that. I did what you're supposed to do if you get a pitch to hit, and the ball carries well in this park.
Boone hit his ninth homer and made the game's most important play, diving onto the outfield grass to stop Sean Casey's grounder, then throwing him out from his knees to end a first-inning threat.
I did it for a lot of years in Cincinnati, said Boone, who won a Gold Glove and set a major league fielding record for second basemen with the Reds. I'm very happy with that side of it. The frustrations I've had have been at the plate.
Notes: Mariners starter Freddy Garcia singled past a drawn-in infield that was expecting a bunt, doubled into the right-field corner and struck out. He's 6-for-20 career (.300). ... Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk, ending his hitting streak at eight games. His AL-leading average slipped to .370.
Reds Stories
UC disputes Title IX criticism
Soccer fans want World Cup here
U.S. soccer looking for acceptance back home
World Cup Notebook: Superpowers face off
World Cup Schedule
Duff feels at home in Women's Met
Women's Met Scores & Pairings
5/3 pro-am moves to Belterra
South Carolina forces decisive game in CWS
Coming up this week
Return to Reds front page...