Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Boone hoping DL stint gave Moehler some zip
Reds notebook
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PITTSBURGH — The Reds hope spending 15 days on the disabled list puts a little life back into Brian Moehler's “dead” arm.
They'll find out tonight when the right-hander starts the second game of the Reds' series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I'm just going to try to throw strikes and get ahead of hitters,” Moehler said. “What I wasn't doing the last time.”
Moehler gave up nine runs and 13 hits over 41/3 innings in his last two starts. That's when the Reds decided to put him on the disabled list.
Moehler wasn't experiencing pain; he just missed the zip and finish on his pitches. It was the result of shoulder surgery in July 2001, and the long rehab from it.
“It didn't have that extension,” Moehler said. “After surgery, your instinct is to try to keep your shoulder close to your body. I talked to (Reds reliever John) Riedling. He went through the same thing after his surgery.”
Moehler won't be on a strict pitch count.
“I think he can go close to where he was before (going on the DL),” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “He was in the 90-ish range. He should be strong enough. The hitters will let us know. I don't think he'll throw over 100.”
Moehler is one of five free-agent pitchers on the Reds' roster. Shawn Estes, Joey Hamilton, Jimmy Haynes and Jose Rijo are the others.
Moehler replaces Estes in the rotation. Estes was unable to get through the second inning in his last two starts.
The Reds have decisions to make on all five players, but until next year's budget is determined, not much is likely to happen on that front.
Moehler still has time to make a case for himself.
“I want to make one or two good starts so I can go into the offseason with some peace of mind,” Moehler said.
SKULL SESSION: Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, mired in a 16-for-113 (.142) slump, had a lengthy discussion about hitting in Boone's office before Monday's game.
Boone used a computer to compare Dunn's swing from early in the season, when he was thriving, to swings during his recent swoon.
“We identified what he's doing wrong,” Boone said. “Finding it is the easy thing. Bad swings develop over time. When you try to go back to what you were doing, your brain gets in the way.”
Dunn was given Monday off to think about it. Ruben Mateo started in right field, moving Jose Guillen moved to left field.
UP NEXT: The Reds play the second game of the four-game series against the Pirates tonight at 7:05. Moehler (2-3, 6.62) faces Pittsburgh right-hander Kris Benson (7-6, 4.64).
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Boone hoping DL stint gave Moehler some zip
