The Associated Press

Bichette grounded into yet another double play in his first at-bat Wednesday night, then hit a three-run homer his last time up as the Cincinnati Reds reached new heights with a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Thursday, May 11, 2000

Bichette grounded into yet another double play in his first at-bat Wednesday night, then hit a three-run homer his last time up as the Cincinnati Reds reached new heights with a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.

”It should be a great boost for his confidence,” manager Jack McKeon said. ”It could be the boost that he needs.”

The three-run homer off Trevor Hoffman – a pitcher he hits amazingly well – marked Bichette’s finest moment with his new team, now two games over .500 for the first time.

”I’ve dug myself such a hole that I don’t even care about the numbers,” said Bichette, hitting .227. ”I want to help this club win. That’s why it’s a confidence boost. I’ve felt good for five or six games now.”

It hasn’t showed. In the series opener Tuesday night, Bichette grounded into double plays in his first three at-bats, the first time a Red had done that since 1993.

In his first at-bat Wednesday, he grounded sharply to third baseman Phil Nevin to start a fourth double play in two games, one shy of the major league record.

”It’s just one of those things,” Bichette said. ”If you play the game long enough, you’re going to see some weird things happen. After the first double play today I sat down and said, ‘Wow.”’

He then became a subplot to another close game between two teams struggling to score runs.

Ron Villone (4-1) drove in a run with the first double of his career to put the Reds ahead 2-0 in the second, then made it stand up. Eric Owens’ solo homer off Villone in the sixth inning provided the Padres’ only run in the last 24 innings.

The Padres have lost five consecutive games – all on the road – and 11 of 14 overall because of an inept offense. In the last 11 games, San Diego is batting .226.

Unless the offense comes around fast, the Padres are in danger of finishing a road trip 0-6 for only the third time in the franchise’s 32 seasons.

”Man, we just can’t buy a big hit right now,” manager Bruce Bochy said, resting his left hand on the bridge of his nose. ”Everyone goes through it and we’re going through ours right now.”

Sterling Hitchcock (0-5) can’t get a break, either. The left-hander gave up six hits and two runs in six innings, but stayed winless since last Aug. 18.

Hitchcock has only one win in his last 17 starts and seems to bring out the worst in the Padres. San Diego has lost all of his eight starts this season and is 1-17 in his last 18 starts.

After the latest loss, Hitchcock sat sideways in his cubicle, staring at the wall, alone with his thoughts.

”I’m not in the mood right now,” he told a reporter.

The Padres had lost so much that Hoffman hadn’t pitched in a week. When he got into the game in the eighth, it showed.

The Reds opened with a hit and a walk, bringing up Bichette with a chance to tie the record for hitting into double plays. He got the bunt sign on the first pitch and fouled it off.

”I didn’t come here to bunt with the game on the line in the eighth,” Bichette said. ”I appreciate the way the game is played, but I know people want to see me hit. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

The next pitch was a fastball that Bichette hit into the second deck in left field, ending the suspense and adding to his success against Hoffman. Bichette is 7-for-18 career against the closer with four homers.

”For some reason, he sees the ball real well and made me pay,” Hoffman said.

Bichette can’t explain it any better than he can explain those four double plays.

”The beautiful thing about this game is that you can go from goat to hero in one swing – and vice-versa,” he said.

Notes: The Padres are 2-8 against left-handed starters, losing seven in a row. … It was the first homer allowed this season by Hoffman, who has been used only three times in the last 13 games. … In the last eight games, opposing pitchers are 7-for-16 with two doubles, a homer and six RBIs against San Diego. … Zeke Bonura of the New York Giants grounded into five double plays in consecutive games in 1939, setting the NL and major league record. The AL record is four by numerous players.