Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Reds need 6-0 run to finish .500
LaRue out for hernia surgery
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHICAGO - Amidst all the hoopla and nostalgia of Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field's closing, Reds shortstop Barry Larkin mentioned this:
“Our season doesn't end with the last game here,” he said. “We still have six more to play. We want to finish strong.”
That was before the Philadelphia Phillies swept three games from the Reds.
Now, a strong finish won't even get the Reds to .500. They need a perfect finish to close the season at 81-81. They play three against the Chicago Cubs here, starting with an 8:05 p.m. game today, and then go to Montreal for the final three of the season. It could also be the last three games at Olympic Stadium because the Expos might move for the 2003 season.
The Reds, who have played just awful for the last six weeks, got some more bad news Monday: Catcher Jason LaRue will have hernia surgery today and miss the rest of the season. Corky Miller is expected to be called up to replace him.
Losing LaRue means the Reds will finish the season with three of their starting eight on the shelf. First baseman Sean Casey is out for the year after shoulder surgery. Right fielder Austin Kearns, out since Aug.27 with a hamstring strain, made the road trip, but he'll be limited to pinch-hitting duty at the most.
The Reds would have preferred to pack things up and end the season with Sunday's Phillies game. These six games are the last of 23 against non-contending clubs.
The only drama for the Cubs series will be whether Chicago slugger Sammy Sosa can hit the two home runs for 500 in his career.
DOWN IN THE MINORS: Reds director of player development Tim Naehring announced the signing of a two-year contract with Single-A Potomac Cannons of the Carolina League. Potomac replaces Stockton, Calif., in the Reds' minor-league system.
The Reds didn't renew the contract of Dayton pitching coach Ted Power, who was 68-69 with 70 saves in 13 big-league seasons from 1981-93. Power pitched in Cincinnati from 1983-87 and in 1991.
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Reds need 6-0 run to finish .500
