Shea Stadium--Former Met Jeff Keppinger must have loved. being back in Shea Stadium last weekend. Keppinger, now a member of the Cincinnati Reds, raised his season average to .324 after three games in Shea. Although, the Reds dropped two of the three contests, it was not for want of effort by the Reds shortstop.

In the afternoon affair on Saturday, the 27 year-old singled in four at bats. Keppinger must have had sufficient rest before the nightcap, as he had his first career five hit game. Keppinger hit successfully in each at bat in the 7-1 victory. His veteran manager, Dusty Baker, praised the youngster's work ethic as well as his ability, "He works at it. He thinks about it, he concentrates, he focuses. He's trying to maximize his opportunity to play every day. That was big, especially for a guy who is slight of build, to have that kind of game, after a long, long day. It tells you what kind of shape he's in."

On Sunday, Keppinger got two hits and walked. He knocked in a run in the sixth with a triple and then scored on a wild pitch. Keppinger said he was pleased by his success, but was not unduly happy because it came against his former team.

Keppinger was drafted by the Pirates in 2001. He was traded to the Mets in July 2004. He made his major league debut with New York in the next month. He batted .284 in 33 games with the Mets.

Severe injuries limited Keppinger to 64 minor league games during the 2005 season. The infielder was traded to Kansas City in July 2006. He batted. 267 with the Royals in 22 games at the tail end of the season.

He was acquired by the Reds in January 2007. Keppinger batted..332 in 67 contests with Cincinnati last year.

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