Fred Lewis A Step Forward. Willis A Step Back

Homer Bailey was fine in a 10-7 loss to San Diego which was an open audition for five players desperately trying to earn spots on the roster. 


Bailey will start against Milwaukee April 2 in Cincinnati, unless there are injuries.


"I'm ready.  It doesn't matter if its the first game or the fifth game its all the same. "I think I'm ready for the season.  I think the last game (of the spring) will be the last hammer of the nail, if you will. I think I'm on track. The walks are down.  I'm pretty happy about that," Bailey said.


He gave up an inside the park home run to Will Venable but it was a fly ball that hit off the base of the fence and took a crazy bounce away from Chris Heisey.


Jeremy Hermida and Fred Lewis hit third and fourth in the lineup respectively.


Hermida was 1-for-5 and his spring average dipped to .355.  He is signed to a minor league contract.
Lewis was 1-for-4 and raised his spring average to .175.


But spring averages are not the only indicators.


Lewis played DH in a minor league game yesterday and got seven at bats.  He went 4-for-7.


Dontrelle Willis had as much of a nightmare outing as one could imagine.  He relieved Bailey with a runner on first.  He promptly threw a pick off throw into the seats.  He struck out Nick Hundley then lost the plate, walking Kevin Frandsen and Oscar Salazar.  Venable tripled down the right field line.  But there was a flair and a couple ground balls that got through.  He pitched 1/3 an inning, walking three and giving up five runs on three hits.


"Dontrelle got in trouble with that errant pickoff throw.  He had trouble.  He had command issues.  It was a tough sixth inning right there.  It's just a matter of inconsistency.  One time good.  One time not so good.  When he throw strikes, he's tough.  He'll get some more chances.  He'll probably pitch twice more.  He's one of the guys (5) trying to make the club.  Every time he pitches good he increases his chances.  If he doesn't it decreases his chances.  That's how it goes."


Sam Le Cure came on and got the last two outs.  He is also in a battle for one of the two bullpen spots.  Another bullpen candidate, Matt Maloney pitched an inning with a hit and a walk


."Maloney looked pretty good today.  Le Cure came in already with the gates kind of open.  Maloney started a fresh inning.  They get a chance to pitch again too."