Pirates’ Ramirez homers twice in loss to Reds
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) – Adam Dunn and Kelly Stinnett homered Thursday to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Aramis Ramirez homered twice for Pittsburgh, and Rob Mackowiak also went deep. Brian Giles was 0-for-3.
Ken Griffey Jr., Austin Kearns, Sean Casey and Dernell Stenson each added a double as the Reds got 12 hits. Griffey scored twice and drove in a run. Casey had two RBIs.
Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin, hit on the right elbow by a pitch Tuesday, was scratched from the starting lineup because the elbow was still sore. The Reds said team physician Timothy Kremchek examined Larkin and found nothing more than bruises.
Larkin is expected to play Friday.
Cincinnati starter Jose Acevedo, competing with Pete Harnisch, Chris Reitsma and Seth Etherton for one available spot in the rotation, gave up four runs – three earned – and six hits in 3 1-3 innings.
Harnisch is back with the Reds to try a comeback after missing most of last season, when he underwent elbow surgery to replace a ligament.
Harnisch threw batting practice Thursday morning for the second time and impressed Reds officials during his 55-pitch effort. He is to pitch a three-inning simulated game Tuesday, then be used in games.
“It was very impressive,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said of Harnisch’s workout. “He looked like he was capable of pitching in a game. His cutter was effective and his changeup was great. We’re very, very encouraged.”
Bowden brushed off a report in The (Baltimore) Sun that Orioles owner Peter Angelos would be willing to take on the $79 million the Reds still owe Griffey if the team wanted to trade him.
“Won’t happen. We’re not talking with any team about Junior,” Bowden said. “We are going to open our new Great American Ball Park with Junior in center field.”
The Reds were ready to trade the oft-injured Griffey to the San Diego Padres for Phil Nevin this winter, but Nevin vetoed the trade. The Reds have since sheared their payroll to accommodate Griffey’s salary.