Sean Casey leaps over the tag of St. Louis Cardinal catcher Mike Matheny to score on a second inning double by Jimmy Haynes. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds' enjoyed a tidy, 7-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on a delightful afternoon on the river.

        If it was the last game in Cinergy Field/Riverfront Stadium, it ended with a spectacular play. Ken Griffey Jr. made a leaping catch at the warning track to take away extra bases from Tino Martinez.

        Jimmy Haynes pitched his best game — eight innings, seven hits, seven strikeouts — to win his 13th game. The team scored as many runs as it had in the previous four days combined and had its biggest day offensively in two weeks.

        But the question on everyone's mind afterward was: Will there be an encore?

        “We'll see in the next 24 hours,” Griffey said.

        The players obviously knew this could be the last game of the season — today's strike date has been on their minds since it was set — but after the game they had no clue whether there'd be a strike or not.

        Maybe that's why the end of Thursday's game didn't seem much different than the season's 132 previous games .

        “It wasn't sentimental or emotional,” said Aaron Boone, the Reds player rep.

        But it was different in the clubhouse afterward. The crowd around Boone's locker was reminiscent of the president's media contingent.

        In contrast, Haynes, the star of the game, drew a couple of reporters.

        But the Reds planned for business as usual today.

        “I'll feel very badly if the strike happens,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “But I'm very confident that there are some smart people in New York who will work it out. My plan is to be here (today) and start working.”

        It might be easier for the Reds, as a team, to accept the end of the season now that the playoffs are effectively out of reach.

Reds centerfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. walks to the on deck circle. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Splitting four games with St. Louis left them 7 1/4games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.

        “A split for us, even against a really tough team, is like kissing your sister,” Bob Boone said.

        “If we go on strike, I get to go home and do one of the things I'm really good at,” Griffey said. “Be a dad. I remember when my dad (Ken Sr.) was on strike in '81. I didn't know much about the strike.

        “But I liked having him home.”

        One guy who certainly doesn't want to see the season end is Haynes, who pushed his record to 13-8 and lowered his ERA to 4.18.

        Haynes worked out of jams in the second and third innings, and then cruised after that.

        His bases-loaded single in the second produced the first two runs of the game.

Reds fan Thomas Perry of Westwood watches what may be the last game at Cinergy Field. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Haynes could probably have thrown a complete game, but was pulled after 118 pitches. He's had soreness in his elbow.

        “It was probably the right decision,” Haynes said.

        Haynes' previous best record was 11-9 in 1999.

        “He's grown so much as a pitcher,” Boone said. “He's learned to take some pace off the ball. He's become a fine pitcher. His competitiveness has been terrific.”

        Haynes, 30, is the best bargain in baseball. He makes $500,000.

        “I've tried to stay focused and keep the ball down,” he said. “Hopefully, I'll get better next year.”

        He could have added this: Hopefully, next year doesn't start today.

Reds 7, Cards 0 Reds Box, Runs Strike or deal? Daugherty: Baseball strike Fans wonder: Is this it? Game face on, ump awaits orders Uncertainty casts its shadow Fans vent anger as strike deadline looms Same seat, but game has changed Why Bud showed up late 9-11 squirmish issue in labor tiff Boone's role no luxury, but it is taxing Reds-Brewers series preview Bellhorn first NL player to homer from both sides in same inning Cards acquire Brewers' Wright Astros 5, Padres 0 Cubs 13, Brewers 10 Pirates 4, Braves 1

Falcons 27, Bengals 14
Bengals-Falcons stats
Kickoffs only thing separating Bengals kickers
Smith says strike would throw baseball for loss
Thursday's NFL games
Bulldogs have 'special person' at QB
Job 1: True Blue pride
More Pounds means more success
Ohio, Kentucky powers square off
Tough foes mean Highlands could have another 0-2 start
Ursuline downs Notre Dame
This week's Kentucky prep football preview
This week's Ohio prep football preview
Boys golf results
Boys soccer results
Girls golf results
Girls soccer results
Girls tennis results
Volleyball results
Player of the Year watch list
Davenport takes care of unfinished business
Seles makes great escape at U.S. Open
Frost on top in Canada
U.S. atmosphere tame compared to foreign fans

• Return to Reds front page...