• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bruce shines in debut, Dunn homers as Reds win

May 28, 2008 - 4:16 AM By Douglas Tifft PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Many Cincinnati Reds fans have been calling for the promotion of 21-year-old outfielder Jay Bruce since the beginning of the season, and with good reason.

Bruce went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored in his major league debut in helping the Reds record a 9-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

"I don't think you can write it any better than that," said Bruce, whose face was covered with shaving cream after the game.

Bruce, often the subject of rookie hazing from his teammates during spring training, got the rookie treatment once again on his first day in Cincinnati, although his teammates left the culprit ambiguous.

"I know nothing," said Ken Griffey Jr., Bruce's childhood idol.

""It's always been my dream to play with Ken Griffey Jr., and here I am. I can't believe it," Bruce said of Griffey, who currently sits at 598 career home runs.

Rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in baseball, Bruce was called up earlier Tuesday and made a statement that he intends to make the big leagues his permanent home.

Bruce did not seem intimidated by the shift to the major leagues.

"It's just like the minors," he said. "Just there are bigger crowds, bigger stands, and better uniforms."

Bruce got some help from Adam Dunn, who blasted a franchise record-breaking home run.

Dunn delivered his 252nd career homer - all with the Reds - in the fifth inning, surpassing Ted Kluszewski for the all-time club mark in homers by a lefthanded batter.

The 28-year-old Dunn crushed a three-run shot off Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell (2-4) into the right field bleachers for his 14th blast of the season to give Cincinnati a 4-3 edge.

Bruce and Dunn were just two of the catalysts for the Reds offense, which had men come to the plate 12 times with the bases loaded.

Reds rookie starter Johnny Cueto (3-5) pitched five innings, giving up three runs - two earned - on nine hits while striking out four.

"He picked up a win despite throwing a lot of pitches in a short period of time," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Cueto. "He battled today."

After Cincinnati reliever Jeremy Affeldt surrendered three runs in the ninth on a pair of home runs to Adam LaRoche and Ronny Paulino, Francisco Cordero recorded the final out for his 11th save of the season.

Snell lasted five innings, surrendering seven runs on six hits with a career-high seven walks.

"We like some of the things he's been able to do, but he still needs to be more consistent," Pirates manager John Russell said.

Shortstop Jack Wilson had three hits in his return from the disabled list due to a strained calf and LaRoche added two hits and drove in three runs for Pittsburgh.