Larkin Likes This Casey at the Bat

Rookie Sean Casey knocked in veteran Barry Larkin in three consecutive at-bats as the Cincinnati Reds routed the Montreal Expos, 10-0, on Sunday.

In all, Casey drove in five runs, including a three-run homer, while Jason Bere pitched seven shutout innings, giving the Reds back-to-back shutouts.

“The more experience you get, you have a better plan about what you want to do up there,” Casey said.

Casey, who went three for four, had an RBI double in the first and a run-scoring single in the second. He hit his fourth homer in the fourth to chase Expo starter Javier Vazquez (4-13).

For the Reds, Bere (1-0) allowed two hits and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter.

Bere was making his first NL start after being released by the Chicago White Sox in July and signed to a minor league contract. Mike Remlinger and John Hudek finished up for the Reds.

“It’s definitely a fresh start,” Bere said. “Things over there weren’t working out and I came here and was told that I’d have the opportunity, and the opportunity’s now and we’re working toward seven better outings and better things happening.”