Starting Rotation Worries Reds on Road

The Cincinnati Reds have worries about their starting pitching, particularly the struggling Tom Browning, going into the stretch drive of the race for the National League West title.

The Reds begin a road trip tonight in Houston with a 4 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West with just 2 1/2 weeks to play. But several of their best pitchers are either hurt or struggling.

Browning (13-9) gave up three home runs in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to San Francisco. He struggled through five innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs.

That continued a three-week slide that began when Browning sprained an ankle Aug. 17. Since returning to the rotation Aug. 29, he is 1-3 with an 8.78 earned-run average in four games.

Normally known for his control, Browning said he cannot explain his sudden tendency to be erratic in pitch placement.

“I could throw some good pitches to one guy, and the next one I have no idea where the ball is going,” Browning said. “That’s not me. If I’m going to miss, (usually) I’m going to miss just a little bit off the strike zone.”

Fellow left-hander Danny Jackson (5-5), the scheduled starter tonight in Houston, has not won a game since coming off the disabled list Aug. 30. Jackson had an upper respiratory condition that caused stiffness in his shoulder. He pitched well Saturday against the Dodgers--allowing six hits and three runs in seven innings--but lost his third consecutive decision. Before Saturday, Jackson gave up 12 runs and 23 hits in 13 innings.

“Right now, our starting rotation has 2 1/2 question marks out of four,” Reds pitching coach Stan Williams said. “These guys look like they should be peaking about the time the season rolls to an end. But the problem is we’ve got to get some efforts in between now and then.”

Only Jose Rijo (12-7) has been consistent lately for the Reds. In his last six starts, the right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.13 ERA.

Left-hander Norm Charlton (12-7) is suffering from a back problem, although he said it does not affect his pitching. Charlton had his shortest outing Sunday since entering the starting rotation on July 15. During a no-decision against the Dodgers, he allowed five hits and four walks in two-plus innings. The Dodgers managed only two runs off him though, and the Reds won the game.

Rick Mahler, who won three consecutive games up until Sept. 1, is sidelined by a groin injury.

Mahler’s injury, coupled with Jack Armstrong’s tender elbow that forced him out of the starting rotation, forced Manager Lou Piniella on Sunday to go to a four-man rotation the rest of the season.