Big weekend at GABP. The Cubs are in town. That means plenty of Cub fans are in town, especially with sweet Lou Piniella’s surging squad now only two games in back of the first-place but bobbling Brewers.
The Reds are 12 1/2 games back, but a different team under new manager Pete Mackanin. Or so it seems. Cincinnati is 13-8 since the new skipper took charge, including winning three of four from the Brewers. Two were extra-inning victories. Javier Valentin knocked in the winning run in each.
How is Mackanin doing it? Getting everyone involved has been a help. For example:
- Journeyman infielder Jeff Keppinger came to Cincinnati swinging a hot bat and has stayed in the lineup because of his hot bat. His bases-loaded, two-out triple spurred the Reds to a 7-3 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday. His two-out single on Thursday drove in two runs. Keppinger is now filling in for Alex Gonzalez at shortstop. Even when Gonzalez returns, Keppinger will be hard to sit.
- Mackanin has inserted Jared Burton, the Rule 5 pitcher picked up from Oakland, in tough situations and Burton has excelled. The rookie picked up the win on Thursday, his second in three decisions. Burton throws hard and goes right after the hitter. Can’t say the same for some of his older teammates.
- Mackanin said from the start that Valentin would play more under his watch. The manager has kept his promise. Even before David Ross fractured his pinkie, Valentin was catching at least twice a week with Mackanin in the manager’s chair. His rhythm at the plate and behind it has improved. He’s a clutch hitter.
- The underrated Norris Hopper came off the bench Thursday to deliver a pinch-hit double, then scored the run in the ninth that sent the game into extra innings. Mackanin has shown he won’t hesitate to sub Hopper for Ryan Freel or Adam Dunn.
