Cincinatti Reds Team Report 

                                                 July 24th, 1998
     

     Well, the Reds are falling back in the NL central race.  At 19-24(6 
games back), they are starting to lose games to .500, and manager Don 
McKeon says that's the key to the Reds success.

Manager Sets Goals

Don McKeon
Reds Manager

 
     "At the stage of the season were in,
and where we are in the standings, I'd say
our best goal is to hang around .500 for
awhile.  We need to keep winning games for
every loss, and if we string together 3 or
4 straight, terrific.  Then we're just that
much closer to that coveted NL Central lead."
 

Jay Bell having a good season, batting above .300 for the first time in his career. 


     "I've been swinging the bat quite
well, and I feel comfortable at the #2
spot in the lineup.  With Thomas
Howard) ahead of me, we create runs."
This is obviously proven as the 2 have
combined for 69 runs created by the
Reds.  The 2 have a tremendous lead
over any other Reds combo.  Jay Bell is
hitting .319 with 5 Home Runs & 21 RBIs.

Comfortable at # 2 spot


Jay Bell
 

Thomas Howard has put up All-Star like numbers -- Can he continue ?? 


     "When I was moved from 9th to 1st
in the lineup, that gave me a lot of
confidence.  I've been seeing the ball
well and making pretty smart desicions
at the plate."

     Thomas has put up numbers that
definitely should get some attention
from the All-Star voters.  He's hitting
.327 with 8 HRs & 28 RBIs.  All leading
his team.  He has also stolen 13 bases
in 14 attempts and has hit well from
both sides of the plate.  He has also
created 37 runs so far this season to
top his club.

All Star Material ??


Thomas Howard
 

Injuries & questionable performance hinder Reds Pitching

Great Veteran Start


Mark Portugal
4-0 1.94 ERA		 

     The Reds starting pitching rotation
has been good all year, and the Reds with
a surprising 4.08 team ERA, are making an
impression.  Mark Portugal leads the squad
at 4-0 and a 1.94 ERA.  Jeff Fassero, Cal
Eldred, and Scott Sanderson round out the
fearsome foursome.  The bullpen may be the
trouble spot for the Reds.  The bullpen is
a combined 3-11.  It has 10 saves, Chuck
McElroy leading with four.  The best ERA
in the pen is Jose Rijo at 3.15.  Not a
real dominant bullpen.

     But, the Reds are hoping for improvement
when Kevin Jarvis returns from the DL after
a stretched ulnar nerve.  He is expected out
for 2-4 weeks.  Jarvis was one of the better
relief pitchers for the Reds last season.
 

Can Veteran Free Agents help anchor the squad ?

  
     The Reds have also picked up some veterans from Free Agency.  Tony 
Pena and Willie McGee hope to have an impact heading into the dog days of 
summer.


Tony Pena


Willie McGee

 

     The Reds are hopefully on to their best season yet, and maybe a
postseason berth.
Lucas Reds GM