Stynes Is Big Hit Right Off the Bat for Cincinnati

When Cincinnati outfielder Curtis Goodwin was shipped to the minors after a shouting match with Manager Jack McKeon on Thursday, it was one of the low points of the season for the Reds.

But it quickly turned into a high point when Goodwin was replaced with Chris Stynes.

Stynes, recalled from Indianapolis for his National League debut, had played 58 games in the American League with Kansas City the previous two seasons, hitting .260.

After two games against the Dodgers, however, he is within three hits of the league’s consecutive-hit record of 10, held by nine players.

The major-league record of 12 has been accomplished twice in the American League.

After getting three singles Saturday night, Stynes had three more Sunday along with his first major-league home run.

“It feels very nice,” Stynes said. “Everything has been fantastic. But it’s only been two days.”

Stynes even got a curtain call from the crowd of 24,742, the first for a Red at Cinergy Field since 1995.

“It was a bit embarrassing, but good,” said the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Stynes. “Maybe they like short, little people up there.”

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Manager Bill Russell conceded the toughest part of losing back-to-back games to the Reds was that the losses came largely because of unknowns such as Stynes, left-hander Gabe White--who beat the Dodgers Saturday in his first major-league appearance in two years--and converted reliever Mike Remlinger, who won Sunday’s game.

“You say, ‘We’ll be happy to face those guys,’ ” Russell said, “but those are the kind of guys that come in and don’t fear you.”

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Cincinnati outfielder Deion Sanders sat out the game after receiving a cortisone shot for pain in his right leg.

Although he is expected back in the lineup today, Sanders may need additional shots, according to team physician Tim Kremchek. But the injury is not considered serious and no surgery will be necessary, Kremchek said.

The problem is being caused by a bulging disk that occasionally flares up.

The Reds have advised the Dallas Cowboys, Sanders’ NFL employer, of the problem.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Chicago Cubs, two games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2, today and Tuesday.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 63-54, Cubs 47-71.

* Record vs. Cubs--5-4.

TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (10-6, 3.24 ERA) vs. CUBS’ MIGUEL BATISTA (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

* Update--This seven-game homestand, which will also include two games against the Montreal Expos and three against the Cincinnati Reds, has become an important stretch for the Dodgers because it comes in the middle of two 10-game trips. The first trip ended with the Dodgers going 5-5 and losing two games in the standings to the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants. Park is coming off a loss in Montreal that ended his career-high winning streak at five. The Cubs purchased Batista’s contract from triple-A Iowa Saturday.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (11-8, 4.04) vs. undecided.