CLEVELAND -- Russell Branyan struck out with the Cleveland Indians, too.

	Russell Branyan Left Field Cleveland Indians Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 50 8 17 16 1 .205

Branyan, a major disappointment in his first season as an everyday player, was traded Friday by the Indians to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league first baseman Ben Broussard.

Branyan, 26, had received more playing time this season as the Indians hoped he would develop into a power-hitting presence in their lineup.

However, he was batting just .205 with eight homers and 17 RBI in 50 games and had struck out 65 times this season. Last season, the left-handed utilityman struck out 132 times in only 315 at-bats.

''We couldn't wait any longer for him to develop,'' Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. ''He needs to make an adjustment at the plate and he hasn't.''

The 25-year-old Broussard was batting .273 with 11 homers and 30 RBI in 57 games for Triple-A Louisville. Broussard will play outfield and first for the Indians at Triple-A Buffalo.

Broussard was the Southern League batting champion last year at Double-A Chattanooga. He hit .320 with 23 homers and 69 RBIs in 100 games. He became expendable with the Reds, who have Sean Casey at first base and occasionally use Adam Dunn there.

The Indians optioned Broussard to Triple-A Buffalo and, to replace Branyan on the roster, purchased the contract of outfielder Chad Allen from Buffalo.

Allen, who signed as a minor league free agent in May, was batting .359 (23-for-64) with the Bisons. He had right knee surgery in 2001 and saw limited time with the Minnesota Twins.

Branyan had become a target for booing fans at Jacobs Field as his strikeouts piled up for the Indians, whose offense has struggled.

''We're going in with our eyes open,'' Reds manager Bob Boone said. ''Sometimes I don't care about a strikeout when a pinch-hitter comes in in the sixth, but I really like the home run.''

Indians manager Charlie Manuel benched Branyan for the last four games. He was batting just .143 (5-for-35) with runners in scoring position and was 0-for-8 with the bases loaded.

''I thought Russell Branyan could hit .250 or .260 and hit 40 homers,'' Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. ''I thought he was that kind of hitter.''

Branyan appeared in 113 games last season for Cleveland, which moved him from third base to the outfield to get him more playing time.

''He'll fit in on the bench and give us some power off the bench which we haven't had,'' Boone said. ''He gives us protection at third base and shortstop and he makes us a little bit better. I see him playing in a utility role.''

Branyan was selected in the seventh round of the 1994 draft. He hit 40 home runs in 1996 in the South Atlantic League and steadily worked his way up through the organization before playing in 67 games with the Indians in 2000.