By Kevin Kelly and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Tuesday's game

The Reds already have a closer, but relief pitcher Chris Reitsma played the part Tuesday.

With the score tied at three, Reitsma came on in the eighth and used a mid-90s fastball and a baffling changeup to hold the Yankees scoreless for the final two innings.

The right-hander struck out four of the six batters he faced.

"I had a lot of adrenaline out there," said Reitsma, who threw 15 of his 23 pitches for strikes. "(My teammates) were making fun of me because I looked like I was carrying some luggage or something when I was walking off the mound.

"I had a good time. I really enjoy coming out of the bullpen like that - a tie game like that, just coming in and blowing it out."

Reitsma had allowed seven earned runs in his past 10 1/3 innings entering Tuesday.

Only Yankees third baseman Robin Ventura and Juan Rivera managed to put a ball in play. Jorge Posada, Raul Mondesi, Todd Zeile and Derek Jeter all struck out against Reitsma.

"When he's out there spitting nails, the speed comes up," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "When the speed comes up, his changeup is unhittable.

"He's a different guy. What you saw there tonight was Trevor Hoffman six years ago."

DUNN AGAIN: Adam Dunn, despite going 0-for-4 Sunday, was back in the leadoff spot Tuesday.

"He's doing some things very correctly," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "Hopefully, he's ready to break out."

Dunn was 0-for-3 Tuesday with a walk, a strikeout and a run scored.

LOPEZ BACK: Felipe Lopez started at shortstop Tuesday night. Ranier Olmedo made his second career start Sunday and went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Lopez entered Tuesday with four hits in his past 33 at-bats.

"I thought about both of them," Boone said. "I'd like to get Lopie going."

Lopez came in on Monday's off day to work on hitting but went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday.

"He's drifting," Boone said. "He gets to where he can't turn on the ball."

DEMPSTER IN: Ryan Dempster will come off the disabled list Saturday and start against Toronto, barring a setback.

Dempster started Sunday for Triple-A Louisville in his second rehab assignment. He's on the DL with an inflamed nerve in his neck.

LARKIN UPDATE: Barry Larkin is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, but it doesn't look like that will happen.

"He's getting a little better," Boone said. "But there's no timetable."

MARTY & JOHNNY: Radio play-by-play man Marty Brennaman will work tonight's game for ESPN as part of the "Living Legend" series. Brennaman will do play-by-play in the third, fourth, fifth and ninth innings. His partners will be Dave O'Brien and Joe Morgan. Brennaman will be replaced on the WLW broadcast by Johnny Bench.

LUNCH DATE: Yankees manager Joe Torre had lunch with Reds owner Carl Lindner prior to Tuesday's game. "He's not pulling for us, though," Torre joked.

Since arriving in town, Torre has spent much of his time with relatives. His wife, Alice, is from Cincinnati and is one of 16 children.

"Of the 16 kids, 13 still live here," Torre said.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the second game of the three-game series with New York. Right-hander Paul Wilson (2-4, 4.80 ERA) will face right-hander Mike Mussina (7-3, 2.62).