It Was Worth the Wait

Steve Parris added other chapter to his comeback story on Sunday.

Parris got his first victory in nearly three years as the Cincinnati Reds finished a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers with a 5-2 victory.

Parris (1-0), making his first start of the season, gave up only one run in six-plus innings to win for the first time since pitching Pittsburgh to a 3-2 victory over Florida on Aug. 20, 1995.

He was released by the Pirates after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in 1996 and spent the next year and most of this season in the Reds farm system.

“Just getting back here was a big battle,” said Parris, who gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked two.

“I had to prove I could pitch again after the surgery and getting released by the Pirates. There’s always a time you lose a little hope, but as long as I’m healthy I can pitch.”

Bret Boone hit a two-run double for the Reds, who have won four in a row after an 11-game losing streak.

“[Parris] did a good job right when we needed it,” Reds Manager Jack McKeon said. “He threw the ball over the plate and had a much better breaking ball.”

Parris stranded 10 runners, including six in scoring position.

Rick Krivda and Jeff Shaw followed Parris, with Shaw working a perfect ninth for his 21st save.

Shaw pitched in all five games of the Reds’ 4-1 trip, including two innings of a 6-5, 13-inning Cincinnati victory on Saturday night.

Justin Thompson (6-8) remained winless at home.