PITTSBURGH — After a one-year absence, the Battle of Ohio returns in 2003. The Reds will play a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field next year.

        “This is something both the Reds and the Indians wanted,” Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. “We asked Major League Baseball to bring it back. They decided to rekindle it.”

        The Reds, according to the plan, will host the Indians at Great American Ball Park in 2004.

        The teams played every year from 1997 through 2001. The rivalry was scrapped when the rotating interleague schedule pitted the National League Central against the American League West.

        “I think it's good,” Reds manager Bob Boone said of restarting the series. “This is what interleague play is supposed to be about. It's for the fans.”

        Allen wouldn't confirm what other AL teams the Reds play. He did say the Reds play 12 interleague games.

        It's believed the NL Central is playing the AL West again this year. So, with the Reds playing three at the Jake, it's likely that either the three-game series with Seattle or Oakland will be skipped.

        The A's and Mariners were the two AL teams that came to Cincinnati this year. If the schedule holds to form, the Anaheim Angels and Texas Rangers will visit the Reds next season.

Reds 4, Pirates 3 Reds Box, Runs Baseball's Battle of Ohio reprised Boone hoping DL stint gave Moehler some zip Special ball will commemorate Cinergy Field Yanks' Rivera nears return Glaus homers in four straight at-bats Athletics 4, Angels 3 Dodgers 7, Giants 6 Notes from Monday's games

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