By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

He has become a symbol for a struggling pitching staff. Three starts into the season, Jimmy Haynes, the Reds' Opening Day pitcher, is 0-3 with a 10.38 earned run average.

Haynes, who led the Reds last year with 15 victories and 196.2 innings, endured another rough outing Saturday in the Reds' 8-5 loss to Philadelphia.

He allowed four earned runs on eight hits and walked four in five innings. But instead of concern emanating from manager Bob Boone's office, there was encouragement.

"I thought today was better," Boone said. "I thought he made some terrific pitches and he didn't get the call. His mechanics and his alignment to the plate were much better and he was close with all his pitches today."

Indeed, Haynes' performance was his best of the young season. It was the first time he lasted past the fourth inning and the four runs were fewer than he allowed in either of his other starts.

He also lowered his ERA by two runs, more an indication of how bad he was in his first two starts than how much he improved in his third.

But like Boone, Haynes chose to view his latest outing as something to build on.

"Other than the walks, I thought I pitched pretty good," Haynes said. "I gave up my hits, but that's a lot better than the last two times. Let's put it that way."

Haynes allowed a run in the second , retired the Phillies in order in the fourth, and got the first two hitters in the fifth after the Reds claimed a 3-1 lead. But then Jim Thome singled, Pat Burrell doubled him to third and David Bell walked to load the bases.

Haynes appeared to have Ricky Ledee stuck out on a 3-2 curve, but didn't get the call and the walk forced in a run. Pratt then singled to center to score two more.

"It was a close pitch," Haynes said of the delivery to Ledee. "It could have gone either way."

The Reds signed Haynes to a one-year contract, gambling that his career-high 15 wins last season were not an aberration.

Counted on to be a stabilizing force in the rotation, he has instead left a gaping hole in it.

If Saturday's performance really can be regarded as a step forward, it would be a welcome development.

"I hit my spots a lot better and I kept the ball down for the most part," Haynes said. "Cutting down on my walks would help a lot."

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com