By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

There will be no former president throwing out the first pitch, no military flyover or celebrity recording artists behind the microphone. But to Ryan Dempster, today is still opening day.

Ryan Dempster says he feels "a little extra adrenaline." (AP photo) | ZOOM |

The Reds No. 2 pitcher makes his first start this season against the Pirates at 7:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park.

"I'm not going to lie, there's still a little extra adrenaline," Dempster said. "Everything that you've been preparing for during spring training, everything you think you're doing right, you take out there with you."

At least one first at the new ballpark remains available for Dempster and the Reds: a win.

Cincinnati is 0-3 at the park, having lost two exhibitions to the Indians before Monday's 10-1 loss to the Pirates.

"You can definitely get on a roll if you go out there and have a good first outing," said Dempster, who went a combined 10-13 with a 5.38 ERA in 209 innings pitched with the Reds and Marlins last season.

"We used the bullpen a lot (on Monday) so hopefully I can go out there and take the burden off."

For that to happen, though, he'll have to improve on Friday's exhibition against the Indians.

Dempster, who was 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA entering that game, allowed six runs on six hits in 31/3 innings.

OPENING DAY PHOTOS

• Game • Parade

After watching Monday's loss from the dugout, Dempster understands the importance of keeping pitches low in the strike zone and getting ahead of hitters.

"The majority of the hits we gave up came when we were behind in the count," Dempster said. "If you're ahead in the count, it makes life a whole lot easier.

"You've just got to find the strike zone and keep the ball down."

Reds pitchers threw 24 first-pitch strikes and 19 first-pitch balls Monday.

Of the 10 first-pitch balls thrown by starter Jimmy Haynes, who went four innings, six batters reached base via a walk, double or home run.

And while it's still too soon to know, the offensive numbers put up so far point to Great American Ball Park being a hitter-friendly venue.

Seven home runs have been hit in the three games played there. Opponents are batting .245 with 19 runs, compared to the Reds' .144 and three runs.

"In order to know, we're going to have to play a whole lot more games here to get a consistent feel," catcher Jason LaRue said.

"But the name of the game for pitchers is to keep the ball down. If you do that, pitchers are usually going to come out on top."

E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com

Dempster vs. the Pirates

PLAYER	AB	H	HR	AVG.
D'Amico	1	0	0	.000
Giles	17	8	2	.471
Kendall	18	7	0	.389
Mackowiak	3	1	0	.333
Nunez	8	3	0	.375
Ramirez	16	5	0	.313
Reese	22	7	1	.318
Simon	5	1	0	.200
Stairs	1	1	1	1.000
Torres	1	0	0	.000
CWilson	4	4	0	.000
JWilson	6	1	0	.167
Young	22	11	0	.500