By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jermaine Clark now has a face to go with the name.

The Reds outfielder was one of several players, coaches and front office personnel who chatted with chief executive officer Carl Lindner before the team's 5-0 win against the Pirates on Sunday at Ed Smith Stadium.

"It was a pretty pleasant conversation," Clark said. "He emphasized how hard work pays off.

"It's a nice model to live by, of course. He's a fine example."

Lindner arrived to the spring training complex in a pewter-colored Cadillac limousine - costing $102 per hour - and sat in the stands for six innings before leaving.

Manager Dave Miley met up with Lindner about 20 minutes before the game.

"He's very happy with what's going on," Miley said. "Through the reports, and probably through the paper, he knew what we were coming down here to get accomplished.

"He asked if everybody was more or less healthy. I told him this spring has been going great."

FULL-TIME: In what he hopes is a precursor of things to come, catcher Jason LaRue caught all nine innings of a rare spring training shutout win.

Four Reds pitchers combined to allow just four hits.

"Maybe it's a good sign for the whole year," LaRue said. "Start it down here and carry it over into the year."

LaRue is the first Reds player to play an entire game this spring. Miley said more players would begin playing nine innings this week.

"Obviously, it's kind of a sign spring training is starting to wind down when you start getting prepared to play nine innings every day," said LaRue, who finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBI.

BACK-TO-BACK: Pitcher Danny Graves is settling back into the closer's role.

When the right-hander pitched on consecutive days against the Devil Rays on Friday and Saturday, it marked the first time he had pitched on consecutive days since July 13-14, 2002 at Houston.

"It was different," Graves said Sunday. "I enjoyed it, though. I like to pitch more frequently.

"Prior to those two back-to-back days, I had two days off. I didn't like that. I think that's why I didn't like starting. You had too many days off."

In 30 career major league starts, Graves has a 5-14 record with a 4.97 ERA. He is 34-22 with 131 saves and a 3.50 ERA in 367 career games in relief.

CUTS COMING: The Reds are expected to announce their second round of spring training cuts today.

General manager Dan O'Brien and Miley met with other front office personnel after Sunday's game.

Rosters must be at 25 men by Opening Day. There are 40 players in major league camp.

PERFECT TIMING: Because of the way the Reds spring training schedule worked out, shortstop Barry Larkin and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. stayed at their Orlando-area homes Saturday evening and Sunday. They will rejoin the team today in Winter Haven.

CALL IT A COMEBACK: Third base coach Mark Berry threw 10 minutes of pre-game batting practice Sunday for the first time this spring. He is five months removed from surgery on his right shoulder.

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E-mail kkelly@enquier.com