By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer
Reds closer Danny Graves is still feeling the effects of strep throat. A bullpen session Friday left him fatigued, although he threw OK.
"I would like to pitch," he said. "But I don't want to get out there and not be effective and have us lose a game because of me."
Graves hasn't pitched since Sept. 19.
It looks as though he'll finish with 41 saves - the third-best season total for the Reds, behind Jeff Brantley (44 in 1996) and Jeff Shaw (42 in 1997).
HOLDING AT 99: First baseman Sean Casey has been stuck on 99 RBI since Sept. 24.
Casey hasn't had a lot of opportunities, but he is also struggling at the plate. He went 0-for-4 Saturday to extend his hitless skid to 15 at-bats.
If Casey reaches 100 today, which would be a career high, he and Adam Dunn will become the first Reds to record 100 RBI in the same season since George Foster (149) and Johnny Bench (109) in 1977.
PARTING GIFTS: Teammates have been giving gifts to the possibly departing Barry Larkin.
Saturday, Casey gave the shortstop a framed picture of Larkin mauling Casey in celebration of a win. Catcher Jason LaRue gave Larkin a hockey-mask style catcher's mask.
UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up the season at 1:15 p.m. today. Brandon Claussen (2-7, 6.60 ERA) faces Oliver Perez (11-10 3.08) in a matchup of lefties.
Perez is 3-0 with a 1.92 ERA against the Reds this year.
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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com
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