BOSTON RED SOX DEAL BOLTON TO CINCINNATI REDS FOR HATCHER

Boston swapped pitcher Tom Bolton for Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hatcher in a trade Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman hoped would "jump-start the ball club."

Hatcher has a .265 career average, including 41 home runs and 288 RBIs, plus 192 stolen bases in nine seasons."Billy gives us a ballplayer that is a contact hitter with a lot of speed," Gorman said. "He gives us flexibility in the outfield and will be a big addition to our ballclub."

The Red Sox outfield has been hit by injuries to Ellis Burks and Mike Greenwell. Hatcher led off, played left field and went 1-for-4 Thursday night in a 10-3 loss to the White Sox.

Hatcher, traded by Pittsburgh before the 1990 season, hit .750 in the 1990 World Series, setting the major league record for highest batting average in a four-game series as the Reds swept Oakland.

This season, Hatcher hit .287 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 43 games, but was on the disabled list much of May with a groin injury.

Reds general manager Bob Quinn said the left-handed Bolton will work as a middle reliever and spot starter for National League West leader Cincinnati.

The 30-year-old Bolton spent his entire professional career in the Red Sox organization. He was 1-2 and had a 3.41 ERA in 21 games this season.