By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The volume of e-mail has increased to record levels.

Question: I know you are going to get a lot of e-mail on Junior for this latest catastrophe. But I want to say this to all of the Reds "fans" who jeered him while he was lying on the ground Saturday. Shut up!

That was a despicable and callous display and would have been even if the guy wasn't on our team.

The guy is out there busting his butt trying to make a game-changing baseball play. If he'd have caught it, we might win that game.

I will grant that Junior's time in Cincinnati has been relatively unproductive, based on his potential and his past. And I will grant that at least some of the health problems he's had have been at least partially his fault, but anyone who gets on him for this injury needs to go root for the Brewers or something.

Answer: The only thing I would disagree on is your point that any of his health problems are his fault. Guys get hurt. Period. Heckling someone when they're on the turf is cowardly and classless.

Q, from Jay in Beavercreek: Do you believe the Reds will have trouble getting free-agent pitchers to sign due to the preponderance of home runs in Great American Ball Park?

A: If it continues to be the launching pad it was through the first six games, yes, it could. On the other hand, hitters might pay to play here.

Q, from Craig in Atlanta: With Ken Griffey Jr. out, how much playing time, if any, will Wily Mo Pena get?

A: Looks like between zero and none. Pena made one pinch-run appearance in the first five games after the Griffey injury. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten a spot start. He's wasting away on the bench, and Ruben Mateo hasn't exactly set the league on fire.

Q, from John in Austin: Attendance for Friday night's game against the Cubs was 29,048 - 69 percent of capacity. For the first weekend game in the new park, against a team with a slugger going for his 500th home run, this seems light.

A: I think the Reds are fairly happy with attendance overall. That same date a year ago drew 17,000 and change. Right now, the Reds are averaging around 28,000, and the crowds get better during the summer. That puts them on target for 2.4, 2.5 million.

Q, from John: If we have been building for this season for several years, why do we not have a No. 1starter? We could use Triple-A pitchers and do as well. Look around the league and see how well some of the lower market teams do.

A: Ryan Dempster could be that guy. He's 25, has good stuff and the stamina to finish games. But you're right about the small teams that compete. They key there is developing pitching.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com