Reds’ Sanders Appears to Still Be in His Prime

Well, they do call him Prime Time.

Deion Sanders reminded the Dodgers why his flashy nickname still applies with a star-powered performance Tuesday night in the Cincinnati Reds’ 7-6 victory at Cinergy Field.

Sanders stole the spotlight in his first appearance in the majors since 1997, going three for three with a three-run home run, two runs, a stand-up stolen base and sacrifice bunt that set up the go-ahead run in the seventh after the Dodgers tied the score, 6-6, with three runs in the top of the inning on Dave Hansen’s bases-clearing double.

Even the flamboyant Sanders was humbled by his triumphant return and the warm reception from an appreciative crowd of 21,473.

“I wish my vocabulary was equipped enough to describe this scene,” said the NFL Pro Bowl cornerback and sometimes baseball player, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Louisville before the game.

“I have a true love for this city, and the fans showed me their love tonight. It was the first time in sports I felt truly appreciated.”

Sanders made his first appearance with the Reds since Sept. 4, 1997--but the Dodgers saw no signs of rust.

He helped the Reds take the series opener from the National League West leaders, relying on his bat and exceptional speed for anyone, let alone a guy who turns 34 Aug. 9.

In the process, Sanders and the Reds spoiled the homecoming of Dodger Manager Jim Tracy.

Tracy grew up in nearby Hamilton, Ohio, about 25 miles north of Cincinnati, and many of his relatives--including his parents--and longtime friends were in attendance.

At least Sanders provided a memorable evening.

“He’s a very incredible athlete,” Tracy said. “The speed that he has . . . it creates havoc for the opposition. There’s never an easy play.”

Sanders’ bunt in the seventh moved Barry Larkin to second after Larkin’s leadoff single to center off reliever Matt Herges (1-2).

The Reds went ahead on Dmitri Young’s two-out single to left, driving in Larkin from second.

Cincinnati reliever Mark Wohlers (1-0) got the victory despite giving up three hits in the seventh and committing a key error in his only inning.

In the ninth, Gary Sheffield, in his first game after sitting out four because of a strained left index finger, singled for the fourth time in five at-bats, putting the potential tying run on base with one out.

Shawn Green grounded into a double play and closer Danny Graves got his ninth save, but Tracy was pleased with the Dodgers’ effort in rallying from a 6-1 deficit.

“I was pleased with the way we continued to battle as we have all year long,” said Tracy, whose team’s five-game winning streak was snapped. “We were fortunate to be where we were at that point and time of the game.”

The Dodgers were in a difficult spot because starter Eric Gagne struggled in his second consecutive outing, giving up four hits--including two homers--and five runs in four innings.

The Dodgers are downplaying the situation, but Gagne is in jeopardy of losing his spot in the rotation and being optioned to triple-A Las Vegas.

Sanders made things difficult for the young right-hander. Starting in left field and batting second, the left-handed batter was in star mode from the outset.

He singled in the first on the first pitch from Gagne, setting the stage for a big night in his first big-league appearance in 1,364 days.

Trailing, 1-0, in the second, the Reds scored on Aaron Boone’s fourth homer--a leadoff shot over the left-field wall--and Pokey Reese’s run-scoring single, and had runners on first and third when Sanders came to the plate.

He sent a first-pitch fastball over the wall in the right-field corner, igniting a celebration that ended in a curtain call.

Fortunately for Gagne, he would not face Sanders again after the five-run inning.

“Baseball . . . there’s so much left, so much to do, so much to accomplish,” said Sanders, leading the International League with a .459 batting average, 34 hits, .689 slugging percentage and a .494 on-base percentage when the Reds purchased his contract.

“It’s a tremendous challenge, I wanted to earn my way back, and I don’t think it was given to me. That was very important to me.”

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