Earlier this month Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips the right side of the infield and the heart of the batting order went down on the same day with the flu.
The flu turned into a nightmare for Votto. Air travel combined to cause an inner ear infection, leading to dizziness. Phillips, however, returned to bump his batting average from .188 to .275. He leads the National League with 27 RBI for the month of April.
On Saturday both were in the lineup at the same time.
Votto had two home runs and four RBI in his first two at bats. But Phillips had to leave the game in the seventh inning. He took a ground ball off his right thumb, sustaining a hairline fracture.
He does not want to go on the disabled list. He wants to try to play in a couple days if his protected thumb allows him to swing the bat and throw. Wilkin Castillo was recalled as a back up when emergency starter, Homer Bailey was sent back to Louisville as planned.
When the lineups were posted Sunday, Votto's name was conspicuosly absent.
"Joey is still feeling some of the effects," Dusty Baker said. "We knew it wouldn't go away over night. He could pinch hit. We'll see."
The Reds thought they had survived the loss of its two hottest hitters when the flu ran its course. Less than a month later they have the same storm to weather.
"If we get through this stretch, we'll be great," Baker said. "It's not exactly how we planned it but it doesn't do any good to feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to keep playing."
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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