CINCINNATI (AP) - Pete Rose Jr. spoke with his famous father on Tuesday - about hitting, of course.

Since the Cincinnati Reds called him up on Sept. 1, Rose Jr. has struggled at the plate. He was 2-for-7 with four strikeouts and two singles heading into a game Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

That's a big departure from what he did for Double-A Chattanooga this season. His .308 average with 25 homers and 98 RBIs earned his first major-league promotion at age 27.

His dad, the all-time hits leader, knew the problem instinctively: Junior is pressing.

''I had a talk with my dad today,'' Rose Jr. said. ''He knew something was wrong. I'm swinging at balls I'm normally not swinging at.''

It's tough enough getting called up from Double-A to the major leagues. It's even tougher when the hometown fans get up, chant your name and expect a Rose result every time you come to the plate.

The receptions are nice - Rose Jr. says they get his adrenalin going - but not exactly the thing to make a newcomer feel comfortable.

''I've been able to relax, but not that much,'' Rose Jr. said. ''I'm as nervous as can be.''

It shows. Rose Jr. has repeatedly swung at high fastballs and watched good pitches sail past for strikes. He did it in his debut on Sept. 1, when he played third base and went 1-for-3 with a walk. He's also gotten into three other games as a pinch hitter.

His dad's advise was basic: Relax and wait for your pitch. Given the circumstances, that's been hard to do.

''I'm a high-strung kid anyway,'' Rose Jr. said. ''The pitcher could be picking up the resin bag and I'd swing at it.

''I've just got to get past that. It's a different world. You figure it's 60 feet, 6 inches (to the mound) and the plate is the same size, but it's totally different.''

For the rest of the month, Rose Jr. can expect to pinch hit occasionally. The Reds are playing youngsters who figure more prominently in their future, so he's learning how to be a bench player.

''I've never been a pinch hitter,'' he said. ''I'm trying to learn how to do it.''

He's also making another adjustment. His dream once was to make it to the major leagues as an everyday player. At age 27, he's realized that his best chance of staying in the majors is as a utility player.

Rose Jr. played every infield position during his minor-league career. He's going to work out in the outfield to become more versatile.

''I'm a left-handed bat and can play different positions,'' he said. ''That adds to your value. But the bat's the main thing.''

He hopes to get invited to the Reds' training camp next spring with a chance to make the team as a utility player. More realistically, he'll probably have to settle for a spring training invitation and a Triple-A stay.

''Next year, I just want to go to spring training with a legitimate chance to make the club,'' he said. ''I know I can do it. It's just a matter of getting the chance.''

Whatever happens, he's already achieved his dream. Rose Jr. wanted to make the major leagues, play in front of his dad, get a hit and then get a hug.

He did all four.

Pete Rose attended his son's debut, cheered him on from the front row, then met him afterwards and embraced him.

''That was the only thing I cared about that day,'' Rose Jr. said.